Soccer Saturdate: Week 27

Hi all! Hope you having a great week. This week we see the League Cup final happening tomorrow between Spurs and Chelsea, the 2 big games on Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester City, and Arsenal taking on Everton. Today sees 7 games happening. 

As usual, I will be predicting the scores and my take on the games. Do leave a comment and share your views. Have a great weekend!

West Ham (8^th) vs Crystal Palace (13^th) SingTel TV Ch 102, StarHub TV Ch 227, 2045pm

Form
West Ham (10-9-7)	Crystal Palace (6-9-11)
Last 5 games: WLDDD Last 5 home games: LDDWD	Last 5 games: WLWDL Last 5 away games: DWWWW

Injuries/Suspensions
West Ham	Crystal Palace
Injuries: Carroll (knee), Cole (hamstring) Suspended: Amalfitano	Injuries: Thomas (muscualar injury), Campbell, Sanogo, Chamakh (all hamstring), Williams (groin)

Nene should make his West ham debut.

Mile Jedinak could make his first start under Alan Pardew; James McArthur has recovered from thigh problem.

Given Palace’s decent away form thus far under Alan Pardew, and West Ham’s stuttering form of late, this could well be an upset. Alan Pardew will be returning to either a chorus of cheers or jeers given his stint as manager from 2003 to 2006, and would hope to get 3 points from this fixture to move away from the relegation dogfight. West Ham have been punching above their weight far too long, and I sensed an upset on the cards. A Crystal Palace win here.

Prediction: 2-1 win to Palace

Key Men: Diafra Sakho, Mile Jedinak

Burnley (18^th) vs Swansea (9^th), SingTel TV 105, StarHub TV 230, 2300pm

Form
Burnley (4-10-12)	Swansea (10-7-9)
Last 5 games: LLDLD Last 5 home games: LDWLD	Last 5 games: LWDLW Last 5 away games: DWLWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Burnley	Swansea
Injuries: Marney, Long (cruciate ligament)

 

Burnley’s Matt Taylor is making a slow recovery but wont be ready to make the squad.

Swansea has not new injury concerns.

Amidst the controversies surrounding the Chelsea-Burnley game, many people have been impressed with the work the Sean Dyche has been doing for the team heavily favoured for relegation this season. I sense Danny Ings would be once again the key men, and Ashely Barnes could be the talking point for this game after avoiding suspension from his horrific tackle at Nemanja Matic that got the latter sent off. As for Swansea, while I was doing up this article I have realized that they do lack consistency in terms of stringing a few good results, and after having won at home against Man Utd, I am predicting that they will drop points here, and Burnley will once again be clinching a crucial point.

Prediction: 2-2 draw

Key men: Danny Ings, Gylfi Sigurdsson

 Manchester United (4^th) vs Sunderland (16^th), SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227, 2300pm

Form
Manchester United (13-8-5)	Sunderland (4-13-9)
Last 5 games: WWDWL Last 5 home games: WLWWW	Last 5 games: LWDLD Last 5 away games: LLWDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Manchester United	Sunderland
Injuries: van Persie (ankle)	Injuries: Giaccherini (ankle)

 

Michael Carrick is fully fit after a muscle problem, while James Wilson will be in contention as a result of RVP’s injury

Jack Rodwell and Billy Jones will both not be featuring in the matchday squad depite returning to injury. Emanuele Giaccherini will miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.

Manchester United shouldn’t be throwing this away. I do expect Wayne Rooney to fire all cylinders here, and with Sunderland in free falling mode as of late, I don’t expect an upset here. Even though I really disliked/hated Man Utd, one thing I’m sure of if Man Utd wins (and it’s really quite a weird thing) would be that the critics will be sharpening their knifes and saying once again an insipid display from them. WHO CARES? A win is a win. Im sure Man Utd fans wont give a damn, as long as they qualify for Champions League next season. Gus Poyet is a man walking on a tightrope. There have already been similarities made to them with Norwich of last season, who didn’t look like relegation candidates until they decide to “embark” on a wretched run of games.  Man Utd to win comfortably here.

