The Oscars might not be breaking any viewership records in recent years. The numbers are dropping, and the competition is getting tougher. Audiences are tuning into streaming platforms or exploring other forms of entertainment like video games, the new big thing in the leisure industry.
The Oscars persist and will continue to be a spectacle because every year blockbuster movies are vying for those coveted statuettes. It’s that moment that brings all cinephiles together to criticize, comment, or simply hope justice is served to the best film.
And, of course, it’s the night when the stars shine the brightest. Nothing will ever compare to the Oscars’ red carpet. And let’s not forget its promotional aspect. The feeling of having to watch a winning or nominated film from the gala has given us all the pleasure of discovering some of our favorite movies.
That’s why they say the Oscars are the Goya Awards of the United States (well, it’s the other way around, but don’t forget to also keep an eye on the 2024 Goya Awards). After the years of Covid and the crisis of awards and hosts, the 2023 ceremony, the 95th, returned a bit to the usual. Some things are just better left unchanged. However, the triumph of Everything Everywhere All at Once indicates that, like with Nomadland or Parasite, the Academy Awards are becoming more surprising, modern, and dynamic.
The expansion, rejuvenation, and diversification of voters surely have something to do with it. All we know is that the recent Oscars have surprised everyone, and we hope the same happens in the upcoming editions. The 96th edition of the Oscars, the Hollywood Academy Awards, is here!
The film awards season has come to a close. With the list of winners from the 2024 Golden Globes already complete, and still reeling from the 2024 Goya Awards and the 2023 Fotogramas de Plata, it’s time to review the grand finale of the awards race, culminating in the 2024 Oscars.
Spain was doubly represented at the Dolby Theatre with Juan Antonio Bayona and ‘The Society of Snow’ and Pablo Berger with his ‘Robot Dreams’… Although they ultimately left empty-handed.
After Al Pacino took the stage and disrupted the most anticipated moment of the 2024 Oscars, ‘Oppenheimer’ emerged as the big winner of the night, scooping up 7 statuettes including Best Leading Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Director (Christopher Nolan), and Best Picture, surpassing the rest of the contenders for the top prize: ‘American Fiction’, ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, ‘Barbie’, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon, ‘Those Who Stay’, ‘Master’, ‘Poor Things’, ‘Past Lives’, and ‘The Zone of Interest’.
Here is the complete list of winners of the 2024 Oscars, updated live during the ceremony!
Once again, the most extensive category is Best Picture. Remember, while each branch of the Hollywood Academy selects and votes only for films in its specific professional category, everyone votes in this category. In other words, beyond being the sum of its parts, Best Picture is the most challenging and unpredictable category. “Oppenheimer“ leads with the most nominations and has a strong chance.
However, we’re sticking to our guns and predicting a victory for “Barbie”. If we get all cinephile, surprises could come from “Anatomy of a Fall”, “The Zone of Interest,“ or “Past Lives”. Still, “Poor Things” has the best shot after “Oppenheimer”. Anything else would be a shocker, including a win for “Maestro” or “Those Who Stay” (although the latter seems more possible as time goes on). However, the biggest surprise would be “American Fiction” winning Best Picture at the Oscars.
And finally, the winner has been, unsurprisingly, Oppenheimer!
For many, the film that wins the Best Director Award should be the Oscar winner, but it’s not always the case. This accolade is chosen only by filmmakers, and their opinion can differ greatly from the overall Academy. As cinephiles, though, this should be the most important award.
We’re still in shock because Greta Gerwig was left out with “Barbie”. We would have also liked to see Celine Song with “Past Lives” or Bradley Cooper for “Maestro”. The female presence is represented by Justine Triet from “Anatomy of a Fall”.
Jonathan Glazer also does a spectacular job in “The Zone of Interest”. However, it’s clear that the most prominent names are the remaining three: Martin Scorsese for “Killers of the Flower Moon”, Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer, and Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things”.
And finally, the winner has been Christopher Nolan for ‘Oppenheimer’!
For many, there’s no more important award at the Oscars than the lead acting categories; it’s the time for the brightest stars to shine. In this category, the absence of Margot Robbie, who seemed to have had the role of her life in “Barbie,“ will weigh heavily. However, beyond the surprise of Anette Benning for “Nyad”, Lily Gladstone with Killers of the Flower Moon, Carey Mulligan in “Maestro”, Sandra Hüller in Anatomy of a Murder, and Emma Stone in “Poor Things” also deserve the statuette.
