Oscars to move to downtown L.A.

• Show moves from Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, which was built for the Academy Awards

• L.A. Live will be the new home starting in 2029

• “We are thrilled to partner with a global powerhouse like AEG. Their track record for building and operating technologically sophisticated live performance venues is unrivaled,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “For the 101st Oscars and beyond, the Academy looks forward to closely collaborating with AEG to make L.A. LIVE the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema, both for our live in-theater audience and for film fans around the world.”

• “L.A. LIVE was built to host the moments that define culture, and there is no greater global stage than the Oscars,” said Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer, AEG. “We’re proud to partner with the Academy to reimagine what the Oscars can look and feel like in the years ahead. Together, we will create an environment that celebrates creativity, honors excellence, and delivers an unforgettable experience for movie fans everywhere.” SOURCE: AMPAS

LOS ANGELES, CA – (AMPAS) The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and AEG announce a landmark multi-year partnership that includes L.A. LIVE becoming the new home of the Oscars®, beginning with the 101st Oscars ceremony in 2029 and continuing through 2039. The Oscars ceremony will be held in the venue currently known as Peacock Theater.

AEG – the leader in sports and live entertainment and the developer and owner of some of the world’s most iconic venues – owns and operates L.A. LIVE, the internationally renowned 23-acre/4-million-square-foot sports and entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles adjacent to Crypto.com Arena. As part of this partnership, AEG will undertake comprehensive enhancements to the theater, including upgrades to its stage, sound and lighting systems, lobbies, backstage facilities and additional production-critical areas. AEG will collaborate closely with the Academy to incorporate bespoke design elements needed to accommodate the Oscars ceremony.

Additionally, L.A. LIVE’s recently expanded plaza will host red carpet arrivals and activities, and the theater will be the first venue to host the Oscars when it becomes available on YouTube through an exclusive global rights deal with the Academy, which also begins in 2029. Since the opening of Crypto.com Arena (formerly STAPLES Center) in 1999 and L.A. LIVE in 2007, the collection of venues, hotels (including The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott), restaurants, clubs and numerous hospitality spaces have hosted thousands of sports and entertainment events.

The Oscars will continue to be held at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide through the 100th Oscars in 2028.

Press Room photos of winners

Arrivals                                                                        Valerie Durant / The Academy ©A.M.P.A.S.

Notes before Oscar Sunday: even though I am sidelined with illness, I still do this. My updates and notes are mixed with news from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) throughout the pages here. They are my Oscar source and have been all these years. The other source was me, on the ground, in Hollywood (I do miss that). My sources are still solid, so enjoy!!!! Always go straight to the source, not from hearsay and gossip. Oscars 2026 for last year, 2025, of course.

The Oscar stage

• Was it just me or did the carept walk through lack something like major stars? Even when the arrivals were happening, only Nicole Kidman was the known A-lister, Ethan Hawk, Zoe Saldana and Kate Hudson. Something tells me many are not coming, while others were shuffled in privately and photographed at a different stop along the way. Or just for photographers and not TV.

• Watching them act as if they love these songs from those nominated is cringe.

• ABC7 Red Carpet is the best, since it is the host network and uses all the AMPAS sources, etc. But, it looks like E! has two reporters based on the roof of the Ripley's Believe of Not building, watching the arrivals get out of their autos. That is a place were fans can be on the corners and see them as well. Not much space, but some pack those corners. From the overhead shots, it looks like they did not let them at the corners this time around. The security gets tighter each year, it seems.

• Yes, there is a reason why I never talk fashion. I am about movies, not the clothes people are wearing. And, I am clueless about fashion, so why fake it?

• Diane Warren was given a necklace with 17, which signifies her 17 nominations without a win. It was given to her from George Pennacchio on the Red Carpet during their live coverage. Yes, stars arrive long before show time. It takes at least three hours to get them all in.

• I have noted before that Timothy Chalamet wants an Oscar too much and talking too much does not help. Now, he has dissed ballet and opera to boot. He did not win for playing Bob Dylan and may not for Mary Supreme.  He even dates a Kardashian for public relations so he is old school Hollywood, but thinks he is hip. He is not. 

• On that note, Chalamet is not a good actor, in my opinion. He is bland. Michael B. Jordan should win Best Actor. Chalamet is also listed  as a producer for "Marty Supreme," which means he would win one if that films pulls off an upset. Yes, upset in more ways than one. 

