Predictions for the 2015 Spirit Awards

One of the most interesting precursors to me is always the Independent Spirit Awards. They don’t always cite the same things that the Academy does, so it’s a chance to see smaller and more eclectic fare given a moment in the sun. Even though the Spirit Award have matched up with Oscar more often in the recent past than was usual, it’s still a place where you can see honors for films that wouldn’t otherwise have a chance. Personally, that’s one of the my favorite things about certain precursors, the fact that they bestow citations on worthy cinema that could have been ignored entirely. Before I give you my shot in the dark predictions for this year’s Spirit Awards (which will announce their nominees in under two weeks…specifically on November 25th), I just wanted to further my point about the choices made by this group. Last year for example, while they awarded the likes of 12 Years a Slave, Blue Jasmine, Dallas Buyers Club, and Nebraska, they also had room to give prizes to Blue is the Warmest Color and Short Term 12 as well. Sure, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto, Matthew McConaughey, and Lupita Nyong’o won their acting prizes just like with the Academy, but the nominees included the likes of Julie Delpy, Melonie Diaz, Will Forte, Oscar Isaac, Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, and Shailene Woodley. The winners may tend to match up with what Oscar voters cite, but many of the nominees are far more eclectic, which is always a good thing in my book. Anywho, here are the best guesses I have for who and what might be cited at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards, with names and titles done alphabetically for now. When the nominations are officially announced and the actual awards show comes in February, I’ll get into potential winners. For now though, behold: Best Feature Birdman Boyhood Foxcatcher A Most Violent Year Whiplash Best Director J.C. Chandor – A Most Violent Year Damien Chazelle – Whiplash Jonathan Glazer – Under the Skin Alejandro González Iñárritu – Birdman Richard Linklater – Boyhood Best Male Lead Ellar Coltrane – Boyhood Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel Oscar Isaac – A Most Violent Year Michael Keaton – Birdman Miles Teller – Whiplash Best Female Lead Jessica Chastain – The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Scarlett Johansson – Under the Skin Julianne Moore – Still Alice Jenny Slate – Obvious Child Kristen Wiig – The Skeleton Twins Best Supporting Male Albert Brooks – A Most Violent Year Ethan Hawke – Boyhood Edward Norton – Birdman Mark Ruffalo – [...]