The 87th Academy Awards will happen this weekend at the Dolby Theatre, celebrating the best in film from Hollywood and around the world. It can also be accessed online through the live stream links below.
This year, eight films will vie for the top honor of Best Picture Oscar and include "Boyhood," "American Sniper," "Birdman," "Selma," "The Imitation Game," "The Theory of Everything," "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Whiplash." According to Lauren Moraski of CBS News, the favorite seems to be on "Birdman" for the big win.
"In the 21 years that all three have been presenting awards only once have their top prizes gone to the same movie -- and that movie did not go on to win best picture. That was 'Apollo 13' -- 19 years ago," awards analyst Scott Feinberg said to CBS News. "There's a lot of statistical indication that 'Birdman' should win."
Feinberg also pointed out that no movie in 24 years has scored best picture without a film editing nomination, which could work against "Birdman" come Sunday night. As for a "shocker," he told CBS News that it would probably come from "American Sniper," a Clint Eastwood film that has seen smashing success in the U.S. box office.
As for the ceremony itself, this year's Academy Awards will be subjected to antics from host Neil Patrick Harris. He talked to the Associated Press about his thoughts on hosting the iconic awards show.
"I have, essentially, an all-access pass to the theater," Harris said. "So I love being able to stand there and say hello to people I've never met before. I'm very easily star struck, so it'll be very exciting to shake hands with celebrities."
Harris, who has previously hosted the Emmys twice and the Tony Awards four times, will take on the Oscars for the first time this weekend. The Associated Press reported that he previously won both an Emmy and a Tony.
"I want to make sure my content is inclusive of everyone watching, and more people watch the Oscars than any other awards show probably combined," Harris said. "They see it every single year, and all around the world. So I want to be a little classier and try to be a bit more mainstream while trying to maintain a wink and a nod to those in the know."
The Associated Press then asked him how nervous he was to host the show. That's because the media pays keen attention to the host's performance in addition to overall ratings.
"My job as host is to not be nervous when the show is happening," Harris said. "But I think, in life, being nervous about something that's forthcoming is very helpful, whether it's an awards show or a family gathering or a job interview. If you're too calm and confident, then I think you aren't executing to the best of your ability."
Carly Mallenbaum of USA Today reported that Harris will receive some help in presenting the awards. The A-list presenters for this year's Oscars include Jennifer Aniston, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Chris Pratt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Idris Elba, Kerry Washington, Channing Tatum, David Oyelowo, Josh Hutcherson, John Travolta, Chris Evans, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Scarlett Johansson, Dakota Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Jared Leto, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Sienna Miller, Chloe Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy, Liam Neeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Chris Pine, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Miles Teller, Naomi Watts, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.
Mallenbaum noted that there will be musical performances from the best original song nominees too. They included Common and John Legend for Glory ("Selma"); Tim McGraw for I'm Not Gonna Miss You ("Glen Campbell...I'll Be Me"); Tegan and Sara and The Lonely Island for Everything Is Awesome ("The Lego Movie"); Adam Levine for Lost Stars ("Begin Again"); and Rita Ora for Grateful ("Beyond the Lights").
"There will also be performances from Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Anna Kendrick and Jack Black," Mallenbaum wrote.
Harris told the Associated Press that he hoped something "random" would happen during the event, which would make him very happy.
"That's why you want to watch the Oscars," Harris said. "We hope for things to happen that you'll only experience by watching it. The crazier the better, as far as I'm concerned."
The 87th Academy Awards will air Feb. 22 on ABC starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. According to the Oscars official website, online viewers in the United States can select the "watch live" section through the WATCH ABC app or on ABC.com; however, the live event itself can only be streamed in Chicago, Fresno, Calif., Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and San Francisco markets.
The Hollywood Reporter has listed several options for overseas viewers in select countries.