• How is "Frankenstein" up for actor and Best Picture?

• Yes, there are rumblings about tributes, as usual. Robert Redford passed away last year, as did Rob Reiner and his wife. How will the Academy deal with this? Now, Barbra Streisand was rumored to be in talks to sing the In Memoriam for Redford and Billy Crystal may show up for his friend, Reiner.  The In Memorian segment, sadly,  gets remembered for who they leave out. 

• Josh Groban performing for fun. He noted on ABC7, live from the Red Carpet.

• I no longer give my picks. There used to be a point and I held reader and listener contests in the past. I am retired now, so I just enjoy this part of it now.

• Hollywood loves the word reunion when it comes to cast members getting together again. Sure, it is a reunion when two members of a show meet on the streets, or head out to lunch. Or just happen to be a the same event and run into each other. Hollywood claims that would be a reunion. Look for a few of them Sunday night.  They get a cast together to present and it is a reunion. Sure, it is. 

• Because of all the security at the Oscars, when I was covering the events, I felt the safest I have ever faced in Los Angeles. Yes, even when I lived there. And I lived at the beach as well, and never felt as safe as during Oscar Week.

• Does anyone else find it odd that media is always looking for Oscar firsts? Or that there still are Oscars firsts after 98 years?

• The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC, streamed live on Hulu and airs live in more than 200 territories worldwide.

• Yes, I have eaten the Wolfgang Puck food during a preview of the Governors Ball many times. That was one of the best days on the Red Carpet. And the drinking of the wine, vodka, etc., was served, too. It usually was held under the tent on the Red Carpet on Thursday before the Sunday show. It began at 10 a.m. That made for an early drinking day. The photographers usually hog the area, so I let them go to their spot and went to the other area and did my thing. I did the opposite of what they did. They needed the "Shot." I needed the story and to take part in that story. They crowded Puck to the point of stupidity. I waited until that filtered out and then approached Wolfgang Puck, and those who were preparing the feast.   

• I was often mistaken for security at the events, too. Hmmm. Oh, it was always unnerving to see snipers on rooftops.

• I once was let into a party and stayed for 12 hours because if I left I knew I would never be let back in.

• I would also perch myself at one of the bars (usually poolside) at the Hollywood Roosevelt to get scoops. And the Lowes Hotel, which is attached to the Dolby Theatre. I would stay there for hours, too, and keep dibs on the spot. And run a tab. Oh, those were some long, fun days.

• The night before the Oscars in Hollywood is insane at the hotels in the area. Just take my word for it. The parties are great. But, it all starts again at breakfast on Oscar Sunday. One must pace themselves to make it through the show and the after events.

• The Red Carpet is now completely covered. It was not always that way. It was much better with open air.

• Remember, most stars in Hollywood are not at the Oscars. Many ignore them completely while others pack pre-parties and viewing parties. Then, there are the after parties. Elton John is hosting his annual party for the 34th year. 

------------2025, for the year 2024

The show:

"Anora" won the night as they took home five Academy Awards. One could walk away from the awards and wonder when they will go back to handing out awards to movies people actually watch. Yes, small, independent movies are wonderful, but the buzz is not there for them. Their fan bases are not there to ignite the local movie theaters into prosperity. Hollywood is a business, not some project for a few to see.

It is also time to rid ourselves of Live Action Short Film and Documentary Short Film. These seem like college film projects. And they are usually handed out in the middle of the show when most people are still likely tuned in. They see this and wonder what the heck is going on. Or just do not televise them and hand them out during the Red Carpet portion of the show.

• Conan O'Brien hosts. Wow, finally an O'Brien hosts the show. Tonight is the night I can say an O'Brien has indeed hosted the Oscars.

• Great beginning. Los Angeles, where movie magic happens, was honored. Then, Ariana Grande sings "Over the Rainbow." Nice. Cynthia Orivo up next and knocks it out of the park. Focus on movies and it is a home run.

• Conan did great on the opening.

• These awards were later in then night but I put them here, at the beginning:

• Best Picture GOES TO "Anora." A BIG night for them. A nice night  "The Brutalist" as well. Now, if people actually go and see them n theaters. Hmmmm.

• Best Actor goes to Adrien Brody for "The Brutalist." Now, most people thought Timothy Chalamet was going to win. Brody has won this award before in "The Pianist." He did speak too long, but it was a  nice win. After his long-winded speech, he headed backstage. 

