As soon as the red carpet wrapped up and the lights dimmed, you knew it was showtime. The biggest show biz night of the year was on.
And the Oscar goes to … everyone! Well, Oprah was there and you know what that means … you get an award! And you get an award! And you get an award!
Yup, the 87th Academy Awards had something for everyone. The top categories were divided between “Birdman,” “Boyhood” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” — three films that couldn’t be more different. “Birdman” took home the top prize for best pic as well as best director for DGA winner Alejandro G. Inarritu. Wes Anderson’s “Budapest Hotel” gained numerous awards in categories like costume and production design. “Boyhood” didn’t go away empty handed when Malibu’s Patricia Arquette swept the best supporting actress category, winning everything from the Oscar to the Golden Globe. Likewise, bridesmaid, but never a bride Julianne Moore swept it clean with the best actress prize on academy night for “Still Alice.”
“Glory” hit all the right notes with a rousing performance by John Legend and Common and carted off the best original song prize. Eddie Redmayne snagged a best actor win portraying Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything.”
Unexpectedly, “Whiplash” took home multiple awards, including best supporting actor for J. K. Simmons. He made one of the most touching remarks of the night when he instructed people lucky enough to still have their parents, “Don’t text, don’t email — pick up the phone,” adding “call them right now and say you love them.” (Yes, sir. I did.)
“American Sniper” picked up an award and so did “Imitation Game,” giving everyone something to cheer about.
Familiar Malibu face and DGA member Elaine Perkins was a solid vote for “Birdman,” while longtime Academy member and recent mixed-media sensation Valerie von Sobel fell in love with “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” She gave her viewing the regal touch, screening the film with Princess Michael of Kent. “We adored it,” she said, “and we royally laughed our butts off.”
Malibu movie fans and Malibu Times staffers Teresa Gelbman enjoyed “Birdman,” Kathy May went with “The Imitation Game,” but for Lynn Eaton, it was “The Theory of Everything,” all the way.
Tough crowd, no? But when all was said and done, every best picture nominee walked away with something. All in all, it’s been a long haul.
So let’s give a shout-out to those talented pros.
For months and, in some cases, years, they have chased the yellow brick road. Now they’re clicking their heels with Oscar gold.