Indie darlings like Neons Anora and A24s The Brutalist dominated Hollywoods biggest night.
Perhaps coincidentally, meanwhile, streamers were mostly kept at bay again by the Oscars.
It began with a song that didnt come out last year.
It began with a song that didnt come out inthis century.
Yet this didnt feelonlylike a play at ratings.
It felt like a promise that much of the following four hours lived up to.
Were here, the telecast seemed to insist, to celebrate the joy of going to the movies.
Yet it seemed to speak perhaps to this moment in the industry writ-large.
As aforementioned, tonight felt like a sincere celebration for the love of the movies.
(This 90s kid also appreciated the Academy orchestra playing Jones iconicAustin Powerssuite earlier in the evening.)
It was, however, a tribute and perhaps a memorial service for the Broccoli familys legacy.
So there will be more Bond to come, of course.So much more.
And the Academy chose to celebrate (and mourn?)
this turning of the tide.
In past years, older Oscar winners would appear to praise colleagues who might literally be strangers to them.
It was as if to say welcome to the club.
However, after earning 13 nominations, walking away with only two Oscars does seem like a mild disappointment.
Meanwhile newly minted four-time Oscar winner Baker wasnt joking during one of his quartet of Oscar speeches.
We can laugh together, cry together, scream and fight together, perhaps sit in devastated silence together.
And in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever.
This is my battle cry: filmmakers keep making films for the big screen.
I know I will.
Distributors c’mon focus first and foremost on the theatrical releases of your films.
Neon did that for me, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
It would seem many in the industry feel similarly.
A Netflix release likeEmilia Perezcan tie for the second most amount of Oscar nominations ever.
And if you havent noticed… theyre looking a lot more indie these days.
