At the end of November, the first precursors will start going out. That means Oscar season will be in full swing. As a result, we’re putting together our final pre-precursor predictions below. We’ve also included commentary from each of our contributors.

The tough part for us is to build consensus based off buzz for films that haven’t been seen yet (Exodus, Into the Woods) and compare that with buzz for films that have been seen and hailed (Birdman, Boyhood). Predictions will be in flux for the next couple of months, but as critics finally get their eyes on various films and their prizes start rolling out, we’ll see just how the landscape looks and which films will be top contenders and which will be also-rans.

We’ve added two new categories this time out: Best Animated Feature (now that we have the full list of contenders) and Best Cinematography (because it’s the only category that has a lot of precursor action that we haven’t already included).

KEY:

Best Picture

• American Sniper (WL N) [New] (TB N) [New]
• Big Eyes (TB O)
• Birdman (WL O) (PP O) (TB N) [New] (TL S)
• Boyhood (WL S) [New] (PP S) (TB S) (TL O/S)
• Exodus: Gods and Kings (WL C)
• Foxcatcher (WL O) (PP O) (TB O)
• Gone Girl (WL O) (TB N) [New] (TL O)
• The Imitation Game (WL S) (PP C) (TB S) (TL N) [New]
• Interstellar (TL O)
• Into the Woods (WL O/N) (PP O/N)(TL C/N)
• A Most Violent Year (PP N) [New]
• Mr. Turner (PP O/N)
• Selma (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New] (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Theory of Everything (PP O) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Unbroken (WL O) (PP O/S) (TB O) (TL O)
• Whiplash (TL N) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: As solid as this slate is, there’s plenty of room for changes. The only films that seem assured of spots at this juncture are The Imitation Game (Harvey’s champion this year) and Birdman, which has been universally acclaimed. A great case can be made for Gone Girl, Boyhood and Foxcatcher, but the others are far from certain. As for Unbroken, many of us are predicting it sight unseen based on pedigree and source material, but apart from being a sure contender based on that, the film could be complete bunkum, which would keep it out of the competition entirely. Two late-minute entries, American Sniper and Selma have earned some buzz with the latter seeming to have far better word of mouth.
Peter J. Patrick: The highly anticipated Into the Woods and Unbroken have yet to be reviewed but at this point seem invulnerable. If only nine nominees, the most likely to miss the cut is either Mr. Turner or Foxcatcher which have strong pockets of support but not wide consensus. Interstellar, Whiplash and Wild are outside possibilities.
Tripp Burton: This can be the toughest time of the year to start making predictions, if only because there is so much we have heard reviews of, and some that we’ve seen, but there are also these gaping holes that could still be out there. American Sniper and Selma are starting to pick up strong word of mouth, but they are still largely unseen. No one has seen Big Eyes, and I feel I am overestimating it here, but you never know. Tim Burton seems poised to finally break through the Oscar curtain. Still, we are left with some critical and audience hits that seem destined for a nomination (Birdman, Boyhood, Gone Girl), some Oscar friendly films that will be trying to go all the way (Imitation Game, Theory of Everything), and Cannes hits from Oscar favorites (Foxcatcher, Mr. Turner) on my list. For now.
Thomas LaTourrette: I am feeling better about trying to guess the Oscar nominees now. As movies are released or at least shown in film festivals, one does get a better idea of how they might do with the Academy. I am still surprised at how a movie can come out of the blue, like Still Alice, which now has the frontrunner for best actress, or Selma, which could have multiple big nominations. They were not ones I had heard of until just recently, but both have become major players. Looking back a couple of months, I feel some of my guesses are now absurd, and I think these guesses stand a better chance of holding up, or at least the top nominations in each category. What will pick up the final nomination or two in each category still is up for grabs, but that is all part of the fun of this.

