The Oscars is Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. Actors, celebrities, producers, editors, writers and families from around the globe come to celebrate the many accomplishments of the year’s film industry. Running an hour and eight minutes over last night, I was not disappointed. And though viewership was down, this might be the first telecast of The Academy Awards that I truly enjoyed (Eddie Redmayne may have helped a bit in that). These are some of my most memorable moments.
1. Anna Kendrick continued to remind us why the world adores her.
Kendrick stepped on stage with host Neil Patrick Harris to remind us that she indeed has a set of pipes and a Tony nomination back it up. Both Harris and Kendrick were getting along swimmingly, when Jack Black interrupted from the audience and jumped on stage to do his bit. In the end, Kendrick threw her beloved Jimmy Choo and Black hustled of stage, allowing us to get back to the show.
2. Neil Patrick Harris/Barney Stinson kept things moving.
Though not everything he said or did was drop dead hilarious, I think Neil Patrick Harris did a great job hosting the 87th Academy Awards. He was both charming and sassy, which in turn reminded me so much as to why people love to hate/adore Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother. He dropped some classic lines including “Tonight we honor some of Hollywood’s best and whitest…sorry, I mean brightest” and then dropping the “Oh, now you love him” after he introduced David Oyelowo in the audience. People have been noticeable upset over the past month, noting that this is the least diverse group of nominated actors they have seen in two decades (well it has happened once more in twenty years). And though I have my own personal opinions about it, I do appreciate NPH being ballsy enough to address it. Of course there were the not so funny gags (the briefcase and Octavia Spencer…), I think he did a great job and I certainly enjoyed how he kept the show flowing.
3. Lady Gaga and Julie Andrews shared a moment that touched all hearts.
Lady Gaga came to the stage paying tribute to one of the greatest, if not the greatest musical of all time, The Sound of Music. The epic film of romance and family set in war-torn Austria is in my top ten favorite movies and is celebrating its 50th anniversary since winning Best Picture at the Oscars in 1966. Of course we all know Gaga for her outrageous outfits and poppy-techno music, but Gaga toned it down, dressing in a flowing princess ballgown and belting out in perfect tune the hits that Julie Andrews brought to life in 1965. The entire performance sent shivers down my spine and catapulted me back to my childhood and the countless Saturday nights I spent watching The Sound of Music on ABC, admiring the ever-captivating Julie Andrews. The true tears came when Lady Gaga and Julie Andrews embraced at the end of her performance. Andrews looked like she truly enjoyed the medley and was thankful for the walk down memory lane.
4. The Lego Movie got its recognition with the coolest statue ever.
Not only did Tegan & Sara with The Lonely Island kill their performance of “Everything is Awesome,” which looked like the most epic dance party to ever happen on stage, but the Oscar shaped Lego Statue helped remind viewers that The Lego Movie refuses to be forgotten. Not only that, but that statue was flippin’ awesome. Nominees that were not able to take home the actual thing, were given a Lego Oscar as a consolation prize.
5. Whiplash was snubbed the top prize, but J.K. Simmons reminded us to love the people who matter most…our parents.
Though I have been on my own personally crusade for The Theory of Everything because of Eddie Redmayne’s tour-de-force performance as Stephen Hawking, Whiplash is certainly the most overlooked movie of 2014. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons deliver fast-paced, passionate, and anxiety-provoking performances surrounded by a wonderful and hauntingly real story. I am so happy that Simmons is getting the recognition he deserves, and wish that Teller had received more. Simmons speech was heartwarming, recognizing his wife and their “extraordinary children.” But what stood out was Simmons telling the world to “Call your mom. Call your dad. If you’re lucky enough to have a parent or two alive on this planet, call ‘em. Don’t text. Don’t email. Call them on the phone. Tell ‘em you love them.” It definitely made me scramble to my phone this evening and make sure I called the people that have supported me most throughout my life. Thanks Mom and Dad, and J.K. Simmons I guess.
6. Eddie Redmayne reminded the world what it looks and feels like to be genuinely happy.
The best actors race was the closest race The Academy has seen in years. There were some phenomenal roles, with some challenging and inspiring performances given by all five actors nominated. The sheer joy that Redmayne’s entire body emitted when his name was announced was enough to have the entire world grinning ear to ear. He was giddy, boyish, and charmingly eloquent on stage thanking his wonderful team, Felicity Jones, James Marsh, the Hawking family and, of course, his beautiful wife Hannah. He reminded the world that hard work and dedication pays off and that it is important to live in these moments, but not let them dictate you and where you go. So much humble swag, so much to admire.
7. Boy…what?
Though I think Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is a test to film-making and everything it can be, I was happy to see something other than this film take home the top prize of the evening. A directorial challenge being filmed over 12 years, the movie lacked the depth I was longing for as I watched a boy grow-up in almost three hours. The dialogue felt clunky and forced, and overall the movie felt pointless, which is that what we are to expect from life? Though Birdman was not my favorite film of the year, it definitely made me think, and I mean really think about life and what one wants to be. A cinematic beauty when it came to editing and directing, Birdman really did combine everything into one to make an magnificent and alluring film. Many people may think Boyhood was snubbed, but for me the film was easily forgotten in a group of epic stories.
8. I am happy to “Stay Weird” for Graham Moore.
Graham Moore was brutally honest in his speech, admitting to his suicide attempt at 16 when he just felt like he didn’t belong. Now, he is an Academy Award Winning Screenwriter. Moore encouraged anyone who has ever felt weird, or different, to “stay weird, and stay different.” I would say out of anyone in the night, he made the best use of his 60 seconds on stage.
9. John Legend and Common give a performance to remember for the ages.
The powerfully moving song featured in the film Selma was the musical performance of the night, bringing audience members to tears and reminding what a linguist Common is, not only as a rapper, but as a human being. Though Selma was overlooked this awards season (some blame the late release, some blame the "white" Academy, to each their own) I am glad that Legend and Common had the opportunity to show of their musical genius, while raising awareness to the fact that Selma is now. The performance was a showstopper, and along with Gaga's, I recommend everyone to watch it now.
9. John Legend and Common give a performance to remember for the ages.
The powerfully moving song featured in the film Selma was the musical performance of the night, bringing audience members to tears and reminding what a linguist Common is, not only as a rapper, but as a human being. Though Selma was overlooked this awards season (some blame the late release, some blame the "white" Academy, to each their own) I am glad that Legend and Common had the opportunity to show of their musical genius, while raising awareness to the fact that Selma is now. The performance was a showstopper, and along with Gaga's, I recommend everyone to watch it now.
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