ACADEMY AWARDS 2018 REACTIONS
The 90th Annual Academy Awards have come and gone, and while generally a predictable show in terms of the actual awards, I still felt we all are walking away losers when it comes to diversity and equality.
While there were some victories in terms of representation and trying to work to right the wrongs that have plagued Hollywood thus far, there were plenty of moments where more could have been done, and many outright setback moments.
There was a clear effort this year with the variety of diverse presenters to try to show that the Oscars were trying to distance themselves from being accused of being so white. They brought in a mix of pop culture figures and a few past winners. While the gesture was admirable, the majority of presenters came from the former category. Thus further magnifying the fact that the pool of diverse Oscar winners is still far too limited.
This year had several historic nominations, but few historic wins. While I would have liked to see different outcomes in many categories, I played to win. And win (or at least tie) I did – thanks to my viewing hosts Cat and Christian, and everyone at the party who had to put up with my progressively more frustrated (and snarky) commentary.
There was a clear effort this year with the variety of diverse presenters to try to show that the Oscars were trying to distance themselves from being accused of being so white. They brought in a mix of pop culture figures and a few past winners. While the gesture was admirable, the majority of presenters came from the former category. Thus further magnifying the fact that the pool of diverse Oscar winners is still far too limited.
This year had several historic nominations, but few historic wins. While I would have liked to see different outcomes in many categories, I played to win. And win (or at least tie) I did – thanks to my viewing hosts Cat and Christian, and everyone at the party who had to put up with my progressively more frustrated (and snarky) commentary.
Kimmel during the 90th Academy Awards – ABC
|
Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue did not shy away from hot topics like Harvey Weinstein, #metoo #timesup #neveragain, pay inequality, the White House, and calling for support for the Parkland led march on Washington DC. It was self aware, and funny to boot. The offer to award a Jet Ski to the winner with the shortest speech was a particularly surprisingly funny gag, particularly since Dame Helen Mirren fulfilled the role of Price is Right esque model, showing off the goods.
|
Viola Davis – ABC
|
Viola Davis looked magnificent introducing this category. Based on the constrained way she walked up to the microphone, it looked like to even get into that dress she had to skip eating for a week… Worth it.
|
Sam Rockwell winning Best Supporting Actor – ABC
|
Best Supporting Actor – Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – The odds of an upset in this category were low, and Rockwell’s win gave a fairly heavy indication that there weren’t going to be a ton of surprises this year. While I don’t know if every winner has to make their speech political, given the subject matter of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri it would have been appropriate to call attention to #MeToo or #NeverAgain….
|
Having Gal Gadot on stage as a presenter was great, but where was the love for Wonder Woman? Sure I didn’t expect it to get a Best Picture nod (but how great would it have been if it did?) but at least a few nods in the technical categories would have been nice.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Darkest Hour, Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick – Another category on lock and the only Asian winner of the night…
Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Darkest Hour, Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick – Another category on lock and the only Asian winner of the night…
No awards love for Wonder Woman at the Oscars, just Gal Gadot presenting – ABC
|
The only Asian winner, Kazuhiro Tsuji – ABC
|
How many of you also had to Google who Eva Marie Saint was? Good for her though for being older than the Academy and still rockin.
Best Costume Design – Phantom Thread, Mark Bridges – As I said, Phantom Thread would have been a pretty wretched failure as a fim if it didn’t at least take home this prize…. And bonus, he took home the jet ski!
Best Costume Design – Phantom Thread, Mark Bridges – As I said, Phantom Thread would have been a pretty wretched failure as a fim if it didn’t at least take home this prize…. And bonus, he took home the jet ski!
Eve Marie Saint presenting (Google her) – ABC
|
I’d say it was a pretty good night for Mark Bridges – ABC
|
The Icarus team winning – ABC
|
Greta Gerwig and Laura Dern were the power of sisterhood embodied when presenting this award.