For best picture, the already released Birdman, Boyhood, and The Theory of Everything all are likely to snare nominations. The highly anticipated The Imitation Game and Unbroken seem likely to join the ranks. I am not sure that there is room for two WWII films to be up, which likely means Unbroken will get a nomination and Fury will be left out. Selma sounds likely to join them as well. I feel confident that those six films will all snag nominations, after that it gets harder to predict. Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar is receiving some mixed reviews, but may carry through. At one point I thought that Foxcatcher would also prevail, though the fact that it was held from release last year does make me wonder about its chances. Instead, I think Whiplash might pull out a nom, though there are already several independent films in this category. Both Foxcatcher and Whiplash could score noms, but they are films I am most unsure of, especially if the slate of films falls below the 9 or 10 nomination line. If there is a tenth film nominated, it could go to Into the Woods. Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper does merit consideration, but he has not had the best of luck lately with Oscar. It will face strong competition from Wild, though with neither of them released yet, it is hard to tell which might prevail. A trailer for Inherent Vice was enjoyable enough to make me wonder if it could pull off a nom here or elsewhere. One other possibility is that The Grand Budapest Hotel, an early hit, could pull off a nomination though the Academy has never been that kind to comedies in general nor Wes Anderson films in particular

Best Animated Feature

• Big Hero 6 (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• The Book of Life (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New]
• The Boxtrolls (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• The Lego Movie (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• The Tale of the Priness Kaguya (WL O) [New](TL O) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: Disney/Pixar guarantees one slot each year. DreamWorks guarantees one slot each year. That pretty much assures both Big Hero 6 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 nominations. The Lego Movie was such a huge hit commercially and critically that it’s not only an undeniable nominee, it’s currently the frontrunner. The two other slots are going to be tough to predict. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya has the benefit of GKids’ support, which should help secure it the fourth slot since that company has had such terrific success in recent years. The Boxtrolls is Laika’s worst reviewed film to date (and it still has quite a few positive notices). With their first two sole productions earning Oscar nominations, it has a good chance. There are other contenders at play here, but until the critics weigh in, we won’t know for certain.
Peter J. Patrick: This category is not my strong suit. The only one I’ve seen is The LEGO Movie which was a nice surprise.
Tripp Burton: This is The LEGO Movie and everything else. Big Hero 6 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 are strong possibilities for the next two slots, and if we go to 5 then I guessed.
Thomas LaTourrette: Animated feature will probably come down to The Lego Movie and Disney’s Big Hero 6. How to Train Your Dragon 2 will be nominated, and could prove stiff competition. However, without its predecessor winning, it may have a harder time taking home the prize. The BoxTrolls will also probably get a nom, as the Laika studio has gotten them on their previous two films, but generally tepid reviews will keep it out of the winner’s circle. Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of Princess Kayuga will round out the list, though Song of the Sea and The Book of Life will be giving it serious competition.

Best Director

• Tim Burton – Big Eyes (TB O)
• Ava DuVernay – Selma (PP N) [New](TL N) [New]
• Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – Birdman (WL N) [New] (PP S) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Angelina Jolie – Unbroken (WL S) (PP N) [New] (TB C) (TL O/S)
• Richad Linklater – Boyhood (WL S) (PP S) (TB S) (TL S)
• Bennett Miller – Foxcatcher (WL C)
• Christopher Nolan – Interstellar (TL N) [New]
• Morten Tyldum – The Imitation Game (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New] (TB S)

