The biggest night in film and acting is this Sunday, Febuary 22 at 7 p.m. on ABC and will be hosted by the eclectic Neil Patrick Harris.

As the Oscars are preparing to roll out the red carpet for a number of talented A-listers, let’s take a look at who is most likely to take home the most honors.

Best Picture

Nominees – American Sniper, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash

Predicted Winner – Birdman… or Boyhood

It’s definitely a close competition this year. The Best Picture category is pretty much split between Birdman and Boyhood.

While Birdman is a brilliantly shot, strange yet unique and satirical comedy, the 12 years it took to film Boyhood makes the film stand out from any movie that’s been made before.

Both films explore striking looks at human nature, but what it really boils down to is if the Academy digs sincerity over the harsh irony of show biz.

Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees – Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Michael Keaton (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)

Predicted Winner – Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Eddie Redmayne gave the most transformative performance by far this year. It’s a trend in the Best Actor categories that the most rewarded roles are those that depict prominent figures in history and Redmayne perfectly fits this mold. His performance as Stephen Hawking was charmingly clever and well-developed and hit home with many audiences.

If Redmayne didn’t win over the Academy, Michael Kaeaton might have with his dark stripped down act in Birdman. Both actors gave us an intense and striking look at human nature and with that, it’s hard to predict who will take home the award on Sunday.

Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees – Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Julianne Moore (Still Alice), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Reese Witherspoon (Wild)

Predicted Winner – Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Julianne Moore has been unstoppable this awards season and it’s well-deserved. I think it’s finally her time to shine this year after countless years of snubs.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees – Robert Duvall (The Judge), Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Edward Norton (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)

Predicted Winner – J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Why isn’t J.K. Simmons nominated for his voice role as the yellow peanut M&M in our favorite commercials? I’m fully kidding, but Whiplash is one of my favorite movies of the year for a good reason.

Simmons is absolutely hilarious in a sort of crude way and nothing but relatable to music students. I wouldn’t count out Ethan Hawke from comign out with a surpise win though.

Actress in a Supporting Role 

Nominees – Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Laura Dern (Wild), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), Emma Stone (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)), Meryl Streep (Into The Woods)

Predicted Winner – Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game

Yes, I could go with the default and say that Patricia Arquette will join the many talented actresses that have won this role. Don’t get me wrong, I think she was great in Boyhood and she’s obviously a very dedicated actress. I felt like her performance was rather stale or maybe I just didn’t like her character, even though it was very relatable.

That being said, I feel more strongly about Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game. I think that she’s gone unrecognized for her outstanding representation of the World War II Enigma code trailblazer Joan Clark and it’s pretty ironic. Joan Clark had an important role in breaking the historically significant code yet goes rather unnoticed for her accomplishments. If anything, I’d really like to see an actress who plays a character who is empowering to women to win this award and that would be Keira Knightley.

Animated Feature Film

Nominees – Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls, How To Train Your Dragon 2, Song of the Sea, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Predicted Winner – Big Hero 6

Why wouldn’t Disney win this award?

Cinematography

Nominees – Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), The Grand Budapest Hotel, Ida, Mr. Turner, Unbroken

Predicted Winner – Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance even though I’d really like The Grand Budapest Hotel to win

Birdman definitely deserves this award for its ambitious cinematography. The whole movie is filmed with techniques that compile into one continous shot. This probably not only took tons of skill while filming, but probably afterwards in editing the film.

In the same way, The Grand Budapest Hotel exemplifies ambitious cinematography with grandoise establishing shots and what Wes Anderson is best known for, his use of color and what it signifies.

I’m a huge Wes Anderson geek, but in the end Birdman will win for its ardent techniques.

Directing

Nominees – Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)), Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

Predicted Winner – Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

The Directing category is usually linked to the Best Picture category but the work of Richard Linklater will rightfully stop the same thing from happening this year. With Boyhood, Linklater proves his dedication to directing and his vision as a director in the film industry.

Music – Original Song

Nominees – “Everything is Awesome” – Lego Movie, “Glory” – Selma, “Grateful” – Beyond the Lights, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” – Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me, “Lost Stars” – Begin Again

Predicted Winner – “Everything is Awesome” – Lego Movie

Poor Lego Movie. It wasn’t nominated for Animated Feature Film despite its large following, but at least it was nominated and is considered a frontrunner for this category.

Writing – Adapted Screenplay

Nominees – American Sniper, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash

Predicted Winner – The Theory of Everything

I can only imagine it’s very difficult to capture the life and struggles of a very prominent and influential figure. I think that The Theory of Everything deserves this award more than the other nominees because of the the ways the movie may have unconventially portrayed stages of Stephen Hawking’s life but still succeeded in characterizing his genius.

Writing – Original Screenplay

Nominees – Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Boyhood, Foxcatcher, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Nightcrawler

Predicted Winner – The Grand Budapest Hotel

When I think “original”, the movie that first comes to mind is The Grand Budapest Hotel. With an elaborate storyline, detailed characters, and quick-witted lines Wes Anderson has an edge on the competition, but I wouldn’t count out Birdman or Nightcrawler from snagging the award. Birdman and Nightcrawler’s dialogue is a significant portion of what makes these films great, mostly thanks to sharp dark humor.

Agree or Disagree with my predictions? Comment below!