The 86 Annual Academy Awards show took place Sunday night, awarding many actors and actresses with that beloved gold statue. The host Ellen DeGeneres, who undoubtedly beat Seth MacFarlane as host last year, put on a parade of antics that not only kept the audience humored but the people watching at home humored as well. The three and half hour show, which seemed like it would never end, handed the overall Best Picture Award to “12 Years a Slave”. The film also won for Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o), and Best Adapted Screenplay (John Ridley). Unfortunately, for the most part, “Gravity” dominated with seven wins including Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), as well as Best Visual Effects.
“Dallas Buyers Club” was second with three wins including Best Actor (McConaughey) and Best Supporting Actor (Leto). Cate Blanchett won Best Supporting Actress for the film “Blue Jasmine”. Other notable awards included Best Original Screenplay (Spike Jonz for “Her”), Best Costume Design (Catherine Martin for “The Great Gatsby”), and Best Animated Short Film “Mr. Hublot”.
After hearing a wonderful performance of “Let it Go” by Idina Menzel, “Frozen” took home Best Animated Feature as well as Best Original Song.
Awards aside, Pink had a marvelous and heartwarming performance celebrating the 75 anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz” with her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” which to my surprise was a lot more reflective and appealing than her usual style of presentation.
U2 as well as Pharrell both performed remarkably with songs from “Mandela: Long Walk to Remember” and “Despicable Me 2”. And who can forget Bette Midler with her performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings”? Overall the show succeeded beyond expectations. Of course, if it wasn’t for Ellen’s amazing host performance and well-rounded jokes and antics, the fun of watching people who we idolize and sometimes hate receiving awards could not have gone any better.
For those select few who were remembered including Harold Ramis, Paul Walker, James Gandolfini and of course, Philip Seymour Hoffman; may their souls live on. Let us continue to enjoy and honor the beloved work of so many amazing people who provide us with a story that not only entertains us, but distracts us from our own problems.
