Grab a bag of popcorn, a pair of sweats and a comfy seat, because the 87th Academy Awards, better known as The Oscars, are live this Sunday.
The annual award show recognizes the best films from the previous year, and the winners receive the “Oscar statuette.” The show will begin at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
Neil Patrick Harris is set to host the show for the first time. Last year, hostess Ellen DeGeneres flooded the Internet with her famous “Oscar selfie.” She also had pizza delivered to the audience in the middle of the show. Needless to say, Harris has big shoes to fill this year.
A variety of performers will take the stage on Sunday. Lady Gaga will make a special tribute performance and John Legend and Common will perform “Glory” from “Selma,” a nominated film. In addition, Tegan and Sara and The Lonely Island will perform “Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie,” and Anna Kendrick is set to perform “something special,” that will have an “only on the Oscars feel,” according to ropeofsillicon.com.
The Best Picture category features eight nominations. “American Sniper,” one of the most talked about films of this year, is nominated. The other nominees include “The Imitation Game,” “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Selma,” “The Theory of Everything” and “Whiplash.”
There has been a great deal of conversation about the projected winner for Best Picture. Critics have debated most between “Birdman” and “Boyhood.” “Birdman” received $72.2 million at the box office, while “Boyhood” earned $44.4 million.
“Birdman” stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton and Emma Stone. The film is a dark comedy that follows the life of an ex-Hollywood actor famous for playing the role of a superhero. In the days before the premiere of his Broadway play, he attempts to reclaim his family and his career.
“Boyhood” stars Ellar Coltrane as Mason Evans, Jr. The film follows his life from age 5 to age 18. The coming-of-age drama was filmed over 12 years with the same cast, which makes it stand out among other nominees.
Although critics have been projecting winners for the past month, the world will have to tune in Sunday to find out who actually takes the gold statuette.
