Oscar Nominees: Best Adapted Screenplay

My predictions: 3/5, picking “Gone Girl” and “Wild” over “Inherent Vice” and “Whiplash”
My ballot: Come back in February!
The nominees: American Sniper, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash

I suspected that “Wild,” one of my favorite contenders in this category, would likely be overtaken by “Whiplash” despite its last-minute category change, but I predicted against it anyway. As expected, “American Sniper” surged to join “The Imitation Game” and “The Theory of Everything,” but one of the biggest surprises of the day is the snub of “Gone Girl,” which ended up with exactly one nomination, for Best Actress. Instead, we have “Inherent Vice,” which also contends for Best Costume Design, which is admittedly a great if highly bizarre script. This is a solid category but there’s plenty missing, and “American Sniper” certainly doesn’t need to be here. All but “Inherent Vice” are nominated for Best Picture.

My current bet to win: I think The Imitation Game has it but I’m not certain.