And the Oscar goes to … “Spotlight.” The newsroom drama surrounding sexual abuse church scandals picked up the year’s biggest prize for best picture at the 88th annual Academy Award ceremony. It beat out the financial dramady “The Big Short,” the out-of-this-world movie “The Martian,” “Bridge of Spies” starring local Tom Hanks and directed by neighbor Steven Spielberg, “Mad Max: Fury Road” with Malibu beauty Charlize Theron, as well as “Room,” “Brooklyn,” and the revenge story of survival “The Revenant.”
After five previous Oscar nods, former resident Leonardo DiCaprio finally picked up a win for his gritty performance in “The Revenant.”
“A film like this was years in the making under really rough conditions,” he said. “I am so proud to represent a movie like this.” Accepting the award, he also put in a few words on the environment and climate change.
Leo beat out some tough competition, vying against Matt Damon for “The Martian,” Michael Fassbender for the Apple founder biopic “Steve Jobs,” Bryan Cranston for “Trumbo” and Eddie Redmayne for “The Danish Girl.”
On the actress front, Brie Larson got the big prize for “Room,” up against Academy vet Cate Blanchett for “Carol,” Jennifer Lawrence for “Joy,” Saoirse Ronon for “Brooklyn” and Charlotte Rampling for “45 Years.”
Pre ceremony festivities kicked up with coverage on the red carpet. It was all glitz and glamour for a worldwide audience. Soon there was a non-stop parade of satin, chiffon, tulle, beads and sequins. Stars broke out their best Armani Pirve, Ralph Lauren, Chanel Couture, Dior and Valentino, with added bling from Harry Winston, Graff and Chopard. The spectacle resembled a fluffy fashionista flotilla.
After round after round of celebrity interviews, the guests climbed the great staircase at the Dolby Theatre for show time.
Host Chris Rock did his best to mix outrage over a lack of diversity with respect for this year’s nominees.
In the beginning, numerous technical awards like sound mixing and editing went to “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Toward the end of the show, it got down to what are considered to be “the big awards.” The award for best director went to the winner of last year’s hit “Birdman,” Alejandro G. Iñárritu. He took home the Oscar for “The Revenant,” giving him a claim few can make with back-to-back Academy wins. He bested Larry Abramson for “Room,” Tom McCarthy for “Spotlight,” Adam McKay for “The Big Short” and George Miller for “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
One of the big surprises of the night came when Mark Rylance took the best supporting award for “Bridge of Spies,” beating out Sylvester Stallone, who was considered a favorite for his return as Rocky Balboa in “Creed.”
The award was presented by last year’s supporting actress winner, Malibu resident Patricia Arquette.
Another upset was Malibu’s Lady Gaga who did not win best song for her spirited rendition of “Til it Happens to You.” The song was featured in “The Hunting Ground,” a look into alleged sexual assault on campus. By the end of her live performance, she was surrounded by survivors and a standing ovation, which made her seem like a shoo-in. But the Oscar went to Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” from the James Bond film “Spectre.” “The Revenant” was nominated for a total of 12 categories, including best picture, and picked up a statuette for best cinematography.
After the awards, it was off to the Governor’s Ball where celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck whipped up some 60 creations for winners and nominees with everything from lobster to sliders. The guests were then treated to Wolf’s traditional mini Oscar chocolates for dessert washed down with champagne. So a big congrats to all this year’s winners and nominees. Bravo!