A few weeks ago the 2020 Oscars were presented, honoring films released in 2019. I was able to stay awake during the whole ceremony! (I can fall asleep during anything; the preceding astonishment is less a traditional indictment of the length of the ceremony in recent years and more an acknowledgment that I managed not to, well, fall asleep. Anyway.)
Best Picture
Parasite won this. Without actually having seen it (though I have blogging buddies who were among the early cheerful fans), I can only scratch my head over this curious insult to the rich and poor, regardless of the culture, and wonder if it happened at all because of Get Out. Of the nominated films, I was equally perplexed by Jojo Rabbit (likewise haven't seen), am convinced that 1917 is chiefly an editing spectacle (still haven't seen), wondering if Marriage Story is an update on the traditional Hollywood relationships-are-hell narrative (haven't seen), but would've been happy for Joker, Ford v Ferrari, or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (loved all three).
Best Actor
Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) won this. Deservedly. Still weird to think the Joker, of all superhero characters, has become such an Oscar magnet, but he keeps eliciting great performances and great writing.
Best Actress
Renee Zellweger (Judy) won this. Couldn't be happier for her. Probably worst acceptance speech of the night.
Best Supporting Actor
Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) won this. I think the younger Pitt would've been amused. But he had the best acceptance speech of the night.
Best Supporting Actress
Laura Dern (Marriage Story) won this. I'm sorry, she's hot. Apparently she will always be hot.
Best Original Screenplay
Parasite won this. Really should've been Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or Knives Out.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Jojo Rabbit won this. Really should've been Joker.
Best Animated Feature Film
Toy Story 4 won this. My niece, years from now, will be baffled that Frozen II wasn't even nominated.
Best International Feature Film
Parasite won this, too. Some people were baffled that it could be nominated in both categories. I see no problem here.
Best Original Score
Joker won this. Well deserved.
Best Original Song
Rocketman won this. As often as not, the Oscars have no clue in this category. And most of the performances were awful. I have no idea why half the songs were even nominated.
For the first time in years I'd actually seen most of the films nominated and I was still surprised a couple of times. But very pleased for Parasite because it's excellent.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I've heard nothing but good things about it. But without having seen it, it still seems like a curious concept. But I was saying the same thing about Get Out before actually seeing it. So this could change later.
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