• Backstage with Adrien Brody: Q: Hi Adrien, congratulations. Your speech was so moving, so powerful. Can you tell us why you felt that it was such an important time to mention anti-Semitism and hate and racism? Why did you want to highlight that in your speech today specifically?

• A: [Adrien Brody] Well, I, think we all know that it's an important time to recognize that there's no place for intolerance, and as I had mentioned in my speech, I'm, I'm oddly receiving recognition for representing a time in history that we witness unchecked anti-Semitism, and that hatred and oppression have no place in this world and that we must learn from the past.

• Best Director is Sean Baker for "Anora" - A passionate plea for the movie-going experience of watching them in theaters. Now, that was a speech more should be making - not about politics. Make movies for the big screen and encourage people to go and watch them there.

• Backstage with Sean Baker: Q: I want to know, I want to know what what your message is for all those who judge and criticize the sex workers and what you learned from this movie.

• A: [Sean Baker] So I've been pretty outspoken about my stance on sex work. It's our oldest profession, yet it has an incredible, unfair stigma applied to it. And what I've been trying to do with my films is sort of I chip away at that very unfair stigma.

• Best Actress  - Mikey Madison in "Anora" and that is a big upset. Demi Moore should have won as she was sweeping her way to a win.

• Backstage with Mikey Madison: Q: Huge congratulations. If I'm not mistaken, you've starred in less than 10 feature films so far in your career. How do you hope this win will influence your career going forward?

• A: [MADISON] Yeah, it's interesting. I've been thinking about the future a lot, and also the past. And I've been really trying to remind myself to stay as present as possible throughout all of this, so I don't know. I really don't know what will happen in the future.

-----------------------------

• Best Supporting Actor goes to Kieran Culkin for "A Real Pain" - his speech was muted at he outset for singling out another actor in the category. Great acceptance speech.  "...And she goes, “Oh God, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid,” and I turned to her and I said, “Really, I want 4.” And she turned to me, I swear to God this happened. It was just over 1 year ago, she said, “I will give you 4 when you win an Oscar.” I held my hand out, she shook it, and I have not brought it up once until just now. You remember that honey, you do? OK. Then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith. No pressure. I love you. I'm really sorry I did this again. And let's get cracking on those kids. What do you say? I love you. I love you Zissou and Booba, I love you 52." Backstage: https://press.oscars.org/transcript/backstage-interview-actor-supporting-role-2

• Best Supporting Actress - Zoe Saldana for "Emilia Perez." A standing ovation for her. If you liked her in "Guardians of the Galaxy," go ahead and be happy for her.  "...Thank you so much and to my husband with that beautiful hair, you're just, the biggest honor in my life is being your partner. You hung the moon in our beautiful perfect sons Cy, Bowie, and Zen. They fill our skies every night with stars. My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last. I hope."

• Backstage with Zoe. I thought this exchange was interesting. Not all were on board this movie: 

• Q: Hello, Zoe. I've got to say that it has been, a lot of things has been said about the movie, about trans people, about

empowering women, but less has been said about Mexico, which is the heart of it. So what would you say about this - the heart of this movie, but also about the topic who is really hurtful for us Mexicans?

• A: [Zoe Saldaña] First of all, I'm very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke and we came from a place of love and I will stand by that. I don't share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren't making a film about a country.

• Best Editor - now, this is a category. One of the hardest thing to do in film is editor. The winner is "Anora" and Sean Baker wins another.

• Backstage with Sean Baker: Q: What does it mean to you that the Best Picture winner and thenAnimated Feature Film winner were both independent films?

• A: [Sean Baker] You know, as I said on stage, it's just, really feels wonderful that the Academy is recognizing independent film, you know. We, in many ways, we always, we always jump into these projects knowing that we will have to compete with budgets and films that have budgets that are literally almost 100 times what we are, what we've shot our film for...I need to add this: The Oscars really were not designed to honor those small films like t is doing now. We have the Independent Film Awards for that. Oscars are for the big, bold and watched films.

• Best Animated Feature Film - "Flow" - no comment. I have not seen an animated movie in years. Meanwhile, Best Animated Short Film goes to "In The Shadow of the Cypress."

• Best Costume Design - Paul Tazewell for "Wicked." Fitting if you saw the film. The costumes were, well, wicked. Had to do that.

