Oscars Reaction

Opinion posted March 16, 2023 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts and Entertainment department

Hollywood’s best showed out to present

As if the A-listers nominated for awards weren’t enough, the Academy rounded up some of the most noteworthy names in film and television to present each Oscars category.

Michael B. Jordan, Jessica Chastain, Pedro Pascal, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicole Kidman, and even the Rock showed up to Hollywood’s biggest night to award the best of the year.

It is tradition to have winners from the previous year present certain categories, including Best Supporting Actor/Actress. “CODA” actor Troy Kotsur and “West Side Story” actress Ariana DeBose took the stage arm-in-arm, and Ariana’s voice broke as she announced Ke Huy Quan as this year’s Best Supporting Actor. 

Her emotional reaction mirrored the rest of the room, which leapt on its feet to show Quan overwhelming support. Each presenter of the night greeted the winner with hugs and congratulations, creating a positive atmosphere that was welcome to see as a viewer.

Another dynamic presenter duo was fan favorites Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, who looked phenomenal together onstage. They announced the Best Adapted and Best Original Screenplay categories, and their chemistry led to internet pleas for a rom-com (that were surprisingly answered on Tuesday).

To end the night off in a way even Hollywood couldn’t write better– “Indiana Jones” actor Harrison Ford presented Best Picture to “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, and got a passionate hug from his former co-star Ke Huy Quan.

The incredible presenters made the night even more special than it already was. -Kaitlyn Murphy

Critique on Everything Everywhere All At Once Winning 7/11 Nominated Awards

Any viewer of the 2023 Oscars Award Ceremony can confidently say that “Everything Everywhere All At Once” dominated, swept and earned almost every award they were nominated for. 

The list of awards “Everything Everywhere All At Once” complied throughout the night is long and impressive: Best Motion Picture, Best Leading Actress (Michelle Yeoh), The Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), Best Director (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Best Original Screenplay (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) and finally, Best Film Editing (Paul Rogers).

This list excludes the three other nominations the film did not get awarded, only three.

Is it fair for one production to deserve 7/11 awards during the Oscar Award Ceremony?

If one film wins the most honorable title of The Best Motion Picture of the year, then should the same film be allowed to win almost every other category?

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” was obviously an Oscars Academy favorite and it was objectively the best film of the year and now has entered the pool of films that are the best in history.

Thus, with this exceptional reputation: it was not fair to other films that were impressive, heart-wrenching and filled with talented artists.

By surprise to many: “Elvis”, “The Fabelmans”, and “The Banshees of Inisherin” left the award ceremony with zero Oscars.

As a viewer, it was frustrating to watch one film, even though deserved, sweep the entire ceremony and win almost all their nominations.

However, these awards were well deserved and shown through all the speeches, like Jamie Lee Curtis explaining that she is everyone (so we all won an Oscar on Sunday) and Ke Huy Quan telling everyone to never forget their dreams. -Natalie Simone

Jimmy Kimmel and the presenters helped the awards run smoothly.

Kimmel as host of the Academy Awards was such a boring and safe pick. To be fair, between the event being broadcasted on ABC and it not being the sought-after job it once was, it makes sense why the Oscars would go with the long-time late-night host for a third time.

While his monologue was nothing special, it was largely solid, which isn’t shocking. It also paid off to air more awards rather than give the host more time for bits, especially seeing how poorly that went last year.

Kimmel deserves props for keeping this year's Oscars fun and entertaining. The presenters were also welcome to help in keeping audiences captivated.

The iconic Harrison Ford gave out the award for best picture. Duos like Johnathon Major with Michael B. Jordan, Florence Pugh with Andrew Garfield and Emily Blunt with Dwayne Johnson were paired together expertly to keep the audience engaged.

Whether viewers were happy with the winners may affect how much they enjoyed the show, but for most of the audience, the Oscars were a much more likable and appealing awards show this year. -Sophia D’Ovidio

Ke Huy Quan’s Acceptance Speech

Jimmy Kimmel ended his opening monologue with jokes about the length of the show and reminded the attendees to keep acceptance speeches brief.

Then, Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, and all constraints of time went out the window.

Although his speech was 2 1/2 minutes long, Quan could have talked for ten minutes and only a few people would have complained.

This was undoubtedly one of the best speeches of the night.

Quan said that his journey started on a boat, and he spent one year in a refugee camp. As he stood on “Hollywood’s biggest stage”, Quan recognized that he was living the American dream.

“They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me,” Quan said.

In tears, Quan poured out thanks; most notably, he thanked his mom, his little brother, his wife and his “Goonies brother for life”, Jeff Cohen. Cohen acted alongside Quan in the 1985 film “The Goonies”.

Quan sent chills down the spines of every creative mind when he reminded the audience to keep their dreams alive.

“Dreams are something you have to believe in,” Quan said.

His words were powerful, inspiring and, most of all, genuine. -McKenna Wall

Kaitlyn Murphy is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email kvm6255@psu.edu.

Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.

Sophia D’Ovidio is a second-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.

McKenna Wall is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email mew6140@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Sophia D'Ovidio's photo

Sophia D'Ovidio

First-Year /

Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year from Allentown, New Jersey. She is now a communications (undecided) major at Penn State University. Sophia intends on pursuing a career in journalism. Sophia writes for the CommRadio Arts department.

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McKenna Wall

First-Year /

McKenna Wall is a first-year student from Allentown, Pennsylvania majoring broadcast journalism. Wall is a multimedia reporter for CommRadio. She got her start as a camera operator in high school, learning how to use professional handheld camcorders, ENG cameras, and a jib camera. Wall is currently involved in After the Whistle, gaining experience both on-camera and behind-the-scenes filming, editing and completing work on a deadline. If you would like to contact her, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Kaitlyn Murphy's photo

Kaitlyn Murphy

Freshman /

Kaitlyn Murphy is a first-year student at Penn State majoring in digital and print journalism. She is a member of the Arts and Entertainment Department of CommRadio and is passionate about reviewing films, television shows, and music. Follow her on twitter at @kaitlynmurph and email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any inquiries.

Natalie Simone's photo

Natalie Simone

/

Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. She is from Cohasset, Massachusetts where she graduated from Cohasset High School. Simone is a member of the news, arts and entertainment, and production departments of CommRadio. She is responsible for a weekly newscast, a weekly talk show, called The CommRadio Table, a weekly DJ set, along with news and arts articles.