The Oscars

The best Oscars in a long time, capping off an extraordinarily strong year in film. Funny surprises like a nude John Cena, Guillermo with a mega-bottle of Tequilla and the twins Arnie and Danny DeVito. Again hosted perfectly with humour by Jimmy Kimmel, statuettes handed out to those who deserved them. I was pleased with all of the results, especially the awards for Best International Feature film and sound for Zone of Interest. And a powerful speech by the director of 20 Days in Mariupol! And the singing Ryan Gosling stole the show. (03/11/2024)

Probably the best Oscars night I’ve ever experienced. It was funny, entertaining, and free from unnecessary drama — just an all-around great event. The awards themselves were mostly predictable, with the betting odds favoring Oppenheimer in the major categories, which indeed swept the big wins. I was a bit surprised since I don't think it’s Nolan’s best film, but I can accept it. One of the highlights for me was Da'Vine Joy Randolph’s reaction to her win — she was visibly overwhelmed. I was also thrilled for Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, and even Robert Downey Jr. I really like the first two, so their wins made me happy. As for Robert, despite a few facial expressions I didn’t quite understand, I ended up rooting for him too, even though neither he nor Cillian completely wowed me in Oppenheimer. Jimmy Kimmel handled the hosting duties with ease. His opening was a bit awkward, but he found his groove. Naked John Cena was absolutely hilarious, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito brought some nostalgic charm, Guillermo del Toro with tequila was amusing, and Jimmy’s unexpected joke at Donald Trump’s expense was a hit. Overall, it was a fantastic show. The In Memoriam segment was as touching as ever, beautifully complemented by Andrea Bocelli and his son singing "Con te partirò." The musical performances were standout moments too. Billie Eilish delivered an emotional rendition of her song from Barbie, rivaling the impact of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s performance from a few years back. The Native American performers from Killers of the Flower Moon added a unique touch, and Ryan Gosling’s theatrical performance of "I’m Just Ken," complete with stunning effects, was a showstopper. All in all, it was a superb Oscars night. Here’s hoping they keep this momentum going in the years to come. (03/13/2024)

This might just be the best Oscars I've ever seen. It was fast-paced, filled with humor, and refreshingly light on the annoying political stuff. Plus, finally, a lineup of nominated films that people have actually seen.  A quick-witted Jimmy Kimmel, a naked John Cena, and an absolutely brilliant Ryan Gosling. Practically every award felt totally deserved. My only gripe is "I'm Just Ken" not winning. I can't remember the last time I heard a song so funny, emotional, and with such incredible choreography and actual relevance for the story. (03/11/2024)