Welcome back to the blog readers. If you know me at all, you would know that the Academy Awards ceremony is my most anticipated day of the year. More than my birthday, more than Christmas (which I hate anyway). Well boys and girls, that day has finally arrived. On that day I feel like a kid in a candy store because I love the day so much. So, who would be taking home all the big prizes? Who will be wearing the killer clothing? And just how many people are actually upset we don't have to hear any of that garbage music from Emilia Pérez? All that and more, stick around and find out.
NOTE: This post will follow each award in the order in which it was presented.
Best Supporting Actor - Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
I truthfully could not be surprised with this because he won everything. This was one of those categories I knew was a lock from the get go. I have yet to see A Real Pain (2024) but best believe that is on my radar over the next month. Congrats, Kieran. Now go get those kids you're owed!
Best Animated Feature Film - "Flow," Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža, Ron Dyens, and Gregory Zalcman
I do have to say that this is the only real category that I am upset with because I believed The Wild Robot (2024) had this award locked down. It had won almost every major animation award possible and still lost the Oscar. And in the year that I finally have an interest in the Animated Feature Film category too. Maybe I need to see Flow (2024) now. But congrats to Latvia for getting their first Oscar. Ball's in your court now, Estonia.
Best Animated Short Film - "In the Shadow of the Cypress," Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi
For me, the biggest takeaway from this film winning this category was the poignancy of the speech that was given by the creators. There are many people living under the thumb of oppression in this world, and films like this are supposed to shed a light on this. Let's all strive for a world filled with love.
Best Costume Design - "Wicked," Paul Tazewell
The only other film that I thought would have a chance at this category was Conclave (2024), because the costumes in that film were immaculate. But it became crystal clear to me that Wicked (2024) was going to take this category because nothing compared to these costumes. And Tazewell becoming the first Black man to win the award makes my heart smile.
Best Original Screenplay - Sean Baker, "Anora"
I knew this category was basically a two-horse race between Anora and The Brutalist (both 2024) and I had a feeling (as usually happens) where the film that won this would not win Best Picture. Boy, was I wrong on that front but more on that later. I do appreciate the script of Anora and I can definitely see why it would have won this category. I was pulling for The Brutalist a bit more.
Best Adapted Screenplay - Peter Straughan, "Conclave;" based on the novel by Robert Harris
If Conclave was not going to get any other award, I am at least happy it was this one because this was truly the best script of the year. It was gripping, poignant, thought-provoking, and a whole bunch more. Congrats to Peter Straughan because I really thought Emilia Pérez (2024) was going to take this bullshit.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling - "The Substance," Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli
One of the more deserving wins in these categories are these lovely people whose names I will never try to pronounce out of respect for them. What these three were tasked with doing for The Substance (2024) was a very tall one indeed, and they did it with so much love for the craft and so much passion. Much deserved for the whole crew.
Best Film Editing - "Anora," Sean Baker
He did admit he saved this film in the editing room! His dog must have given him some real good advice for him to win a second Oscar for his work. Although I am a bit surprised because I was certain Emilia Pérez was going to take this one because this film was truly saved in the editing room. Because let's face it, not much has gone right for this film.
Best Supporting Actress - Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"
I spoke too soon. Saldaña won every award possible so her taking the Oscar was not a surprise to me at all. Although you know Ariana Grande was my pick to win this award, I am happy for Zoe. I also really loved her speech. It was full of passion and full of love. I hope she cherishes this because she deserves it.
Best Production Design - "Wicked," Production Design by Nathan Crowley; Set Design by Lee Sandales
The third category that seemed a lock to me was Production Design. Having seen all but Nosferatu (2024) in this category, it had to be Wicked. Every set was built from the ground up. Every flower was manually planted. Besides Grande, the production and set designers were the real MVPs of the film. So to Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales, you deserve it and I hope to see you at the Oscars next year for Wicked: For Good (2025).
Best Original Song - "El mal" from "Emilia Pérez," Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard
I'm not surprised in the slightest that this was the name Mick Jagger read off the card. That does not mean I can't be disappointed. A fellow nominee had Elton John and fucking Brandi Carlile and they lost to a song written in Spanish by a bunch of French people? Thank fuck this film only won those two Oscars because it was a joke it was nominated at all.
