Best moments at the 2018 Oscars

Lupita+Nyong%E2%80%99o+presents+the+2018+Oscars.+She+and+Kumail+Nanjiana+made+political+statements+by+introducing+themselves+as+immigrants+and+speaking+about+their+dreams+to+reach+Hollywood.+

Courtesy of Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Lupita Nyong’o presents the 2018 Oscars. She and Kumail Nanjiana made political statements by introducing themselves as immigrants and speaking about their dreams to reach Hollywood.

by Julia Huang, TALON Academics Editor

Flashes of a multitude of cameras illuminate the red carpet as a stream of celebrities stroll down the runway, occasionally stopping to pose for the photographers. Sequins and diamond jewelry reflect light in every direction, dazzling viewers’ eyes. The scene oozes glamour.

The 90th Academy Awards, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the second year in a row, took place on March 4th at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

“The Shape of Water” won Best Picture and Production Design; for this movie, Guillermo del Toro won Best Director, and Alexandre Desplat won Original Score. Gary Oldman won Actor in a Leading Role for his role in “Darkest Hour,” which also won Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Frances McDormand won Actress in a Leading Role for her role in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Actress in a Supporting Role went to Allison Janney for “I, Tonya,” and Actor in a Supporting Role went to Sam Rockwell for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez received Best Original Song for writing and composing “Remember Me” from “Coco”, which also won Animated Feature Film. Roger A. Deakins received the Cinematography Oscar for “Blade Runner 2049.” Jordan Peele received Best Original Screenplay for “Get Out.”

“A Fantastic Woman,” which deals with the life of a transgender singer, received Best Foreign Language Film.

“I think it’s really amazing that the world has progressed to a point where people can be awarded and recognized for their achievements, just purely based on their achievements and not based on characteristics,” Logan Bhamidipaty (11) said. “It probably would have been possible last year, but if you look maybe 10 years ago when LGBT issues were more controversial, I wouldn’t have assumed that happening.”

Frances McDormand roused a feminist moment in her acceptance speech for the Best Actress Oscar with the words “inclusion rider.” She asked for other female nominees to stand, conveying her message that all women have stories to tell.

Courtesy of Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Jordan Peele received Best Original Screenplay for “Get Out.” He is the first African American director to win this award.

The first African American man to win an Oscar for Original Screenplay, Jordan Peele set unprecedented history as he accepted his award, saying that he had “stopped writing this movie about 20 times because [he] thought it was impossible” but “kept coming back to it because [he] knew if someone let [him] make this movie, that people would hear it and people would see it.”

“I think it’s about time that marginalized groups are getting recognition for a lot of the stuff they do,” Aadi Ghildiyal (12) said. “Honestly, in theater where it’s predominantly white, I think it’s pretty cool that he got the Oscar because he deserved it.”

Before presenting the Production Design award, Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiana made political statements by introducing themselves as immigrants and speaking about their dreams to reach Hollywood. Nanjiana ended their presentation with, “To all the dreamers out there, we stand with you.”

 


Best Dressed:

Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in a floor length Dior dress beaded with metallic silver sequins. She accessorized with shining Niwaka diamonds.

Margot Robbie wore a white Chanel Haute Couture gown with beaded straps that resembled tinsel. Her clear, plastic Chanel clutch was an odd choice but added a modern touch to her outfit.

Lupita Nyong’o looked regal and spectacular in a floor length, shimmering gold Atelier Versace dress with one shoulder and a black and gold, beaded sash crossing over her torso in the front.

Chadwick Boseman showed up in a long black Givenchy coat with silver embroidery. His leather shoes matched his coat and had a silver zipper running down the middle of them.

Nicole Kidman added a pop of color to the red carpet with her electric blue Armani Privé dress that had a sweetheart neckline and a large bow attached to the front.