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: I’d be surprised not to see both Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Morten Tyldum on the final list. The remaining slots are going to be a toss up. Richard Linklater’s been bubbling under for some time and could finally come out on top. David Fincher’s nomination seems like a fairly good bet considering the positive reception from critics and the continued strength of its box office performance. Two largely unseen films could enter the mix. Clint Eastwood’s going to have the toughest battle for a slot, but he could certainly pull it off. If Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken is damned good, guarantee her a slot. Another woman is circling a late-year release that could nab her the first nomination for a black woman in the Best Director category. Ava DuVernay had a well respected debut with Middle of Nowhere, but Selma is receiving some of the year’s strongest notices. DuVernay could nab a slot in the race and if Jolie does as well, another record will have been set.
Peter J. Patrick: At the moment Linklater and Inarritu are unstoppable. Tyldum is likely. Nominations for two women directing their first major films is not something one would ordinarily expect, which is what makes the possibility of nominations for both DuVernay and Jolie so intriguing.
Tripp Burton: If I had to bet, I would place The Imitation Game or Unbroken as the likeliest Best Picture winners, so I will place their directors here. Tim Burton and Richard Linklater could be long-time auteurs who could finally break into the big show thanks to more Oscar-friendly variations on their themes. Finally, Inarritu has been here before, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see him here again.
Thomas LaTourrette: Richard Linklater has set himself up as a serious contender for best director with Boyhood, a film he created over 12 years following a boy and his family through the travails of growing up. It was an interesting conceit, though a bit slow in places, but Linklater is guaranteed his first nomination in this category. Joining him will be Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarittu for the daring Birdman. It is a weird but wonderful film, and will probably get nominations for Iñarittu for writing, directing and producing. Angelina Jolie seems likely to join them as the second first time nominee in this category, and only the fifth woman to get a directing nomination. Ava DuVernay has gotten some good press and I will forecast her for the fourth spot, but I do wonder if the Academy will nominate two women at the same time. It is hard to guess the fifth nominee. Christopher Nolan also looked likely to score his first directing nomination for Interstellar, but lackluster reviews may keep him out of the final five. It may not be viewed as a perfect film, but he may be given a nom for the scale of picture he is creating. If he does not get it, then it probably will go to Morten Tyldum for The Imitation Game. The competition for the fifth spot is stiff from the directors of American Sniper, Gone Girl, Mr. Turner, The Theory of Everything, Into the Woods, and Wild, anyone of whom could knock him out for that final spot.

Best Actor

• Steve Carell – Foxcatcher (PP O/N) (TB C) (TL O)
• Bradley Cooper – American Sniper (TB N) [New]
• Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game (WL N) [New] (PP C) (TB S) (TL C)
• Michael Keaton – Birdman (WL S) (PP O) (TB O) (TL O/S)
• Jack O’Connell – Unbroken (WL N) [New]
• David Oyelowo – Selma (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New](TL N) [New]
• Eddie Redmayne – Theory of Everything (WL O) (PP O) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: Eddie Redmayne is guaranteed a slot. Benedict Cumberbatch will get the Weinstein seal of approval giving him the second position. Michael Keaton’s gotten the best reviews of his career and, in a comeback role, it should put him over the top. Bradley Cooper and Brad Pitt are in the hunt for the populist slot while a case can easily be made for Steve Carell in a complete departure from his comedic roles and Jack O’Connell in a particularly taxing role. Surprise nominations could also accompany Foxcatcher with a nod for Channing Tatum (if they can move Carell to support where he would be a safer bet for a nomination). Apart from these, David Oyelowo is one of the hottest new names out there and starring as Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma might be his ticket to a nomination.
Peter J. Patrick: This has been a great year for lead male performances, so much so that performances by Timothy Spall in Mr. Turner and Jack O’Connell in Unbroken, which might be slam dunks in other years, are big question marks this year.
Tripp Burton: Of all the categories, this one almost seems the most solidified at this point: five well-respected actors getting the best reviews of their lives in possible Best Picture candidates. That said, there are a laundry list of other actors coming in behind them and maybe the final line-up will be completely different: I hated to leave off Timothy Spall, Oscar Isaacs, James Corden, Finn Witrock, Ben Affleck, Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz and David Oyelowo, all of whom are strong candidates for consideration. For now, though, these five look pretty solid.
Thomas LaTourrette: Best Actor is shaping up to be a race of all first time nominees, quite a rarity. The early front-runner is Michael Keaton for his bravura performance in Birdman. I was dubious of his chances until I saw the film, but was impressed with his performance. Eddie Redmayne has been getting raves for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. They will both be nominated. David Oyelowo has gotten superb notices for his portrayal of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, and seems likely to get a nom. Benedict Cumberbatch has gotten good notices for his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. I think he is a likely nominee, but I am just not sure he could win. Steve Carell supposedly has a career changing performance in Foxcatcher, and could join them in the fifth spot. If Jack O’Connell soars in Unbroken, he may be able to claim the fifth spot, or it might go to Timothy Spall for Mr. Turner. This last spot is hard to guess. Ellar Coltrane (Boyhood) and Miles Teller (Whiplash) may be viewed as too young, Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) too creepy in that role, and Joaquin Phoenix (Inherent Vice) too weird to get nominations this year. The wildcard might prove to be Bradley Cooper for the unreleased American Sniper. He has pulled off nominations in each of the past two years, so he is not to be ruled out just yet.

