Oscars 2015: Who will win (and who should win)

20:33, 22 February 2015

LOS ANGELES. KAZINFORM - With the Oscar telecast coming right at us on February 22nd, now's the time to check the odds on the main competition. Whether you're betting at home, school or office, the Academy of Old Farts and Retro Sciences (numbering more than 6,000 strong) always has a few thorny surprises up its sleeve.

For example, not one person of color appears among the 20 nominees for acting. Can the race-shaming tilt the Best Picture contest in favor of "Selma," especially since the frontrunners have long been "Boyhood" and "Birdman"? For the answers to that question and more, check out my take on who Will Win and Who Should Win in the whitest Oscar race in years. Best Song

The Nominees "Everything Is Awesome," The Lego Movie "Glory," Selma "Grateful," Beyond the Lights "I'm Not Gonna Miss You," Glen Campbell . . . I'll Be Me "Lost Stars," Begin Again Should and Will Win "Glory," by John Legend and Common, has entered the Hot 100. It brings the soul of "Selma" home. Its message is vital. Its creators are black. And it's time. Best Director The Nominees Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman Richard Linklater, Boyhood Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game Narrowing the Field Just like the Best Picture race, it's between "Boyhood" and "Birdman." That means Linklater, in his most personal film, takes on Iñárritu in his. In the past three years, Best Picture and Director have not matched up. It might happen again. Yikes! Snubs By now, you know I'm going to say Ava DuVernay, who by any standard of quality measurement should be there for "Selma." Oh, wait, she's black. Surprises If anyone but Linklater or Iñárritu wins. Should Win Linklater. I've made my case. Will Win Iñárritu. Maybe because "Birdman" has more bells and whistles. Or maybe not.