As you know, I don’t really get to see many movies in theaters. Which is often viewed as contrary to my life’s interest in the film industry, until you get married, buy a house, and have kids, then it seems perfectly normal. Sigh.

Anyway, not seeing the movies does not prevent me from making my annual fearless predictions. So, into the breach once more.

Best Actor:
Steve Carell, Foxcatcher-A creepy portrayal of a real person. Hollywood typically likes performances that lose themselves in other people. Too creepy to like, but not creepy enough to win an award.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Imitation Game-I love Mr. Cumberbatch in the BBC series Sherlock, but he’s basically playing the same character, i.e. a super-genius with poor social skills and questionable sexuality. He can’t win for reviving his TV character with a different name.
Bradley Cooper, American Sniper-It’s a powerful true-life story. But the movie came out late in the year and may have missed the opportunity to build momentum for Mr. Cooper.
Michael Keaton, Birdman-For a fantastic performance, this would be Keaton’s lifetime achievement award, if it weren’t for…
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything-As mentioned with Steve Carell, Hollywood loves portrayals of real people. This one is of a guy the public respects and generally likes (even if we don’t understand what he’s talking about) and we know he has a sad (to us) ending to disease. This is a tough call with Michael Keaton but I’m saying Redmayne is the Winner.

Best Actress:
Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night-Didn’t see this film and neither did anyone else. Nope.
Felicity Jones, The Theory Of Everything-She’s too young to win. Her career’s just getting started. So, nope.
Reese Witherspon, Wild-Have you seen it? Neither have I. All I know is that Reese is naked in it. Maybe I’ll check it out on BluRay. Nope.
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl-I’ve heard she’s good. But, nope.
Julianne Moore, Still Alice-Have I mentioned how much I like redheads? This category is the closest thing to a lock there is. She’s won literally every pre-Oscar award. And has never won an Oscar before. This is a life time achievement opportunity. Done deal.

Best Supporting Actor & Actress:
Still don’t care that much. So, I’m going to say, J.K. Simmons, Whiplash (A long time character actor finally breaks through.) and Patricia Arquette, Boyhood.

Best Animated Film:
How Lego Movie didn’t get nominated and can’t win is a travesty. Therefore, I am boycotting this category. And if a sequel wins (I’m looking at you How To Train Your Dragon 2) I’m going to throw something.

Best Director:
This is a tricky one, but similar to last year’s race (Gravity and 12 Years A Slave), it’s the technical artistry of Birdman versus the human craft of Boyhood shot over several years of the young actor’s life. I’m going to say Birdman’s Alehandro G. Inarritu wins.

Best Picture:
Uh I don’t know. Birdman, Boyhood, are neck and neck. I’m going to say the Academy gives it to Boyhood for the sheer patience and daring of making a movie over 11 years.

That’s the best I can do. Last year I was 7 for 7, but past results do not guarantee future performance. So, good luck.