• Best Original Screenplay - "Anora" - Sean Baker

• Best Adapted Screenplay - "Conclave" - Peter Straughan ...many nominated in the two categories were not nominated for Best Picture. Without the written word, movies are nothing. 

• Best Makeup and Hairstyling - "The Substance" - it's the Demo Moore movie.

• A James Bond musical number for some reason. Conan is a good host so far. 

• Best Production Design - "Wicked" 

• Best Original Song - "El Mal" from "Emilia Perez" - highlight here was Mick Jagger giving the award out. Now, if you are wondering why nothing from the Bob Dylan film was nominated. Well, this is for original song, and those in that film were not written for the movie. They were original once, of course, but not written for the film. Jagger got a standing ovation.

• Best Documentary Short Film - "The Only Girl in the Orchestra" 

• Best Documentary Feature Film - "No Other Land" - they did not show up backstage. Hmmm.

• L.A. area firefighters got a rousing applause, and told a few jokes.

• Best Sound - "Dune Part Two"...hmmmm.,no "Wicked" for this? Make it make sense.

• Best Visual Effects - "Dune Part Two" - sound and visual does not go to "Wicked".

• Live Action Short - "Another Robot" - no idea why this is even a category anymore.

• Best Cinematography - "The Brutalist" - Lol Crowley

•  Best International Feature Film - "I'm Still Here" - Brazil

• Best Film Score - "The Brutalist" - I would think that "Wicked" would have won more of the awards that have sound highlighted. 

• Quincy Jones tribute from Oprah and Whoopie.

Updated, Oscar Sunday 2025. 

• My goal since I was in high school was to cover the Oscars once, live in Hollywood. I was honored to have done that. I did it for 20 straight years, starting with "Titanic" winning 11. But, illness has sidelined me. My last live appearance in Hollywood was in 2017. However, another honor is still being on the press list for AMPAS (The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences). They bring us the Academy Awards. So, I can still cover it, even though my illness keeps me away from it. A virtual event for me.

• You can watch what happens on TV, so I will bring some backstage bits later.

• I rarely have ever done fashion opinions. I am not qualified for that. I love movies and do not care about fashion.

• Many A-listers are arriving early for some reason. Let's be honest, calling them A-listers is an odd thing. Their are many people there who are not even C-listers.

• I do feel te glory days of the Oscars are behind us. Like many things in pop cultures, the times have changed. Just check te ratings decline for all major award shows. The Oscars will still rate higher than most shows, but the peak is behind them.

• Last year, they started the at 6 p.m. CT. Smart move. They are doing that again this year.

• Morgan Freeman to pay tribute to Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner.

• The Academy @TheAcademy Tap your heels three times and turn on the Oscars—trust us, you won’t want to miss this opening with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

• Below are the usual set up shots that I would bring to my audience each year. AMPAS provides these gems.

THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE MARCH 2, AT 7 P.M. ET/4 P.M. PT, 

ON ABC AND HULU

LOS ANGELES, CA – Multi-hyphenate Julianne Hough and television personality Jesse Palmer will host “The Oscars® Red Carpet Show,” the official lead-in to the 97th Oscars on Sunday, March 2, airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on ABC. It marks Jesse Palmer’s inaugural year and Hough’s second consecutive year hosting the official pre-show. The 30-minute special will highlight Oscar® nominees, performers and presenters and provide a multi-view experience of the red carpet arrivals, giving the audience every can’t-miss moment from Hollywood’s biggest celebration.

“The Oscars Red Carpet Show” is executive produced by David Chamberlin of Full Day Productions.

From AMPAS

Updated thoughts 2/25/25...

• Some momentum changes have happened. "Conclave" has gained ground with a surprising SAG win. Some say it is an anti-Catholic movie. I am Catholic,  and will not be rooting for this one. I, however, do not care in the long run. It is a movie.

• The talk about the fires has diminished a great  should not, especially since it is on their back yard.

• Of the ten Best Picture nominees, only one was released before Sept. 2024. That would be "Dune: Part Two. So, The Academy once again has short memories as they favor the later releases.

• 
  

• Hollywood still does not know how to read the room and the feeling of the country. They used to, however.

• In all my years covering the entertainment beat, this year's nominees seem to be the weakest.

• Bob Dylan is overrated - can I say that? He has never been my go to for anything musically.

• Remember, much of what becomes popular is forced on us.

