Here's my review for the 2020 Academy Awards, the biggest night in film once again (at least in theory) and this night is not even 24 hours old. I will just elaborate most randomly now in a brainstorming manner about the aspects that stayed in my mind, be it for positive or negative reasons. Sadly, there is more of the latter. First of all, they went hostless again and I am perfectly fine with that. It worked out okay just like last year. The show ran for 2 hour and 45 minutes approximately and there were another 45 minutes of commerials in-between. Far too much if you ask me. Those breaks were really short (you could barely get in a toilet break), but they were very frequent, like all 3 categories, or even 2 categories only and a song. Still I have to say that looking at how music awards shows these days are frequently 80% concert, I am still fond of the approach they were giving this one here. Kinda sad this must be listed as a positive factor in 2020. Of course, there were many political references again in here. Best example were the two supporting winners Pitt and Dern (both really safe just like their counterparts in lead). I never like it honestly, especially if it comes down to bashing PotUS. Oh well, I guess they had to do it now because next year same time, the election will be over already and they cannot try to change voters' minds anymore. But aside from that, it was really all about gender equality this time. There were so so many references about this subject I cannot list them all honestly and I don't like it. It is just my personal opinion, but as long as we constantly complain about this kind of stuff and emphasize everything that women achieved, there will never be equality. Real equality means that we don't care if it is a woman or a man. Mark Ruffalo (not unexpected) was once again among the most negative examples of the night with his mention of 4 nominees (directors) in the documentary category being females. That is something we should see as an achievement, but when we emphasize that there are five males nominated for Best Directing, then it is offensive? Makes no sense to me and honestly, even if I like Greta Gerwig, her very first directing nomination was already pretty lucky and had she gotten in last night again, it would definitely have been an example of positive discrimination. Still you don't have to agree with me on the subject, but if you want to bring focus to this issue, then at least do it like Chris Rock early on. Man he was amazing. So funny honestly and Steve Martin truly paled next to him. Rock always manages to find the right words and a fair viewpoint. I already thought early on that this duo could be surprise hosts (and everybody was tricked into believing there would be none), but nah. Still Rock should host the ceremony every year until his death as far as I'm concerned. He is much more creative than all 3 (or 4) of them who were part of the Best Score category and really shoved it into our faces. Or Natalie Portman with the names on her dress that looked like maggots from far away honestly. Or just nasty insects. Speaking of dresses, my favorite was probably Penélope Cruz. So simple and still so chic.
She presented the Best Foreign Language Feature (even if that one has a new name now, which doesn't make sense because the language percentage is still a factor). Not to her mentor Almodóvar, but to Parasite. This win was really expected. The screenplay win over Tarantino was already slightly surprising and the director win for Bong Joon Ho was a big upset as almost everybody thought Mendes had this. So eventually, Best Picture also going to the Korean film was not a huge surprise anymore. I did not like it. With Tarantino or Mendes winning the biggest category of the night, I would have been far happier. I think they were more deserving and I don't like Parasite that much. So I had to take away another 2 stars from the initially 6 I wanted to give. Director (and Picture) was really the biggest surprise of the night you could say. Most of the rest was pretty predictable. "Ford v Ferrari" did better than expected winning not only editing, but taking one of the two sound categories from "1917". The latter, however, made up for it with a bit of a surprise win for special effects over the most recent Avengers movie, which was the favorite I think. But Best winning Visual Effects and Best Picture does not seem to go to well together and, in the end, it was once again a war movie coming short in the Best Picture race. Zellweger and Phoenix won for Lead as expected and I like Phoenix so I am especially happy for him, but I would have preferred him winning for another film. His speech I am undecided on. I liked the milk/cow references a lot, but some of the stuff before and after that felt like wild rambling. The reference to his late brother at the end was nice too. I don't know he seemed like a pretty tortured soul to me. Vastly talented, but also very fragile. I hope he will be alright and Rooney takes good care of him. His was probably the most controversial speech of the night. One thing I really enjoyed here was the music. Who would have thought that Eminem could get the biggest standing ovation of them all? Cynthia Erivo's song was magnificent too and it should have won, but oh well it's Elton John... Randy Newman I did not like as much as I usually do. Diane Warren was nominated once more and I wonder if she will ever win. The Frozen 2 song was a bit of a mess. It did not work too well with all these singers from other countries. The German seemed Dutch anyway? Billie Eilish was there too and she did not present the new Bond song (Can she win the Oscar like the last two did?), but instead followed Spielberg with the in memoriam segment and her take on "Yesterday" was really good. I liked it a lot. Almost fit even looking at how it was almost yesterday that Kirk Douglas died and he got the last photo. Kobe was included again too of course, not just in this part of the show. As for Eilish, her face was priceless when Rudolph and Wiig were on stage. I know it wasn't meant this way, but it was very fitting compared to what I thought about these two. Wiig is at least an Oscar nominee (also a long time ago), but Rudolph I just can't stomach anymore. She has been nowhere near even a single Oscar nomination ever, but they keep inviting her, even for two categories this time. The cringe with her is unbearable. I don't want to remember, so I won't go into detail.
