Note: I have covered the four acting categories in depth here.

The Nominees:

• Steve Carrell — Foxcatcher
• Bradley Cooper — American Sniper
• Benedict Cumberbatch –The Imitation Game
• Michael Keaton — Birdman
• Eddie Redmayne — The Theory of Everything

Will Win: Michael Keaton

Could Win: Eddie Redmayne

Should Win: Michael Keaton

This is a two horse race. The long-long-shot would be Bradley Cooper, due to the sheer fact that American Sniper has dominated 2015 at the box office. However, I don’t think Clint Eastwood’s war drama has enough critical consensus to allow for any significant honors to be bestowed on it. Michael Keaton is still the favorite in my eyes, although Eddie Redmayne has had a successful Oscar campaign as well. Redmayne’s performance in The Theory of Everything was spectacular, and in any other year he would be the clear favorite. Keaton, though, was incredible in Birdman, a movie that has been given a lot more attention than Theory. Because of this, and because Keaton is a veteran of Hollywood, I think Keaton will take the statue this year.