A week before Oscars: 7 things I want to see next Sunday

In a week all comes down to 24 category winners, their momentum and then it all starts again - the endless Oscars Race. I'd not be lying if I say that we are facing one of the toughest competition this year, because, you know, it's Birdman v. Boyhood. The first one swept all major Guilds, while the other one took Golden Globe and BAFTA home. So, it's not easy to predict. 

Except winners, there are some many things to love about the Oscars - the red carpet, the ceremony, all those jokes and fun and the idea of celebration. So, here are my 7 reasons I want to watch The Academy Awards this year.

7. LADY GAGA ON THE STAGE

Last year's #Oscars, @ladygaga was a guest. This year she's on the stage at #Dolby Feb. 22 @TheAcademy @craigzadan pic.twitter.com/WncdpBPQ1G
— Neil Meron (@neilmeron) February 13, 2015

I am very excited about her. Huge fan of Gaga and I'd love to see her live performance.

6. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS GOING CRAZY

I love NPH, but I'm a bit skeptical after his performance on Emmys, which I did not find hugely entertaining. But let's blame producers and writers for that. This guy is insane. Also, last year, Ellen was a celebrity host, who was not that perfect first time she hosted, but I absolutely enjoyed her being back. Some high hopes of NPH.

5. BIRDMAN WINNING

My favorite movie Gone Girl is not nominated, second most favorite The Imitation Game has no chance to win, so I'm for my no. 5 Birdman, which really is a phenomenal movie and especially alongside Boyhood.

Also, if Birdman wins, it will be the first movie to win BP without Best Editing nomination since 1980, when another masterpiece Ordinary People marched at The Academy Awards. Voters love "first times" and "records", so fingers crossed.

4. I WILL NEVER STOP HOPING TO SEE THIS AGAIN, EVER

I said it last year, I'm saying it now: this is the best tributes Oscars ever made. Those moments of five past winners honoring current nominees was the best part of any Academy Awards show.

3. RED CARPET PHOTOBOMBS

I love when celebrities go nuts. (And by the way, I love Emma Thompson)

2. BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH PRESENTING 

aka the amount of British accent at Oscars

Benedict presenting, Eddie Redmayne probably winning. Enough of British at American Awards show.

1. SOME PLEASANT SURPRISES

Some of Oscar winners are real surprises. The most recent one I can remember is Sean Penn in Milk winning instead of terrible Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. The list of such possible surprises are:

• Rosamund Pike taking HER Oscar home;
• Tangerines winning Best Foreign Film;
• Boyhood losing all the awards;
• The Grand Budapest Hotel wins Best Picture
• The Imitation Game winning at least one award.

Who's excited for 87th Oscars?