• Be honest, you never heard of "Anora" or "Emilia Perez" before the nominations came out. Seeing and reading so many praising them is disingenuous, at the very least. It is also dishonest.

• Perhaps it is time to get rid of the non-English language film. They are welcome in the Best Picture category more often now. And that is fine.

• Having two musicals nominated for Best Picture in the same year is rare. The last time was in 1968 with "Oliver" and "Funny Girl." The difference, however, their can be up to ten nominations  in that category now, instead of five.

• Ariana Grande lost the lead to Zoe Saldana early and never got it back. Zoe is sweeping.  I do like the song "Popular" from "Wicked."

• If Timothee Chamalet wins for portraying Bob Dylan, I do wonder more why  Austin Butler lost a few years back. 

• Please get back to making moves with the political tinge leaking in when promoting them. 

• Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, LISA of Blackpink, Queen Latifah and RAYE are performing.

The show must go on ...

Oscars 2024, given out in 2025...

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, but likely had it for 10-12 years being that diagnosis. I am retired because I am too exhausted to do much. But I press on. My love on movies is still there, but I cannot do this the way I used to, sadly.

• The big question for the show, will be how do they handle the recent fires. L.A.'s backyard was devastated by the fires, and many celebs were affected.  Yes, they are human, too, so that matters. Plus, the business of show was affected. Hollywood is a business, and thus, this will shape how it moves forward with the show. After all, the show must go on.

• Conan O'Brien has been trapped as host. The hosting gig is not what is used to be. But, they still need one. The movie business has changed, In my opinion, streaming has ruined the business model for movies. There is too much product and ways to watch. There are hardly any event movies anymore.

• There are 207 films eligible for Best Picture this time around. But, there are 323 films eligible films in total.

• Last year's show had 19.5 million viewers. They do not take in account the world-wide viewership, so take note.

• There will be 45 Oscars awarded this year. Yes, that number changes each year.

• There are 9,905 voters this year. Yes, that number changes as well.

 -----

• From the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: 

•  Friday, November 15, 2024

• THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE MARCH 2, 2025, AT 7 P.M. ET/4 P.M. PT, ON ABC

• 
  LOS ANGELES, CA – Emmy® Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Oscars®, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced today. It will be O’Brien’s first time hosting the broadcast. The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
  
  “We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” said Kramer and Yang. “He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best--honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”
  
  “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” said O’Brien.
  
  “Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective,” said Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group. “He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars.”
  
  “Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host--he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television,” said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. “We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.”

• 
  

• The Governors Awards are handed out in November now, as well. Huh?

• LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that its Board of Governors voted to present Academy Honorary Awards to Quincy Jones and Juliet Taylor, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Richard Curtis and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  The Oscar® statuettes will be presented at the Academy’s Governors Awards event on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood.

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• It looks like "Oppenheimer" will win the majority of awards comes Oscar night. It is sweeping away with the awards so far.  And it should. It is a movie worthy of Oscar. It is not some small film no one has seen like in previous years. Oscar is back to bold, brash, loud and well-acted. That is "Oppenheimer." It won SAG cast top award and the Producers have followed suit. It has also nabbed BAFTA (British top prize), Golden Globe drama, Its director, Christopher Nolan won the DGA (directors) top prize, too.

"Oppenheimer" wins the night as it takes home 7 Oscars, including Best Picture. Christopher Nolan won for director while Cillian Murphy won actor and Robert Downey Jr won in a supporting role.

Why has the In Memoriam section gotten so controversial? It is a mess now.

With  10 nominations for Best Picture, the director category is always ripe for critics to pounce.

No, "Barbie" was not snubbed. In years past, it would have been ignored completely. 

----

Showtime:

• The Oscars starts early this year, at 6 p.m. CST/7 p.m. EST. That is an attempt to keep viewers as it drags on. 

• Truth be told, those who interview have not seen everything, but seem to love everything.  My style was more like Roger Ebert. Talk about the movies and not the other stuff. Or have someone else take care of that.

• After a few years away, those big Oscar statuettes have returned to the carpet. And each year, the carpet gets covered more and more.

Below, you will find a backstage quote or two from the virtual press room. enjoy.

Jimmy Kimmel hosts the 96th Academy Awards, live at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Kimmel does his late night show directly across the street.

Kimmel's opening was real nice. On with the show.

