Full Predictions For The 2013 Academy Awards

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables

Joaquin Phoenix, The Master

Denzel Washington, Flight

A very strong crop of actors, four of whom are already mourning the fact they gave these great performances the same year Daniel Day-Lewis played Abraham Lincoln. Yes, Day-Lewis will win; SAG, BAFTA, and dozens of other wins not withstanding, he is the most renowned actor in this category, playing one of the most recognizable figures of all time, and giving one of the best performances of his career in the process. He will win. Obviously. And that will make me happy; he more than deserves it.

Will and Should Win: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

Best Actress


Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Naomi Watts, The Impossible

A race that seemed fairly set has been shaken a bit in recent weeks, for although Jennifer Lawrence did take home the SAG award and numerous other titles on this year’s circuit, Emmanuelle Riva’s recent BAFTA win has some pundits thinking momentum may have shifted in her favor. It is not a bad theory, given the sheer amount of love the Oscars clearly have for Amour and the fact that Lawrence was not competing with her at the SAG awards, but in the balance, I still think this is Lawrence’s race to loose. As much as the Academy respects Amour, they clearly love Silver Linings Playbook as well – it is the first film in a very long time to get nominations in all four acting categories – and Lawrence appears to be their one serious shot to give it a win. I think that consideration, combined with the industry-wide admiration for Lawrence – both as an actress and in this performance – will give her the win this Sunday.

Will and Should Win: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

Continue reading on the next page…