Danielle Solzman
CODA became the little film that could and went from Sundance darling to Oscar-winning Best Picture of the Year in over a year.
In winning Best Picture, the Sundance award winner also became the first streaming movie to take Best Picture of the Year. Remember when Steven Spielberg said streaming movies shouldn’t win or something like that? I’d say that the Academy just proved him wrong. Netflix had Best Picture nominees in recent years with Roma, The Irishman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Mank, The Power of the Dog, and Don’t Look Up. I expect they’ll push another film later this year in their bid for a Best Picture winner. At some point, something is going to give but for now, we’re going to be celebrating Apple TV+ and their big win for CODA.
Feel free to check out my interviews for the film with:
One of the biggest travesties this year is the In Memoriam. Every year, there’s always a few snubs but this year is the worst by far. By the time that I noticed it was happening, they were well into the montage. They took the focus away from the montage and onto those performing the song. This is not and should never be the way. A few people get special shout outs and that’s great and all but it should not take away from other deaths. Did actor/comedian/filmmaker Bob Saget get a mention? Or was he during the time that I wasn’t paying attention because I didn’t know it was on. It certainly seems like they forgot him. This was the Academy’s worst effort by far. Sure, you can see a list online more they focused more on the performers than the tribute itself.
Let’s talk about what else went wrong. The Academy moves eight categories off the main broadcast and into the pre-show. During this time, some A-list talent were still on the red carpet and I’m highly disappointed in them. Two, the broadcast still went over three and a half hours. Return to the old ways of presenting every award live during the telecast next year. The Academy tried this stunt but failed to get under three hours.
Rachel Zegler (Snow White) gets an opportunity to present but in a matter of synergy, she doesn’t present alongside her fellow Disney Princesses: Lily James (Cinderella), Naomi Scott (Jasmine), or Halle Bailey (Ariel). Talk about a missed opportunity!
Oscars Fan Favorite? Let’s never talk about this again. The People’s Choice Award exists for a reason and not everyone uses Twitter either.
But for all the history that CODA made, everyone is talking about what happened between Chris Rock and Will Smith. The Oscar-winning actor decks him. It wasn’t a bit and then Smith apologized to nominees and the Academy during his speech. While we should be celebrating the winners, this is what people are going to be talking about for a bit. Uncensored clips are making their way around the internet. Combine this with the acceptance speech and it’s certainly not a bit. Smith was seriously angry at Rock. I mean, I know that the Academy and ABC want higher ratings but not like this. The LAPD confirmed to Variety that Chris Rock declined to file a police report following the altercation heard around the world.
CODA is available to stream on Apple TV+.
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