Friday, December 13, 2024

Oscars Surprises: “Spotlight” Best Picture, Stallone Stopped, Gaga Gagged

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The biggest surprises of last night’s Oscars? First, “Spotlight” prevailed as Best Picture even though most Oscar prognosticators had moved on to “The Revenant” or “The Big Short.” The movie with the big idea wins Best Picture. “The Revenant” was a technical achievement. “Spotlight” was a human story. Bingo.

I know for a fact that if I ever hear the word “Chivo” again I will start screaming.

Second: Sylvester Stallone almost got an Oscar for “Creed.” He won every other award. I thought he deserved the Oscar. He was very good. Instead, two things happened. One, the Academy decided to rebuke the Golden Globes. This happens all the time. Second, the Academy recognized that Mark Rylance is really brilliant, maybe the best stage actor in the world, and that his late entry into movies had to be rewarded ASAP. I am happy for Rylance. I am sad for Stallone.

Third: the travesty over Best Song was outrageous. Diane Warren and Lady Gaga should have won. That Sam Smith song from “Spectre” is the worst James Bond theme in ages. I am convinced that voters just marked it off because it was from a James Bond movie. Warren and Gaga were out and out robbed. Blech.

More later Monday on the parties, and all the juicy stuff from around town on Oscar night…

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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