Best Documentary Feature – Icarus – This was my first wrong pick of the night. I’ve fully admitted to being guilty of not having seen any of the films in this category this year, but after this win I’ll be checking the film out on Netflix. |
Girl power! Greta Gerwig and Laura Dern – ABC
Then there was the first of the Original Song nominees, which was a friendly reminder of how amazing Mary J. Blige is. Who doesn’t love a good Gospel choir? Also…. DAMN Taraji, the slit on that dress while introducing the category. Rock it.
DAAAAMN TARAJI! – ABC
|
Mary J Blige singing Like A River from Mudbound – ABC
|
And then, good looking youths who were awkwardly complimenting each other, because we all want to be reminded how average we all are comparatively. But actually they were also the stars of the film (Baby Driver) I thought deserved the next two awards, so it was a little uncomfortable to have them up there.
Best Sound Editing – Dunkirk, Richard King and Alex Gibson – Here’s where the telecast probably starts to lag for many. Congrats Dunkirk. I still think Baby Driver deserved the win.
Best Sound Mixing – Dunkirk, Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, and Gary A. Rizzo – Again there are only a few times where a film doesn’t win both Mixing and Editing…. This was not one of those few times.
Eiza Gonzalez and Ansel Elgort – ABC
|
Dunkirk Sound Editing Team – ABC
|
Dunkirk Sound Mixing Team – ABC
|
And now a montage of people who weren’t considered important enough to be in primetime. I loved Steven Spielberg’s answer to what do you do: “I’m married to Kate Capshaw.”
Also was Kimmel asking him for pot or pop?
Anyway, Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani both looked amazing, and were funny and subtly (possibly a little too subtly) political.
Best Production Design – The Shape of Water – Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin – Works for me.
Also was Kimmel asking him for pot or pop?
Anyway, Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani both looked amazing, and were funny and subtly (possibly a little too subtly) political.
Best Production Design – The Shape of Water – Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin – Works for me.
Lupita and Kumail looking golden – ABC
|
The Shape of Water Production Design team – ABC
|
Gael Garcia Bernal hoping we don’t remember this particular performance of “Remember Me” – ABC
|
Next up was Eugenio Derbez introducing the performance of “Remember Me” … and then we were subject to Gael Garcia Bernal giving the most pitchy performance at an awards show I’ve ever seen. Thus leading me to believe whoever did the recording and remixing for the actual film version may deserve an Oscar of their own.
Now more jokes about keeping the speeches short, but we’re an hour and a twenty minutes in and clearly no one wants or needs a jetski…. Also Rita Moreno. |
A Fantastic Woman indeed – ABC
|
Best Foreign Language Film – A Fantastic Woman – While I have to profess to not having seen the film at, features a trans actress. We’re quick to sing the praises of films like Call Me By Your Name, which features two straight actors playing gay characters, but hopefully A Fantastic Woman’s win will help encourage the casting of trans actors and actresses (and not just in roles where the characters are trans!)
|
Hey! A presenter who is also a person of color AND a previous winner. The show producers must be thanking their lucky stars for Mahershala Ali.
Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney, I, Tonya – Halfway through the show is when they throw in a category a more general audience cares about. However this win came as zero surprise.
Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney, I, Tonya – Halfway through the show is when they throw in a category a more general audience cares about. However this win came as zero surprise.
2016’s Best Supporting Actor, Mahershala Ali – ABC
|
Allison Janney did it all on her own – ABC
|
At this point in the show I got a text message from my mother saying “I know you’re so excited now” and she was correct. I’ve talked repeatedly about my love of Kelly Marie Tran, and of course Star Wars in general, so I lost my mind a little when she AND BB-8 came out to present for animated films (oh and Mark Hamill and Oscar Isaac were there too). However for me it highlights my continuing frustration that the Academy had to look outside of actual Oscar winners to find an Asian person to present.
Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill, and Kelly Marie Tran presenting – ABC
Best Animated Short Film – Dear Basketball – I expressed my frustration with the fact that Kobe was likely to become an Oscar winner yesterday, citing his sexually abusive past. Post-win, people seem to have suddenly remembered this. Yet why did the voting members of the Academy forget in the lead up? Kobe is the first of the winners to show that #MeToo has a lot of work to do.
