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Writer's picturejanet g

Oscars 2020: It's in the Books

How was the #Oscars2020 telecast? Let's just say this wasn't one of its finest years. Sprawling and boring don't carry three plus hours. Until the last two minutes when history was made.


oscars 2019, oscars 2019 review, films, entertainment, academy awards winners,

The 2020 Oscars telecast never really got off the ground this year. The opening musical production followed by comic veterans Steve Martin and Chris Rock just felt off, with the crowd never engaged. The presenting duos didn’t carry the show in the same way they did last year. The awards were simply announced and accepted. That said, there was some history made tonight. More on that later.


Without a host for the second year, and a mission to finish in even less time, the Academy Awards telecast still seemed to drag and outlasted last year’s finish time. Maybe it’s time for a host again, at least to reign the telecast back in.


Oscar love was spread around the best feature film nominations – 1917, Ford v Ferrari, JoJo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Parasite. All went home with at least one award with the glaring exception of The Irishman. Parasite had a big night – deservedly so.


Acceptance speeches were formulaic and forgettable except for Hildur Gudnadóttir, only the third woman to win the award for Best Original Score for Joker. Her speech seemed genuinely heartfelt.


This year’s presenters gift bags are once again over the top, including a 12-day cruise. Why do some of the wealthiest people on earth need all this stuff? I’m hoping they quietly donate the contents.



Highlights


Firsts

  • Parasite makes history as the first time an international, foreign-language film has won an Oscar for best feature.

  • Parasite makes history as first time an Asian film has won an Oscar for best screenplay.

  • Irish conductor and composer, Eímear Noone, is the fIrst women to lead the Academy orchestra.


Memorable Moments

  • Eminem’s live performance of Lose Yourself had parts of the orchestra folks rocking along while other parts looked confused.

  • Oscar Issac and Selma Hayak presenting together was a good thing.

  • James Corden and Rebel Wilson sending up Cats, in faux-fur costumes presenting the Visual Effects category was the only funny of the night.


Fashion


Asymmetrical, drop shoulder, one shoulder, strapless covered everything from gowns of classic elegance to unique high style fashion. Other than Billy Porter and Spike Lee, most men played it safe with variations on traditional tuxes Here’s a few of the best, and slightly underwhelming looks that caught my attention.


Hits

  • Regina King: Gorgeous again this year in an asymmetrical, powder pink Versace

  • Natalie Portman: Smart in sheer Dior Haute Couture, plus cape, embroidered with the names of women who directed movies in 2019 – and weren’t nominated for awards.

  • Charlize Theron: Elegant in a black Dior Haute Couture gown with one draped shoulder strap

  • Florence Pugh: Bold in a bright teal Louis Vuitton dress with cascading, ruffled skirt

  • Janelle Monáe: Shimmering in a Ralph Lauren silver gown with a draped hood overlaid with 168,000 Swarovski crystals

  • Mahershala Ali: Sleek in an all black ensemble

  • John Cho: Fine in an unusual, terracotta tux


Misses

  • Kristen Wiig: A red something that looked like Klaus Nomi might have worn in the late 70s

  • Cynthia Erivo: Usually love her unique fashion choices, but tonight’s Versace gown was too choppy and piecemeal

  • Sandro Oh: Too much tulle, and everything

  • Diane Keaton: Stuck in her Annie Hall, layered days

  • Timothée Chalamet: Never goes classic – the suit was a good color, but looked like a gas station attendant outfit


As for my predictions – a respectable 19 correct winners out of 24 categories, same as last year. I should have stuck with my first ballot. I missed Best Feature and Best Director on the ballot, but discussed them in my predictions post, take a look here.


Done – another year of Oscars is in the books. Go to the cinema sometime to catch a film on the glorious, big screen, as movies were intended!


Were there any standout moments for Oscars 2020 for you?



Design + animation: © 2020 Janet Giampietro.

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