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.
Best Supporting Actor:  J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

Perhaps the most obvious win of the night. Simmons has swept every award this season; a long working character actor he finally was recognized with acting's highest honor. Let's hope he gets the chance to turn out more complex work like Whiplash.

Best Costume Design: Milena Canoero, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

The first of many wins, I expect, for Wes Anderson's quirky comedy.

Best Makeup & Hairstyling: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Yep. Expect a clean sweep in those below the line categories.

Best Foreign Language Film: "Ida"

Brilliant film, deserved sweep of the season.

Best Live Action Short: "The Phone Call"

Best Documentary Short: "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1"

Best Sound Mixing: "Whiplash"

A bit of a surprise; I expected "American Sniper" to win here, but Whiplash's popularity and the overall quality of the sound work must've been too much to deny. Glad I was wrong because the precise editing/technical aspects of that film are what give it its sucker punch.

Best Sound Editing: "American Sniper"

And there it is. I figured Sniper would edge out a tech win. Don't see it winning anything else.

Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"

Really great to see the most deserving performance rewarded. A lot of work went in to making that performance and a long, hard working actress like Arquette really deserves it. If only the movie was more devoted to telling her story.. still, bravo.

Best VFX: "Interstellar"

Kind of funny, given the film was projected to be an Oscar magnet, but kind of flopped to disappointing box office receipts and middling reviews. A deserved win, however, for a truly misunderstood movie that hopefully gains respect in the coming years.

Best Animated Short: "Feast"

Best Animated Feature: "Big Hero 6"

I had a feeling about this one, though I (stupidly) stuck with my gut and predicted "How to Train Your Dragon 2". Definitely the better film won, so good on the Academy.

Best Production Design: Adam Stockhausen, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

The work on Budapest is so next level, it transcends the film. Not much else to say that hasn't already been said. It really does look like this will be the film with the most wins of the night.

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, "Birdman"

Lubezki completing his victory lap and picking up his second consecutive Oscar. I found his work in Birdman more mind blowing than "Gravity", but he really is one of the greats.

This happened. 

Best Film Editing: Tom Cross, "Whiplash"

Shocking, though I guess not; the editors always go with the inspired choices (remember when "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo won?). I thought "Boyhood" would win on sentiment for the work over 12 years.

Best Documentary: "CITIZENFOUR"

Best Original Song: Glory, "Selma"

Following a very emotional and amazing performance, Glory deservedly takes home the Oscar. Thank goodness that despite everything (snubs and all), we can call Selma an Academy Award winning movie.

Best Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

A double nominee in the category, it was no surprise he'd win. A little disheartening that his work for "Godzilla" wasn't recognized at all. Could "The Imitation Game" be going home empty handed tonight?

Best Original Screenplay: Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu, Nicholás Giacobone & Armando Bo, "Birdman"

Definitely a shocker, considering this was predicted to be Wes Anderson's big moment. A little shocked considering all the precursors pointed to Anderson, but nice to see some kind of surprise to shake up the very predictable ceremony.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Graham Moore, "The Imitation Game"

Guess my prediction about the film going home empty handed were wrong. Harvey Weinstein wasn't gonna let his prize go home without winning anything.

Best Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman"

I really thought that the goodwill Richard Linklater had built and the sentiment behind his achievement over 12 years would be enough to propel him to a win. That being said, I can't say I'm mad about it; Iñárritu's achievement is staggering. Above all, Birdman is a director's showcase, and he's made a lot of incredible movies. Glad to see him rewarded.

Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"

Really disappointing how they went with the Oscar bait choice.. Keaton really deserved this one, and given Birdman's inevitable win in Best Picture I suppose they wanted to spread the wealth a little. Eddie Redmayne is so god damn charming but this win stinks something fierce.

Best Actress: Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"

FINALLY. She has a fucking Oscar.

Best Picture: "Birdman"

Welp. "Boyhood" was shut out besides a win for Patricia Arquette. Can't say I'm shocked, as it did have the broad guild support. It's such a weird, yet obvious choice for Best Picture. Still, wonderful choice, and definitely an unforgettable film.