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Oscars 2014 Winners: Five Predictions From Us Weekly’s Film Critic

Cate Blanchett with her award at the 2014 Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Cate Blanchett is both predicted to and deserving of a win at this year's show, according to Us Weekly film critic Mara Reinstein.

Come Sunday, get ready once again to hear many different versions of, “I’d like to thank the Academy!” as the 86th Academy Awards finally get underway. And with the live awards show airing on ABC Sunday, March 2, Us Weekly’s film critic Mara Reinstein has rounded up her predictions — and her wish list — for this year’s winners. 

Related: PHOTOS: What all the stars wore at the 2014 Oscars

Here, Reinstein breaks down the major categories. 

BEST PICTURE 

What Should Win: 

What else is left to say about Gravity, a mesmerizing, heart-pounding, state-of-the-art 3-D box-office smash featuring two of Hollywood’s biggest stars? How about this: The out-of-this-world thriller also clocks in at an amazingly brisk 91 minutes. Yes, please. 

What Will Win:

A harrowing, heavy drama that chronicles one of the most important chapters in American history, 12 Years a Slave is bound to take a triumphant lap to glory. 

Related: PHOTOS: Biggest Oscar snubs of all time

BEST ACTOR

Who Should Win:

You’ve got to hand it to Leonardo DiCaprio. For three hours, the magnetic actor tirelessly hustles to make financial slimeball and certified crook Jordan Belfort a sympathetic — well, semisympathetic — charmer in The Wolf of Wall Street. And frankly, he deserves an award just for successfully pulling off that driving-while-high-on-Quaaludes sequence. 

Who Will Win:

There’s no denying Matthew McConaughey‘s gutsiness in Dallas Buyers Club. The McConaissance is McComplete! 

leonardo dicaprio wolf of wall street
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street.

BEST ACTRESS

Who Should Win: 

True, it’s a snore to watch the same actress collect trophy after trophy. But Cate Blanchett‘s performance in Blue Jasmine is just that magnificent. As a former New York socialite still in denial about her spectacular fall from grace, she isn’t afraid to show Jasmine’s desperation for respect and status. 

Who Will Win:

With much respect to Amy Adams, Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, and Sandra Bullock, Blanchett’s name has already been engraved. At least the MTV Movie Award is up for grabs. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Who Should Win:

By the time Michael Fassbender‘s belligerent plantation owner saunters into 12 Years a Slave, he’s already taken away Solomon Northup’s freedom. With a single, bleary-eyed glare, he also takes his hope. It’s a merciless, chilling turn. 

Who Will Win:

As tart transgendered Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club, Jared Leto leaves his heart on the screen. 

PHOTOS: Jennifer Lawrence’s most memorable award season moments

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Who Should Win:

It takes some serious bravura for a 23-year-old Kentucky girl to play a brassy 1970s-era Long Island housewife — one who breathes fire tawking to the venerable Christian Bale, no less. In a cast stuffed with talent, Jennifer Lawrence still shines brightest in American Hustle. Bonus: podium-trip redemption!

Who Will Win:

Stunning Lupita Nyong’o makes an indelible impression in 12 Years a Slave. First movie, first Oscar. 

Tell Us: Do you agree with Reinstein’s predictions?

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