90th Academy Awards: Our film critics break down the show - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

90th Academy Awards: Our film critics break down the show

Share via

Relive the Oscars with film critics Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang, who weighed in with live commentary and analysis and answered questions from readers during the show.

Justin Chang

It's been fun, Kenny! And thanks to everyone at home for following along.

kennethturan

So so happy to have "Shape of Water" as the winner. A long night but a happy ending for me.

Justin Chang

"The Shape of Water" wins! In the end, the nomination leader prevailed. No picture-director split this year.

Justin Chang

Which means it's time to hear what won best picture.

Justin Chang

Great line from Kimmel: "Whatever happened last year is Waterhouse under the bridge."

kennethturan

moment of the night!

Justin Chang

Frances McDormand, bringing every female nominee in this room to her feet! Quite a moment.

Justin Chang

And an "I, Tonya" joke! Loved Margot Robbie's reaction shot.

kennethturan

maybe not ad libs, but certainly funny

Justin Chang

And they are presenting best actress. C'mon, Saoirse! C'mon, Sally! Just kidding. It's going to Frances McDormand.

kennethturan

very funny Jodie Foster ad libs bout Streep ....

Justin Chang

Ah, here come Jodie Foster and Jennifer Lawrence. Or, as I like to call them, Silence Lambings Playbook.

Justin Chang

(Correction, to avoid possible confusion: Gary Oldman thanked his mom, not J.K. Simmons' mom.)

Justin Chang

He took J.K. Simmons' advice and thanked his mom! That's sweet.

kennethturan

Gary Oldman. Is anyone surprised?

kennethturan

the ad libs always make the night!

Justin Chang

"Aren't these sets great? They're just like the Orgasmatron in 'Barbarella'!" — Jane Fonda, presenting with Helen Mirren

kennethturan

It's true, it's all going to come down to those final moments ....

Justin Chang

I could be wrong but the closest thing to a surprise so far is "Icarus" winning documentary feature. Assuming actor and actress go to Gary Oldman and Frances McDormand, as expected, the only real suspense will come in the final moments when best picture is announced.

kennethturan

Love that he quoted Jimmy Cagney from "Yankee Doodle Dandy." A class act.

Justin Chang

Wonderful, heartfelt speech by Mr. del Toro: "The greatest thing art does, and our industry does, is erase the lines in the sand."

Justin Chang

To no one's surprise, Guillermo del Toro wins best director for "The Shape of Water." Which now has three Oscars. Will there be a fourth?

kennethturan

Landmark distributor/theater owner in New York

Justin Chang

They always leave someone vital out. More than one, I'm sure.

kennethturan

Janet Maslin just tweeted that Dan: Talbot was left out.

Justin Chang

Saw "Phantom Thread" a third time the other night. The audience burst into applause at the dedication to Jonathan Demme at the end of the credits. Just heartbreaking.

Justin Chang

So many, and I'm particularly gutted to see two names among them: Jill Messick and Jóhann Jóhannsson.

kennethturan

This part of the show always gets to me, so many talents gone.....

kennethturan

Nice to see Bob Osborne mentioned in In Memoriam. No one loved the Oscars like he did.

kennethturan

True story!

Justin Chang

If only "Brooklyn" had won something two years ago ...

Justin Chang

"Remember Me" wins. "Coco" did quite well tonight, winning in both its nominated categories.

kennethturan

"We're from Brooklyn" - words I always like to hear.

Justin Chang

Kenny, relief is upon you! The original song Oscar is going to be presented. Of course first, you'll have to listen to snippets from all five.

kennethturan

Lots of deserving nominees, but glad to see "Shape" winning another.

Justin Chang

Alexandre Desplat wins his second Oscar in nine nominations, adding one more to "The Shape of Water's" haul.

Justin Chang

They should split it between "Coco" and "The Greatest Showman." "Remember This Is Me"

Justin Chang

(And I say that with nothing but affection, I love this full-throated screecher of a song.)

kennethturan

Could be, unless they give it to Coco ....

Justin Chang

They have saved the most bombastic one for last. And the winner, too, I'm guessing.

kennethturan

I wish I could be sure ...

Justin Chang

This is the last one, Kenny, no worries.