Prediction: Man Utd to win 3-0

Key Men: Wayne Rooney

Newcastle (11^th) vs Aston Villa (19^th) SingTel TV 103, StarHub TV 228, 2300pm

Form
Newcastle (8-8-10)	Aston Villa (5-7-14)
Last 5 games: LWDDL Last 5 home games: LWDLD	Last 5 games: LLLLL Last 5 away games: LLLLL

Injuries/Suspensions
Newcastle	Aston Villa
Injuries: Dummett (knee), Taylor (Achilles), Cabella (knee), de Jong (collapsed lung), Tiote (knee) Suspended: Colback	Injuries: Richardson (calf), Senderos (calf) Suspended: Vlaar

 

Jonas Gutierrez could make his first Newcastle appearance since October 2013. He has managed and fought a successful battle against testicular cancer. Daryl Janmaat has recovered from the know he picked up against Manchester City last week, but Cheick Tiote will most likely miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Tim Sherwood once again has a defensive crisis with nearly his entire backline either suspended or carrying an injury. Alan Hutton and Aly Cissokho are doubts for this game, joining the likes of Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson who will definitely miss this game.

Both teams are in some sort of a crisis, although Villa would definitely not mind being in the postion of Newcastle. John Carver simply looks out of his depth, and as I was watching the City-Newcastle game, there were so many calls that he made wrong (Abeid starting ahead of Anita? Sissoko playing on the wings?) that exposed his lack of tactical nous. Tim Sherwood surely didn’t had the start he was hoping for, losing to Stoke 2-1 in a comeback defeat. I am predicting Newcastle to further prolong Villa’s misery, but only just.

Prediction: Newcastle to win 1-0

Key Men: Mohamed Sissoko, Christian Benteke

Stoke (10^th) vs Hull City (15^th) SingTel TV 106, StarHub TV 231, 2300pm

Form
Stoke (10-6-10)	Hull City (6-8-12)
Last 5 games: LWWDL Last 5 home games: WDWWL	Last 5 games: LLDWW Last 5 away games: WLLLD

Injuries/Suspensions
Stoke	Hull City
Injuries: Shawcross (back), Bojan (knee)	Injuries: Diame (knee), Chester (shoulder), Rosenior (hamstring), Snodgrass (knee)

Stoke welcomes back Geoff Cameron from suspension, having missed the win over Aston Villa.

Jon Walters, Erik Pieters, Marc Wilson and Stephen Ireland should feature after all returned from injury.

Stoke is one of those teams where you never know what kind of performance they will put up. Wins over Arsenal and Man City have also seen them have slightly disappointing results the game after. Hull City have now successfully climb out of the relegation battle, though not fully out of it, after 2 consecutive wins, and both done against teams that are also in the relegation dogfight; Villa and QPR. However, both games were won at home. I predict that Stoke should win this comfortably, with Hull not being able to come up with the goods away.

Prediction: Stoke to win 2-0

Key men: Jon Walters, Nikica Jelavic

West Bromwich (14^th) vs Southampton (5^th), SingTel TV 104, StarHub TV 229

Form
West Bromwich (6-9-11)	Southampton (14-4-8)
Last 5 games: DLDWD Last 5 home games: WWLWW	Last 5 games: WLWDL Last 5 away games: WWWWW

Injuries/Suspensions
West Bromwich	Southampton
Injuries: Morrison (hamstring), Anichebe (groin)	Injuries: Alderweireld (hamstring), Rodriguez (knee), Mayuka (groin)

 

West Brom will be assessing Saido Berahino after he suffered a knock in last week’s game against Sunderland. James Morrison and Victor Anichebe are both doubts for this game

Sadio Mane could start for Southampton after he was dropped last week for discipline issues. Toby Alderweireld is nearing a return but would not be available for this game.

This game sees 2 teams with near flawless home and away form meeting head to head. Tony Pulis is truly a master in keeping teams up, and I sense that this game could be a cracker. Ronald Koeman will seek to improve his team’s fortune in the battle for that elusive Champions League spot, and this is a game that I find it really hard to predict. I will go out on a limb and say that Tony Pulis’ team will pile on the misery for Koeman by upsetting the high flying Saints here with a smash and grab victory.

