The Oscars 2025
The 97th Academy Awards
The 97th Academy Awards took place on March 2, which has caused quite a stir in the pop culture world. From dramatic acceptance speeches to outstanding performances to winners and losers, this year’s Oscars resulted in chaos, and not the good kind.
The show itself opened with a bang. The opening performance was given by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo came on stage to perform a mashup of songs from the land of Oz. Ariana, in her stunning ruby red dress, opened by singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, paying homage to the original film adaptation of the classic novel. Cynthia followed with “Home” which was taken from The Wiz, an alternative of the original Oz story. To close their performance, Grande and Erivo finished with the iconic “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, the Broadway show which became their film. Erivo hit the iconic riff, astounding all viewers and attendees. While Wicked was nominated for ten awards, it won only one. .
As the show progressed, winners began accepting their awards. Anora took the place of best picture, best actress was claimed by Mikey Madison, Adrian Brody claimed best actor, and Zoe Saldaña took best supporting actress. These actors and the crews behind them worked especially hard to attain these awards. However, there were others who should have won, despite the accomplishments of the winners. Sebastian Stan, the star of The Apprentice, was nominated for best actor. While his film was deemed scandalous by some voters, Stan’s hard work and outstanding performance of a controversial public figure should have allowed him to take the prize home. His, and the accomplishments of the other nominees, are not to be diminished.
In addition, the blockbuster film, Dune: Part II, failed to take the best picture allotment and this has brought on quite the controversy. An inside source stated that multiple voters claimed not to even have viewed the second Dune film, saying that they didn’t feel like watching the second installment of the saga. This statement in itself is ridiculous; it is the job of the academy to view all films nominated even if it is not the usual “style” or favorite kind of film of specific voters. Even so, Dune: Part II managed to win awards in the best sound and best visual effects categories.
While there were some entertaining moments, the Oscars this year felt dull, not bringing anything special to the table. Erivo and Grande seemed to be the highlight of the entire show. Conan O’Brien, who hosted, brought charm and wit but this was not enough to salvage Adrien Brody’s unending acceptance speech, Camille Dalmais literally singing for hers, or any of the disappointing losses (or wins). Hopefully the Academy will reevaluate in the future and actually take the time to view the films that it nominates.
By: Adelle Hall