As I watched the Oscars Sunday night, I couldn’t think of more deserving winners for what I call the big four academy awards for the show. Those being best actor in a leading role, best supporting actor, best actress in a lead role, and best supporting actress. Of course everyone that was nominated worked hard and I’m not saying they aren’t deserving, but the winners felt like “right” with who won the awards. Hope you enjoy my thoughts and praise for these four winners I am about to discuss.
Jamie Lee Curtis – Best Supporting Actress
As a massive horror fan, I can’t be more thrilled for Jamie Lee Curtis to get the recognition she deserves here. She gave everything to a role that would uplift a movie that was focused on using it’s characters to drive the emotional connections and stories being told. To do that, you needed not only a great lead in Michelle Yeoh, but a prime point guard facilitating some of the action like Jamie did. Having come from such an iconic family in film and being an icon herself. The “Shut Up” and shocked look once her name was announced resonated a genuine reaction that this was a role she wanted to portray to make art, not just to hope it wins an award, but to tell a story. She just so happened to shine so bright she would win her first Oscar.
Ke Huy Quan- Best Supporting Actor
As one anticipating all the speeches from the winners, I didn’t expect the very first winner and speech to be the one that brought the tears out of me off rip. His dedication to his family and how they inspired him left no living room dry-eyed. Ke Huy Quan looked like a dog seeing their owner after a long family vacation weekend, and quite frankly, I can’t blame him for his excitement. Having the filmography he has and truly not giving up through working towards his passion should be inspiring to all. I hope this man had the time of his life and again his success contributed to an amazing film as well that portrays the reason why original idea movies can take our breathe away. Can’t wait to see him in more!
Michelle Yeoh – Best Actress in a Lead Role
Michelle Yeoh, making history as the first Asian woman will have ripple effects across the industry. It will not only inspire other Asian actors, but shows that you’re never too far into your career to churn out some of your best work like she did in EEAAO. I loved the Spider-man film’s tackling of the multiverse, and probably the film that’s done the best with it in the Marvel Universe, but Michelle Yeoh puts on a performance like no other within her own multiverse in EEAAO. The stories, connections, and emotions portrayed throughout the different variations and how she handles those situations with her character is a sight to see for any movie watcher looking for an excellent performance to enjoy some popcorn to. One can only hope she continues to get big roles that allows her to shine in this same way going forward after this well deserved Oscar!
Brendan Fraser – Best Actor in a Lead Role
Dreams do come true, and a renaissance, or as many call it a Brenaissance, at times happens to allow those to give the proper praise and remember the times that we took for granted. While Brendan Fraser graced my screen in my early childhood with The Mummy and George of the Jungle, it tears me apart to know how he was treated in the time between now and his prime acting period. I will be writing another blog about his comeback, but for now I want to do nothing but point out that this man is so humble and happy to be included, while deservingly being rewarded for such an incredible character transformation and portrayal in The Whale. One of the few Oscar wins that made me jump off the couch and cheer like I was watching my team win a championship. For his first Oscar, to happen at this stage of his career after he has been lifted into the light out of the darkness, it was fate for him to receive the recognition he truly deserves. His speeches often best given with his preference of metaphor, really gives you insight on the man himself that won the award. That he sees his journey as a story and relatable to many different scenarios, pulling from the inspiration that he needed to come back to us. Thank you Brendan, you deserve this.
Last Call Comments:
These four I mentioned have received praise when their best work was out there, but it feels like this year they got the national praise, altogether that the world and the academy owed to them. We truly could feel how important these wins felt to them. The best part is how humble and inspiring they all were. This is what the Academy Awards should be. Not a movie just being nominated due to its content, or because a legacy individual was involved, but movies and actors/actresses being nominated for THEIR WORK. The best pieces of work and art shined through. I would also like to honorably mention how great Guillermo Del Toro’s speech was. Animation is a beautiful thing and an open book. I hope many more follow in his footsteps to expand that “genre.”
The Cinema Speakeasy Theatre Room 
Leave a comment