Justin Chang

Besides the love for Deakins there is clearly a lot of high regard for "Blade Runner 2049," which has won two Oscars and, I imagine, narrowly missed out on a best picture nomination.

kennethturan

another Oscar song ... I keep forgetting there are five of them ....

Justin Chang

Lots of standing ovations tonight.

Justin Chang

Roger Deakins, an Oscar bridesmaid no longer!

kennethturan

he does! it's about time!

kennethturan

the question of the moment: will Roger Deakins finally get his Oscar ...

Justin Chang

Love that Jimmy Kimmel still gets in a dig at Matt Damon, even under the most sober circumstances.

kennethturan

Always love clips, but not sure this military montage was necessary ... it's a long night.

kennethturan

Good to see Wes Studi ... wish "Hostiles" had gotten more traction,

kennethturan

Still up in the air .. probably will be until they open the envelope.

Justin Chang

And they've done a good job of spreading the love so far.

Justin Chang

Kenny, our suspicion that "Get Out" might win best picture might just pan out! But who knows. Still a lot of awards to go.

kennethturan

Great brief acceptance speech .. I think he was serious when he mentioned the jet ski!

Justin Chang

Lovely to see both screenplay winners get standing ovations.

Justin Chang

Jordan Peele wins best original screenplay for "Get Out"! Huge applause in the theater.

kennethturan

So touched by James Ivory's testament to departed creative partners Ruth Jhabvala and Ismail Merchant. A wonderful moment

Justin Chang

A well-deserved standing ovation for James Ivory

Justin Chang

Best adapted screenplay! "Call Me by Your Name" time.

Justin Chang

There are a lot of ways to criticize "Get Out," but calling it "passé" is not one of them.

Justin Chang

msmithnv writes: "Tried to watch "Get Out" several times couldn't get through the film. the lead couldn't act. It is truly passe and an instant cliche for boring."

Justin Chang

Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek — all of whom shared wrenching stories of sexual harassment by Harvey Weinstein in the past several months — take the stage to highlight the #TimesUp movement. Respect.

kennethturan

A strong moment for sure.

Justin Chang

Margrethe has this fashion note from the earlier next-door-theater bit: "Gal Gadot looks good. I am envious. Otherwise this bit is a waste of time." Agreed, Margrethe!

Justin Chang

Common is telling everyone in the theater to stand up for what they believe in. They're happy to comply.

Justin Chang

Dave Chappelle presents Common and Andra Day, now singing the original song nominee "Stand Up for Something" from "Marshall." Still remember Common's electrifying performance (with John Legend) of "Glory" from "Selma" three years ago.

kennethturan

Nice acceptance speech from the winners as well.

Justin Chang

I was expecting the live-action short prize to go to the school-shooting drama "DeKalb Elementary." But it goes instead to "The Silent Child." Congrats!

Justin Chang

Some sublime scatological banter courtesy of Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph, who should definitely star in a comedy of their own.

Justin Chang

I have not seen it, but I will rectify that forthwith.

kennethturan

I drive on the 405 almost every day, happy to see short with that freeway in its title walk away with a victory.

Justin Chang

(Spoiler alert: I did not care for "Darkest Hour.")

Justin Chang

Wait until "Darkest Hour" wins best picture!

kennethturan

worst moment of the night, I fear ...

Justin Chang

This is boring.

Justin Chang

Jimmy Kimmel, Gal Gadot, Mark Hamill, Guillermo del Toro, etc. bring the Oscars next door to a theater at the Chinese multiplex. Every year it seems we must have one of these mingle-with-the-masses stunts.

kennethturan

Why isn't the audience at the Chinese at home watching the Oscars - a bit of a mixed message here.

Justin Chang

I conducted an informal poll on Twitter: Who will get thanked more tonight, Christopher Nolan or Guillermo del Toro? The answers were: "Guillermo," "God," and "Toronto."

Justin Chang

I never know why they feel the need to pad this show out any longer than it already is.

kennethturan

this visiting the Chinese gambit has the potential to be a terrible waste of time ....

kennethturan

Would be great if Deakins would win ...

kennethturan

Lake Havesu was a brilliant add on.

Justin Chang

Does this mean a possible best picture upset for "Dunkirk"? I doubt it, but I wouldn't mind.

Justin Chang

A third win for "Dunkirk," this time for Lee Smith's bravura editing.