Marty (Scorsese) was a lot of fun last night again, even if his film did not get any love at all (as expected). The WYBMN references were okay, also the start of the show, and actually the old Elton John song that played there was really good unlike his winning title. What else? Taika Waititi has an Oscar, yay! But no need for him to introduce the three girls. Sadly, "Missing Link" could not upset Toy Story. Best Animated Short Film I am not happy about either. Live Action Short is alright. Documentary Short with this title could there have been another winner? The music tribute that came before Eminem was really nice, the brief summary rap about the show not so much. Really cool that Roger Deakins got his second Oscar so quickly. Happy Birthday Laura Dern, still to watch her movie, but how she mentioned her parents was sweet. Where was Bruce by the way? Bombshell I am not too happy with winning anything. Reasons I stated earlier. This film is the epitome of this false approach. And I don't like either of the three actresses that much, Robbie just a bit maybe. There were no honorary awards during the show this time. Just a brief mention, right? Bad choice. Almost as bad as giving one to Geena Davis. Come on. It needs to be said that one film had 11 nominations, while the big winner of the night only had 6 (winning 4 awards). Also rather unusual. The Peanut Butter Falcon moment I was not too fond of. JLD I cannot stand (, but Will Ferrell is alright), so I was a bit surprised that I liked her presentation. Florence Pugh is so amazing. The Cats comedy moment with Corden and Wilson was okay, but not as great as it could have been. Pretty generic how they made fun of their movie. The reaching for the mic kitten-style was more entertaining at the end. The guy introducing Lin-Manuel Miranda was really not necessary. Rami Malek is always nice to see. Would Spike Lee have worn a tribute if a white superstar had died? Sandra Oh and Ray Romano presenting seemed to random, but at least the latter's Pesci reference was funny. In general, some questionable presenters here. Mentioned Rudolph already and you can add Gadot to that. Olivia Colman likes to get nasty after Oscar wins. Her husband loves it. Ooookay. Why George MacKay had to introduce her? I like him, but that was unnecessary. Stop presenting presenters. This is all that comes to mind now. If I remember something else later on and still have enough characters to the limit left, I shall add. It was not a good awards show for me. This one got worse the longer it went. Don't watch. Oh yeah right, already because of the reference to Phoenix' demonstrating and Fonda of course too again in the middle of it. Horrible choice to let her present Best Picture. Even worse than the winner.
