Worst: Prolonged Nominee Introductions
Look, let’s be honest – a lot of the new, stripped-down version of the Oscars really worked. Not just “worked” in the sense that they made the best of a pandemic year, but “worked” as a more intimate celebration of the art and artists that defined 2020. Stripped of the most egregious moments of pomp and circumstance, everything just felt a bit more authentic – or at least as authentic as the Academy Awards is capable of being.
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That said, should they choose to repeat this format next year, they may want to reconsider the prolonged nominee introductions. Laura Dern can turn any scripting into a performance for the ages, but since so many of the winners are already going to speak to the importance of their films, it often felt like Hollywood was patting itself on the back twice for each award. Next time let the winners do the talking and shave a few much-needed minutes off your overall runtime.
Best: Bong Joon-Ho’s Presentation
Okay, so I know that this directly contradicts what I just wrote, but directors’ hyping directors remain one of the best parts of the Oscars. Hearing Bong Joon Ho and filmmaker-slash-translator Sharon Choi share directorial insights from the nominees was never not going to be a highlight of the broadcast. Bong’s enthusiasm for the medium of film is infectious, and what is the point of the Oscars if not to spread enthusiasm about the movies?
There was also something charmingly cinematic about Bong and Choi’s introduction, which utilized light and darkness to give the presenters a real sense of gravitas. We’ve seen these two speak in public countless times before, so it should also come as no surprise that their partnership often feels more like a musical duet than translation. But in a night where so many people were waxing poetic about the importance of movies, it was their quiet confidence that rang true.
Worst: The Lack of Clips
Not every category needs an extended clip package, but if there is a batch of nominees who seem like an obvious choice for the grandeur of the Oscars, it is the Best Costume Design category. From concept sketches to the finished product, there are countless ways to visualize the development of costumes – so it was a little odd to see them share none of the work from the talented group of nominees.
Why would you have Don Cheadle describe the color choices that went into Massimo Cantini Parrini’s “Pinocchio” costume when you could just… you know, show it? For some of the designers, this may have been the best opportunity for their work to be seen by millions of people across the country. And this was just one of several categories throughout the evening that was denied any accompanying footage. No cinematography? Really?
Best and Worst: Daniel Kaluuya’s Acceptance Speech
Well, that’s certainly one way to thank your parents.
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