Awards season is upon us. For those Warriors who are proud to call themselves cinephiles, the beginning of the year is more than a turn of the calendar; it is a time of recognition and reflection on the past year’s motion pictures. While mainstays such as the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards make their rounds, the excitement of the season really culminates in one final showing of Hollywood’s magic — The Academy Awards.

As a family of film connoisseurs, we make it our mission to see every last nominee. This year, we have spent the past weeks crossing each title off of our list and discussing our favorites in detail. I would like to think of myself as a bit of a critic. Now, I am excited to publicize my opinion. I have assembled my predictions for the winners in three categories: Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Picture. Typically, these three awards generate the most hype and chatter. After much analysis and far too many $6.00 sodas, here are my picks:

Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne in The Theory Of Everything

During the SAG Awards, this newcomer snagged the Best Actor Award. I see it fitting that he wins here too- he definitely deserves it for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything.

How does one go about portraying the most enlightened physicist of the 20th century? Talk about big shoes to fill. He earned my approval right off the bat by accepting this role with relatively little career experience. Still, he demonstrates remarkable conviction to his character. He balances scientific dedication with an endearing wittiness. Not once does he break character, constantly playing the part of a profound intellectual. He has a sort of mischievous quality, with his charming grin and sophisticated humor. He is elegant without seeming cold and robotic.

Co-star Felicity Jones plays Hawking’s wife in the film. I found their relationship to be borderline ‘fairy tale,’ yet believable and well polished. Redmayne plays his character affectionately, which was frankly unexpected. However, it was enjoyable to see the romantic side to the story.

Nothing compares to the physical nature of the role. Hawking was diagnosed with ALS at a young age and Redmayne unbelievably captured his disability. It was subtle at first as he stumbled and lost control of minor motor movements. Redmayne demonstrated authentic concern and confusion for his own physical state. His portrayal of the disease -one which slowly debilitates motor function- was well tuned and extremely realistic. Eventually, he is confined to a mechanized wheelchair. He nails it right down to the facial movements. There is no doubt in my mind that his first career nomination will be a breakthrough.

Honorable Mention: Michael Keaton in Birdman. He is a truly conflicted character, struggling to shake his past. Off screen, he is one of Hollywood’s most understated and versatile actors and a crowd favorite.

Best Actress: Julianne Moore in Still Alice

Julianne Moore has proven herself as a versatile, competent and composed actress. In her role as Alice, in Still Alice, this remains true.

She plays a middle-aged Columbia Linguistics Professor who faces onset setting Alzheimers. I found the role to be emotionally heavy and the performance to be heartbreaking. My overwhelming empathy for her character rested upon her grace in the face of a slow defeat.

Her intellect, integrity and professionalism were well calibrated and made her battle even more painful to watch. She conveys that she is a woman with so much to lose as her awareness and understanding slowly slips from her fingers. I found her to be stoic during her decline. She does not embellish her role with sappy sentimentality. Rather, she displays little anger and regret. Millions of Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and their struggle is not always plagued with anger and resentment. Moore shows us what it is really like to suffer. Her role made me frightened of the disease in many ways. I can’t imagine what it is like to lose recognition of your family members.

This was not simply a tear-jerker, in a conventional sense. I found her performance to be thrilling, silently. There is boundless talent in her restraint. This roll affirms her position in the business; a favorable actress with bountiful career experience and a competent screen presence.

Honorable Mention: Felicity Jones in The Theory of Everything– Her character was full of power and dedication, even in the face of adversity as she cared for her immobile husband.

Best Picture: Boyhood

Director Richard Linklater has pulled off an amazing feat in Boyhood. The movie was painstakingly filmed over twelve years with the same actors — no cast changes or special effects.

It is about the journey of a boy who finds himself in several broken households and troubling social situations on his path to becoming an adult. This movie is not worthy of this award for its acting. Ellar Coltrane and Patricia Arquette each deliver good performances, but I wouldn’t go much further than that. I constantly reminded myself that this movie is a real representation of a boy’s life, and thus the actors must be . . . well, real. They are extremely realistic — almost refreshingly so. There was no place in this movie for anything more.

Where it really wins my approval is in the story. It is utterly fascinating. There is an obstacle around every turn and I found myself attentive to the plight of the family as they face abusive family members and peer pressure. There are a high amount of choices in this move — should Mason be doing drugs? Why does Olivia have such bad taste in men? Real life can sometimes be really interesting, and in this case, it’s true. The interactions between people and their environments make this movie thought compelling. Also, the beautiful cinematography and very well-selected soundtrack help this movie on its quest for Best Picture.

I was struck by its relatability as well. The scope of the movie was filmed in roughly the same time that I have grown up. Along the way, the characters change- their hairstyles switch, their clothing evolves. It was literally a trip through the 90’s and 2000’s. The authenticity of the setting gives the film extremely high credibility. I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic. The nostalgia turned quickly turned to anxiety and, frankly, sadness. Mason grew up and moved off to college, leaving his mother as an empty nester. He was conflicted and unsure of his future, of his path. All of the trouble he had faced growing up was behind him and with it was his childhood innocence and compassion. Let’s admit it;  when we become adults, part of our inner-self goes dormant. We are not as innocent. We are not as joyful. This movie made me realize that I am Mason. I am growing up. Next year, I will leave my parents as empty nesters. I will be an adult.

Terrifying. I can’t recall being as emotionally struck by a movie in many years. After vowing mentally to cherish my last year before adulthood, I reflected on Boyhood. I felt as if I had taken the journey as well. I can justify the twelve year production. The award for all that time, a certain Best Picture.

Honorable Mention: Selma, although not stealing much of the spotlight, was a moving depiction of the Civil Rights Movement. It affirmed why it is so important for us to take the time to study this event in history class.