At last, the pinnacle of award season has arrived. The 97th Academy Awards took place Sunday March 2, with actors, actresses and all those involved in making a movie dressed to impress. The idea of winning the golden statue was in the minds of all attendees as the night went on, and while I didn’t agree with all the nominees, I was eager to see who would win Best Actor, Actress and Picture.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by Conan O’Brien, who was phenomenal in engaging both the audience at home and those at the venue. Unlike past hosts, he seemed to have a genuine love for movies and avoided flat jokes about the art. His monologue was strong, and my favorite joke was about Karla Sofia Gascón. I can only hope he returns next year to bring the same energy and appreciation for cinema.
2024 in film was marked by musicals such as “Wicked” and “Emilia Pérez.” Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Home” and “Defying Gravity.” Just like their vocals, their rendition of the songs were perfect. As a fan of Ariana Grande’s music career, I was especially excited to see her take the stage. Grande and Erivo’s duet on ‘Defying Gravity,’ was of course the highlight, showcasing their theatrical and technical skills.
The night also featured a James Bond tribute by Doja Cat, LISA and RAYE. While I enjoy each artist’s individual career and their collaboration on “Born Again,” I can’t say the same about their performance. The visuals, choreography, and, to some degree, the vocals were impressive, but the tribute’s purpose fell flat for me. It felt unnecessary to include a James Bond tribute at the Oscars, as there isn’t some kind of special anniversary nor is there a new movie coming out.
In the big four categories (Best Actor, Supporting Actor, Actress, Supporting Actress), my predictions went three for four. Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña were all who I thought would win due to precedent; however, Mikey Madison pleasantly surprised me. Internally, I was hoping she would win, but had thought Demi Moore’s role in “The Substance” would overpower her. Still, both put up strong competition throughout the award season, and their performances will be studied in years to come. As for Best Picture, “Anora” took home the award and swept five categories. The movie’s buzz, which began with its Palme d’Or win, never faded, and it was rightfully recognized.
Although this year in film wasn’t my favorite, there were still some great movies with story lines that evoked emotions out of all. To say the least, I was a bit upset that “Conclave” ended up empty-handed. I believed it to be a great film, and Ralph Fiennes’ performance was a personal favorite of mine. Similarly, “Sing Sing” was another standout, and it’s only a matter of time before Colman Domingo gets his Oscar. I also thought the international race was impressive, with films like “Seed of the Sacred Fig,” “Flow,” and the un-nominated “All We Imagine as Light.” With this year’s Oscars behind us, it’s time to look ahead to the films awaiting us in 2025.