Prediction: 1-0 win to West Brom

Key Men: Saido Berahino (if he starts), Sadio Mane

Soccer Sunday: The return of the L Musketeers

Hi everyone! Soccer Sunday sees 3 games being played out at 3 different timings. The first game sees 2 Londont teams in Spurs and West Ham battling it out, followed by Everton hosting Nigel Pearson's Leicester City and lastly the most interesting battle of the 2 teams aiming for the coveted 4th spot: Liverpool travelling to Saint Mary's Stadium to take on Southampton, with the return of the 3 L Musketeers: Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert.

Spurs (6th) vs West Ham (8th) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227, 8pm

Form
Spurs (13-4-8)	West Ham (10-8-7)
Last 5 games: LWWWL Last 5 home games: WWLWD	Last 5 games: DWLDD Last 5 away games: DWLDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Spurs	West Ham
Injuries: None	Injuries: Carroll (knee) Suspended: Amalfitano

Spurs should have Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Moussa Dembele return to the line-up after all were rested for the midweek Europa League game agaisnt Fiorentina.

West Ham will welcome back defensive duo Winston Reid and James Collins back into their squad, with both back in training after missing with hamstring problems. Nene, signed earlier in the week isn't match fit as of yet.

This game could be closer than what people make of it. Spurs, with their recent good form, would be every bookmakers' favourite to win this tie. But, this being still a matchup between 2 London teams both fancying their chances of playing European football next season, will be gunning to take this game. As usual Harry Kane would be the focal point of spearheading Spurs' attack, with the youth academy product now being deemed as being the club's top striker, having been benched in the midweek Europa League match against Fiorentina. West Ham, on the other hand would seek to bounce back from that shocking 4-0 mauling in the hands of West Bromwich. Enner Valencia, having been a revelation in West Ham's surprising league position, is now a possible transfer target for Chelsea. He and Diafra Sakho would be the focal points for West Ham's attacking play, given that Andy Carroll is out for the rest of the season. I expect a tight game, with Spurs to nick it 2-1, and Harry Kane to add on tho his burgeoning reputation as possibly England's best striker currently.

Prediction: Spurs 2-1
Key Player: Harry Kane, Enner Valencia

Everton (12th) vs Leicester City (20th) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227 1005pm

Form
Everton (6-9-10)	Leicester City (4-5-16)
Last 5 games: DDWDL Last 5 home games: LDDDD	Last 5 games: WLLLL Last 5 away games: DWLLL

Injuries/Suspensions
Everton	Leicester
Injuries: McGeady (knee), Pienaar (knee), Osman (ankle), Oviedo (hamstring) Suspended: Barry	Injuries: Wood (foot), Schmeichel (metatarsal)

Everton welcomes back Leighton Baines after missing the past 3 games with a minor knee problem. He should replace Bryan Oviedo, who is having a slight hamstring strain. Gareth Barry will be suspended for this game, but Aaron Lennon should return after being cup-tied in the Europa League tie. Leicester City will have Robert Huth back in the squad after he was cup-tied for the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa.

Everton will realy hope to replicate their decent Europa League form in the league as well as they seek to climb up the table and avoid being dragged into a possible relegation fight, which I'm sure Everton fans would not have seen it coming at the start of the season. Romelu Lukaku needs to start scoring, and start scoring asap as Everton do really need their target man to start banging the goals from the chances that they create. As for Leicester, well they just need to start winning points, as they are a staggering 5 points away from safety so far. Nigel Pearson would really have to rally his team together, considering that they were my favourite amongst the 3 promoted teams NOT to get relegated this season. However, Everton's strength in their squad would mean that they are most likely gong to get the 3 points they need.

