In the last few weeks many thought Boyhood had overtaken Birdman as this year’s Best Picture Oscar frontrunner, but in the end it was the latter that took to the podium at the end of ceremony, with Alejandro González Iñárritu also winning Best Director.
However everything didn’t go to Birdman, as while it took two other prizes, it actually tied for most wins with The Grand Budapest Hotel, which took Best Makeup, Best Production Design, Best Costume and Best Original Score.
On the acting front, while a few months ago many critics had already pretty much given the award to Michael Keaton for Best Actor, it was actually Eddie Redmayne who won for The Theory Of Everything. Julianne Moore won Best Actress for Still Alice, while both supporting acting awards went to the frontrunners, Patricia Arquette for Boyhood and J.K. Simmons for Whiplash.
The ceremony itself was ok, although Neil Patrick Harris struggled after a rousing opening, largely due to weak writing. It’s a shame as NPH himself was good, but he had little to work with in a job that’s thankless at the best of times.
It was also up to NPH to largely hold the fort for the gays, as while we normally make a strong showing, amongst the nominees it was only The Imitation Game that had any chance of winning. Many had thought that despite eight noms it wouldn’t win anything, but it did manage to pick up Best Adapted Screenplay for Graham Moore. The writer gave what was probably the most moving speech of the evening, saying “I tried to commit suicide at 16 and now I’m standing here. I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. You do. Stay weird. Stay different, and then when it’s your turn and you are standing on this stage please pass the same message along.”
Oh and if you’re wondering why NPH is in his undies in the pic above, it’s not because the show was going so badly he decided to try stripping, he was re-enacting a scene from Birdman – and looking fine while doing it.
Take a look below for the full list of Oscar winners. [Read more…]
The race is on! The Oscar nominations have been announced, so we now know the people and movies that will be vying for a win when the gongs are handed out February 22nd at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
