The 95th Academy Awards made quite the impression after months of wild speculation and crafty predictions stemming from the eventful awards show last year. Jimmy Kimmel literally parachuted onto the Dolby Theatre stage in Hollywood on Sunday (March 12) with an arsenal of tame jokes that carefully jabbed audience members, such as Steven Spielberg and Seth Rogen.
Despite his measured satire, finger-crossing and hopeful wishing did not stop the late night talk show host from making jokes about “the scrummage” of yesteryear as he quickly reminded people to keep their hands to themselves, jokingly pointing out superhero security on deck just in case of an issue. While viewers were ensured the good news of a violent free night, Kimmel also broke the not so good news that every category of the Oscars would be presented on the live ABC broadcast, produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss, amounting to more than three hours of production.
There were memorable highlights to the particularly long ceremony. One special moment of the night came when the Everything Everywhere All at Once actor Ke Huy Quan won a golden trophy for “Best Supporting Actor,” the first for the breakthrough star who began his career in the 1980s and was nearly on the brink of giving up his dream of acting, taking a break from the pursuit for 20 years. Quan gave an inspiring speech as he tearfully looked into the camera to tell anyone who would listen to not give up on their dreams.
Shortly after Quan’s win, his Everything Everywhere peer, Jamie Lee Curtis, won her first Oscar as “Best Supporting Actress,” a category that included major contenders, such as Hong Chau, Kerry Condon, Stephanie Hsu, and Angela Bassett, who had the honor of being the first in a Marvel role to hold the nomination. Bassett clearly felt the loss, but can rest assure that her impact has captivated the budding dreamers of many generations over.
The presence of Disney was definitely made known as Bob Iger, one of the studios most notable CEOs, sat in the audience while both Melissa McCarthy and Halle Bailey presented an exclusive first look trailer for their upcoming live action, The Little Mermaid. Simply because of who they are, Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors of Creed III fame made a moment when the two sparring co-stars presented the award for “Best Cinematography,” which went to James Friend for All Quiet on the Western Front.
Watch ‘The Little Mermaid’ Official Trailer
Ruth Carter was recognized with an award in the category of “Best Costume Design” as the immaculate lead stylist for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Old Hollywood charm in the likes of fashion-forward actors Morgan Freeman, Margot Robbie, and Cara Delevingne revived the room. Whatever happened thereafter was quite uneventful, even a snoozefest as presenters scurried from one category to the next.
That is until…. Lady Gaga appeared on the stage in bare minimum makeup, t-shirt, jeans, and her almighty voice to sing “Hold My Hand,” the anthem song for Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick. A few moments later, between a presenter’s embarrassing trip and the weird conversation with the mascot from Cocaine Bear, the audience was further energized by a performance from a very pregnant Rihanna, who sang “Lift Me Up” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
In an important segment of the live show, writers were deservedly honored for their tedious work. Sarah Polley would surprisingly receive a trophy for Women Talking in the category of “Writing (Adapted Screenplay).” Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the writing team for Everything Everywhere All at Once, won the award for “Writing (Original Screenplay).”
As for top awards of the night, Brendan Fraser won his first Oscar for his leading role in The Whale. Following in the tradition of firsts, Michelle Yeoh also took home her first Oscar for her leading role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which nabbed the final award of the night for “Best Picture.”
For a complete list of winners, go to Oscars.org.
