Oscars Recap: "Birdman" and Lady Gaga Soar

Neil Patrick Harris and Anna Kendrick started the show off with a huge bang last night. 

This past Oscar season has been so weird, that it's sort of relieving to be able to put a cap on the entire thing. After going on for months bouncing back between "Boyhood", "The Theory of Everything" and "The Imitation Game" as the frontrunner, "Birdman" surged late in the game and eventually ended up on top. Though the film is, at its very core, about actors, it's such a strange, unconventional choice for a Best Picture winner, but an inspired, deserving one, the kind that doesn't usually win because it's too weird. It is a film after all where Michael Keaton levitates in his underwear and flies through New York City… or does he? Is it all in his mind? It’s basically a more actor friendly, less ballet focused “Black Swan”, though starring Michael Keaton and not Natalie Portman. 

Oscar Winners

I will be live-blogging throughout the ceremony. Refresh and sick with me through the night for updates and commentary on winners as they are announced.

Final Oscar Predictions: All the Categories

In just a few short hours, we’ll be able to finally put a cap on one of the most confusing Oscar races in recent history. After going months without a presumed frontrunner, “Boyhood” took the slot after winning the lion’s share of the critics’ prizes and critical acclaim. But despite its critical endorsement, something seemed off; no one seemed truly enthused about anointing Boyhood as the winner. For all of its revelatory scope (being filmed over a period of 12 years with the same actors), it’s a story we have heard dozens of times before. 

That feeling proved true, because as we moved into phase 2 (post-Oscar nominations/guild winners), it was Birdman that jumped in the driver’s seat, winning top honors from the Director’s, Actor’s and Producer’s Guilds. The only major guild award it has lost has been the British Academy Award (BAFTA) which went to Boyhood. Statistics will tell you that it’s between these two for the Best Picture win. 

But will it be a clean sweep? Will these two films dominate the ceremony? Hardly. It’s a competitive year, with a number of strong films threatening to spoil these two dog race. So, let’s a look through each category; Who will emerge the night’s biggest winner? 

Birdman Bounces Back at the Indie Spirits

After experiencing a bit of a bump at the BAFTA's, "Birdman" proved victorious over "Boyhood" at the Independent Spirit Awards.

That's not to say that Boyhood didn't have a chance to shine, however. Both Richard Linklater and Patricia Arquette won trophies for their contributions on the film; it seems like the main contenders have really solidified their positions as winners.

Michael Keaton, however, is still a question mark. Keaton has lost out on the BAFTA and SAG to Eddie Redmayne; he won here because Redmayne's film was not eligible. It'll be interesting to see if he can best Redmayne tomorrow night at the Oscar's given Birdman's frontrunner status.

Full list of winners below.

Academy Award Winner Mo'Nique "Blackballed" for "Not Playing the Game"

It's been quite some time since we heard from Academy Award winner Mo'Nique, who dominated the Supporting Actress race back in 2009. It seemed like she was on top of the world with her pick of some prime projects. There was that rumor about the Hattie McDaniel's biopic directed by her "Precious" director Lee Daniels, but nothing ever really materialized. And then there was that wonderful trailer for "Blackbird" that premiered sometime last year, but since then things have been quiet.

It's clear after today why. According to the Oscar winner in an essay published by The Hollywood Reporter, ever since she won her trophy, she has been "blackballed" by the industry.

Inside the Mind of an Academy Member: Resented 'Selma' filmmakers wearing "I can't breathe" T-Shirts

Every year Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter does anonymous interviews with Academy members about how they voted on each category. This is done largely in part to create hype around the upcoming ceremony and distract from the inevitable winners and create some excitement. The Oscars use a preferential ballot so everyone has their favorites; it's nice to see a shout out for someone who may not have won anything all season.

