Oscars 2016 after thoughts

Well, it's over. The almost 4 hour run time of this year's Academy Awards (with lowest ratings in almost a decade) definitely had a statement to make. It was expected, as we knew Chris Rock was going to say something.

"This year, in the in memoriam package, it's just gonna be black people who got shot by the cops on their way to the movies."

It was my favourite opening monologue in recent memory. While it was comedy, Rock was saying the truth of the situation by bringing up real issues.

As the awards started, there wasn't too many surprises. Sure, everyone wanted Stallone to win that Oscar; however Mark Rylance was well deserved for Bridge of Spies. 

The songs were great in the ceremony. I may be the only one who really enjoys "Writings on the Wall" from Spectre (of course Skyfall is better). Lady Gaga once again, may have stole the show as her moving performance brought tears to people's eyes.

As expected, Brie Larson and Alicia Vikander took home the trophies and both had really great speeches. 

Amazing to see an action movie get Academy love

It was FANTASTIC to see so much love given to Mad Max: Fury Road. I would have loved to see it win more, as I believe it's one of the few movies nominated that will be watched and remembered for decades. 

Then there was silence as Julianne Moore walked on stage. Everyone was hoping she would say the coolest name in Hollywood and our golden boy from the Titanic would win his first Oscar. When Leonardo DiCaprio was announced, there was a standing ovation and a collective feeling of happiness from movie goers. For some reason, this Oscar meant something to the fans, and as expected, DiCaprio had a wonderful speech (that was probably rehearsed as we knew he would win). It was great to see, as he is one of the best actors in Hollywood and has been for years.

There was no way they would play his speech off with music

The best picture winner was a little bit surprising as Spotlight took home best picture. It was only surprising because The Revenant seemed to be gaining momentum winning best director and actor. Spotlight was a good film and an important one, but not best picture material in my eyes.

Keep in mind that your opinion of the best movies of the year is more important than what the Academy thinks. Don't let the Oscars sway your opinion, or be used as an argument as to why your favourite films sucked. My favourite film was the zero Oscar winning Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (great to see our favourite droids walk out on the Oscar stage last night). Your opinion means just as much as anyone else's and an award show should not change that at all.

Roger Deakins 0/13

Louis C.K. next year's host?

Roger Deakins

This awards season, everyone has their eye on Leonardo DiCaprio. Nominated for his fifth Oscar, most would say he's overdue for that golden trophy. It's definitely deserved, as he's one of the most committed and talented actors of our time. The Revenant may be his best work to date and at 41 years of age, he's poised to give us many more great performances.

That being said, his Oscar woes pale in comparison to one of the most gifted minds in cinema...


Roger Deakins. 

What do The Shawshank Redemption, Prisoners, Fargo, No Country For Old Men, A Beautiful Mind, Skyfall and True Grit all have in common?...

...All were lensed by Roger Deakins. For those who don't know, Deakins is a cinematographer. A cinematographer (or director of photography) is the person controlling what we as an audience see. They helm the camera and are in control of the artistic decisions we see on film.  

Deakins has been nominated for 13 Academy Awards and has yet to win. This year, he is nominated once again for his brilliant work in Sicario. Unfortunately for Deakins, this year's Oscars are particularly stacked with cinematographers. Emmanuel Lubezki appears to be the early favourite for his incredible work in The Revenant.

For those who don't notice cinematography, try watching a movie that was lensed by Deakins. It may change the way you look at a film. For Deakins, every frame is a painting. You could pause one of his movies at any point, and you see a beautiful work of art. 

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

No Country for Old Men

Sicario

Skyfall

Next time you catch a movie, take a second to see who the cinematographer is. If it's Roger Deakins, you're in for something special. Movies are more than just mindless entertainment. For Deakins, they're an outlet for his artistry.