Academy Award Winners and Nominees Take the Stage

Photo Courtesy / Oscars Famous star Warren Beatty and, well-known actor, Faye Dunaway helped present the Oscars.

By Richard MacTough

Staff Writer 

“The Shape of Water” won best picture for the 90th annual Academy Awards on March 4. It beat popular contenders such as “Get Out” and “Lady Bird.” Gulliermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” not only won best picture, but Del Toro was awarded as best director.   

“I was a kid enamored with movies, growing up in Mexico. I thought this could never happen – it happens,” said Del Toro.

“The Shape of Water” is a story of love between Elisa played by Sally Hawkins and an amphibious creature inspired by “Creature from the Black Lagoon” Toro admitted at the awards ceremony.   

Jimmy Kimmel opened the show as the official host of 2018 with a blast of comedy and fun for all.

“I do want to mention when hearing your name call, don’t get up right away,” said Kimmel.

Kimmel did not shy away from the incident of last year. “Moonlight” won Best Picture in 2017, but “La La Land” was mistakenly announced as the winner after the cards were mixed up.   

Kimmel also explained this year’s award ceremony was special.

“Oscar is 90 years old tonight which means he is probably at home right now watching Fox News,” said Kimmel.   

Hollywood addressed Harvey Weinstein for the sexual assault allegations made by many actresses as well.

“The academy took action last year to expel Harvey Weinstein from their ring. What is happening with Harvey, and what is happening all over is long overdue. We can’t let bad behavior slide anymore. The world is watching us. We need to set an example and the truth is if we are all successful here, then we can work together to stop sexual harassment in the workplace,” said Kimmel.

Jordan Peele made history and was the first African American to win Best Screenplay for his film “Get Out.”

The horror film stars Chris played by Daniel Kaluuya finds a weekend with is white girlfriend (Allison Williams) filled with disturbing discoveries. Kaluuya was nominated for Best Actor.   

“This means so much to me. I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible. I thought it wasn’t going to work. I thought no one would make this movie. But I kept coming back to it because I knew if someone let me make this movie, that people would hear it and people would see it,” said Peele.   

Peele also thanked for the audiences who went out to see the movie.

Gary Oldman won the Academy Award for best actor for his lead role as World War II Era Prime Minister Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour.”    

Frances McDormand won the best actress nomination for her performance in “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri.”   

Months after a suspect is not named in the murder of Mildred’s daughter, she takes it on her own to challenge local authorities in solving the case.   

McDormand asked all women nominated for an award to stand up.   

“If I would be so honored, to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight. Look around ladies and gentleman. We all have stories to tell,” said McDormand thanking all women nominees.

Email Richard at:

rmactough@live.esu.edu