But usually what this does is point out how out of touch, and ignorant Academy voters are. Remember last year when several voters admitted to not even watching "12 Years A Slave"? Though the film ended up winning Best Picture, it points out how flawed the system is; Voters aren't watching the films, which points out what a farce the Oscars themselves are.

This year is no different, as an interview conducted with a female voter is choosing Patricia Arquette for "having no work done in 12 years" and believes "there is no artistry in 'Selma'".

Anna Kendrick Shines in "The Last Five Years"

Anna Kendrick and co. behind the scenes filming "A Summer in Ohio". 

It seems strange that there was ever a time where Anna Kendrick was not heading a movie musical. In fact, so impossible to realize is that this is the girl that first landed in the general public's consciousness for starring in the dreadful "Twilight" movies as the equally dreadful best friend of Kristen Stewart's character. Fast forward to when she won a wave of critical acclaim for her performance in Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air", which won her accolades from various critics groups and her first Academy Award nomination. If that hadn't been the year of Mo'Nique in "Precious", you can bet that Kendrick would have left the ceremony as the winner.

If I Had A Ballot: My Academy Award Nominees (Acting)

I will never understand how the driving topic of the past year was how weak of a year it was for actresses. There must've been a thousand think pieces published by dozens of outlets on how embarrassingly dry the respective actress categories were as opposed to the men's.

But I would argue, that this was a marvelous year for actresses, that is, if you were able to look past Oscar's own playing field, which leaves little to be desired for what they determine to be Oscar-worthy roles/performances. Once you open your surroundings, you'll find a wealthy field of contenders, each with a more interesting, complex turn than the last. I think it's fair to say that the industry failed women, not so much Hollywood.

This year, we watched Scarlett Johansson as a silent alien seductress, Jennifer Aniston as a pill popping, chronic pain victim suffering from depression, Anna Kendrick as a modern and complex princess Cinderella, and Reese Witherspoon traveling the P.C.T. finding her long-reported missing inner leading lady along the way. And that's only scratching the surface of what women did this year, I did't even mention Rosamund Pike's unforgettable Amazing Amy, or Meryl Streep's incomparable Witch.

And despite that male-centric Best Picture field, there were also deeply moving, enjoyable projects either made by a woman, or told women's stories. An honest, refreshing look into abortion ("Obvious Child"), a critique of the music industry and the selling of sex and the 'female pop star' ("Beyond the Lights"), a period piece starring a woman of color in the title role ("Belle")... the list goes on.

Not to say that it wasn't a great year for the boys, because who will be able to look back and not remember Michael Keaton in "Birdman" or David Oyelowo in "Selma"? Two of the greatest performances in recent history that will most definitely be discussed and studied for years to come. But a lot of the celebrated turns by men this year, I found, to land pretty flat. I loved Eddie Redmayne in "Les Miserables" as much as everyone else, and sure, his transformation into Stephen Hawking was brilliant... but it left him little to no room to actually turn in a performance.

But I digress, I've procrastinated long enough. My choices in the acting contenders are:

BAFTA Winners: Boyhood Makes a Comeback!

"Birdman" may have sailed to frontrunner status with wins at the PGA, DGA and SAG, "Boyhood" hit the ground running at the BAFTA's, winning in Supporting Actress, Director and Picture. Birdman, on the other picked up a win with Cinematography, with Eddie Redmayne (expectedly) walking away with the Best Actor trophy. He is the favorite to win the Oscar at this point.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" also picked up some major wins; it's clear that the enthusiasm is spread between these three films; but which one is going to end up on top come Oscar time?

Take a look at the full list of winners below.

"Birdman" Poised to Win Best Picture

In what must be the most unexpected surge towards Best Picture in recent history, director Alejandro González Iñárritu picked up the big win at last night's DGA awards, fresh off of his film's wins with the PGA and SAG a few weeks ago. Though it certainly seemed like this would b Richard Linklater's trophy to lose, "Birdman" has solidified itself as the film to beat for the top prize with the Oscars in a few weeks.