3 Thoughts on the Oscars

1. The Show - Overall, I think it was kind of a dull show, but I think that matched the year in film that 2025 was. I know A LOT of people discuss the year as being a "great year for film" with a One Battle After Another vs. Sinners showdown, but I just wasn't super thrilled about any movie - my favorite was Bugonia and yes, both Sinners and OBAA were in my Top 10, but none of the other nominated films were (Hamnet? Train Dreams? Snooze. The Secret Agent? Super disappointing. Frankenstein? Beautiful, sure, but a good movie? I guess?). I liked Conan's monologue last year, but this year, I found it very blah and tame. I think his little speech about optimism was the best part and very earnest which is not something I expect from Conan. I also enjoyed the Casablanca for the new audience bit with Sterling K. Brown because that is exactly how movies are nowadays and it's so grating. The presenters were mostly GOD AWFUL. The RDJ and Chris Evans bit?? Horrific. It's hard to believe that those two are leading men with that banter. Even the Bridesmaids bit was just...sad. I think it's shitty that they only had two of the nominated songs perform live?? Either do them all or don't do them at all. I rooted for the KPop song because it's such a good, catchy pop song, but man, that Sinners performance really blew me away. But the thing is - it's the ambiance and cultural significance of the scene that make the song good. Not the song itself. I loved seeing them try to recreate that magical scene into a live performance and I think they did a good job. And I do think it's hilarious that it ended with Misty Copeland showing her iconic ballet skills (nobody really thinks she came out of retirement to *just* troll Timothee Chalamet (Chamalet?)), but it's sure fucking funny. The In Memoriam was really beautifully done with longer tributes for Rob & Michele Reiner, Diane Keaton, and Robert Redford, but the amount of people they left out is INSANE (and I don't buy that they are "tv stars" - Van Der Beek was in plenty of films and he had one of the most iconic lines in teen movie history "I don't want your life" is a line that is quoted by every person my age). 

2. The Winners - AMY MADIGAN!! There were very few performances that stuck out to me from last year (my faves: Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia), Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love), Florence Pugh (Thunderbolts*), Jack O'Connell (Sinners - stole the whole fucking thing!) AND AMY MADIGAN!). It's so rare for someone to create a character that becomes INSTANTLY iconic but Madigan did that with Aunt Gladys and it's about damn time the Academy recognizes horror (they have before - Misery, Silence of the Lambs from the top of my head, but it's rare). I didn't love Hamnet, but I do love Jessie Buckley so I'll just pretend this win is for Wild Rose. I was rooting for Rose Byrne, or Emma (who was even more unlikely). I figured Michael B. Jordan would win - I think he was the weakest link in Sinners (I know, I know my opinions are WILD!). I do love him though, so it's fine. I also figured Sean Penn would win even though he was in a different film than the rest of his cast. But Hollywood loves Sean Penn so he'll keep getting awards until he dies. One Battle After Another is one of PTA's least interesting films so it's crazy that this is what finally wins him multiple Oscars. Overall, I'm not mad about any of the wins, but I'm not exactly thrilled. It's cool that a woman won for Cinematography (and it's even cooler that Coogler hires female cinematographers! He seems like a great dude). 

3. The Fashion - I'm actually pleasantly surprised by the dresses this year! Barely anyone looked like a bride (except one of my favorite girlies, Elle Fanning. I'm *so* disappointed), and there were some riskier numbers walking the carpet (it's been a while! Everyone has been playing it so safe lately!). I think my favorite look is Anne Hathaway - I would have ditched the gloves, but it did add to the glamour. I also think Rose Byrne looked gorgeous in a very similar dress. I loved Renate Reinsve's dress (I know some commented that it was just a piece of fabric - but that color looked spectacular and she worked that piece of fabric so well. It's simple and modern. And risky!). Also, Gwyneth in that naked from the side look?? LOVE it. And speaking of Gwyneth, I think Mckenna Grace's dress was a definite homage to Gwyneth's Oscar winning pink dress. Chase Infiniti in that lilac dress looked gorgeous. I didn't see any red carpet pics of Zendaya, but she obviously knocked it out of the park like usual. And I loved the daffodil (or whatever that was) detail on Pedro Pascal's shirt. I love when men do something fun instead of just wearing a suit. As far as my worst looks - eeek for whatever Alicia Silverstone was wearing. So unflattering. Demi Moore looked like she literally killed a few dozen birds and glued their feathers to her body. I don't know which Jenner Timmy is dating, but whichever one she is - that dress with the literal key hole is so fucking tacky. *cringes*.