Best Actress

• Amy Adams – Big Eyes (WL N) [New] (TB O) (TL O)
• Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year (WL S)
• Felicity Jones – Theory of Everything (PP O/N) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Julianne Moore – Still Alice (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New] (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Rosamund Pike – Gone Girl (WL N) [New] (PP C) (TB O) (TL C)
• Hilary Swank – The Homseman (PP N)
• Reese Witherspoon – Wild (WL S) (PP C) (TB O) (TL O/S)

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: To call the Best Actress lineup thin is an understatement. Actors that wouldn’t have even come close to a nomination in previous years (Felicity Jones, Rosamund Pike) are very strong competitors. Previous nominees Amy Adams and Jessica Chastain may take two slots, but right now, Julianne Moore gives the performance to beat and Reese Witherspoon gives a performance that has gotten her the best notices since her Oscar win. There could still be some surprise inclusions as the year rolls on, but for now this seems a fairly narrow set.
Peter J. Patrick: Moore seems to be emerging as the safest bet in this category since Helen Mirren in The Queen. Former winner Witherspoon and two-time winner Swank would be in a stronger position if they hadn’t already won. Amy Adams, an early favorite to earn her sixth nomination for Big Eyes, suffers from early weak reviews of the film. Emily Blunt could see her first nomination for Into the Woods if the film opens to strong reviews.
Tripp Burton: Julianne Moore and Amy Adams both have a lot of previous nominations and no wins to show for them, and the two redheads could be duking it out all season for the gold. Previous winner Reese Witherspoon is being hailed as a shoo-in by critics, and Rosamund Pike got a critical and audience response actors only dream of. Both should be here too. Felicity Jones could easily go supporting, but a Best Picture run may push her in here. I really wanted to get Emily Blunt in here, who is a strong sixth place.
Thomas LaTourrette: Until recently, I thought this was Amy Adam’s (Big Eyes) big chance to finally win. She already had five nominations before the age of 30, and she seemed due. I think she will still pull off the nom, but she also stands a reasonable chance of not getting it. Now, everyone is saying that Julianne Moore will finally win for Still Alice, a movie I have only just heard about. So it looks likely that Julianne Moore will win on her fifth nomination. She has never excited me that much as an actress, but this has been listed as a career best performance, and hopefully it will be. She will likely be joined by Reese Witherspoon, finally getting another nomination for Wild and Rosamund Pike as the chilly and calculating Gone Girl. Felicity Jones as Stephen Hawking’s caring wife will undoubtedly get a nomination. Jessica Chastain has a slew of movies out this year, and may miss a spot as she is competing against herself too much. If Amy Adams does not get a nomination she would likely be replaced by either Emily Blunt (Into the Woods) or Shailene Woodley (The Fault in Our Stars).

