The 94th Oscars are here and make their return for the first time in two years to an in-person ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.

In a perfect world, I’d start publishing updates in about an hour from now. However, the powers that be are screwing up the broadcast by treating eight categories like crap. We will not let them forget this disaster. It will not do anything to increase viewership. If anything, it is causing the broadcast to lose viewership, even among cinephiles.

The eight categories will be presented during the red carpet starting at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. If anyone in the industry has a sense of decency, they better be sitting in the Dolby Theatre when this presentation starts. I don’t want to see a single one of them on the red carpet because that will show the biggest sign of disrespect to below-the-line crew members. What I know from Twitter is that the screens will be off in the backstage press room. The only way to see what happens live is to attend the presentation. Again, it is a disgrace to movies and movie lovers.

It’s upsetting to see the A-list talent on the Red Carpet as Oscars are being awarded inside.

You can find my predictions here.

With Joe Walker taking home Best Editing for Dune, I can’t help but think that this is not going to be a good night for The Power of the Dog. It’s not uncommon for films to split key categories but editing is one of important predictors. CODA only has three nominations but it’s still going to be a long night for everyone as we count down to the big prize.

Through the end of the first eight categories, Dune is having a good night. I’m not surprised. That it beat out Nightmare Alley for production design might not be shocking given the guild win but is a big win nonetheless. Keep in mind that Denis Villeneuve isn’t nominated for Best Director. While CODA has become the frontrunner late in the season, we could see a rerun of a few years ago when Argo picked up the sympathy vote after Ben Affleck got snubbed.

In winning an Oscar for Supporting Actress, Ariana DeBose joins Oscar-winning actress Rita Moreno in winning 60 years apart for playing the role of Anita in West Side Story. Take in the history because we might never see this feat achieved again.

“I never thought that I would be here 6 days ago.” – Rachel Zegler on presenting Visual Effects.

There’s been a 30th anniversary tribute to White Men Can’t Jump and a 60th years of James Bond montage. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the release of Dr. No. Of all the songs to accompany the James Bond montage, you cannot go wrong with “Live and Let Die” from Paul McCartney and Wings. Only 6 Bond theme songs have been nominated for an Oscar with Skyfall and Spectre tunes winning. Will No Time to Die be the third Bond film to see its theme song win?

Lily James, Naomi Scott, and Halle Bailey presented Animated Feature to Encanto. Rachel Zegler should have joined them in presenting the category!

Ukrainian native Mila Kunis discusses global events while introducing the performance of “Somehow You Do.” The performance is followed by a moment of silence with the following message:

We’d like to have a moment of silence to show our support for the people of Ukraine currently facing invasion, conflict and prejudice within their own borders. While film is an important avenue for us to express our humanity in times of conflict, the reality is millions of families in Ukraine need food, medical care, clean water, and emergency services. Resources are scare and we–collectively as a global community–can do more. We ask you to support Ukraine in any way you are able. #IStandWithUkraine

Juno celebrates its 15th anniversary and featured a reunion to present Original Screenplay.

Siân Heder’s win for Adapted Screenplay all but seals the deal. The Power of the Dog lost both editing and screenplay. The film’s road to Best Picture is getting tougher by the minute.

I don’t think any of us expected Will Smith to punch Chris Rock. The uncensored broadcast, not seen in America, immediately went viral. It got very nasty between the two of them. Chris joked about Jada’s medical condition and Will up and punched him.

The Critics Choice Documentary Awards curse is broken as Summer of Soul takes the prize for Documentary Feature.

Another film anniversary as The Godfather turned 50 years old last week. Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is joined by actors Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Coppola thanks Mario Puzo and Robert Evans. Coppola admits to never thanking Evans before. “Viva Ukraine!”

In Memoriam: Oscar producers, please learn a lesson from tonight and never ever do what they did tonight. They took the focus away from the montage of fallen filmmakers, talent, and crew. Instead, they focused on the performers and a few tributes to Sidney Poitier, Ivan Reitman, and Bill Murray. These tributes meant taking away from others who didn’t end up in the segment. Was Bob Saget in the montage? I didn’t notice him because I didn’t realize it was on until it was too late.

The Pulp Fiction reunion of Uma Thurman, John Travolta, and Samuel L. Jackson is for the film’s 28th anniversary. I know today is Quentin Tarantino’s birthday but shouldn’t this be for the 25th or even the 30th anniversary in two years? Celebrating a 28th anniversary just seems weird to me.

Will Smith apologizes to his fellow nominees and to the Academy, saying “Love makes you do crazy things.” He’s the first winner I can think of in recent times to both win an Oscar and assault a presenter on the same night. That’s not something any of us will be forgetting for some time to come. Will the Academy invite him back next year? Time will certainly tell.

It takes until the LAST TWO AWARDS of the night to mention last night’s Governors Awards winners before Amy Schumer briefly commenting about what’s happening in Ukraine. None of the highlights like in previous years. Another strike against the broadcast.

Jessica Chastain mentions suicide and the LGBTQ community during her speech.

Apple beats Netflix to the punch with CODA taking home Best Picture.

Disney is taking advantage of the corporate synergy because a number of Hulu series will have spots airing during the show. I’m just saying, they should air a trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder tonight.

• Only Murders in the Building: Season 2
• Candy
• The Kardashians
• Chris Evans presents a look at Lightyear

The Winners

Sound: Dune

• Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

Documentary Short Subject: The Queen of Basketball

• Ben Proudfoot

Animated Short Film: The Windshield Wiper

• Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

Live Action Short Film: The Long Goodbye

• Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed

Music – Original Score: Hans Zimmer, Dune

Editing: Joe Walker, Dune

Production Design: Dune

• Production Design: Patrice Vermette
• Set Decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos

Makeup and Hairstyling: The Eyes of Tammy Faye

• Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

Actress in a Supporting Role: Ariana DeBose, West Side Story

Cinematography: Greig Fraser, Dune

Visual Effects: Dune

• Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer

Animated Feature: Encanto

• Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

Actor in a Supporting Role: Troy Kotsur, CODA

International Feature Film: Drive My Car (Japan)

Costume Design: Jenny Beavan, Cruella

Original Screenplay: Kenneth Branagh, Belfast

Adapted Screenplay: Siân Heder, CODA

Documentary Feature: Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

• Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein

Music – Original Song: “No Time to Die” from No Time to Die

• Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

Director: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Actor in a Leading Role: Will Smith, King Richard

Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Motion Picture of the Year: CODA

• Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® in Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and in more than 20 territories worldwide.

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