Taking all this into account, Emma Stone was the favorite to win her second Oscar with “Poor Things”. We also miss Greta Lee from “Past Lives”, but if Stone doesn’t win the Oscar for Best Actress, we’d give it to Sandra Hüller for “Anatomy of a Fall”.
And finally, the winner has been Emma Stone for Poor Things!
Beyond the fall of “Napoleon” and, with it, Joaquin Phoenix’s chance at the Oscar, the male leads also have a strong category. Rustin has gone somewhat unnoticed, but it has earned Colman Domingo a nomination. “Those Who Stay” is more than just Paul Giamatti, but his performance is worthy of surprising. Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro” or Jeffrey Wright in “American Fiction” couldn’t be left out. However, the favorite seems to be Cillian Murphy with “Oppenheimer”.
And finally, the winner has been Cillian Murphy for ‘Oppenheimer’!
There’s no good film without good supporting actors; many times, they’re the ones who elevate the movie. “American Fiction” is quite a surprise, and Sterling K. Brown is nominated here.
However, the other four can be classified as giants. Both Robert De Niro with “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Robert Downey Jr. for “Oppenheimer” or Mark Ruffalo in “Poor Things“ are at the peak of their careers. However, we believe the world would be a better place if Ryan Gosling won the Oscar for his Ken in “Barbie”.
And finally, the winner has been Robert Downey Jr. for ‘Oppenheimer‘!
After much criticism of her role as the obedient wife, Emily Blunt has joined the “Oppenheimer” wave ahead of her co-star Florence Pugh, the protagonist of the film’s controversial sex scenes. More surprising has been not seeing Margot Robbie but seeing America Ferrera in “Barbie”. Jodie Foster completes the surprise for “Nyad”. Danielle Brooks represents the deflated “The Color Purple,“ and Da’Vine Joy Randolph could be the reward for “Those Who Stay”.
And finally, the winner has been Da’Vine Joy Randolph for ‘Those Who Stay’!
“La sociedad de la nieve” finally made it to the top five nominated films in the Best International Film category. The absence of “Anatomy of a Fall” (France did not submit it) and “Past Lives” (although in Korean, it is an American production) indeed makes it a clear contender for the award. Its main rival will be the spectacular “The Zone of Interest,“ competing in major categories.
The Italian “Yo, Capitán,“ the Japanese “Perfect Days,“ and the German “Teacher’s Lounge“ are also formidable competitors.
And finally, the winner has been “La Zona de interés”’!
At first glance, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” is the favorite for the Oscar, but anime has only won once so far with Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away.” Pixar’s “Elemental” and “Spider-Man: Across the Multiverse” are also strong contenders for the Spanish film “Robot Dreams”. Although not the favorite, Pablo Berger’s production could surprise, much like Netflix’s “Nimona”.
And finally, the winner has been “The Boy and the Heron”!
Unless there’s a surprise, this category seems decided for the hard-hitting documentary about the Ukraine War, “20 Days in Mariupol”. “Four Daughters” tells the life of a mother in Tunisia after the disappearance of her two daughters. The Canadian documentary “To Kill a Tiger” takes us to India, where a farmer faces justice after the gang rape of his 13-year-old daughter.
The Chilean “The Infinite Memory” has a Latin flavor, portraying the evolution of a couple where he has Alzheimer’s. The English film “Bobi Wine” delves into the Ugandan elections of 2021 and the musician’s fight against the oppressive regime after 35 years.
And finally, the winner has been “20 Days in Mariupol”!
While we believe in the power of staging in this house, we won’t deny Robert McKee that the screenplay is very important, and if it’s something original, it truly has double the merit. Our favorite, we confess, is Celine Song’s screenplay for “Past Lives,“ and since it won’t win Best Picture, we don’t want it to go empty-handed. However, probably the most powerful is the screenplay for “Anatomy of a Fall,“ signed by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari.
And finally, the winner has been Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for ‘Anatomy of a Fall’!
This might be a consolation prize for “Barbie” and Greta Gerwig (they already robbed her for “Little Women”), although this should probably be the category that “American Fiction” wins. We see little chance for “The Zone of Interest,“ a film more about staging than the screenplay. Although it wouldn’t surprise us if Tony McNamara wins for “Poor Things”. It would be surprising if the Academy starts awarding Nolan for his weaker talent, the screenplay.
