The 90th Academy Awards opened with a subdued black-and-white reel mimicking the Old Hollywood era, flashing to stars walking the red carpet and sitting in the auditorium, before transforming into full color.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the the 90th Academy Awards. After the' Envelopegate' last year where “La La Land” was incorrectly announced as the Best Picture winner instead of “Moonlight,” Kimmel cautioned that if you're announced as the winner, it would be best to wait and give the presenters a minute (just to be sure you're indeed the winner).
This year is as a year of standouts with a number of first-time nominees, box office hits led by a woman and a minority (“Wonder Woman” and “Black Panther”), movements like MeToo, Time's Up, NeverAgain, Equal Pay and Dreamers. Speeches called for for breaking down barriers and message about diversity, representation and inclusion. There's also a tribute to those who serve our country.
Kimmel sneaked in a joke that it's been so bad these days we now have a woman fall in love with a fish (“The Shape of Water”). He praised the Oscar statue for being a gentleman, “He keeps his hands where you can see them, never says a rude word. And most importantly, no penis at all. He is literally a statue of limitations.”
It's not an award ceremony without political jabs. "If the last two years have taught us anything it's that reality can be depressing, but tonight's documentaries show us where there is darkness there is hope, except at the White House, Hope quit on Wednesday,” Kimmel pointed out, referring to Hope Hicks' resignation. The communication director has been with the Trump administration since the presidential campaign. Vice President Mike Pence got a serving of zinger too, “We don't make films like 'Call Me By Your Name' (a gay coming-of-age story) for money; we make them to upset Mike Pence.”
For the musical component, Mary J. Blige soulfully sang “Mighty River” in front of a choir. Gael Garcia, Miguel and Natalia LaFourcade performed “Remember Me” song from “Coco,” against a glowing neon stage and dancers in Mexican costume. The audience stood when “Stand Up for Something” was belted out by rapper Common and singer Andra Day. Keela Settle brought the audience to their feet with a rousing “This is Me.”
Being a milestone year, 90th, there's a montage of numerous film clips going back to 90 years, thanking viewers for going to the movies.
Kimmel and select stars surprised those at the TCL theater next door by bringing in goodies, showing appreciation for moviegoers. Attending a screening of “A Wrinkle in Time,” they waved and cheered.
https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/academy-awards-2018-recap/
And the Academy Award goes to...
Best Picture
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale, Producers
Actress in a Leading Role
FRANCES MCDORMAND
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Actor in a Leading Role
GARY OLDMAN
Darkest Hour
Directing
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Guillermo del Toro
Music (Original Song)
REMEMBER ME
from Coco; Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Music (Original Score)
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography
BLADE RUNNER 2049
Roger A. Deakins
Writing (Original Screenplay)
GET OUT
Written by Jordan Peele
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
Screenplay by James Ivory
Short Film (Live Action)
THE SILENT CHILD
Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Documentary (Short Subject)
HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405
Frank Stiefel
Film Editing
DUNKIRK
Lee Smith
Visual Effects
BLADE RUNNER 2049
John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover
Animated Feature Film
COCO
Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson
Short Film (Animated)
DEAR BASKETBALL
Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant
Actress in a Supporting Role
ALLISON JANNEY
I, Tonya
Foreign Language Film
A FANTASTIC WOMAN
Chile
Production Design
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin
Sound Mixing
DUNKIRK
Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A. Rizzo
Sound Editing
DUNKIRK
Richard King and Alex Gibson
Documentary (Feature)
ICARUS
Bryan Fogel and Dan Cogan
Costume Design
PHANTOM THREAD
Mark Bridges
Makeup and Hair Styling
DARKEST HOUR
Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick
Actor in a Supporting Role
SAM ROCKWELL
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
