Highlights From the Oscars: Awards, Speeches, and More
The Oscars is one of the most anticipated award shows of the year. It celebrates the best films of the past year, and honors some of the industry’s most acclaimed actors, actresses, directors, producers and crew. Every year, the Oscars bring us memorable moments, from heartfelt speeches to hilarious performances to nail-biting award presentations. Here are some of the best moments from this year’s Oscars ceremony.
Awards
Of course, awards are the highlight of the Oscars. This year, there were many surprise winners and snubs – some much bigger than others. Here is a quick rundown of some of the top awards of the night:
Best Picture: “Parasite”
Best Director: Bong Joon-ho, “Parasite”
Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”
Best Actress: Renée Zellweger, “Judy”
Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood”
Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”
Best Original Screenplay: “Parasite”
Best Adapted Screenplay: “Jojo Rabbit”
Best Animated Feature Film: “Toy Story 4”
Best International Feature Film: “Parasite”
Best Documentary Feature: “American Factory”
Speeches
One of the best things about the Oscars is the acceptance speeches. This year, there were some particularly inspiring statements on a wide range of topics. Here are some of the best quotes from the night:
Joaquin Phoenix, Best Actor: “We see so many of our fellow creatures suffering, and we feel a lens of responsibility to take action. We don’t have to take the simplest path. We don’t have to do what’s expected. We don’t have to accept the world as it is. We can encourage and be a part of a more compassionate and truthful story.”
Bong Joon-ho, Best Director: “When I was in school, I studied the French New Wave. I thought I should make this type of cinema. But after making three films in Korea with very low budgets, I was so exhausted. I just wanted to enjoy the film, so I decided to just watch movies and play. And thank you so much.”
Renée Zellweger, Best Actress: “What you have done for me will never be done again in the history of time. Through the magic of cinema we could experience an extraordinary, extraordinary man’s heart, an antidote for the cynicism, for the fear and self-doubt that we all feel, and also reminded us of the power of kindness and optimism and courage.”
Laura Dern, Best Supporting Actress: “This is for [all] the women who… lost their children this year. Hold up the light for them, so that is what this is for.”
Presenters
The Oscars feature some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, so it’s no surprise that the presenter line-up was full of big names. This year’s presenters included Tom Hanks, Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, and Spike Lee.
Performances
This year’s Oscars also featured some exceptional performances. Janelle Monae opened the show with a rousing performance of her hit song “Come Alive”. Billie Eilish performed her Bond theme song “No Time to Die” with a beautiful piano accompaniment. Elton John sang “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” off the soundtrack of his biopic Rocketman. Cynthia Erivo sang the “Harriet” theme song “Stand Up” and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Memorable Quotes
The Oscars are full of memorable moments. Here are some of the most quotable quotes of the evening:
Tom Hanks: “At least for now, we still have the movies.”
Sandra Bullock: “It takes courage for those in the public eye to go against the status quo and be honest about their lives.”
Steve Martin and Chris Rock: “The Academy has made some changes on diversity. We no longer have a dress code.”
Brad Pitt (on his win): “They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week.”
Billie Eilish: “This is pretty insane, I’ve never won anything.”
The 2020 Oscars was full of memorable moments, from heartfelt speeches to surprise wins. It was a night filled with entertainment, inspiration and even a few funny moments. From awards to presenters to iconic quotes, the Oscars offered a night of memorable performances, speeches and awards.