Justin Chang

Nobody seems to want the jet ski or Lake Havasu, except maybe Mark Bridges.

Justin Chang

I wonder if this bodes well for Roger Deakins in the cinematography race.

kennethturan

though these laundry lists of names are so tedious ...

kennethturan

So glad visual effects Oscar went to "Blade Runner." An under-appreciated film.

Justin Chang

Wish the animated short Oscar had gone to anything but "Dear Basketball." More pure ego worship per minute than any other nominee this year.

Justin Chang

Daniela Vega is back onstage, now introducing Sufjan Stevens' performance of "Mystery of Love" from "Call Me by Your Name."

kennethturan

Great films every one!

Justin Chang

Definitely not. Or "Song of the Sea," or "The Secret of Kells"!

kennethturan

"Coco" victory not a surprise. But don't miss "The &nbspBreadwinner."

kennethturan

Another Walmart box short ... time for a food break!

Justin Chang

If only the Academy had given their nod to ... "Lady Bird."

kennethturan

Glad to see she gave a nod to the bird!

Justin Chang

Allison Janney wins, of course. Do you think she'll have her seven Emmys flank her Oscar on her shelf?

Justin Chang

(We are on to best supporting actress!)

Justin Chang

Lesley Manville with maybe the greatest Oscar clip of all time. She won't win, sadly.

Justin Chang

Indeed.

kennethturan

Felt like "Fantastic Woman's" year. Wish "Foxtrot" had been in the mix, but it was not to be.

Justin Chang

Sebastián Lelio, accepting with his star Daniela Vega and others, is a real talent. Stay tuned for "Disobedience" later this year!

Justin Chang

Nope, it goes to "A Fantastic Woman." Also an acceptable choice!

Justin Chang

Rita Moreno presenting the foreign-language film Oscar. Come on, "Loveless"!

Justin Chang

I liked the "Coco" pink skulls very much.

kennethturan

I'm so focused on the awards I have not noticed!

Justin Chang

It's ... very blue!

Justin Chang

rebach1 asks: "What do the two of you think about the Oscars set design this year?"

Justin Chang

That performance improved considerably when Miguel started singing, at least.

Justin Chang

Is it terrible that I wish "Remember Me" were more ... memorable?

kennethturan

Somehow the live song performances always remind me of "The Ed Sullivan Show" back in the day.

Justin Chang

Yes, indeed!

kennethturan

So happy to see this win, though the new "Blade Runner" was also spectacular.

Justin Chang

Oh good, a much better beauty-and-the-beast movie wins: "The Shape of Water"!

Justin Chang

Time for best production design. I am not thrilled by the constant reminders that that "Beauty and the Beast" thing exists.

Justin Chang

Nanjiani: "To all the Dreamers out there, we stand with you."

Justin Chang

Lupita Nyong'o and Kumail Nanjiani representing Kenya, Pakistan "and Iowa." Love them.

Justin Chang

Yes, and thank God for that.

kennethturan

Only you, Justin, only you ....

Justin Chang

Kenny, would you call it a job well dunkirk?

kennethturan

two for two for Dunkirk ... not a surprise and well-deserved

Justin Chang

A "Dunkirk" double!

Justin Chang

What did I tell you?

kennethturan

great to see the great below the line talents having their moment in the spotlight.

Justin Chang

And "Dunkirk" is on the board with a win for best sound editing. Not its last of the night, I reckon.

Justin Chang

They played the score from "Interstellar," which is never a bad thing.

kennethturan

ah, its a tribute to the movies itself!

kennethturan

I love this clips montage - no idea what the theme is but I could watch it all night ....

Justin Chang

markmcintyre726 has this comment: "I wonder if Trump turned it off after the Hope Hicks joke. Expect the inevitable tweetstorm." I hope he keeps it on long enough to see "Get Out" win best picture.

kennethturan

Just a great song. These numbers usually play better when you are in the audience, but she put it over for the folks at home.

Justin Chang

My wife just texted to tell me that our 19-month-old daughter started singing to Mary J. Blige's performance, completely on her own. I'm a proud papa.

Justin Chang

Mary J. Blige, killing it with her performance of the Oscar-nominated original song "Mighty River." Wish she were more of a contender in the supporting actress race, too.

kennethturan

A shame that Wiseman was not nominated this year. Just looking at the clock and the great number of categories still to go. It's going to be a long night ....