Keane’s wife, Linda – ABC
|
I will say I love that Glen Keane’s wife was filming Glen’s acceptance speech… on her phone… in vertical mode…… because obviously there’s no way to see this moment again.
I’m also overjoyed to find out BB-8 is apparently Jewish. He is welcome over for Shabbat any time. |
BB-8 – ABC
|
Best Animated Feature Film – Coco – What do you mean The Boss Baby lost?! Said no one at the Oscars…. Chalk this one up to another win for LGBTQ representation, as both producer Darla K. Anderson was able to thank her wife (fellow Pixar producer Kori Rae) and co-director Adrian Molina was able to thank his husband. Also, it makes me happy that a film about Mexico won this year, cause you know that’s going to piss the human trash pile occupying the White House off a bit.
You go gle…. You go Coco! – ABC
Now the first ever openly Trans presenter! AND Fresh off her movie winning Best Foreign Language Film! Daniela Vega is having a good night.
I enjoy Sufjan Stevens music, and his choice of suit jacket. However compared to the big booming songs this year, this was a little bit of a lull.
I enjoy Sufjan Stevens music, and his choice of suit jacket. However compared to the big booming songs this year, this was a little bit of a lull.
Daniela Vega is having a good night – ABC
|
Sufjan Stevens performing – ABC
|
I did NOT enjoy Tom Holland’s choice of suit jacket to present the next category, but Gina Rodriguez looked gorgeous. I’d also like to remind folks that now 66% of the recent Spider-Men have been British.
Best Visual Effects – Blade Runner 2049, John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert, and Richard R. Hoover – I was honestly shocked by this win. Not that I thought it had bad Visual Effects, but the achievements in War for the Planet of the Apes were rather spectacular.
Best Visual Effects – Blade Runner 2049, John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert, and Richard R. Hoover – I was honestly shocked by this win. Not that I thought it had bad Visual Effects, but the achievements in War for the Planet of the Apes were rather spectacular.
Tom Holland, this tuxedo is for old men, not Spider-Men… Gina you look great and you know it. – ABC
|
The Blade Runner 2049 Effects team – ABC
|
|
Alright, alright, alright…. When will this show be over? Matthew Mcconaughey does not have the answer to that.
Best Film Editing – Dunkirk, Lee Smith – Once again, Baby Driver was robbed. |
|
Now here’s a segment that could have been edited out. Another gimmick involving an unsuspecting public audience. Kimmel had several of the years biggest stars surprise a theater full of people (thinking they’d be seeing an early screening of A Wrinkle in Time)… So of course when it came time to interview one of the lucky audience members…… they chose the whitest of white dudes. Sigh. Also is this going to keep being a thing? It was weird enough bringing civilians into the show last year.
Side note: does anyone know where I can get a hot dog cannon?
Side note: does anyone know where I can get a hot dog cannon?
Crap like this is why this telecast is 4 hours long – ABC
This is also a recycled gag from the 2017 Oscars – ABC
|
Award for whitest male audience member goes to… – ABC
|
Back to the show…
I have nothing but admiration for Tiffany Haddish for commiting to wearing the same dress at every event. She is all of us. Maya though…. I love you, but you’re supposed to walk the red carpet, not wear it. Also The Academy would be VERY smart to hire these two as hosts next year.
Best Documentary Short – Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405 – Got this one wrong… my bad.
I have nothing but admiration for Tiffany Haddish for commiting to wearing the same dress at every event. She is all of us. Maya though…. I love you, but you’re supposed to walk the red carpet, not wear it. Also The Academy would be VERY smart to hire these two as hosts next year.
Best Documentary Short – Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405 – Got this one wrong… my bad.
