The third time is the charm for Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel. It’s official. Jimmy Kimmel has joined his place as one of the great Oscar hosts. His third turn as emcee was precisely what was needed. The late-night host and Emmy winner have officially joined the grade of Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, and Billy Crystal as one of the most accomplished and polished to do the job. Kimmel didn’t have to carry the whole show on his back. The 95th Oscar observance was fast-paced, emotional, and other than a few minor quibbles. It was as strong an observance as one could ask for.
But we have to begin with Kimmel. A host’s impact is resolute primarily by their monologue, and Kimmel’s was first-rate. It was not inventive, but the role of an Oscar anchor is not to reinvent the wheel. Kimmel’s address was classy — pointed and biting without ever turning to parsimony. Comparing Best Director nominee Steven Spielberg and “The all over” star Seth Rogen to the “Joe and stalker Biden of Hollywood” was, as a model, a joke as viable for an Oscar ceremony.
The dumb thing to a burn that Kimmel conveyed was a joke about the box office opaque of “Babylon.” The rest of the monologue was revived in its complete. There were even shout-outs to features that weren’t put up, including “Till” and “The Woman King,” whose absences were much discussed by awards watchers.
And although “the slap” was sure to be mentioned in the ceremony, Kimmel handled that perfectly. “If anyone in this theatre commits an act of ferocity at any point during this show, you will be granted the Oscar for Best Actor,” he joked, “and authorized to give a 19-minute-long speech.” Kimmel even proposed a list of guards should anyone want to assault him, covering eventual Best Actress defeater Michelle Yeoh, Steven Spielberg and smooth “The Mandalorian” and “The rear of Us” star Pedro Pascal.
Any unpleasantness or dispute was addressed only in the most tangential way. This was not a ceremonial that drew attention to itself; it was a formal that was full of joy. Best Supporting Actor conqueror Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) end his streak of powerful speeches. Nothing new or flashy was in it; it was just pure, impeccable joy. And it’s hard not to plant for that.
Best Supporting Actress conqueror Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything all over All At Once”) also gave a speech of class and joy, binding her to win to her emit, her husband, Christopher Guest, and her Oscar-nominated parents, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis.
There were also polluting moments from some non-acting winners. Accepting the Best Live Action Short grant, directors Tom Berkeley and Ross White led the listener in singing “Happy Birthday” to the film’s planet James Martin. Is there anything fine than Colin Farrell singing to you on your birthday? There was also a care of triumph when Sarah Polley (“Women Talking”) grasped home the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Sailing
“All Quiet On the Western Front.”
Film lovers had a deal to appreciate. Along with the award of all 23 classifications on the back (last year, several were pre-taped before the live ceremony), there was a tactile sense of regard given to all of the Space from the presenters.
Was it a flawless ceremony? Of course not. Some of the presenter raillery went on far too long. In the case of Kimmel, his attend— and the humour of his company — waned throughout the ceremonial. And if we’re being candid, some of Kimmel’s mid-show bits left much to be desired. After all, isn’t there an acceptable use for Nobel Peace Prize champion Malala Yousafzai than to simply be part of a bit query about the “Don’t Worry Darling” interrogation? And along those lines, I’m not positive there was any good basis to make a jest out of the recent ratify of Robert Blake.
But this was the night of “Everything all over All At Once.” The seven-time Oscar-winning film had the hearts of the Oscar audience and voters, attractive the first film in history to win three drama Oscars and Best Picture. Upon successful Best Director with Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan shared his win with his settler family and those who “have a genius waiting to erupt.” Best Actress conqueror Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian woman to win in her rod, devoted her Oscar to “all the compact boys and girls” who would see her win as “a beam of hope and possibilities.”
All in all, this year’s nicety was commerce to form for the Oscars. It was inner, funny and flawed. And after a duology of years where the ritual overshadowed the winners, this was a welcome improvement. More of this, please!