Best Supporting Actor

• Ethan Hawke – Boyhood (PP N) [New](TL N) [New]
• Miyavi – Unbroken (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New] (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Edward Norton – Birdman (WL N) [New] (PP S) (TB N) [New] (TL S)
• Mark Ruffalo – Foxcatcher (WL C/N) (TB O) (TL O)
• J.K. Simmons – Whiplash (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New] (TB N) [New] (TL C)
• Tom Wilkinson – Selma (WL N) [New] (PP N) [New] (TB N) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo are likely to take the second and third slots behind frontrunner J.K. Simmons. The remaining two slots are question marks with Miyavi’s potential entirely dependent on his film’s performance and Ethan Hawke needing support before he’s entirely forgotten. There are a lot of actors who could also show up here, including someone from The Imitation Game, but it’s hard to pinpoint where the year’s acclaim will take many of them. Selma broke out late, but three big names (three past Oscar nominees, including one winner): Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Peter J. Patrick: Simmons and Norton seem to be the front-runners here but anything could happen in this category which is not particularly strong this year. Wilkinson, looking at his third nomination, could be a spoiler.
Tripp Burton: I see two near-locks here, Simmons and Norton, and then some guesses. People say Miyavi is the likeliest of the Unbroken men to get in here, Selma seems like the sort of film that would pick up some supporting nods (although Tim Roth could also take this slot), and Ruffalo just seems like the likeliest of an ensemble to get their representative nod. This could all change, I really have no idea.
Thomas LaTourrette: J.K. Simmons still sounds like the man to beat for supporting actor. He has lead the category for his performance in Whiplash for some time now. His strongest competition comes from Edward Norton in Birdman. Ethan Hawke will most likely get his second nomination in this category as the father in Boyhood. Mark Ruffalo also looks likely to pick up his second nomination for Foxcatcher. His costar Channing Tatum has gotten the best notices of his career, but will probably end up with nothing as the Academy may well split the vote for him between best actor and supporting actor, while letting Steve Carell and Ruffalo get the nominations in each category. The fifth spot is the hardest to guess here, as several actors are competing strongly for it. Both Albert Brooks and Josh Brolin have gotten notice for their work in Inherent Vice. Logan Lerman is listed as the heart of Fury. Christoph Waltz (Big Eyes) and Tom Wilkinson (Selma) have been here before, but I am not sure they have enough support to get them over the top. John Goodman has yet to get a nomination, so I am not picking him for The Gambler. One can never rule out Robert Duvall (The Judge), but lackluster reviews and box office probably means he won’t get a nomination. For the final spot, I am listing relative newcomer Miyavi as a sadistic prison guard in Unbroken, as he may get a nom and star Jack O’Connell probably will not.

Best Supporting Actress

• Patricia Arquette – Boyhood (WL N) [New] (PP S) (TB S) (TL C)
• Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year (PP C/N)
• Laura Dern – Wild (WL S) (PP S)(TL S/N)
• Anna Kendrick – Into the Woods (TB O)
• Keira Knightley – The Imitation Game (WL S) (PP S) (TB S) (TL N) [New]
• Emma Stone – Birdman (WL C) (PP O/N)(TL N) [New]
• Meryl Streep – Into the Woods (WL O) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Oprah Winfrey – Selma (TB N) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: If you had asked me earlier this year, I wouldn’t have said Keira Knightley was a strong contender, but for The Imitation Game, she’ll have Harvey to push her. He might shift her to the less competitive Best Actress slate if he’s worried about her nomination, but if he wants to push for a win, this might be his best bet. Meryl Streep will likely pad her bountiful nomination count with her first major singing performance while Emma Stone may ride Birdman‘s coattails. Patricia Arquette has gotten very good notices for Boyhood, but the film fades from Oscar memory more and more with each passing month. Carmen Ejogo or Lorraine Toussaint could show up from the Selma cast, but the real bizarre potential is that of Kristen Stewart for Still Alice. You know it has to be a very light year when someone with as little acting ability as Stewart is in the conversation.
Peter J. Patrick: Arquette has been the front-runner here since Boyhood opened, but any one of these women could win. Meryl Streep, being pushed for support in Into the Woods despite being marketed as the film’s marquee name, would have better luck being pushed for lead. Her legion of fans within the industry want her to win a third lead Oscar, not a second supporting one.
Tripp Burton: These are real guesses. Patricia Arquette seems a strong front-runner, but that film could still disappoint come nominations morning. Meryl Streep hasn’t been in this category in over a decade, but could get back. Anna Kendrick doesn’t have the baitiest role in Into the Woods, but she is also a strong runner based on her previous nomination status. Keira Knightley has gotten good reviews, and if the film really does become a steamroller should get in here. For a fifth slot, Oprah Winfrey missed out last year, but if Selma does better than the forgotten Lee Daniel’s The Butler, she could be back in the game.
Thomas LaTourrette: Patricia Arquette seems destined not just to get a nomination but to win as the flawed but caring mother in Boyhood. It was a strong performance, so that would be a fine choice. Emma Stone seems likely to get her first nom for Birdman and Meryl Streep her 19th for Into the Woods. Keira Knightley may well get her second nomination for The Theory of Everything. Jessica Chastain could sneak in for the fifth spot in either Interstellar or A Most Violent Year, but once again I think she may split the vote and end up with nothing. Anna Kendrick could join costar Streep on the list, but that does not seem as likely. Julianne Moore could also pull off the double nomination feat with a nom for Map to the Stars, but that seems very unlikely. I am wondering if the final spot will go to Laura Dern for a brief but strong role in Wild.