The Oscar for committing to a joke goes to Tiffany Haddish – ABC
|
Winner Frank Stiefel – ABC
|
Rachel Shenton signs her speech – ABC
|
Best Live Action Short – The Silent Child – And this one…. It was nice to see winner Rachel Shenton signing her speech. I think we often forget about disability in terms of diversity.
|
I’m so glad Dave Chappelle is back. I will also say the performance by Andra Day and Common was absolutely moving.
Chappelle is back! – ABC
|
Andra Day, Common, and 10 Activists – ABC
|
I am grateful that the Oscars gave #timesup the moment it deserved. Good for having Weinstein victims (why do we keep calling them accusers? We know he did it) Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra, and Salma Hayek Pinault introduce a tribute to diversity.
#timesup – ABC
However. I will continue to point out (until I no longer have to, and trust me no one wants that day sooner than I do) that all of these equality, diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality bits…. don’t include Asians. You could possibly make a case for Kumail Nanjiani of Pakistan, but where are the Chinese? Koreans? Japanese? I’m sure the big wigs at the Academy are patting themselves on the back for that produced bit, but there’s billions of people not being represented.
Wakanda forever! Suicide Squad…. not so much – ABC
|
And I’m sure the show runners patted themselves again by having Chadwick Boseman and Margot Robbie present right after. Having the star of the most popular film in the world right now, that just so happens to be a Black superhero film, probably feels like a pretty successful diversity play to them.
|
James Ivory – ABC
|
Best Adapted Screenplay – Call Me by Your Name, Screenplay by James Ivory – Look. I thought Call Me by Your Name was a fine film. It was a white, gay fairy tale, where the protagonists came up against 0 real world obstacles…. That being said none of can even remotely pretend James Ivory isn’t an incredibly talented writer.
|
Best Original Screenplay – Get Out, Written by Jordan Peele – I was so torn over who I wanted to win this category. Both Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird and Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V Gordon’s The Big Sick amongst my favorite films of the year last year. I almost wish the films all came out in different years so they could all win. However having Jordan Peele be the first African-American to win Best Original Screenplay is a victory I’ll celebrate.
|
Also… look how happy Keegan-Michael Key is for him! May we all have someone that supportive in our lives.
Jordan Peele making history – ABC
|
It took two viewings and some serious sleuthing to figure out who introduced the military tribute at the Oscars. Actor Wes Studi (Last of the Mohicans, Hostiles) is the first Native presenter, and a veteran… and in case you were wondering what he said in Cherokee, it was apparently “Hello. Appreciation to all veterans & Cherokees who’ve served. Thank you!”
We thank him for his service, but unfortunately I would be remiss (since I’ve called so many others out on various things) if I didn’t point out that Studi was arrested for a DWI in 2013.
We thank him for his service, but unfortunately I would be remiss (since I’ve called so many others out on various things) if I didn’t point out that Studi was arrested for a DWI in 2013.
Nobody’s perfect, and there’s a spectrum of crimes (thankfully it appears no one was hurt when he was driving). Nor am I saying someone’s past should necessarily haunt them forever. However the Academy is clearly willing to overlook a certain level of bad behavior in order to be perceived as diverse.
And now a weird bit about Sandra Bullock’s age? Who looked great.
Best Cinematography – Blade Runner 2049, Roger A. Deakins – I will be honest. I REALLY wanted Rachel Morrison to win. In any other year I’d be overjoyed for Deakins, who apparently 13th times the charm for. However it took 90 years for a woman to be nominated, which again speaks to how badass she is at her job that she overcame all that bullshit. If she’s not up for a nod for Black Panther next year I will revolt.
Best Cinematography – Blade Runner 2049, Roger A. Deakins – I will be honest. I REALLY wanted Rachel Morrison to win. In any other year I’d be overjoyed for Deakins, who apparently 13th times the charm for. However it took 90 years for a woman to be nominated, which again speaks to how badass she is at her job that she overcame all that bullshit. If she’s not up for a nod for Black Panther next year I will revolt.
|
The last song of the night was “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. I’ve repeatedly expressed my displeasure with the film, but I will absolutely give a shout out to the performance for having a wonderful variety and diversity of performers onstage (this was the highest concentrations of Asians, let alone other minorities, I saw on stage the entire night…. Think about that). That’s how you take advantage of your Oscar moment, even if you don’t win.
|
Old man pants – ABC
|
How are Christopher Walken’s pants up that high?