Best Documentary Short Film - "The Only Girl in the Orchestra," Molly O'Brien and Lisa Remington
A category I have no stake in at all. I guess it was nice that Orin O'Brien got some love, so there's that.
Best Documentary Feature Film - "No Other Land," Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval Abraham
I'm not sure what to make of this film since it was made by both Israelis and Palestinians. The main guy who spoke about the oppression and genocide of the Palestinian people was powerful and poignant, and I enjoyed his speech a whole lot.
Best Sound - "Dune: Part Two," Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill
I half expected A Complete Unknown (2024) to take this award, but I will take it for Dune: Part Two (2024). Thinking back on it, it makes all the sense in the world that this film would take this award. What these four people and their teams were able to do was miles above anything the other four nominees were able to do.
Best Visual Effects - "Dune: Part Two," Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer
This is the second category that really surprised me because I fully expected Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) to take this award so much that I picked that film to win. Especially since Dune (2021) won this same award. But I am happy nonetheless that Part Two was able to get some love from the Academy.
Best Live Action Short - "I'm Not a Robot," Victoria Warmerdam and Trent
Another category that I had no stake in at all. Although the concept of the short seems really interesting, akin to a Black Mirror (2011-14; 2016-) episode.
Best Cinematography - "The Brutalist," Lol Crawley
I have to admit to you that I was pulling really hard for Greig Fraser to win here for Dune: Part Two, but I remember coming out of The Brutalist (2024) saying that the cinematography was stellar. This was a surprise for sure, but one that is much deserved for Lol Crawley.
Best International Feature Film - "I'm Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)" from Brazil; directed by Walter Salles
YYEEEEESSSSS!!! This film deserves so much more love than it got because it truly is a beautiful story about the unrelenting search for justice for Rubens Paiva. I also believe the real Best Actress is in this film in Fernanda Torres, and if this film is only going to get one, I am so glad this film got this award over Emilia Pérez. Please watch this film whenever you get a chance.
Best Original Score - Daniel Blumberg, "The Brutalist"
We all know who had the real Best Original Score of the year. It was...Hans Zimmer for Dune: Part Two and you know it. Since it technically cannot be that score, I am happy that this film did get it because Daniel Blumberg's score is bombastic, it is bold and daring, and it is utter perfection. My pick was Volker Bertelmann for Conclave.
Best Actor - Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"
You know who my pick to win was, and although my heart does hurt for Ralph I am very happy for Adrien Brody, who is now a two-time Academy Award winner. I am just not too happy that he decided to make his speech all about him and wave off the people who were playing him off.
Best Director - Sean Baker, "Anora"
Once Quentin Tarantino said Sean Baker's name and he walked up to accept his third Academy Award of the night, the writing became legible on the wall as to who was winning Best Picture for me. I fully expected this award to go to Brady Corbet so imagine my surprise. I also loved his speech about the theatrical experience and that speech made me like this guy a whole lot more.
Best Actress - Mikey Madison, "Anora"
I was so certain Demi Moore was going to win Best Actress because she won everything but the BAFTA (which Madison won). With that being said, Madison becomes the ninth-youngest person to win Best Actress at 25 years old. She was great in Anora (2024), but this should have gone to Moore or my pick, Fernanda Torres.
Best Picture - "Anora," Sean Baker, Samantha Quan, and Alex Coco, producers
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal were basically up on the stage for show at this point in the show. It was so obvious Anora was winning Best Picture I ended up saying it with them. With this win, Sean Baker has joined some extremely rare company in being the second person to win four Oscars in the same night (Walt Disney did it at the 1954 ceremony) and the first to win all four for the same film. Congrats to Baker for being the real winner at the Oscars and doing something now seen in 71 years, although Conclave was my pick to win Best Picture.
Ariana and Cynthia defied gravity for a brilliant opening number, Kendrick Lamar didn't come out to call Drake a "PDF file" as promised, and Adam Sandler pulled the "Chalamet" of all "Chalamets." And we didn't have to hear a single note from "La vaginoplastia," "Lady," or "El mal." So I would say this show was a bit of a mixed bag for me. All kidding aside, this was a great show with great comedy, great speeches (minus Adrien Brody's), and great performances. Until next year's show (if there is one), I will see you all for it where we will have a new category: Best Casting.
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