By Katie Sterling
Much like the group of movies in contention for the year’s biggest award, the 97th Academy Awards was a mix of winning moments, shocking snubs and questionable choices. One thing, however, was abundantly clear and that was the fact that host Conan O’ Brien knocked it out of the park. To host this kind of awards ceremony, you need to not only recognize the absurdity of it, but also praise performances, roast the elite and gently jab at current controversy. Not only did Conan perform a perfect tongue-in-cheek presentation, it was his first time ever hosting!
But, for every high of the show, there was a low in both performances and acceptance speeches. After Wicked dominated box offices this year, it was no surprise that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo opened the show with a nod to their own film and a piece of Hollywood history. On the flip side, did audiences really need a medley of songs from James Bond films? In a year where there are no new James Bond films opening?! Given that the awards show scrapped live performances of Best Original songs from the itinerary this year, it seemed quite odd to fill that space with performances that truly seemed to have no relevant tie-in?
For those who filled out ballots at home, the majority were probably shocked that their pick for Best Actress didn’t go to Demi Moore (as pretty much everyone predicted), but to Anora’s Mikey Madison. There’s something to be said about the award going not to the older actress, but to the young newcomer on the scene that is too obvious to Substance, it doesn’t need to be delved into further.
Another cringeworthy moment? Adrian Brody not only throwing his gum to his girlfriend on the way to accept his Best Actor award, but his speech frankly being as long as The Brutalist’s runtime. Cutting off the wrap up music and yelling, “Turn the music off, I’ve done this before,” left a bad taste in many viewers’ mouths of his cockiness and insufferableness.
However, there were many bright spots among the night including Paul Tazewell becoming the first black man to win Costume Design, Kieran Culkin’s hilarious acceptance speech (future winners take note) and the Academy producers displaying the cat from Flow holding his own Oscar when the movie won for Best Animated Film.
At the end of the day, the fun comes from hosting your viewing parties with friends and judging the elite from the comfort of your couch. Academy season may be over for now, but the summer blockbusters up ahead hold promise…or at least the mindless entertainment we relish.
For those that missed the show, the winners of the 97th Academy Awards are as follows:
-Best Picture: Anora
-Best Director: Sean Baker, Anora
-Best Actor: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
-Best Actress: Mikey Madison, Anora
-Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
-Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
-Best Animated Film: Flow
-Best International Film: Emilia Pérez
-Best Documentary: No Other Land
-Original Score: The Brutalist
-Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
-Best Live Action Short Film: I Am Not a Robot
-Achievement in Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
-Achievement in Sound: Dune: Part Two
-Best Documentary Short: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
-Original Song: “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez
-Best Production Design: Wicked
-Best Film Editing: Anora
-Best Hair and Makeup: The Substance
-Adapted Screenplay: Conclave
-Original Screenplay: Anora
-Best Costume Design: Wicked
-Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of Cypress.
