Most of the early precursor awards for the movies of 2013 have spoken. Three titans have emerged on nearly equal terms for the ultimate prize. As the big Oscar night approaches, where will the focus shift? 

BEST PICTURE

The nominees:

1) American Hustle

2) Captain Phillips

3) Dallas Buyers Club

4) Gravity

5) Her

6) Nebraska

7) Philomena

8) 12 Years a Slave

9) The Wolf of Wall Street

Final Prediction: American Hustle

An interesting group of nominees, yet this boils down to a trio of heavyweights. For the longest time, Gravity looked like the surest thing. Although this blockbuster will probably do very well in other categories, a Best Picture win seems unlikely. There's been some confusion over the film's classification as "science-fiction." Technically, Alfonso Cuaron's picture belongs in the dramatic genre -- it just happens to be set in outer space. However, because no film like this has ever achieved the top prize, I think history will repeat itself here.

That leaves 12 Years a Slave and American Hustle. Even the viewers who like Steve McQueen's authentic take on this subject have complained about the graphic nature of such violent depictions. Quite often, the Academy will settle for a more comfortable choice. That's why American Hustle represents the biggest threat. 

Regardless of where you stand, David O. Russell has paid his dues -- gaining critical/commercial success over a long period. Both The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook were Oscar darlings. Overall, it feels like the right time for one of his projects to gain this sort of recognition.

BEST DIRECTOR

The nominees:

1) Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)

2) Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)

3) Alexander Payne (Nebraska)

4) David O. Russell (American Hustle)

5) Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Final Prediction: Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)

I think Cuaron has this award signed, sealed and delivered. An upset reminiscent of The Social Network/David Fincher controversy seems remote based on how many awards this director has received over the last few months.

BEST ACTOR

The nominees:

1) Christian Bale (American Hustle)

2) Bruce Dern (Nebraska)

3) Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)

4) Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)

5) Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Final Prediction: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Christian Bale poses no threat to any of the competition here. He safely occupies spot number five. Playing the veteran card, Bruce Dern has overdue status. However, his picture has failed to win awards this season. Therefore, the nomination will probably be his reward. 

Personally, I'd love to see Leonardo DiCaprio triumph with his tour de force performance in The Wolf of Wall Street. Once again, controversy surrounding the film hurts his chances considerably. Meanwhile, Chiwetel Ejiofor holds some goodwill with voters. By and large, Oscar has never been able to resist the kind of physical and emotional transformations which challenge an actor to the extreme. As a result, I'd bet a large sum of money on Matthew McConaughey winning his first Best Actor award.

BEST ACTRESS

The Nominees:

1) Amy Adams (American Hustle)

2) Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

3) Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

4) Judi Dench (Philomena)

5) Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

Final Prediction: Amy Adams (American Hustle)

At first glance, it might sound like an insane proposition betting on Amy Adams to receive Best Actress. However, I feel that Cate Blanchett may have peaked too early with so many awards already behind her. Plus, American Hustle was released at just the right time. Like Django Unchained in 2012, American Hustle has plenty of gas left in the tank to speed over the finishing line. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The nominees:

1) Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)

2) Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

3) Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)

4) Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)

5) June Squibb (Nebraska)

Final Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

The moment I saw Sally Hawkins' name on the short list, there was an immediate feeling that the Academy wanted to correct a mistake. She nearly received a nomination as Best Actress for Happy Go Lucky. To be honest, this nomination has little chance of translating into a win simply because of the mammoth competition involved. 

Technically, Julia Roberts should be in the Lead Actress category. Adding to which, there's no apparent Oscar glow surrounding her performance. Meanwhile, June Squibb has done well throughout the season as a default nominee.

Overall, my decision in choosing Jennifer Lawrence over Lupita Nyong'o has taken into account the former's hot streak at this moment in time. Lawrence has two very popular Hunger Games titles under her belt as well as an Oscar win for Silver Linings Playbook. I don't believe the Academy has finished with her yet. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

The nominees:

1) Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)

2) Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)

3) Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)

4) Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)

5) Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Final Prediction: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Unfortunately for Bradley Cooper, the love for American Hustle is all about the ladies. Similarly, Barkhad Abdi and Jonah Hill have made an excellent showing. This brings me to Michael Fassbender, the only nominee here with ties to Ralph Fiennes' baffling Oscar loss for Schindler's List. If the latter failed to succeed, I just don't see the Academy changing their minds for Fassbender.

Jared Leto delivers the type of flamboyant, larger-than-life portrayal which definitely ticks the Oscar box. He wins for sure. 

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The nominees:

1) American Hustle

2) Blue Jasmine

3) Dallas Buyers Club

4) Her

5) Nebraska

Final Prediction: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell (American Hustle)

Despite all the praise for Spike Jonze's Her, the streak will end with American Hustle taking the "Golden Man."

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The nominees:

1) Before Midnight

2) Captain Phillips

3) Philomena

4) 12 Years a Slave

5) The Wolf of Wall Street

Final Prediction: John Ridley (12 Years a Slave)

Despite the fact I'm still reeling (in a good way) from Terence Winter's outrageous The Wolf of Wall Street, the Best Adapted Screenplay category has John Ridley's name embedded in gold lettering. 

Editor's Note: Winners in 24 categories will be announced at the 86th Annual Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Awards Presentation on March 2, 2014.