The Oscars ceremony was undoubtedly filled with joyous moments, but Sean Baker stole the spotlight as his film “Anora” clinched the top prize and earned him four individual awards. Leading actress Mikey Madison garnered her own accolades by winning the best actress category.
Adrien Brody, already renowned for his previous win for “The Pianist,” received another Oscar for his portrayal of a Holocaust survivor in Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist.” Brody skillfully avoided the dreaded playoff music during his acceptance.
This year’s ceremony hailed Los Angeles firefighters for their valiant efforts against wildfires. Notable appearances included Mick Jagger presenting the best original song award and John Lithgow humorously enduring long acceptance speeches. Timothée Chalamet’s bright yellow suit also drew much attention and commentary.
In other notable moments, Zoe Saldaña won best supporting actress for “Emilia Pérez,” delivering an emotional speech about her family’s immigrant history and dedicating her achievement to her grandmother. This award capped a successful season for Saldaña with multiple prestigious accolades.
The Oscars opened with a vibrant nod to “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring a musical medley led by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Grande donned a dazzling red dress while singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” followed by Erivo’s powerful rendition of “Home” from “The Wiz.” Together, they performed “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked,” celebrating Los Angeles as the backdrop.
Kieran Culkin humorously extended his plea for more children during his acceptance speech. Having struck a deal with his wife to have more kids if he won an Oscar, he emphasized their agreement comically onstage. Director Victoria Warmerdam humorously assured her partner there would be no children as a result of her win.
The ceremony also dedicated significant time to a James Bond tribute, featuring performances by Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye singing classic 007 themes. The change in the franchise’s management was acknowledged, with Halle Berry praising previous custodians of the Bond series.
Morgan Freeman delivered a heartfelt tribute to Gene Hackman, mourned by the industry posthumously. Freeman celebrated Hackman’s contributions, recalling their collaborations and honoring him as a generous and talented actor. The “In Memoriam” segment recognized many other luminaries, highlighting the immense loss of talents over the past year.
Finally, Adrien Brody, remembering his last Oscar win, humorously halted the wrap-up music during his acceptance speech, asserting his experience and desire to finish properly.
These highlights showcase the emotional depth and vibrant entertainment the Oscars provided, celebrating cinematic accomplishments and personal triumphs alike.
