86th Annual Academy Awards Live Blog and Predictions

And at the stroke of midnight we’re done. It was a long night, but the best film came out on top at the end. As for our Oscar picks, we went a perfect six for six. Thanks so much for joining us on our Oscars live blog, and again, feel free to join the conversation on Twitter (@Zoomer), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/everythingzoomer), or in the comments section below. Goodnight!

“Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live.” — director Steve McQueen gives an emotional acceptance speech saying this film is Solomon Northrup’s legacy, and dedicating the Oscar to all of those who suffered from slavery in the past, and still do today.

Again, back at TIFF we knew this film could go all the way.

WINNER, BEST PICTURE: 12 Years A Slave 

11:55: Last award of the evening: Best Picture. Our pick is 12 Years A Slave. Will Smith out to present.

McConaughey thanks God, family, his hero (which is his unattainable self). Very genuine, sweet acceptance.

WINNER, BEST ACTOR: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

That’s not to take away anything from McConaughey, but Chiwetel Ejiofor was utterly, undeniably brilliant in his performance.

11:48: Jennifer Lawrence out to announce best actor. Our prediction is Matthew McConaughey, but it really, REALLY deserves to go to Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Great acceptance speech, as Cate pays tribute to her fellow nominees, champions the success of female character-centred films, and thanks her family and colleagues.

Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of Blue Jasmine, but it’s pretty much impossible to argue against giving Cate Blanchett any acting award.

WINNER, BEST ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine.

11:41: Daniel Day-Lewis out to announce best actress. We predicted Cate Blanchett, and Amy Adams second, but I’d love to see Meryl win. Loved August: Osage County

We’re three for three in our predictions, for those keeping score at home (which is pretty much just me).

WINNER, BEST DIRECTOR: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity.

11:32: We are back, and Angelina Jolie takes the stage with Sidney Poitier to present the award for best director. Jolie has some touching words for Mr. Poitier to start, while he asks Hollywood to “keep up the wonderful work.” So great to see Sidney Poitier on stage at the Oscars.

As we go to commercial, we hit the 3-hour mark. Still most of the big awards to go…

Now, the WINNER, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Spike Jonze, Her

In case it’s not completely obvious already, I’m pulling for 12 Years A Slave tonight.

Yes! WINNER, BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: 12 Years A Slave, Screenplay by John Ridley

11:23: Ellen collecting money to pay for the pizza. Then introduces Robert De Niro and Penelope Cruz to award the Oscar for best adapted screenplay. Come on 12 Years a Slave!

Oscar Fun Fact: Lopez has now won an Oscar, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy.

And right after that, WINNER, BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “Let It Go,” Frozen, Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

WINNER, BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Gravity, Steven Price.

11:12: It has officially been half an hour since the last award was handed out. Think about that. Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel out now to award the Oscar for best original score.

11:08: And now John Travolta a performance of the final best song nominee, “Let It Go” from Frozen.

11:05: Goldie Hawn out to introduce another video package. Thank goodness. It’s been almost 10 minutes without one. I was starting to get worried they’d run out of them.

Oddly enough, I just saw the episode of Seinfeld where Bette performs in Rochelle, Rochelle the musical the other day. I really wish they’d put her talent to better use on this show instead of an over-dramatic, heavy-handed tribute.

Bette Midler is out following the “In Memorium” to sing “Wind Beneath My Wings”. Yes…really…

10:53: Glenn Close is on stage to introduce the “In Memorium” tribute

And now, at 10:48…yes, 10:48…we have another POINTLESS “Heroes” video package. You’d think after 85 years of practice the Academy could get the timing of a show right.

WINNER, BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN AND SET DECORATION: The Great Gastby, Catherine Martin and Beverley Dunn

10:42: Ellen back, dressed as Glinda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz. She introduces Jennifer Garner and Benedict Cumberbatch to award the Oscar for production design.

If we’re going to have all these homages and videos and skits and such, could we at least hand out the tech awards at a different ceremony? Pink has a great voice, and I love The Wizard of Oz, but it’s 10:37 and we still have a ways to go….

And heeeere’s Whoopi! She’s here to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. She has Judy Garland’s children, including Liza Minnelli, take a bow, and then introduces Pink to sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”

WINNER, BEST FILM EDITING: Gravity, Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger

10:30: Gabourey Sidibe and Christina Hendricks present the award for best film editing.

Also, thought I’d…ahem… take the time to mention we’re perfect so far in our Oscar predictions.

Gravity sweeping the tech awards. Who saw that coming?

Bill Murray ad libs a beautiful line paying tribute to Harold Ramis’ filmmaking/cinematography before announcing the WINNER, ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gravity, Emmanuel Lubezki

10:25: Bill Murray and Amy Adams take the stage to announce the winner for achievement in cinematography.

This is the Oscars — couldn’t they hire an actress to play the “Academy rep” to make the speech more bearable?

If the Oscars had put all of these time-wasting skits back to back I could have watched The Walking Dead and not missed anything important here. Speaking of time-wasting, here’s an Oscar rep to test your eyelids’ resolve to stay open.

10:21: Awkward return from commercial with announcer asking for applause and Ellen instructing pizza delivery guy what to do. She does, however, “deliver” on her promise for pizza for the stars in the crowd.

“No matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.” — Lupita Nyong’o

No one was more deserving of that award. Not by a long shot. Lupita accepts with a tearful and heartfelt speech, paying homage to the pain and suffering those who suffered under slavery endured.

She does!! WINNER, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Lupita better win this…

10:11: Christoph Waltz, smiling and cheery, out to announce the best supporting actress award.

WINNER, BEST SOUND EDITING: Gravity, Glenn Freemantle

WINNER, BEST SOUND MIXING: Gravity, Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro

Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron are out to present the awards for sound mixing and sound editing.

10:02: Wow, Ellen with a bad “Lupita, you gonna have some pizza?” joke that’s on par with Letterman’s “Oprah, Uma” confusion. She follows up, though, with a massive, star-studded selfie with Lupita Nyong’o, Brad and Angelina, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and others.

9:54: Ellen with a costume change to a white tux, and introduces Brad Pitt…who then introduces U2 performing “Ordinary Love” from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, nominated for best song.

WINNER, BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Great Beauty (!!!) I’ve been saying it since TIFF — this film is awesome.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

The nominees:

Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Who Should Win: Michael Fassbender, though Barkhad Abdi would be an incredible story considering it’s his first film.

Who Will Win: This is a tough one. If I had to bet I’d put money on Jared Leto, though I have this nagging voice in the back of my head telling me Jonah Hill is taking it home.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The nominees:

Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squibb, Nebraska

Who Should Win: Lupita Nyong’o. I know I keep going back to 12 Years a Slave, but watch this film and tell me Nyong’o didn’t leave everything she has on the screen. Squibb would be a great choice too, but I think Nebraska’s more a critical darling than an award show one.

Who Will Win: Lupita Nyong’o. It’s her year. The other nominees are great, but anyone other than Nyong’o is simply a mistake.

RELATED: Bette Midler Performing At Oscars