#71: The 2022 Oscars

A night of firsts

The 2014 Oscars selfie (which was really an usie, come on)

I love movies and the Oscars ceremony is a celebration of a year of filmmaking. I have fond memories of past ceremonies. As a kid, I thought host Billy Crystal was so funny and clever. I marveled at his opening bits, how he could show up in the scenes of best picture nominees. I had never seen any of the movies, but the clips and montages filled me with wonder at the possibilities.

The Oscars opening monologues usually have cringe-worthy moments, but plenty of good jokes. I kinda love when the hosts take shots at famous people and the good-natured laughs and reactions from other stars in the audience. Meryl Streep is always a good sport (and her husband always seems unimpressed).

I also love the “anything can happen” nature of the entire evening. What will the host do next? How will the audience respond? And most importantly: Who and what will win??

During Sunday’s broadcast, I had butterflies in my stomach during those moments between when the nominees were read and the winners were announced. I didn’t know who would win!

For those who missed it or only heard about the one thing everyone is talking about, there was a lot to love, including:

• Kevin Costner’s speech about seeing his first non-kids movie before presenting the best director award. He said:

The curtain, when we still had them, opened to a film almost 4 hours long. It had an intermission where the score continued, subtly signaling at one point that the second half was about to start. I don't know where everyone went, but I wasn't going to move an inch. I decided that I would not give up my magic seat. I was determined that I would not miss a minute. And as I sat in that dark that afternoon 60 years ago, all I really knew was that I was in careful hands. Little did I know that three directors would be responsible for that epic moment in my life. They fired my imagination, and they captured my heart.

• Best Supporting Actor Troy Kutsur’s speech, which he signed. If you watch it you can hear the translator get emotional.

My dad, he was the best signer in our family. But he was in a car accident, and he became paralyzed from the neck down. And he no longer was able to sign. Dad, I learned so much from you. I’ll always love you. You are my hero.

• CODA winning best picture and Sian Heder winning for best-adapted screenplay.

• Ariana DeBose and Jessica Chastain gave great speeches. If you haven’t seen Ariana DeBose in West Side Story, she is a vision.

• Billie Eilish was genuinely giddy about winning.

• The In Memoriam section was accompanied by a lively gospel choir of passionate artists and it felt like a celebration of life rather than the morose tone of years past. Also, Jamie Lee Curtis with a puppy paying tribute to Betty White. Lovely.

• Kenneth Branagh won his first Oscar!

• There were some awesome behind the line winners who worked on Dune, Cruella, and the Eyes of Tammy Faye that are so talented and deserving.

There will always be things to criticize. Hollywood and the whole system are problematic. The stars themselves usually don’t make great role models. I can’t argue with the criticisms and I don’t condone everything that’s wrong. I can just share my love for movies and my appreciation to everyone who pours their heart and souls into making them.

What did you think of the ceremony, the nominees, the winners?

Thank you for reading,

Kyle