Best Picture

"Oppenheimer"

Al Pacino did not mention the 10 nominees and just opened the envelope and said "Oppenheimer"

Backstage: (Emma Thomas) I don't know. I think everybody should be supporting women in the industry. I'm just saying. We had the most incredible group of women working on this film, and I think that, you know, in -- eventually I think we'll get to the point where we have sort of 50/50 representation across the board. We're not quite there yet, but we're getting there. I think things are getting a lot better than they were, and, you know, I'm very proud to have worked on a film that had so many fantastically talented women on it. And really the way that we do, sort of, bring more women in is to keep hiring and keep supporting. So, yeah, it's an important thing.

      Backstage: Christopher Nolan) Yeah, I mean, I don't like to speak too specific about messages of films I make because I feel that if cinema is didactic, it tends not to work dramatically so well. But having finished the film and having seen audiences respond to it, I mean, it was very striking to me.

When I first embarked on the project, I told one of my teenage sons what I was working on, and he actually said to me, young people aren't that concerned about nuclear weapons. It's not really in the forefront of their fears. And that did seem to me to be something that this film could, to some extent, help in success and with a lot of people seeing it. And as far as any kind of broader message, the thing that I would like to point out is, the film ends on what I consider a dramatically necessary moment of despair, but in reality I don't think despair is the answer to the nuclear question.

If you look at the work on non-proliferations being done by individuals and organizations since 1945, there's been a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons on the planet since 1967 of almost 90 percent. In the last few years, it's gone the wrong way, and it's very important that rather than despair, in reality, people are looking at advocacy, they're looking at organizations who are working to pressure politicians and leaders to reduce the number of nuclear weapons on our planet and make the world safer.

Directing

Christopher Nolan - "Oppenhemier"

Backstage: It's just the most incredible thrill. When you make a film on a large scale, obviously, you -- you have to believe there's some audience for it out there. But starting with the release of the film in July, the response from people around the world far exceeded anything that I imagined possible, and, you know, winning this recognition from my peers, is just, I mean, the icing on the cake. It's just very -- it's very important to me. It's really a wonderful finish to what's been an incredible year.

Actress in a Leading Role

Emma Stone - "Poor Things" - this one an upset? Not to me.

Backstage: .​She is a character that is so, so important to me. It -- I think the chance to -- to play a person starting from scratch, but in a total metaphorical, can't-really-happen-in-real-life way, who's gaining language and skills at a rapid pace every day and getting to, sort of, chart that course and realize that she was just full of -- of joy and curiosity and true love, of not just the good, but the challenging in life and was fascinated by all of it, that was an amazing, an amazing lesson to take with me and to try to get to live in the shoes of every day. So I really miss playing her ever since we wrapped filming, which was a long time ago. It was like two and a half years ago. I miss Bella. And I'm really grateful that we got to celebrate the film tonight and over these past few months.

And, yeah, I just, I love her.

Actor in a Leading Role 

Cillian Murphy - "Oppenheimer"

Backstage:    It's a little bit of -- I'm a little bit of a

                  daze, you know.  I'm very overwhelmed.  I'm

                  very humbled.  I'm very grateful.  And you

                  know, very proud to be -- to be Irish standing here today.

 Actress in a Supporting Role - it will be a long night if we get a backstory for every nominee

Da'vine Joy Randolph

Actor in a Supporting Role

Robert Downey Jr - "Oppenheimer"

The supporting wins were spot on. For Downey Jr you had to do a double-take to realize it was him when he first appeared on "Oppenheimer." He was brilliant.

He did not go into the interview room after he won.

Animated Short Film

"War is Over" - Dave Mullins and Brad Booker

Animated Feature

"The Boy and the Heron" - Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki

Backstage: They were not here, but a message was sent and read: 

I am grateful to receive such an honor at my age and taking

     this as a message to continue our work, I will devote myself to

     work harder in the future.

     Thank you very much, Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli."

      Thank you so much.

Original Screenplay

"Anatomy of a Fall" - Justine Triet and Arthur Harari

Adapted Screenplay 

"American Fiction" - Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson

Backstage: Yeah. I mean, the -- I wanted to depict a different kind of Boston than is normally depicted in the films. So I said no pictures of Fenway Park, no pictures of duck boats on the Charles, right. It's sort of -- I wanted to -- I wanted to explore a different side of Boston and, you know, one of the different sides of Boston is black people.

 Make-up and Hairstyling

"Poor Things" - Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston

Production Design

"Poor Things" - James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek

Costume Design

"Poor Things" - Holly Waddington

Thought: "Oppenheimer" is getting shut-out so far....