Prediction: Everton 2 Leicester 0
Key Players: Romelu Lukaku

Southampton (5th) vs Liverpool (7th)

Form
Southampton (14-4-7)	Liverpool (12-6-7)
Last 5 games: WWLWD Last 5 home games: WDLLD	Last 5 games: WWWDW Last 5 away games: WDWDW

Injuries/Suspensions
Southampton	Liverpool
Injuries: Alderweireld (hamstring), Mayuka (groin), Rodriguez (ACL) Suspended: Bertrand	Injuries: Gerrard (hamstring)

Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin and Shane Long are available after both were missing with an abductor injury and fractured ribs respectively. Matt Targett is back after missing with a head injury. Raheem Sterling will be aiming to start for Liverpool after returning from a foot injury.

This match promises to be an intriguing affair between 2 teams aiming to get the coveted 4th spot. Southampton amazingly is still in the mix for a Champions League spot after 26 games. This has gone to show how with a good coach at the helms, mixing it with a top-notch scouting network and a youth academy that keeps on churning out quality youngster after another, a team can mix it with the big guns who spent millions of dollars on expensive players. Ronald Koeman's men must now have the belief that they can go on and get the Champions League spot, and what more a greater opportunity to do it than to win against the club that triggered the exodus of key players from your team? Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, and Rickie Lambert all left Southampton for Merseyside, but find themselves 2 places below their previous team. That being said, Liverpool is now on an amazing run of 1 defeat in the past 17 matches. Additionally, Southampton have been facing a bit of an wobble at home, having only won 1 of their past 5 home games. Graziano Pelle needs to start scoring, having not scored in the past 8 league games, and 2 in the last 17. For Liverpool, I think the key player here would be Raheem Sterling, and that it would be interesting to see whether Rodgers would start with the trio of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli, as I honestly think that if all 3 was to start (along with the exciting Jordon Ibe) they would be more than a handful for opposing defences even as good as Southampton's (league best of 17 goals conceded) This could well be the start of the end of Southampton's push for Europe or a sudden halt to Liverpool's resurgence in the league. I would go with the former and predict a 2-1 win for Liverpool, with potentially a possibility of Lallana scoring the winner.

Prediction: 2-1 to Liverpool
Key Players: Graziano Pelle, Raheem Sterling






So that's it for this week! I will be back next week for more Soccer Saturday/Sunday, where the pick of the week would be the clash between Liverpool and Man City, and Arsenal taking on Everton. Until then, have a good week ahead!

Oscars 2015 Predictions: A Movie Monday special

Hi everyone! Am back today talking about Oscars 2015, which is about just a few hours away! As usual, Oscars does provide aplenty of talking point before & after the statuettes are given out. From who should or shouldn't been nominated, to deserving or surprising winners, Oscars does provide plenty of debate and discussion. 

I will be predicting the winners to 6 categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Supporting Actor & Best Actress/Best Supporting Actress. If you agree, or disagree to my predictions feel free to hit the comment link and tell me who do you think are your winners for the above categories. Cheers :D 

On a side note, I wont be doing those typical "Should win", "Will Win" kind of stuff that those news sites does. Just saying.


1. Best Picture

(Picture taken from http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/13/oscars-2015-who-will-win-best-picture) 

(clockwise from left)

• The Imitation Game
• Directed by: Morten Tyldum
• Written by: Graham Moore
• Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Matthew Goode

• Movie Info: During the winter of 1952, British authorities entered the home of mathematician, cryptanalyst and war hero Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to investigate a reported burglary. They instead ended up arresting Turing himself on charges of 'gross indecency', an accusation that would lead to his devastating conviction for the criminal offense of homosexuality - little did officials know, they were actually incriminating the pioneer of modern-day computing. Famously leading a motley group of scholars, linguists, chess champions and intelligence officers, he was credited with cracking the so-called unbreakable codes of Germany's World War II Enigma machine. An intense and haunting portrayal of a brilliant, complicated man, THE IMITATION GAME follows a genius who under nail-biting pressure helped to shorten the war and, in turn, save thousands of lives. (taken from Rotten Tomatoes)

