It’s Hollywood’s biggest night, Oscar Sunday. It’s a day in which we all celebrate the great cinematic achievements of the previous year. 

Conan O’Brien returned to host the 98th Academy Awards with his signature humor. This award season is probably the closest Oscar race we’ve seen in years, and the show has not disappointed. 

Conan opened the show dressed like Aunt Gladys from the film Weapons. We witnessed the 7th tie in Academy history, followed by an embarrassing moment where the mic lowered during an acceptance speech, encouraging the winners to halt their speech. 

Sigourney Weaver scolded Kate Hudson, saying, “Get away from him, you bitch!” while referring to her upcoming costar, Grogu.

Conan tried to get younger audiences involved by using footage from Subway Surfers and brain-rot terms, while also creating a brand-new Leonardo DiCaprio meme. 

However, these sporadic moments did not keep the nominees down, including Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography. 

Two months prior, I wrote a piece on my way-too-early Oscar nominations. As we recap this year’s ceremony, we will also look back to see if my predictions held up. 

So without further ado, it’s show time, folks. 

Best Supporting Actress Winner: Amy Madigan

Horror did not get shut out of this year’s Oscars, as Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for portraying the wickedly charming Aunt Gladys. 

I am so thrilled that Madigan takes home the gold. Gladys’ exaggerated makeup, humor, and sinister nature made her one of the most memorable villains of last year. 

This is Madigan’s second nomination and first win. 

The Academy is known to snub horror performances, so I presumed Teyana Taylor would take home the gold. 

But I am happy to be wrong, as I enjoyed Madigan’s performance better. 

Now, Hollywood, do what you do best and give us an Aunt Gladys prequel. 

Best Supporting Actor Winner: Sean Penn

It pays to be the villain. 

This year’s Best Supporting Actor decided not to bother with the award show and didn’t show up. Sean Penn won his 3rd Academy Award for his portrayal of Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. 

Let’s admit it, Lockjaw’s walk deserved an award all on its own. Penn was intimidating as the obsessive military man hunting down the revolutionary group, the French 75. 

This was a tough category where I really thought anyone could have won. With that being said, I chose wrong again, as I thought Stellan Skarsgård would take home the Oscar. 

However, Penn’s intense and menacing performance was too hard for Oscar voters to ignore. 

With this win, Penn will now have to show up to the 99th Academy Awards as a presenter in this category, so who knows if he is really celebrating tonight. 

Best Director Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson 

Finally, I got one right. 

Paul Thomas Anderson takes home the Academy Award for Best Director for his film One Battle After Another. 

Anderson was able to create a film that was both tense and funny. The only person I thought could have taken this category over Anderson was Ryan Coogler. 

If I had to choose one scene that pinpointed why Anderson won this Oscar, it would have to be the car chase scene. 

Best Actor in a Leading Role Winner: Michael B. Jordan 

It’s about time they put some respect on his name. 

Michael B. Jordan takes home the award for Best Actor with his mother watching from the front row. 

Jordan deserves two awards, as he played dual roles in Sinners as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Jordan was able to give each twin a distinct personality and body language. 

I should have never doubted his performance, but I selected Timothée Chalamet to win. I know the opera and ballet world is currently celebrating this oh-so-common Chalamet loss. 

I guess when your last name is Jordan, you’re destined to win. 

Best Actress in a Leading Role Winner: Jessie Buckley

This was the safest bet at this year’s Oscars. 

Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her portrayal of William Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes. 

Buckley blew me away as Agnes. Her portrayal of grief deeply moved me. 

Watching her performance reminded me of a great quote from an underappreciated show, WandaVision: “What is grief, if not love persevering?” 

Buckley was a dominant force this award season, also taking home a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, a BAFTA Award, and the Actor Award (formerly the SAG Award) for her portrayal as a mother mourning the death of her son. 

There was never a doubt in my mind that she would not be holding a golden statue by the end of the night. 

Best Picture Winner: One Battle After Another

I hate to tell you I told you so, but I told you so. 

One Battle After Another took home the prestigious Best Picture Oscar, cementing itself in the history books. 

The film has a little bit of everything: politics, drama, action, and comedy. The film oozed perfection in every aspect, from dialogue to world-building to camera movements. 

The cast includes heavy hitters such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Benicio del Toro. The cast is rounded off by newcomer Chase Infiniti, who quickly becomes the heart and soul of the film. 

DiCaprio’s performance again proves he never misses. Watching him as a burnout revolutionist was such a delight. 

Overall, this is a much-deserved win for cinema. 

Out of the six categories, from my way-too-early predictions, I got three right. Not too shabby if I say so myself. I definitely have room for improvement in next year’s Oscar pool. 

Of course, many other awards had to be won, and those are the following:

Best Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another

Best Original Screenplay: Sinners

Best Animated Feature: K-Pop Demon Hunters

Best International Feature: Sentimental Value

Best Documentary Feature: Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Best Animated Short: The Girl Who Cried Pearls

Best Casting: One Battle After Another

Best Cinematography: Sinners

Best Costume Design: Frankenstein

Best Documentary Short: All the Empty Rooms

Best Film Editing: One Battle After Another

Best Live-Action Short (Tie): The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Frankenstein

Best Original Score: Sinners

Best Original Song: “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters

Best Production Design: Frankenstein

Best Sound: F1

Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash

At the end of the day, I encourage you to not only watch the films that won but also all the films that were nominated. 

Films allow us to escape the pressures of everyday life and transport us to places we might never experience. They help us see the world through new perspectives and better understand the people around us. 

That’s why the Academy Awards serve as an important reminder to appreciate cinema and the powerful stories it brings to life.