Best PictureAmerican SniperBirdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) – WinnerBoyhoodThe Grand Budapest HotelThe Imitation GameSelmaThe Theory of EverythingWhiplash
Commentary: Boyhood was the early favorite but in the past few weeks, Birdman became the clear favorite and takes the award here. It's a great movie and I'm happy for it but as a huge Boyhood fan, I'm a little disappointed here.
Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, Two Days One Night
Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore, Still Alice – Winner
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon, Wild
Commentary: Julianne Moore wins not only for this performance, but for her whole body of work, which is extraordinary and under-appreciated.
Best Actor
Steve Carell, Foxcatcher
Bradley Cooper, American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch, Imitation Game
Michael Keaton, Birdman
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything – Winner
Commentary: This was widely considered to be one of the closest races and Eddie Redmayne beats Michael Keaton. Both incredible performances. Redmayne's acceptance speech was so natural and full of energy. (Note: The image above is not from The Theory of Everything. It's from Jupiter Ascending, because of course it is.)
DirectingAlejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) – Winner
Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game
Commentary: I have to say – that was a huge upset. We had a feeling Birdman was going to take down a bunch of the big awards but, for Wes Anderson and ESPECIALLY Richard Linklater to lose their shot here, if very disappointing. Inarritu did a magnificent job but, this is upsetting.
Adapted Screenplay
Jason Hall, American Sniper
Graham Moore, The Imitation Game – Winner
Paul Thomas Anderson, Inherent Vice
Anthony McCarten, The Theory of Everything
Damien Chazelle, Whiplash
Commentary: You have to imagine this was a pretty close race. Literally any of these writers could have won the award. I wouldn't have picked Moore, but, okay. He used his speech to tell people who are "weird" they belong in a very touching moment.
Original ScreenplayAlejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) – Winner
Richard Linklater, Boyhood
E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman, Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler
Commentary: Birdman takes it down. Expectedand deserved, but a tad disappointing just cause I was hoping for Nightcrawler for making sneaking one out.
Original ScoreAlexandre Desplat, The Grand Budapest Hotel – Winner
Alexandre Desplat, The Imitation Game
Hans Zimmer, Interstellar
Gary Yershon, Mr. Turner
Jóhann Jóhannsson, The Theory of Everything
Commentary: Desplat, with two nominations, wins for probably the lesser of the two scores. But it's Wes Anderson and that's just awesome. A very good score, but personally I like The Imitation Game better. I'm happy either way. This is his first win after six years of losing.
11:15 p.m. Lady Gaga is doing a 50th anniversary tribute to The Sound of Music. Which is very random, but kind of excellent.
Original Song
"Everything Is Awesome" from The Lego Movie
"Glory" from Selma – Winner
"Grateful" from Beyond the Lights
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You" from Glen Campbell... I'll Be Me
"Lost Stars" from Begin Again
Commentary: First of all – John Travolta and Idina Menzel introduced the award, in a fantastic call back to last year's Oscar ceremony. As for the winner, Glory was a very well deserved winner. An amazing song that made the whole audience cry. Sorry for The Lego Movie but there really was never a doubt.
Documentary FeatureCitizenfour – WinnerFinding Vivian MaierLast Days in VietnamThe Salt of the EarthVirunga
Commentary: I still can't believe that Citizenfour even exists. It's so incredible. A totally worthy and amazing winner.
Film EditingAmerican SniperBoyhoodThe Grand Budapest HotelThe Imitation GameWhiplash – Winner
Commentary: Great tension, great pacing, great victory for Whiplash.
CinematographyEmmanuel Lubezki, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) – Winner
Robert Yeoman, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski, Ida
Dick Pope, Mr. Turner
Roger Deakins, Unbroken
Commentary: When you make a movie that's basically in one full shot, you're going to win best Cinematography. That's just how it is. And it's totally warranted. Also, this is Lubezki's second Oscar in a row.
Production DesignThe Grand Budapest Hotel – WinnerThe Imitation GameInterstellarInto the WoodsMr. Turner
Commentary: The Grand Budapest Hotel wins another, in a sure fire sign it's taking most of the tech awards. The production design in the movie is absolutely magnificent so it's 100% well deserved.
Animated Feature FilmBig Hero 6 – WinnerThe BoxtrollsHow to Train Your Dragon 2Song of the SeaThe Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Commentary: This was probably a closely contested race but Disney, again, takes it home. If The Lego Movie couldn't win, I'm glad Big Hero won. It's original, it's commercial, it's really good. Also, Neil Patrick Harris said, "If you're at the Oscar party with the people who made The Lego Movie, now would be a good time to distract them."
Animated Short FilmThe Bigger PictureThe Dam KeeperFeast – WinnerMe and My MoultonA Single Life
Commentary: Disney takes it home! So exciting! Congrats to Peter's dog, Pixel!
Visual EffectsCaptain America: The Winter SoldierDawn of the Planet of the ApesGuardians of the GalaxyInterstellar – WinnerX-Men: Days of Future Past
Commentary: The big superhero award, more or less, and it loses...to Interstellar. I guess it makes sense, the movie was beautiful.
Best Supporting ActressPatricia Arquette, Boyhood – Winner
Laura Dern, Wild
Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
Emma Stone, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Meryl Streep, Into the Woods
Commentary: Another worthy yet expected win. Arquette took her time to argue for equal pay for women in America, which is pretty awesome.
Sound EditingAmerican Sniper – WinnerBirdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five ArmiesInterstellarUnbroken
Commentary: Say what you want about American Sniper, the sound was good.
Sound MixingAmerican SniperBirdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)InterstellarUnbrokenWhiplash – Winner
Commentary: This has to be considered an upset, yes? Either way, who cares? I'm so happy that Whiplash got another Oscar.
9:42 p.m. – Neil Patrick Harris just Birdmaned, in his tighty-whities, in front of a billion people. This guy is doing a great job.
Documentary Short SubjectCrisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 – WinnerJoannaOur CurseThe Reaper (La Parka)White EarthLive Action Short FilmAyaBoogaloo and GrahamButter Lamp (La Lampe au Beurre de Yak)ParvanehThe Phone Call – Winner
Commentary: I haven't seen any of these but out of all the short films that are out there and eligible, one has to be pretty special to win.
9:18 p.m. Tegan, Sara and Lonely Island just performed Everything is Awesome from The Lego Movie with a cameo from Will Arnett as Batman. So hilarious.
Foreign Language FilmIda (Poland) – WinnerLeviathan (Russia)Tangerines (Estonia)Timbuktu (Mauritania)Wild Tales (Argentina)
Commentary: Ida is available to stream on Netflix – right now – go for it.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard, Foxcatcher
Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier, The Grand Budapest Hotel – Winner
Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou and David White, Guardians of the Galaxy
Costume DesignMilena Canonero, The Grand Budapest Hotel – Winner
Mark Bridges, Inherent Vice
Colleen Atwood, Into the Woods
Anna B. Sheppard and Jane Clive, Maleficent
Jacqueline Durran, Mr. Turner
Commentary: Guys and gals – a Wes Anderson movie is now a double Oscar nominee...and counting!
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, The Judge
Ethan Hawke, Boyhood
Edward Norton, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash – Winner
Commentary: Simmons had won every single award leading into this so this isn't a surprise. Very well deserved though.
5:30 p.m. The show has finally began. Neil Patrick Harris is doing an huge musical number complete with Star Wars, The Avengers and Jaws. Anna Kendrick and Jack Black had the assist.