"And the Oscar goes to..."
The 95th Academy Awards took place on March 12th, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The night was full of excitement and celebration, with a star-studded guest list, impressive performances, and well-deserved winners.
One of the main reasons why Everything Everywhere All at Once won Best Picture is its ability to appeal to a broad audience. The film features a unique blend of action, comedy, drama, and fantasy that appeals to a wide range of moviegoers. It's a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, which is a rare combination.
In addition to its broad appeal, Everything Everywhere All at Once features an impressive ensemble cast led by Michelle Yeoh. Each character is well-developed and offers a different perspective on the film's themes, adding depth and complexity to the story. The film's visuals are also stunning, with expertly crafted action scenes and mesmerizing special effects.
Overall, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a film that has something for everyone, and its blend of genres and themes makes it a strong contender for Best Picture. With its broad appeal, strong performances, and stunning visuals, it's no wonder that it has become a fan favorite and is highly anticipated by moviegoers. I am glad that it came out on top on Oscar night, it was my favourite! :)
Red Carpet Highlights
As always, the red carpet was a highlight of the night, with many of Hollywood's brightest stars showing off their fashion choices. Some of the most notable looks included:
Michelle Yeoh, who won Best Actress for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once," stunned in a sparkling silver gown by Elie Saab.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once," looked elegant in her sparkly tan dress.
Cate Blanchett, who was nominated for Best Actress for her role in "Tar," made a statement in her Louis Vuitton dress.
I would also like to add that Salma Hayek turned heads in her shiny gown.
But it wasn't just about the women's fashion. The men also brought their A-game, with Colin Farrell looking dapper in a classic tuxedo and Austin Butler adding a modern twist with a white tuxedo jacket and black pants.
Performances
The Academy Awards are always a showcase for incredible musical performances, and this year was no exception. Some of the standout performances included:
Rihanna, who performed "Lift Me Up" from the soundtrack of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." She was joined on stage by a group of dancers, and her powerful vocals brought the audience to their feet.
Lady Gaga, who performed "Hold My Hand" from the soundtrack of "Top Gun: Maverick." She wore a stunning red gown and was accompanied by a full orchestra, making for a truly memorable performance.
Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, who won Best Original Song for "Naatu Naatu" from the film "RRR," gave a lively and energetic performance of the song on stage.
Oscar Winners
Here's a full list of the Oscar winners from the 95th Academy Awards:
Best Picture: "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Directed by the Daniels, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is a mind-bending sci-fi comedy that follows a retired woman who is pulled into a parallel universe to help save it from destruction. The film received critical acclaim for its inventive storytelling and standout performances from Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Best Actor: Brendan Fraser, "The Whale"
Brendan Fraser won his first Oscar for his role in "The Whale," a drama about a man who is morbidly obese and confined to his apartment. Fraser's portrayal of the character's physical and emotional struggles was praised by critics and audiences alike.
Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Michelle Yeoh won her first Academy Award for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Her performance as a multidimensional hero who must confront her past and save the universe was widely lauded as one of the best of her career.
Best Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Ke Huy Quan, known for his roles in "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," won his first Oscar for his role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Quan played a crucial supporting role as a wise-cracking sidekick to Michelle Yeoh's character.
Best Supporting Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Jamie Lee Curtis won her first Academy Award for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Her portrayal of a scientist who helps Michelle Yeoh's character save the universe was praised for its depth and nuance.
Best Director: Daniel Kwan with Daniel Scheinert, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
The Daniels, the filmmaking duo behind "Swiss Army Man," won their first Oscar for directing "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Their inventive and genre-bending approach to storytelling was praised by critics and audiences alike.
Best Original Song: "Naatu Naatu," from "RRR"
"Naatu Naatu," composed by Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, won the Oscar for Best Original Song. The song is featured in the Telugu-language film "RRR" and was praised for its catchy melody and lively choreography.
Best Original Score: "All Quiet on the Western Front"
The score for "All Quiet on the Western Front," composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, won the Oscar for Best Original Score. The film's haunting music was praised for its emotional impact and ability to enhance the film's themes.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: "The Whale"
The film's makeup team was praised for their ability to transform Brendan Fraser into a morbidly obese man.
Best Costume Design: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
The film's intricate and colorful costumes were praised for their attention to detail and ability to create a unique and immersive world.
Best Cinematography: "All Quiet on the Western Front"
The film's visual style was praised for its immersive and realistic portrayal of the brutal realities of war. Opaloch's use of long takes and wide shots created a sense of scope and scale, while also allowing for intimate moments of character development. The film's muted color palette and use of natural lighting added to the sense of realism and grittiness.
Best Original Screenplay: "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
The film's plot and inventive storytelling were praised for taking audiences on a wild and entertaining ride.
Best Adapted Screenplay: "Women Talking"
The screenplay for "Women Talking," adapted from the novel by Miriam Toews, won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film explores the aftermath of a series of sexual assaults in a Mennonite community and the decision by a group of women to fight back.
Best Sound: "Top Gun: Maverick"
The sound design for "Top Gun: Maverick," created by Randy Thom and his team, won the Oscar for Best Sound. The film's use of cutting-edge audio technology was praised for creating an immersive and thrilling movie-going experience.
Best Film Editing: "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
The film editing for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," done by Paul Rogers and the Daniels, won the Oscar for Best Film Editing. The film's complex and fast-paced narrative required expert editing to keep the story coherent and engaging.
Best Production Design: "All Quiet on the Western Front"
The production design for "All Quiet on the Western Front," created by Dennis Gassner and his team, won the Oscar for Best Production Design. The film's immersive and realistic depiction of World War I was praised for its attention to detail and historical accuracy.
Best Visual Effects: "Avatar: The Way of Water"
The visual effects for "Avatar: The Way of Water," created by Joe Letteri and his team, won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. The film's stunning and otherworldly visuals were praised for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in filmmaking.
Best International Feature Film: "All Quiet on the Western Front"
"All Quiet on the Western Front," directed by Edward Berger, won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. The German-language film tells the story of a young soldier's experience during World War I and the psychological toll of war on him and his fellow soldiers.
Best Animated Feature: "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio"
"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio," directed by Mark Gustafson and Guillermo del Toro, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The film is a dark and fantastical retelling of the classic story of Pinocchio.
Best Documentary Feature: "Navalny"
"Navalny," directed by Evgeny Afineevsky, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The film follows the story of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his fight against corruption and authoritarianism in Russia.
Best Live Action Short: "An Irish Goodbye"
"An Irish Goodbye," directed by Adetokumboh M'Cormack, won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short. The film explores the complex relationship between a mother and her estranged son.
Best Documentary Short: "The Elephant Whisperers"
"The Elephant Whisperers," directed by Susan Lambert and Trish McAdam, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short. The film tells the story of a group of elephant keepers in Thailand who use their unique bond with the animals to fight against poaching.
Best Animated Short: "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse"
"The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse," directed by Charlie Mackesy and Erich Sturm, won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. The film is a heartwarming tale about friendship and kindness.