International Feature Film

"Zone of Interest" - United Kingdom

Thought: Will this category become obsolete since they are now being recognized as Best Picture more and more?

Visual Effects

"Godzilla Minus One" - Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima

Editing

"Oppenheimer" - Jennifer Lame

Documentary Short

"The Last Repair Shop" - Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers

Documentary Feature

"20 Days in Mariupol" - Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath

Cinematography

"Oppenheimer" - Hoyte van Hoytema

Sound

"Zone of Interest" - Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn

Original Music Score

"Oppenheimer" - Ludwig Göransson

Original Song - "WHAT WAS I MADE FOR?"

       from Barbie; Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell

       Remember, the song has to be written for the film. It cannot be one that has already been a hit and then inserted into a film. But, I wish they could. Or at least make a different category for that idea.

Oscar 2023...

Yes, it is a champagne carpet this time around. The entire carpet area is covered. In the past, some would be covered but not the area where they walked into the building. They only started covering it when there was a threat of rain a few years back. When I was there since the year "Titanic" won, it was all open air. It also moved to its present location in downtown Hollywood, smack dab on Hollywood Boulevard. See the photo with the stairs. That is inside and at the top is where they enter the theater. I am not there this year, but it is the prep and prevoiew events that I covered extensively over the years. I loved doing that. It was a goal of mine back when I wanted to be a entertainment writer. Well, I did it many times over.  Below was the event that was a blast to cover. We got to mingle, talk and drink with Wolfgang Puck  and his employees. It used to be on the red carpet the Thursday before the Oscars. It would be for the media outlets to pass along, across the country. So, it was early, around 10 a.m.  Puck had already done one for the ABC morning show for the East Coast.  The event for press  is now at the Academy Museum, which is no where near The Dolby Theater. But, the Governors Ball, is still at Ovation Hollywood, Dolby Theater.

• Lenny Kravitz to sing...MORE THAN 200 TO BE RECOGNIZED IN MEMORIAM GALLERY ON A.FRAME THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE MARCH 12, 2023, ON ABC

• At Oscars Night at the Museum in Los Angeles, Academy members, industry partners, and museum guests will be treated to a one-of-a-kind event where they will walk the red carpet, savor food by Wolfgang Puck Catering, enjoy a hosted bar, pose for photos, enjoy a 15% discount at the Academy Museum Store, and watch the Oscars ceremony. The evening begins at 3pm PT and continues after the show with a lively post-show party.

• A movie can get momentum and win even though it really is not a great movie. I think that of "Everything Everywhere All At Once." I saw it and was not all that impressed.

• With Brendan Fraser's win at SAG, many think Austin Butler may now lose the Best Actor award. Butler gained the momentum from Fraser early on, so perhaps it is going the way it was.

• Somehow Cate Blanchett is the favorite for "Tar." Hmmm

• In reality, Steven Spielberg should win Best Director but probably won't, sadly.

• I am never sure whether people actually watched the performances of those they are voting on. When you work in a business, it is hard to watch others in it. I worked in radio and did not listen to other shows while I had my own. I rarely read other newspaper columns when I had my own, either.

• Too bad the audience has, overall, left award shows behind, it seems. Once a mainstay and conversation starter, the Oscars were talked about the week of the show and a aeek after, at least. Now, a blip on the radar screen. Hollywood did thta to themselves. They have no one else to blame. And it is not just content, it has to do with how they jumped into the streaming business and watered down their business. If everyone can be a star, then no one really is - it is no longer special. There was a time when you tuned into a talk show like "The Tonight Show" to see a movie star or TV star you rarely see. The advent of social media and 24/7 news and info cycles have ruined that idea.

• So, a special like The Oscars, etc., would garner a great deal of attention because we wanted to see our favorite movie star. Plus, we wanted to see if "Rocky," "The Sting" or "The Godfather" would win because we actually saw them in theaters.

• They used to give us covering the show much more access, too. That changed, too. I opted out, but what they are doing at the Academy Museum (see above) is nice. Perhaps I will do that next year.

• The only film that has a deep connection to its fanbase this year is "Elvis." I saw it three times in the theater and would go more if it was still showing. Like "Bohemian Rhapsody," this is a film that you ignore the noise from others and enjoy. 

