10 Things the BAFTA's Told Us About The Oscars

As the last big awards show before the Academy Awards in March the BAFTA’s has always been regarded as a solid barometer for the Oscars. Last night (February 16, 2014) however was full of surprises, so with the race for the Oscars well and truly on, here's 10 things the BAFTA’s told us about the biggest night on the movie calendar. 

'Gravity' director Alfonso Cuaron and producer David Heyman

'Gravity' could cause an upset

Gravity’was definitely the shock winner of the night taking home no less than six awards, however most of these were in the technical categories. Still a nod for ‘Outstanding British Film’ and ‘Best Director’ mean it's still one to watch out for at the Oscars, where it is nominated in an impressive 12 categories.

Everyone is still in love with Jennifer Lawrence

Whilst it seemed all eyes have been on ’12 Years A Slave’s’ Lupita Nyong’o, last year’s breakout star Jennifer Lawrence has definitely not been forgotten. Jennifer took home the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award last night for her part in 'American Hustle', leaving rising star Lupita going home empty handed. The win might just mean we’ll see a repeat of last year with Lawrence once again taking home an Oscar, albeit this time in the supporting category.

'12 Years A Slave’ is still the hot contender

It’s not all bad for ’12 Years A Slave’, however, the film did walk away with the biggest prize of the night for Best Film, good news considering the BAFTA winner in that category has gone on to take the Oscar for the past five years running. However the film may not sweep the board as fully as originally thought considering it only won 2 of a possible 11 awards last night.

'Dallas buyers Club' had a BAFTA snub, but don't rule it out for the Oscars

...but don't rule out ‘Dallas Buyers Club’.

The film might have received a bit of a BAFTA snub, but it is still looking strong for the Academy Awards. The film is nominated for 6 awards including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor and poses perhaps the strongest competition to ’12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Gravity’.

or Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey may have been snubbed by the BAFTA’s but he’s still a frontrunner to take home the Best Actor Oscar for his leading role in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’. His strongest competition is undoubtedly from ’12 Years A Slave’s’ Chiwetel Ejiofor who won last night. However it will be interesting to see how the British actor fares on the other side of the Atlantic when he faces both McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Keep your money on Cate Blanchett...

Cate Blanchett picked up her third BAFTA last night, the ‘Blue Jasmine’ star was named ‘Best Actress’. The actress has already taken home the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award making her win last night, the evening's least surprising victory.

Cate Blanchett might be the most certain winner

...and double it on 'Frozen'.

Another pretty much dead cert for the Oscar win has to be Disney’s 'Frozen'. The 3-D film loosely based on ‘The Snow Queen’ took the Best Animated Film award and looks to be miles ahead of its Oscars competion.

Best Supporting Actor is looking more interesting

The best supporting actor race is certainly more open now after Barkhad Abdi picked up a surprise win for his role in ‘Captain Phillips’. The former limo driver beat favourite Michael Fassbender but will face bigger competition next month against Jared Leto.

There's no luck for DiCaprio again

One big hitter thant walked away empty handed last night was Martin Scorsese’s ‘Wolf of Wall Street’. Despite four nominations including one for Scorsese and star Leonardo DiCaprio, the film failed to take home an award. This will be Leo’s fourth nomination and it looks like he might just miss out again, especially now he's up against Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthew McConaughey.

Leoardo DiCaprio and the 'Wolf of Wall Street' missed out on a BAFTA

Anything could happen

One thing last night proved is there’s never any absolute certainties. There were many shock wins which just makes the Oscar predictions even harder.'12 Years a Slave' and 'Gravity' will both definitly bag a few awards, but as far as the big categories go, the race isn't as clear cut as we might have first thought.