• Both Cumberbatch and Knightly's performance here were brilliant, especially with Cumberbatch giving a stirring portrayal of Alan Turing, whom actually is the first true founder of the modern day computer, and not Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Cumberbatch fully understood the struggles that Turing has with regards to being not just a snob at the beginning, but also having to cope with being an outcast during that particular era where homosexuality was actually a crime punishable! Knightly does a credible job as Joan Clarke, Turing's colleague and confidante and wife (of sorts)

• Notable quote: Sometimes its the people that no one imagines of that does things no person can imagine

• Boyhood
• Directed by: Richard Linklater
• Written by: Richard Linklater
• Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke

• Movie info: Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, BOYHOOD charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay's Yellow to Arcade Fire's Deep Blue. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. It's impossible to watch Mason and his family without thinking about our own journey

• I honestly wouldn't have mind if this movie went beyond its 2hr 45min run. This movie was that good. A relatively unknown cast (other than Ethan Hawke and Patricia Aqruette) made this what I thought would be an ordinary & typical coming-of-age film an outstanding piece - through an honest and realistic depiction of the pains of growing up. Patricia Arquette is simply brilliant here, and I think all suburban mums would agree with me here. The struggles, trials, ups and downs of being a single mum is well portrayed by Arquette. I was totally enamored by this film, and that this film moved at a speed where it doesnt lull you to boredom, and it also ensures that you want to find out more about how Mason copes and handles with growing up, something that I'm sure boys & men from Houston to Hong Kong can relate to.

• Random fact: This movie came up tops at Rotten Tomatoes Best of 2014 movies with an astounding 98% totmatometer rating.

• Birdman
• Directed by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
• Written by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. Armando Bo
• Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts

• Movie info: BIRDMAN or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance is a black comedy that tells the story of an actor (Michael Keaton) - famous for portraying an iconic superhero - as he struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself.

• Simply put, one of the best movies of 2014 (after Boyhood). Strong cast, dazzling chemistry between the actors, and a compelling performance by Keaton as Riggan Thomson makes this a must watch for all. Keaton is captivating here as he captures the uncertainty of whether Riggan is merely trying to make it in Broadway, or whether is he trying to stay relevant in life itself, not just as an actor, but also a father. The chemistry between Norton and Keaton especially is simply brilliant. Don't even get me started in the technicality of this movie. What seems like this is all shot in one take by the great Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity) makes this movie even more amazing. Additionally, we as the audience get to see up close the struggles that Keaton faces on nearly a day to day basis as if shit just never fails to come one after another. The entire cast put up A* performances here, from Stone as the washed-up, recovering drug addict daughter to Norton as the darling of Broadway to Watts as a aspiring Broadway actress who once had success in the silver screens to even Galifianakis as Riggan's lawyer, Iñárritu once again shows his flair in getting the best out of an ensemble cast.

• Random fact: Birdman has received the join most number of nominations for Oscars (9) alongside Grand Budapest Hotel

• Selma
• Directed by: Ava DuVernay
• Written by: Paul Webb, Ava DuVernay (uncredited)
• Starring: David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth

• Movie info: SELMA is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernays SELMA tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

• In my opinion, this is the movie that got robbed in the Oscars nominations. Ava DuVernay -NOT nominated for Best Director. David Oyelowo - NOT nominated for Best Actor. Selma was captivating and emotionally stirring for me, and that Oyelowo portrayed with impeccable precision the strength of Martin Luther King, not only as a inspirational figure, but also wanting to be the best husband to his wife. The supporting cast also turned in strong performances that was further enhanced by DuVernay's directing. This was definitely a movie I felt the MDA could have bring in to Singapore, allowing Singaporeans a better understanding of the racial tensions back then, given the recent spate of events happening in Ferguson and New York that has once again highlight the "progression" made in terms of racial equality in USA. A film not to be missed. 

• Whiplash
• Directed by: Damien Chazelle
• Written by: Damien Chazelle
• Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons

• Movie info: Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher, an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man's life. Andrew's passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability-and his sanity.