Best Original Score – The Shape of Water, Alexandre Desplat – That’s cool. Nothing good or bad to say here. |
Alexandre Desplat – ABC
|
I also keep forgetting that Emily Blunt (and Lin-Manuel Miranda) are in the new Mary Poppins. Or the fact that there’s even a new Mary Poppins…
Best Original Song – ”Remember Me” from Coco – Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – Until they announced the winner I truly thought “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman was going to win. It’s also very impressive that Robert Lopez has now EGOT’d TWICE. He’s 43. What have most people done by 43?
Best Original Song – ”Remember Me” from Coco – Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – Until they announced the winner I truly thought “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman was going to win. It’s also very impressive that Robert Lopez has now EGOT’d TWICE. He’s 43. What have most people done by 43?
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt – ABC
|
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are overachievers – ABC
|
I didn’t think anyone could outdo Natalie Portman’s director burn during the Golden Globes. Emma Stone just topped that. Of note, the clip is conveniently NOT on ABC’s own website even though most introductions are…
Best Directing – Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water – I love GDT (yeah we’re totally on initials basis), but Jordan Peele AND Greta Gerwig were robbed. At least it’ll piss the White House off that a Mexican won?
Best Directing – Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water – I love GDT (yeah we’re totally on initials basis), but Jordan Peele AND Greta Gerwig were robbed. At least it’ll piss the White House off that a Mexican won?
Emma Stone presenting Best Director #Oscars pic.twitter.com/TYhhidUuOk
— emma stone daily (@dailyemmastone) March 5, 2018
I’m sorry but again, in the year of #metoo, having Dame Helen Mirren and Jane Fonda have to give Gary Oldman his Oscar feels backwards.
Best Actor – Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour – Did Gary Oldman give a great performance? Sure. Am I still sorely disappointed that in the year of #metoo, Oldman has swept all the awards shows? Yep.
Clearly the show tried to make up for the previous awkwardness by having Jennifer Lawrence and Jodie Foster present Best Actress (instead of sexual harasser and last year’s winner Casey Affleck)…
Best Actress – Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – I didn’t love this film, I found it highly overrated. However I do appreciate McDormand taking the opportunity to honor the other women in the room that night. What was happening with her maniacal laugh? I don’t know.
Best Actor – Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour – Did Gary Oldman give a great performance? Sure. Am I still sorely disappointed that in the year of #metoo, Oldman has swept all the awards shows? Yep.
Clearly the show tried to make up for the previous awkwardness by having Jennifer Lawrence and Jodie Foster present Best Actress (instead of sexual harasser and last year’s winner Casey Affleck)…
Best Actress – Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – I didn’t love this film, I found it highly overrated. However I do appreciate McDormand taking the opportunity to honor the other women in the room that night. What was happening with her maniacal laugh? I don’t know.
Should we be judging actresses on how they look? No. Do these ladies look effing amazing for their respective ages, or just in general? Yup – ABC
|
Fitting that The Academy had two women present instead of one man…. They probably figured they were getting a bargain pay wise, and proved why we need inclusion riders – ABC
|
I can’t tell if the show producers were hoping Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway would mess up again to spike ratings, or it was just easier to guilt them into coming back and not having to find more original presenters? Also they are clearly responsible for the giant font on the front of the envelopes this year.
GDT knows better double check Warren Beatty – ABC
|
Best Picture – The Shape of Water – There is undoubtable artistry behind this film, but do I think it was the best film of the year? No. Am I pleased that at least Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri did not win? Yes.
|
So what did we learn from this year? The Academy Awards are stepping up their game in terms of talking the talk…. But they most definitely have not mastered walking the walk. Now write a motherf*cking inclusion rider.
P.S. An inclusion rider is where a negotiating party can require a certain level of diversity amongst a film’s cast and crew. Read more.