Oscars 2014 a competitive, tight race: critic As the final countdown begins to this year's Oscars, uncertainty about which film will win the coveted best picture award hangs over Hollywood, with 'Gravity', '12 Years A Slave' and 'American Hustle' all vying for the golden statuette. Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio are thought to be frontrunners for best actor award and Cate Blanchett heads the field for leading actress, according to Variety's Tim Gray. Images and soundbites.