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2016 Academy Awards: Leo finally gets his Oscar

This has been one hell of an awards season. I voting member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle for the third year, the Critics Choice Awards (as a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association) — and I attended that show, for the first time ever, back in January.

But now, the 2016 Academy Awards have come and gone, signaling the end of awards season. The show, much like the awards themselves was fairly predictable. Obviously, everyone is going to be talking about either Chris Rock absolutely killing it as host, or Leonardo DiCaprio finally winning that elusive Oscar.

Leonardo DiCaprio accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for “The Revenant” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Leonardo DiCaprio accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for “The Revenant” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Does anyone think this dude is way too young to be acting like Leo FINALLY won an Oscar? I’m sure he will have plenty of chances to add to his collection. But — it was pretty fantastic to finally see him up there getting his trophy. I think “The Revenant” is a bit over rated as a film. I thought it was an amazing performance by Leo (he worked his ass off and earned this) and the film looked incredible. But I’m so glad it didn’t win Best Picture. That award went to “Spotlight”.

For me though, the star of the show was Chris Rock. As one of the most influential modern day comedians, Rock had the challenge of hosting an awards show that has been blasted for its ignorance and lack of diversity, not just among nominees but in Hollywood in general.

Chris Rock did a masterful job of diffusing the tension during the opening monologue for the 2016 Academy Awards. (Getty Images)
Chris Rock did a masterful job of diffusing the tension during the opening monologue for the 2016 Academy Awards. (Getty Images)

As expected, Rock knocked it out of the park, coming out swinging in his opening monologue. He joked about the controversy, made fun of Will and Jada for boycotting a ceremony they technically weren’t “invited” to, and helped act as a calming voice to help ease any uncomfortable tensions.

But, Rock made it clear that racism exists in Hollywood and it’s nothing new. Laughing at it isn’t going to make it right or make it go away or make anyone forget about how bad it is.

And this just isn’t about African American actors — it’s Asians, Native Americans, Indian actors, filmmakers. It’s women and the LGBT community.

Rock put Hollywood on notice. Will it stick? Will anyone really do anything about it? Will we get a black 007? Or a female directing an “Avengers” movie? Only time will tell.

Full Oscars 2016 winners and recap

‘Life of Pi’ wins 4 but ‘Argo’ takes Best Picture: 2013 Academy Award winners

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Affleck gets his Oscar

What a night. Wait, let me rephrase. What a long night. There weren’t a whole lot of surprises at the 2013 Academy Awards. “Argo” won Best Picture but it was “Life of Pi” that won the most awards including the Best Director award that many thought should have gone to Ben Affleck.

Congratulations to Daniel Day-Lewis for becoming the first actor to win three Best Actor awards.

Seth Macfarlane did a fine enough job as host. You could tell he didn’t have a very long leash, though. He was a hell of a lot better than Billy Crystal was last year.

For a full list of winners of 2013 Academy Award winners

‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ is a beautiful and emotional look at life in the bayou

“Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her daddy in The Bathtub.”

BeastsSouthernWild2This is our introduction to Quvenzhané Wallis, who plays the 5-year-old Hushpuppy, a resident of the Bathtub in the Louisiana bayou. A bathtub is a community of the bayou that has been cut off by a levee. Little Hushpuppy lives with her father, Wink (Dwight Henry), a man struggling with his health as much as his anger issues. Together they struggle but they survive in their poor, ramshackle village. This is their life and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Continue Reading at Examiner.com

(photo property of Fox Searchlight)