• Pandemic Oscars: The Oscars should not be treated the same as other shows. It is a special night devoted to movies. It honors the best of the year. To reduce it to just a TV show renders it meaningless. Even before the pandemic, Hollywood appears to be caving to the pressure to water down the awards and focus on other things rather than the best movies of any given year. There has always been discussions as to what does not win or get nominated, but now it is much more than that. Get back to the ideas of movie stars and the magic of gathering and watching on the big screen - where people actually watched the films, and did not stream them on countless services, leaving out those collective event experiences, that was the movies.

On my own now and doing things my way. I worked in the newspaper field since high school (Barblet, Yearbook, De Kalb High School, IL); Kishwaukee Kaleidescope, general manager/columnist (Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL); Daily Vidette (reporter, Assistant Features Editor, Features Editor and Friday's magazine creator and editor - Illinois State University, Normal, IL); Bolingbrook Sun (Naperville, IL); Orange County News (Anaheim, CA); Buena Park Republican (Buena Park, CA); Crown Syndicate, Sports Features Syndicate, World Features Syndicate; Sauk Valley Newspapers/The Big E magazine/TV Week (Sterling/Dixon/Rock Falls, IL); Withers Broadcasting (WSDR/WSSQ/WZZT, Sterling, IL); Have Fun Magazine (Sterling, IL); Yahoo (Associated) Content; Digital Journal and Examiner Content. In California, worked on many Hollywood TV shows, movies and commercials, while working at PIP Printing and MSAS Cargo International, along the way. My expertise is/was entertainment reporting and writing. 

BELOW: I worked on these, while in Hollywood, as an extra, stand-in etc.

Update to list below: I was watching an old movie on my Sling TV and remembered I worked on that one, too. It was "Side Out," a volleyball movie starring C. Thomas Howell. I lived in Manhattan Beach, CA for a while. It was filmed there.

• "Baywatch" pilot for NBC starring David Hassolhoff and Parker Stevenson...the scene in the office near the beginning. I was also an extra on the beach at times.

• An episode of "Beauty and the Beast" starring Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton...scene in an underground bar.

• TV movie "Dance 'Til Dawn" starring many TV stars of the moment including Christina Applegate, Alyssa Milano, Tempest Bledso, Kelsey Grammer, Mary Frann, Matthew Perry and Tracey Gold. I was a waiter at prom.

• "Far Out Man!" starring Tommy Chong and his daughter. My white Pontiac was in it as well. Scene where my white car drives up (under cover cop car) to the amusement park. I run out, etc.

• "Opportunity Knocks" starring Dana Carvey. I was in the bathroom scene, with the "blowers are good" ...I am in the urinal at the top with a Cubs shirt and jeans. I give Dana a high five at the end of that scene.

• "Maid to Order" starring Nell Carter

• "Limit Up" starring Nancy Allen and Dean Stockwell. I was a stock broker.

• "Ghostbusters ll" starring Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis and Sigourney Weaver. The scene where they dig down and find the slime. The power goes out, etc. It was show downtown Los Angeles but was supposed to be New York. 

• "Lionheart" starring Jean Claude Van Damme. I was a doctor near the beginning of the film.

• ..others, too, that I simply do not remember...

• Olympic Stain commercial, where everyone in it was Einstein

• Many local banking commercials

• Coors Lite first round of Silver Bullet commercials

• Long John Silvers TV commercial

• BP commercials starring Gary Burghoff

• and many more commercials...

• I have covered way too many concerts (Jimmy Buffett 36 times and the Beach Boys 25 times) and theater performances to list. Some of the interviews I loved were Tony Orlando (I consider him a friend to this day), Roy Clark (his Mickey Mantle story was a highlight). Bill Gaither was inspirational at a time when I needed it. Having a full access pass to Notre Dame playing Army one year was a highlight on my career. I took my brother Patrick to this one. My goal was to cover one on the red carpet for Oscar Week. I did that 20 times. Having a special access tour as a member of the media to Graceland was a story in itself. I almost died on that trip, which would have been on Aug. 16, 1997. Elvis died on Aug. 16, as we all know. I spent so much time hanging backstage at events that they can become blurry and fade into a memory over time. Yes, I forget who I interviewed or stories I covered over the years. I will put them here when they pop in my mind.

• I hosted and owned my website O'Brien News Service on Weebly, which I started in 2010. I have since archived and deleted it. It was too much work and I retired that as well. I just do this now.