She presented the Best Foreign Language Feature (even if that one has a new name now, which doesn't make sense because the language percentage is still a factor). Not to her mentor Almodóvar, but to Parasite. This win was really expected. The screenplay win over Tarantino was already slightly surprising and the director win for Bong Joon Ho was a big upset as almost everybody thought Mendes had this. So eventually, Best Picture also going to the Korean film was not a huge surprise anymore. I did not like it. With Tarantino or Mendes winning the biggest category of the night, I would have been far happier. I think they were more deserving and I don't like Parasite that much. So I had to take away another 2 stars from the initially 6 I wanted to give. Director (and Picture) was really the biggest surprise of the night you could say. Most of the rest was pretty predictable. "Ford v Ferrari" did better than expected winning not only editing, but taking one of the two sound categories from "1917". The latter, however, made up for it with a bit of a surprise win for special effects over the most recent Avengers movie, which was the favorite I think. But Best winning Visual Effects and Best Picture does not seem to go to well together and, in the end, it was once again a war movie coming short in the Best Picture race. Zellweger and Phoenix won for Lead as expected and I like Phoenix so I am especially happy for him, but I would have preferred him winning for another film. His speech I am undecided on. I liked the milk/cow references a lot, but some of the stuff before and after that felt like wild rambling. The reference to his late brother at the end was nice too. I don't know he seemed like a pretty tortured soul to me. Vastly talented, but also very fragile. I hope he will be alright and Rooney takes good care of him. His was probably the most controversial speech of the night. One thing I really enjoyed here was the music. Who would have thought that Eminem could get the biggest standing ovation of them all? Cynthia Erivo's song was magnificent too and it should have won, but oh well it's Elton John... Randy Newman I did not like as much as I usually do. Diane Warren was nominated once more and I wonder if she will ever win. The Frozen 2 song was a bit of a mess. It did not work too well with all these singers from other countries. The German seemed Dutch anyway? Billie Eilish was there too and she did not present the new Bond song (Can she win the Oscar like the last two did?), but instead followed Spielberg with the in memoriam segment and her take on "Yesterday" was really good. I liked it a lot. Almost fit even looking at how it was almost yesterday that Kirk Douglas died and he got the last photo. Kobe was included again too of course, not just in this part of the show. As for Eilish, her face was priceless when Rudolph and Wiig were on stage. I know it wasn't meant this way, but it was very fitting compared to what I thought about these two. Wiig is at least an Oscar nominee (also a long time ago), but Rudolph I just can't stomach anymore. She has been nowhere near even a single Oscar nomination ever, but they keep inviting her, even for two categories this time. The cringe with her is unbearable. I don't want to remember, so I won't go into detail.
Marty (Scorsese) was a lot of fun last night again, even if his film did not get any love at all (as expected). The WYBMN references were okay, also the start of the show, and actually the old Elton John song that played there was really good unlike his winning title. What else? Taika Waititi has an Oscar, yay! But no need for him to introduce the three girls. Sadly, "Missing Link" could not upset Toy Story. Best Animated Short Film I am not happy about either. Live Action Short is alright. Documentary Short with this title could there have been another winner? The music tribute that came before Eminem was really nice, the brief summary rap about the show not so much. Really cool that Roger Deakins got his second Oscar so quickly. Happy Birthday Laura Dern, still to watch her movie, but how she mentioned her parents was sweet. Where was Bruce by the way? Bombshell I am not too happy with winning anything. Reasons I stated earlier. This film is the epitome of this false approach. And I don't like either of the three actresses that much, Robbie just a bit maybe. There were no honorary awards during the show this time. Just a brief mention, right? Bad choice. Almost as bad as giving one to Geena Davis. Come on. It needs to be said that one film had 11 nominations, while the big winner of the night only had 6 (winning 4 awards). Also rather unusual. The Peanut Butter Falcon moment I was not too fond of. JLD I cannot stand (, but Will Ferrell is alright), so I was a bit surprised that I liked her presentation. Florence Pugh is so amazing. The Cats comedy moment with Corden and Wilson was okay, but not as great as it could have been. Pretty generic how they made fun of their movie. The reaching for the mic kitten-style was more entertaining at the end. The guy introducing Lin-Manuel Miranda was really not necessary. Rami Malek is always nice to see. Would Spike Lee have worn a tribute if a white superstar had died? Sandra Oh and Ray Romano presenting seemed to random, but at least the latter's Pesci reference was funny. In general, some questionable presenters here. Mentioned Rudolph already and you can add Gadot to that. Olivia Colman likes to get nasty after Oscar wins. Her husband loves it. Ooookay. Why George MacKay had to introduce her? I like him, but that was unnecessary. Stop presenting presenters. This is all that comes to mind now. If I remember something else later on and still have enough characters to the limit left, I shall add. It was not a good awards show for me. This one got worse the longer it went. Don't watch. Oh yeah right, already because of the reference to Phoenix' demonstrating and Fonda of course too again in the middle of it. Horrible choice to let her present Best Picture. Even worse than the winner.