Best Original Screenplay

• Birdman (WL O) (PP O) (TB O) (TL O)
• Boyhood (WL S) (PP S) (TB S) (TL O)
• Foxcatcher (WL O) (PP N) [New](TL N) [New]
• The Grand Budapest Hotel (TB O)
• Interstellar (TL S)
• A Most Violent Year (PP O/N)
• Mr. Turner (WL O) (PP O) (TB O)
• Selma (WL N) [New]
• Whiplash (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: Birdman, Boyhood and Foxcatcher seem like almost certain nominees, with the latter having the weakest potential of the three. Wes Anderson could get a nomination for his popular The Grand Budapest Hotel, but that film seems to have been forgotten recently. Whiplash could be the lone indie representative while one should never count out Mike Leigh when it comes to the writers branch. Add to this list the late-breaking Selma and a strong list has become stronger. Also, never count out Mike Leigh who has been nominated so often that he’s starting to enter Woody Allen Guaranteed Nomination territory.
Peter J. Patrick: Looks like a strong year for original screenplays with these five having the most momentum.
Tripp Burton: A mix of critical favorites and Best Picture contenders.
Thomas LaTourrette: Between Birdman and Boyhood, the Academy has two very original scripts to choose from. I imagine both will be up and one of them will win. Those are the only two I feel certain about. Interstellar may still overcome mediocre reviews and claim a spot. I have put both Foxcatcher and Whiplash down as well, but am uncertain about them. Mike Leigh has gotten a few noms in the past, but I am just not hearing enough buzz about Mr. Turner to think it will get one here. This would seem the most likely spot for The Grand Budapest Hotel to pull off a nomination, but the movie felt slight enough that I am not sure it will. It feels like a slightly weak year for this category, so maybe it will surprise me and pull off one. This is a category where there often are surprises.

Best Adapted Screenplay

• Gone Girl (WL O) (PP O) (TB N) [New] (TL O)
• The Imitation Game (WL N) [New] (PP O/N) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Inherent Vice (WL O)
• Into the Woods (PP N) [New]
• Theory of Everything (WL N) [New] (PP O) (TB N) [New] (TL N) [New]
• Unbroken (WL O) (PP S) (TB O) (TL O)
• Wild (TB O) (TL S)

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: Best Picture contenders Unbroken and Imitation Game should be easy nominees, as will Gone Girl which got just as much praise for the screenplay as it did for everything else about the production. Paul Thomas Anderson could overcome the lack of interest in his film in other categories and pull in a single nomination here. American Sniper is another name you could be hearing among the nominees.
Peter J. Patrick: Into the Woods is probably the weakest contender here with Wild and Still Alice the likeliest replacements.
Tripp Burton: There are a lot of contenders in here, so I went with the strongest Best Picture contenders.
Thomas LaTourrette: The first four slots seem pretty much taken for adapted screenplay with Gone Girl, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything and Unbroken. The last spot could go to any of the following Inherent Vice, Into the Woods, Still Alice, Rosewater or American Sniper. I’m guessing it might be Wild, but would not be surprised by any of the other choices.

