The Conversation: 2015 Oscar Predix: Before Midnight…Richard Linklater Will Claim Best Director Gold

The Nominations: Director
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu
“Boyhood” Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher” Bennett Miller
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Wes Anderson
“The Imitation Game” Morten Tyldum

Shoulda Been a Contender: Ava DuVernay for “Selma”

At the forefront of a long list of snubs this year is Ava DuVernay (who would have been the first black female director to receive a nod in this category). We can’t assume that this means that Academy voters are consciously racist. However, the Academy consists of mostly white, older men. But the casually (and incredibly off-putting) candid remarks of an ‘anonymous’ female veteran Academy voter inadvertently revealed that there is an incredible discomfort with praising the work of black filmmakers. But then, what do we expect from the mouths of the privileged and out of touch? DuVernay doesn’t deserve to be nominated because she is black or because she is female—she deserved a nomination for her incredible skills in what we refer to as directing, as evidenced by her final product.

Should Win: Alejandro G. Inarritu for “Birdman”

He didn’t take 12 years to make it, but Inarritu’s effervescent Birdman is the most deserving amongst the nominees.

Could Win: Alejandro G. Inarritu for “Birdman”

Among several of the prognosticating elite, Inarritu will be making it two for two for Mexico, walking away with the prize after Alfonso Cuarón did so with Gravity same time last year.

Will Win: Richard Linklater for “Boyhood”

Tomorrow’s Indie Spirits could be a telling precursor, but without a doubt, it will be Linklater who takes home the Best Director award.