Justin Chang

Also, your annual reminder that documentary master Frederick Wiseman has never once been nominated for a competitive Oscar. For shame, AMPAS.

Justin Chang

I'm irked right there with you, Kenny (over "Dawson City," not the Dodgers).

kennethturan

Still irked that "Dawson City: Frozen Time" did not even get nominated. But then again I'm &nbspthe guy who's still irked that the Dodgers left Brooklyn!

Justin Chang

And the best documentary feature Oscar goes to ... "Icarus"! And Netflix bags its first win of the evening.

Justin Chang

They're quite soothing! And they give us time to catch up.

kennethturan

Find myself enjoying the commercials between awards .... who knew ...

Justin Chang

Fun fact: Mark Bridges has designed the costumes on every Paul Thomas Anderson joint since "Hard Eight." What a collaboration.

Justin Chang

And she presents it to Mark Bridges for his exquisite costumes for "Phantom Thread." Will there be a more deserved win tonight? I doubt it, but let's hope.

kennethturan

How wonderful to see the great Eva Marie Saint present costume design - a great idea. Hard to believe she is older than the Academy!

Justin Chang

The great Eva Marie Saint has taken the stage!

Justin Chang

Thank you, Mr. Hoke, for your plea on behalf of decency, though I'd be wary of laying the blame at Obama's doorstep. If Mel Gibson runs for president, though, well, point taken.

Justin Chang

Willam Hoke has this comment: "Since when does having a microphone allow you to attack someone? So far Jimmy Kimmel has attacked Mel Gibson and others by name. How is that decent? Let us all remember that Obama's attack on Trump got us where we are today. This is shameful."

Justin Chang

I'd say that of the four foregone conclusions in the acting races, Sam Rockwell gave my favorite performance. So we still have three chances for a well-deserved upset.

Justin Chang

I'll answer Mr. Lewis' question from earlier: There may be worse monologues in Oscar history than James Cameron's "I'm the king of the world!" moment, but none are coming to mind.

kennethturan

The conventional wisdom that Rockwell would win held up. Wonder how the rest of the favorites will do ...

Justin Chang

I also love that he just thanked "everyone who ever looked at a billboard."

Justin Chang

I love it when the winners actually say the other nominees' names, as Sam Rockwell so classily did.

kennethturan

Thankfully, the bad ones fade from my memory ...

Justin Chang

And david.lewis asks: "Hi guys, What's the WORST monologue in Oscar history?" Kenny, you want to take this one?

Justin Chang

It's their way of saying "Hurry up, ski-daddle!" (Sorry, Kenny.)

kennethturan

Shortest speech gets brand new jet ski? Is this for real?

Justin Chang

This "Price Is Right"-style giveaway reminds me of the 2001 Oscars, when they gave away a TV set to whoever gave the shortest speech.

Justin Chang

Did not know this: Jordan Peele is the first filmmaker to be nominated for best picture, director and original screenplay for a debut film.

Justin Chang

Kimmel, tipping his hat to "Black Panther": "I remember a time when the major studios didn’t believe a woman or a minority could open a superhero movie, and the reason I remember that time is it was March of last year."

Justin Chang

How long do you think it takes before #NoPenisAtAll becomes a hashtag?

kennethturan

Loved the retro newsreel opening. Hope its a good sign.

Justin Chang

And Jimmy Kimmel starts, of course, by acknowledging last year's epic envelope snafu: "This year, when you hear your name called, do not get up right away."

Justin Chang

And we're off!

Justin Chang

Thank YOU, Manohla! We're both drinking LaCroix. (We both have to file later, alas.)

Justin Chang

We're honored to have our first question from our esteemed friend @ManohlaDargis of the New York Times: "Hi - I’m a longtime reader and I’d like to know what you’re each drinking tonight. thanks!"

kennethturan

About to start! Just have to endure last of the pre-show commercials ...

Justin Chang

#OscarsSoEarly

kennethturan

I'm still trying to get used to it starting half an hour earlier, but I am ready.

Justin Chang

Hello! I'm here with Kenneth Turan for this live-chat of the 90th Academy Awards. Feel free to tweet us your questions (@kennethturan and @JustinCChang). We're excited!

Advertisement