The Oscars are back! Movies are back! Hollywood is back!
That’s how I felt last night watching The 95th Annual Academy Awards. I was so happy to see a packed room with so many A List celebrities and to be in awe of the winners, the dresses, the comedic relief. It was a delight.
Jimmy Kimmel is not my favorite Jimmy; he’s not even my favorite late night host so I was less than enthused but to my surprise, he was so good! He wasn’t his usual sarcastic, dry self that I find so unfunny but rather he was focused, honed in on the jokes and felt genuinely excited to be hosting.
He wasn’t trying too hard and he didn’t open with a Will Smith/Chris Rock joke which I thought was great. I found him very funny, there were perfect amount of bits and I almost lost it when he snuck in some Matt Damon jokes. It is one of my favorite running bit in pop culture and the fact that it has gone on for this long is a huge feat.
I also thought there were just enough slap jokes - it wasn’t too much nor was it too little that we felt like everyone forgot about it.
For me, the other highlight was watching Ke Huy Quan win. I have not seen ‘Everything, Everywhere All at Once’ but watching him win at the SAG Awards nearly destroyed me. I knew that an Oscar speech was going to be just as good, and just as soul crushing.
I was 100% right and I was full blown sobbing listening to him give his speech and say ‘Mom, I won an Oscar!’. His Goonies shout out and the idea of never giving up on your dreams was equally sad and inspiring - I simply cannot watch the clip without crying.
Jamie Lee Curtis also had me in tears; I couldn’t believe this was her first Oscar and I know that a lot of people are mad that Angela Basset didn’t win, but my opinion is don’t get mad at Jamie Lee (though I don’t think anyone is) but get mad at the Academy.
Brendan Fraser winning also had me crying, though I was devastated for Austin Butler. I kept seeing people say ‘Brendan played a role, Austin became it’ and I really wish he would’ve won. However, seeing and hearing Brendan’s story and journey made me so happy for him.
Then you have Michelle Yeoh who won Best Actress and it was a shock to no one. She’s been sweeping this award season and to see her, the first Asian woman and only 2nd woman of color to win Best Actress, was both wonderful and sad at the same time. I’m so happy for her, her speech was incredible and truly inspiring, but it makes me so angry that there hasn’t been more strides in diversity amongst winners.
I was full of tears this Oscars show because John Travolta introducing the ‘In Memoriam’ section sent me into a fit of hysterics. He lost two leading ladies this year: Olivia Newton-John and Kristie Alley and to see him in so much pain as he spoke was heart breaking. His line below is what really got me, and everyone else
“Each of them left an individual and indelible mark that shared and informed us. They've touched our hearts, they've made us smile, and became dear friends...Who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to."
I have a lot of feelings about Scientology, like most people do, but John Travolta has always been one of my favorite actors and his works holds a special place in my heart so I can’t find it in my heart to hate him. Just my two cents…
Another hot Scientology take: I think Tom Cruise should’ve been nominated for Best Actor for Top Gun Maverick. I have not seen the movie but I know that it had everyone talking this summer and kind of brought back the Blockbuster movie. It made people want to go back to the movies and from what I’ve heard, Cruise’s performance was one of his best. He definitely shouldn’t have won against the people also in the category but a nomination would’ve been enough.
All in all, I really thought the award show was a success and I loved watching it!
What were your thoughts?!