The 96th Academy Awards: Afterthoughts

A night full of expected wins, a surprise in the Sound category, an almost naked John Cena and a confused Al Pacino. These were the 96th Academy Awards.

As a predictor, I did fairly well in the categories that I chose winners for. Although, I missed foreseeing American Fiction’s Best Adapted Screenplay win, I was thoroughly pleased to see Cord Jefferson take how the statue for his biting screenplay.

The other big surprise (to a lot of people) was The Zone of Interest taking home Best Sound. Many thought Oppenheimer was the front runner but after viewing TZoI, I had a very strong feeling that it was going to take home the Oscar. Needless to say, I was elated and made a triumphant noise when it was announced as the winner.

The rest of the evening went as predicted. Oppenheimer took home 7 trophies. Followed by Poor Things with 4, including one for a very stunned Emma Stone her profound portrayal of Bella Baxter.

While the evening was filled with joy and celebration, one team that went home empty handed was Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower. Although it wasn’t expected to win many, all eyes were on Lily Gladstone in the Best Actress race. Up until the awards, many had put their money on Gladstone to take it. Although, she didn’t win, she still broke historic ground as the first Native American woman to be nominated in the Best Actress category, a rousing feat.

While, the awards moved at a steady pace, the last five minutes provided the most action of the evening (perhaps second to Ryan Gosling’s incredible performance of “I’m Just Ken” and an almost naked John Cena during the Best Costume Design presentation), when Al Pacino took to the stage to present Best Picture. Having trouble seeing the teleprompter and seeming to ignore the prompts in his hands, Pacino skipped over reading the nominees and went straight to work opening the envelope to reveal Oppenheimer’s prize in what may be the newest meme. Opening the envelope slowly, Pacino cheekily remarked, “And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer.’”, thus creating chaos and elation from those within the Dolby theater and capping off another spectacular year of cinema.

The Winners of the Night Were:

Best Picture: Oppenheimer

Best Actor: Cillian Murphy

Best Actress: Emma Stone

Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr.

Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Best Director: Christopher Nolan

Best Original Screenplay: Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall)

Best Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson (American Fiction)

Best Cinematography: Oppenheimer

Best Editing: Oppenheimer

Best Score: Oppenheimer

Best Sound: The Zone of Interest

Best Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (What Was I Made For? from Barbie)

Best Costume Design: Poor Things

Best Hair and Makeup: Poor Things

Production Design: Poor Things

Best International Film: The Zone of Interest

Best VFX: Godzilla: Minus One

Best Short Film (live action): The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Best Short Film (Animated): War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko

Best Animated Feature: The Boy and the Heron

Best Documentary (Short): The Last Repair Shop

Best Documentary Feature: 20 Days in Mariupol