Look, I know a lot of big things happened at the Oscars last night, but if you’re a big film buff the biggest moment was Roger “I’m never going to win an Oscar” Deakins finally, finally, finally laying his hands on that little golden statue. The man has been one of the most prolific and talented cinematographers in history, netting 14 nominations without a single win, and last night he finally go this. We were actually planning a rant piece on him getting snubbed again, but now we don’t have to write it!
Other things one as well as the Oscars confronted Hollywood’s patriarchy full force with almost every single presenter touching on the subject in some way or another, while Kimmel adorably brought a bunch of famous people to a movie theater across the street, and Bonnie and Clyde got a redo at delivering the best picture news (with Warren Beatty clutching the Best Picture card like it was… the Best Picture card). I still think Darkest Hour or Dunkirk should have won, but considering Dunkirk took home like every other “smaller” award it got plenty of recognition.
The Shape of Water pulled off somewhat of a surprise by pulling in the Best Picture win, giving science-fiction/fantasy films a bit more recognition within the Academy. It’s another nod that maybe the Oscars are changing, as nominees get pulled in from other genres than drama and actually have a shot at winning. A lot of the other winners were more predictable with Gary Oldman deservedly bringing home best actor, and Frances McDormand pulling in Best Actress.
While McDormand delivered a striking, if chaotic, speech upon winning I think I’d have to give acceptance of the night to Allison Janney, who actually seemed flabbergasted that she one, but also delivered jokes and thanks in a well delivered manner. I guess all that drilling by the White House press corp helped.
By the way, if you’re looking for something to listen to while working today Alexandre Desplat score for The Shape of Water is so incredibly good.
What did you think of the Oscars? Who should have won, and who shouldn’t?
Best picture
The Shape of Water
Best actress
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best actor
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Best director
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Best original song
“Remember Me” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez from Coco
Best original score
Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water
Best cinematography
Roger Deakins, Blade Runner 2049
Best original screenplay
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Best adapted screenplay
James Ivory, Call Me By Your Name
Best live action short film
The Silent Child
Best documentary short subject
Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405
Best film editing
Lee Smith, Dunkirk
Best visual effects
John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover, Blade Runner 2049
Best animated feature film
Coco
Best animated short film
Dear Basketball
Best supporting actress
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Best foreign language film
A Fantastic Woman, Chile
Best production design
Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau, Jeffrey Melvin, The Shape of Water
Best sound editing
Richard King and Alex Gibson, Dunkirk
Best sound mixing
Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, Gary Rizzo, Dunkirk
Best documentary feature
Icarus
Best costume design
Mark Bridges, Phantom Thread
Best makeup and hairstyling
Kazuhiro Tsuji, Lucy Sibbick and David Malinowski, Darkest Hour
Best supporting actor
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