And finally, the winner has been Cord Jefferson for ‘American Fiction’!
Along with Direction, Screenplay, and Production Design, nothing is more important to know if a movie is good or not. It’s very rare for a movie that doesn’t stand out in editing to win the big award. Nolan is always visually impressive in his edits, so “Oppenheimer“ has that advantage. “Killers of the Flower Moon” will be weighed down by its duration and uneven pace, and “Those Who Stay” is as brilliant as it is invisible. “Poor Things“ could also be a surprise, but if not for Nolan, the impeccable editing of the year belongs to “Anatomy of a Fall.”
And finally, the winner has been “Oppenheimer”!
Photography is always one of the favorite cinematic tasks for audiences, although sometimes we credit the director for merits that belong to the cameraman. The nomination of Pablo Larraín’s film “The Count” is surprising, as we thought it was forgotten by the Academy. “Killers of the Flower Moon”, “Oppenheimer”, and “Poor Things” are strong candidates, but perhaps the one that stands out the most is Libatique’s work in “Maestro”.
And finally, the winner has been Hoyte Van Hoytema for ‘Oppenheimer’!
Another favorite of the audience is the Original Score, although lately, movies opt for original songs. Here we see an old friend like John Williams, who seems to have his place always reserved. However, we believe that the winner this time will be a present talent like Ludwig Göransson for his composition for “Oppenheimer”.
And finally, the winner has been Ludwig Göransson for ‘Oppenheimer!
This is Barbie’s category, and although Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” has been dropped, it seems to be a battle between two performances by the likes of Billie Eilish (with “What I Was Made For?”) and, um, Ryan Gosling (with “I’m Just Ken”). Moreover, we believe that good ol’ Ryan will spend the remaining month and a half campaigning for the young prodigy not to win it.
And finally, the winner has been Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for ‘What Was I Made For?’ in ‘Barbie’!
This category, which we could quickly define as the best-executed film, is one that usually coincides with the big prize of Best Picture. So, let’s pay attention. Normally, a film with a great display of scenarios, locations, etc., wins. All the nominees are powerful, but we believe that nothing will be more remembered in terms of production design than Barbie’s pink world.
And finally, the winner has been Poor Things!
Certainly, Barbie had a historical advantage here, but its rivals have also made merits. Poor Things is also a great contender, and Napoleon would be our favorite if the film had been luckier in the other categories.
And finally, the winner has been Poor Things!
Spanish presence in this category with the second nomination for The Snow Society, and its characterization work of the young crash victims in the Andes in 1972 is extraordinary. However, both the makeup of Willem Dafoe in “Poor Things” and the incredible characterization of Cooper as Bernstein in “Maestro” seem more winning bets.
And finally, the winner has been Poor Things!
Presence here for technical productions with little progress in the rest of the categories, like “Mission Impossible” or “The Creator”. However, we see stronger competition from a musical rival like “Maestro” or the most nominated film of the night, “Oppenheimer”. After all, the bomb scene stands out more for its sound work than visual.
And finally, the winner has been The Zone of Interest!
The category most inclined towards Blockbusters gives a nod to Marvel, which has only one nominated film, and to DC, which has none. The box office for superhero movies has sunk proportionally to the way their tackiness has increased. Recognition here for “Godzilla Minus One” and “Napoleon.” Tom Cruise’s umpteenth “Mission Impossible” is also a strong candidate.
And finally, the winner has been Godzilla Minus One!
We had hopes of seeing Pedro Almodóvar in this category with Strange Way of Life, but it seems it wasn’t enough. The most prominent name on the list is Wes Anderson with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which can be seen on Netflix.
And finally, the winner has been The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar!
An Israeli short film (given the circumstances), another Italian, another French, and two Americans make up this category always full of imagination, which, without Pixar’s participation, seems to be wide open.
And finally, the winner has been War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko!
A short film about book banning, another about the Kinmen Islands, a love letter from the director to his grandmothers (Nai Nai and Wài Pó), a study of racial disparity through a barber, and The Last Repair Shop, a tribute to the therapeutic power of music, make up this category that is often overlooked. Why? Because almost none of these films are easily accessible. Again, we take the opportunity to urge platforms to invest in shorts.
And finally, the winner has been The Last Repair Shop!
And you, did you expect these winners? Did you watch all these movies?
We reach the end of the post, with this great moment of the night:
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