3. Birdman
Yes, this dark comedy-drama is a tricky one to predict. Hailing from Biutiful helmer Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman centers on a fading actor (Michael Keaton, in a neat bit of meta-casting) who, desperate to reclaim his fame and family, launches a Broadway show that focuses on the title character on whom the actor built his career. With the tricky, self-aware premise, it could easily be a dud – but the possibility of Birdman being brilliant is just too high for me not to have faith in it.
Plus, Emmanuel Lubezki, who won the Oscar for Best Cinematography last year for Gravity, is on board as Iñárritu’s cinematographer, helping him to make Birdman appear as if it was shot in one continuous take. I’m expecting Birdman to be visually stunning, for sure. The stellar supporting cast also increases its Oscar chances. Lindsay Duncan, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts co-star.
I’m predicting Best Picture, Best Actor (for Keaton) and Best Cinematography (for Lubezki). Best Director and Best Editing are also strong possibilities, and it looks like Norton will stand the best chance out of any of the supporting cast members of scoring a nod.
Birdman opens October 17th.