93rd Annual Academy Awards

Well, it's that time of year again where a bunch of rich people get together to pat each other on the back, otherwise known as the Academy Awards or Oscars as it's so affectionately called. Because of the pandemic, film companies had until 2-28-21 in which to submit their films for Oscar consideration, unlike the usual 12-31-20. Just about every film was either streamed or originally produced through companies like Netflix and the like, which made it difficult for a fair percentage of moviegoers to see these films. Unless one pays a substantial amount of money per month for streaming services, it made it extremely difficult for most people to see most of these films. Again, as in previous years, this presentation went hostless. Truly, after the Kevin Hart debacle, where he was raked over the coals about something he said ten years prior of which he apologized then, and then he simply backed out so as to go back to work, after they said he could be the host, there probably isn't a comedian on the planet that doesn't have some sort of skeletons in their closet to even agree to host. So, the Academy (AMPAS) only screwed up royally. so, there probably won't be a host for some time to come, if ever, only because of the Academy's blunder. The show went about how I thought it would go--fairly mechanical, and extremely too long, a total time of 3hrs and 18mins, and this was minus the best songs within the confines of the show. Those were performed during the Red Carpet. Not sure if they advertised that, so it's potential that people didn't see those performances. So much for transparency. The acceptance speeches went way too long for the most part and some recipients just couldn't keep their politics under wraps. I've said before and I'll say it again, if these people want to share their politics, make a PSA--most of them certainly have a ton of money in which to produce one. These award shows are not the time or place to harangue others there or the viewing audience with their politics. These award ceremonies have just got to get more interesting or they will end sooner than later. The ratings for these shows are perennially bad and for a reason. Again, as I say every year...where is Billy Crystal when you need him? He is the best host since Bob Hope who hosted it for years prior. It had a few entertaining or funny moments, but clearly not enough to make up for such a long running time. In any rate, here is the list of winners in all categories:

Best Picture: "Nomadland"

Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins- "The Father"

Best Actress: Frances McDormand- "Nomadland"

Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya- "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Best Supporting Actress: Yuh-Jun Youn- "Minari"

Best Director: Chloe Zhao- "Nomadland"

Best Original Screenplay- "Promising Young Woman"- Emerald Fennell

Best Adapted Screenplay- "The Father"- Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller

Best Cinematography- "Mank"- Erik Messerschmidt

Best Film Editing- "Sound of Metal"- Mikkel E.G. Nielsen

Best Production Design- "Mank"- Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale

Best Costume Design- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"- Ann Roth

Best Sound- "Sound Of Metal"- Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortes, Phillip Bladh

Best Makeup and Hairstyling- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"- Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal, Jamika Wilson

Best Original Score- "Soul"- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste

Best Original Song- "Judas and the Black Messiah"- H.E.R., Dernst Emile II, Tiara Thomas- song- "Fight for You"

Best Visual Effects- "Tenet"- Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley, Scott R. Fisher

Best Documentary Feature- "My Octopus Teacher"

Best Documentary Short Subject- "Colette"

Best Animated Feature Film- "Soul"

Best Animated Short Film- "If Anything Happens I Love You"

Best Live Action Short Film- "Two Distant Strangers"

Best International Feature- "Another Round"- "Druk"- Denmark

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award-- Tyler Perry

That is the list for your viewing pleasure. As with past award shows, there was a moving Memoriam segment showcasing all those in the business that passed away in 2020--as usual, the list was more than anyone would conclude. I must say, the awards were fairly distributed across the board more than I expected. A few surprises, such as Chadwick Boseman not winning for best actor in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" posthumously. I really thought that with his talent, and that he's never won an Academy Award, and, hey, who's kidding who, his race, he would be a shoe in. I only say this because AMPAS has already announced that by 2023, they will be choosing nominees according to diversity: whether race, gender, nationality or physically challenge. I feel that's fine, but talent and quality has to take precedence before anything else, or truly deserving artists won't get recognized. This just becomes a slippery slope waiting to happen. Hopefully, by then, they will change their minds. One didn't really need to see the presentation last night, because if all they really needed to know, they could read here or look up IMDB or watch the next morning news. Until next year...

Out of 4 Stars: 1.5                              Rated: NR                             3hrs. 18mins