And Worst Moments Of

The biggest step forward The most surprising snub (for Diversity) Seven nominations later, Glenn Close We’re a long way from #OscarsSoWhite. On Sunday, remains Oscar-less, retaining her less-than- the academy fielded an immensely diverse slate of enviable title of most nominated living ac- winners. Three of the four acting winners were people tor, male or female, without a win. Close, of color: Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), Ma- THE BEST who on Sunday resembled an Oscar statu- hershala Ali (“Green Book”) and Rami Malek (“Bohe- ette herself in a gold dress that weighed mian Rhapsody”). Several filmmaker winners were, too: over 40 pounds, had been the best actress Alfonso Cuarón (best director and cinematography, for favorite for much of awards season, but it “Roma”) led a list that included winners for documen- was Olivia Colman of “The Favourite” who tary feature, animated feature and animated short. AND WORST took the trophy Sunday night. “Glenn Close, The first African-American women to win best cos- you’ve been my idol for so long,” Colman tume and production design, Ruth E. Carter and Hannah said in her acceptance speech. “This isn’t Beachler of “Black Panther,” made headlines. And of how I wanted it to be.” Glenn Close on the red carpet. course there was the first competitive Oscar, best adapt- Regina King won best supporting actress for ed screenplay, for Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”). The her role in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. gender diversity in the tech categories was notable too. MOMENTS The best presenters who weren’t hosts, nope, not at all The biggest step backward With Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Amy (for Best Picture) OF THE Poehler, the Oscars seemed to be furiously overcompensating for its lack of a steward The essence of the Oscars is to give out long overdue to lead the night. Here we had not one, not awards to atone for its past mistakes while making new two, but three of Hollywood’s most belov- mistakes it will have to atone for years later. Nearly three ed mascots, breezily cosplaying as hosts, decades after snubbing “Do the Right Thing” and naming reeling through the jokes they might have “Driving Miss Daisy” best picture, the academy finally gave made had they agreed to the gig. Spike Lee his Oscar (best adapted screenplay for “BlacK- It was the perfect opener to this Cliffs- kKlansman”). Then, it handed its biggest prize to “Green Notes version of the traditional Oscars slog. Book,” which may as well have been titled “Driving Miss 2019 Oscar hosts don’t get much respect. Daisy II.” Its director, Peter Farrelly (“Dumb and Dumber” At best, they serve up some question- and “Dumb and Dumber To”), was not required to produce able choices for us to pick apart from our a shelf of Oscar-worthy titles before receiving his own couches. But these women showed us award. But the academy couldn’t resist another film in what we were missing. When they exited which American racism is neatly resolved through a white the stage, they left a void. character’s proximity to a black one. See also: “Crash” Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler onstage. (2004), which ranks among the worst best picture win- OSCARS ners ever. If “Crash” were released today, would the acad- Peter Farrelly accepting the academy’s top emy stoop to reward it? On Sunday we got our answer. prize, for ‘Green Book’. The best presenters who should be hosts more diverse Without a host to guide the writers’ room, the banter The most joyous win doled out to presenters can feel a bit aimless. Trust Awk- winners’ list, wafina and John Mulaney to make so much of their time a best-picture presenting two short films that viewers at home were The New York Knicks won on Oscar night, surely asking, “Why didn’t they host?” From the nerves and, in an even rarer occurrence, so did one blunder, a they cutely faked to the surprise they evidenced when, of the team’s most loyal fans, Spike Lee. A yes, they got to present a second category, let this be con- Announcing that best adapted screenplay joyous victory and misbegotten sidered their audition tape for next year. was going to Lee and his collaborators Awkwafina and for “BlacKkKlansman,” the actor Samuel acceptance — these were the highs and lows as we saw them. John Mulaney L. Jackson shouted out his longtime col- presenting laborator’s name the way his “Do the Right Who knew a hostless Oscars awards. The most Thing” character, Mister Señor Love Daddy, might turn out to be a good idea? unexpected might have: “Spiiike Leeeeeeeeeeeee!” And presenters Lee, who had won only an honorary Oscar Sunday’s ceremony, with its di- The radioactive nature of this year’s show gave the academy an excuse to ex- in his 33-year feature career, was ready to verse winners’ list, made for a celebrate, leaping into Jackson’s arms be- tend its presenters’ list beyond the typical Hollywood crowd. The best picture in- fore delivering the speech he’d seemingly lively show, even if there were troductions played more like Time 100 essays: Serena Williams on “A Star Is Born,” the chef José Andrés on “Roma,” Representative John Lewis on “Green Book.” These been waiting to make his entire career. That several head-scratchers. Here Serena joy turned serious as he told the audience, unexpected crossover appearances were the closest the show itself came to surprise. are the highs and lows as we saw But trying to puzzle out the logic behind the pairings — Williams is … also a star? Williams “Before the world tonight, I give praise to intro- — only emphasized how hard the academy seemed to be working to avoid making our ancestors who have built this country them. duced “A into what it is today along with the geno- any kind of statement. What this year’s Oscars really wanted to say was that it had Star Is Spike Lee accepting the award for best adapted cide of its native people.” nothing to say. Born.” screenplay for his film BlacKkKlansman’. - New York Times.

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