• A movie of pure intensity, brilliance and compelling performances by both Teller and Simmons, with Simmons simply outstanding from the get-go. The delicate relationship between the student wanting to rise to the top and the teacher who demands nothing but perfection is being explored in this movie. The storytelling here is set at a thumping pace that leaves viewers breathless, sometimes in shock to think that such scenes could well be possible somewhere in a prestigious music school in the States. Simmons portrays the role of the teacher to near perfection, a top-notch asshole, demanding nothing but absolute precision out of his protege, and Teller depicting the student who sacrifices everything to get to the peak, having being overshadowed by his peers. But the standout here has to be Simmons, turning in what I believe is a performance of his career. And for someone like me who has watched his fair share of movies based on musicians, this has to be one of the top movie in that genre, one that left my ears drumming in delight.

• American Sniper
• Directed by: Clint Eastwood
• Written by: Jason Hall
• Starrng: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller

• Movie info: From director Clint Eastwood comes "American Sniper," starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to this true American hero than his skill with a rifle. U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname "Legend." However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, becoming emblematic of the SEAL creed to "leave no man behind." But upon returning home, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind

• This is the movie that has somewhat divided critics, although to me it is still a decent movie with stirring scenes and a top-notch performance by Cooper, encapsulating how a soldier gets his soul ripped out by war, and the dehumanizing effect it can have on a person, regardless of whether he is the deadliest marksman in U.S military history, or any other trooper out there. Eastwood once again does a terrific job in handling the pace of the movie, with a more than decent amount of action sequences to get the war-movie geek purring as well as the exchanges between Cooper and Miller. A few scenes that stood out for me was where Cooper finally realizes the importance of family when staring at the face of death, and decides to finally give it up, and also the effect that it had on him when he goes back to normal suburban life. A different war movie I would say, one that I felt was handled with subtlety and poise.

• Grand Budapest Hotel
• Directed by: Wes Anderson
• Screenplay by: Wes Anderson
• Starring: A lot of people (but mostly Ralph Fiennes, F Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Williem Dafoe, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, Tony Revolori)

• Movie info: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune -- all against the back-drop ofa suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.

• Truly a movie in its comedic element, Wes Anderson once again delivers an oddball of a movie that speaks of his unique storytelling and directing. Oddball in an excellent way of course. A truly strong ensemble of actors, with every single one delivering a strong perfomance here. The standout for me is the casting of Ralph Fiennes as Monsieur Gustave H, both charming and slightly strange at the same time. Tony Revolori deserves a mention as well for being the bell boy, not looking out of place alongside the veteran Fiennes. I particularly liked the introduction of the movie, where the flashback is done succinctly and not leaving us the audience confused in anyway. Funny thing is that this movie was set in a European country amidst the war, yet all the actors are of American accent, and speaks with an American accent. Perhaps for us to simply focus on the main character that is Gustave. All in all a movie of artistic flair and plenty of laughs for everyone

• The Theory of Everything
• Directed by: James Marsh
• Screenplay by: Anthony McCarten
• Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones

• Movie Info: Starring Eddie Redmayne ("Les Misérables") and Felicity Jones ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2"), this is the extraordinary story of one of the world's greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of - time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed. The film is based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, by Jane Hawking, and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh ("Man on Wire")

• I remembered watching this movie alone, thinking that it would just be another movie for me to review. I wished I had brought along someone, or for you people out there who are attached, please bring along your other half. This is a moving film that has standout performances from both Redmayne and Jones. This movie focuses more on Hawking's personal life as well as the struggles of his wife Jane, given that this movie was based on the book written by the ex-missus, I wouldn't be at all surprise if this book doesnt talk upon more of Hawking's achievements. There are a few standout scenes that stood out for me: where Jane teaches Stephen how to communciate through the alphabets and blinking, as well as the scene where both Stephen and Jane realizes that their relationship has become more of reliance and lesser of love. Many who watched the film would have felt that Redmayne had done a terrific work of depicting Hawking, from his physical disabilities to the uncanniness of him and Hawking, but to me, Jones delivered an even stronger performance here as Jane, who had to give up her own ambitions to take care of Hawking and had to slowly witness the deterioration of their relationship. This movie entails the romantic aspect of their relationship, and lesser of Hawking's achievements, which honestly is fine with me (just go and get Hawking's book if you want to know more about The theory of everything) A movie not to be missed, especially for couples who are about to step into the next phase of their lives.

