As far as this yearsOscarsgoes, it was undoubtedly the year of thecomeback.
Last year was unbelievably tense.
That just made this all a bit more special.
Ke Huy QuanEmma McIntyre/Getty Images
Political talk was at a minimum, movie talk and clips were back to a high.
And there were those speeches, all sincere and on point, and about family.
At the Governors Ball, just as I was about to leave, Kimmel suddenly appeared and walked by.
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It was the speeches that made it special.
It is always the speeches that you remember at these shows, he told me rather modestly.
Her mention of her mother and father was particularly touching.
It also felt genuine because this was a host who actually bothered to see the movies.
However, Sunday morning suddenly there was word that indeed shewouldbe singing it at the Dolby.
I caught up with Weiss after the show and asked when they knew it had changed.
But dont we always think there will be at leastsomethingunexpected?
Then, with the plethora of precursor critics and guild shows, there rarely is.
My thinking initially was thatAll Quietwas likely the solid No.
ClearlyEverything Everywherehad the goods.
It wound upwinning only Best Sound.
The Critics Choice Awards seemed to make a real turn in the fortunes ofEEAAOand it never faltered after that.
It turned out Sunday night wasfaminefor those A-List filmmakers whose name wasnt Daniel.
The other two were 1951sA Streetcar Named Desireand 1976sNetwork.Pretty heady company.
I was also thrilled to see Fraser win.
At the Governors Ball, I was already moving on to what this year may bring.
This is a company that believes in the theatrical experience, and we should applaud that.
You cannot beat the Big Mo.CODApulled it off in similar late-inning fashion last year.
The Oscar times they are a changin.
Really impressive parking situation as well.
Lets hope it continues.