Best Cinematography

• Birdman (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• Gone Girl (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• The Homesman (PP O) [New]
• Interstellar (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• Into the Woods (WL O) [New]
• Mr. Turner (WL O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• Unbroken (WL O) [New] (PP O) [New] (TB O) [New] (TL O) [New]
• Wild (PP O) [New]

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: There are two categories that seem to be tied to Best Visual Effects more and more with each passing year. While Best Production Design is less certain for Interstellar, I’d be surprised if it didn’t show up in Best Cinematography. Other than that, there’s not a lot of competition as the films that we seem to be talking most about are more traditional affairs including Birdman, Gone Girl, The Imitation Game and Unbroken. A left-field appearance by something like Into the Woods could shake up the norm.
Peter J. Patrick: There are a lot of contenders here as usual, with Mr. Turner, American Sniper and The Theory of Everything also quite possible.
Tripp Burton: At this point, your guess is as good as mine. The trickery of Birdman and Interstellar should get them attention, Mr. Turner is supposedly gorgeous, Unbroken could sweep the tech categories and Gone Girl was a beautiful looking film. That said, this branch is so persnickety that they could all get thrown out the window, a la 2006.
Thomas LaTourrette: The long tracking shots of Birdman will be guaranteed a nomination. Emmanuel Lubezki won last year for Gravity, and he could repeat with Birdman. The epic work of Interstellar probably will get it in there too. Roger Deakins has a good track record with the Academy, so I imagine he will earn a spot for Unbroken. Dick Pope’s work on Mr. Turner making the film look like a Turner painting will probably also get him into the final five. Once again the last spot is the hardest to guess. I’m choosing Gone Girl as the cinematography did a good job of setting the mood of that film. He will face strong competition from Selma, Inherent Vice, The Theory of Everything, Fury and the unseen Into the Woods. The latter’s moody visuals could send it into the mix, but it is too soon to be sure.

Best Visual Effects

• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (WL O) (PP O) (TB O) (TL O)
• Exodus: Gods and Kings (WL O)
• Godzilla (PP O) (TB O) (TL N) [New]
• Guardians of the Galaxy (WL O) (PP N) [New] (TB O) (TL O)
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (WL O) (PP O) (TB O) (TL O)
• Interstellar (WL O) (PP O) (TB O) (TL O)

Commentary

Wesley Lovell: Interstellar is the film to beat, which is probably to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes‘ chagrin since that film’s predecessor lost an award it was thought certain to obtain. Dawn will likely be joined by Guardians and The Hobbit with the fifth slot probably going to either Godzilla, which is disappearing from general Oscar consciousness quickly, and Exodus, which should have plenty of spectacle with lots of effects and thereby heaps of attention from the visual effects community.
Peter J. Patrick: These seem the most likely at the moment.
Tripp Burton: These five seem to have the right mix of box office and innovation to get in. I don’t see any strong candidates behind them. For now.
Thomas LaTourrette: The strongest candidates for Visual Effects will are Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Interstellar. The third film of The Hobbit trilogy will assuredly join the other two with a nomination, but doubtful a win as neither of the others won. Guardians of the Galaxy will probably make the list, as one of the few Marvel films to land a nomination following the Iron Man series and The Avengers. Godzilla may take the final spot, though there are various films that could sneak in instead, like Fury, X-Men, Transformers, Maleficent or even Birdman.