Alright, now for my predictions.

Best Picture

IMO, I would have thought that Theory of Everything or Boyhood would have won it, given that I those 2 films first. But once Birdman came into the picture, that changes EVERYTHING. Birdman was everything a movie-goer could have asked for in a film. Character development, strong chemistry between the cast, ensemble of strong actors， and a leading man worthy of a Best Actor win as well: Michael Keaton. Theory of Everything deserves a worthy shout as well, but to me the movie was more about the performance of the 2 leading actors. Boyhood, what can i say. This movie moved me so much. A movie 12 years in the making (that's like my education from pri sch to JC), strong performances from a relatively unknown cast, honest portrayal of the pains of growing up. It's going to be between Boyhood and Birdman for me, I will say that Birdman will win. Simply for its breathtaking take on life, a stellar cast, and excellent cinematography and editing. Birdman for the win.

Best Director

• Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
• Richard Linklater, Boyhood
• Bennett Miller - Foxcatcher
• Morten Tyldum - The Imitation Game

This to me will be once again be between Birdman and Boyhood. Both Iñárritu and Linklater have gone out of their way to deliver such audacious films that are truly a spectacle, especially Linklater. I mean 12 years for a film, such vision and drive to deliver this masterpiece which is Boyhood, truly speaks for itself. Iñárritu, however has history on his side having won the DGA (only once in the past 12 years have the winner for Directors Guild Awards failed to win the Oscars) Im gonna go out on a limb here and go against statistics by saying that Richard Linklater will go on an upset Iñárritu for the win, but it wont be truly an upset. Either way both are winners in their own right, same for the other 3 who had been nominated. Would have hoped for Ava DuVernay (Selma) to have been nominated.

Best Actor

• Steve Carell – Foxcatcher as John Eleuthère du Pont
• Bradley Cooper – American Sniper as Chris Kyle
• Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game as Alan Turing
• Michael Keaton – Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) as Riggan Thomson / Birdman
• Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything as Stephen Hawking

This sees a match up between Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne. Michael Keaton is truly spectacular as the madball Riggan Thomson, but Eddie Redmayne as his portrayal of Prof Stephen Hawking is at another level. This is gonna be a tough one to call, I would say that Eddie Redmayne nicks it here

Best Actress

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

I havent had the time to watch all of the performances here, but judging by what everyone has been saying, it is Julianne Moore's to lose. Felicity Jones was good in Theory of Everything, and I have heard that Rosamund Pike was the star of Gone Girl and not Ben Affleck, but I would go with the masses and go for Moore to win. Perhaps I will watch Still Alice in the upcoming week.

(can you believe she is 54? stunning)

Best Supporting Actor

• J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
• Edward Norton, Birdman
• Ethan Hawke, Boyhood
• Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
• Robert Duvall, The Judge

What can I say. Just give it to Simmons already. What a stunning performance by him in Whiplash! Tyrannical, driven to perfection, insane - words that summed up his portrayal of a music teacher looking for his next great protege. Edward Norton was impressive as well in Birdman, but nothing can stop the Simmons steamroller from moving forward.

Best Supporting Actress

• Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
• Emma Stone, Birdman
• Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
• Meryl Streep, Into the Woods
• Laura Dern, Wild

This should be Patricia Arquette's to lose. A strong showing in Boyhood had left viewers being able to sympathize and understand her struggles of growing through the phase of being a single mum simply down on her luck in finding a good man, Arquette should walk home with a statuette in hand come Monday morning.

Well, that's it from me. Do hit the comments button and tell me whether you agree or disagree with me in terms of my predictions. Do enjoy the awards show (i sadly will be watching, but following closely) Have a great week ahead, and for my next Movie Monday, I will be reviewing Kingsman: The Secret Service. Until then!