Rants
On Viewer’s Etiquette
Jake Capriotti, Photo Editor
I did not know what to expect from my first Oscars party at NYU. I attended the Third North viewing with two of my friends and was excited at first by the turnout. The beginning of the evening seemed pretty cordial, with the cheers for Janelle Monae and her shoutout to A24’s “Midsommar” until Chris Rock and Steve Martin pointed out that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was in the audience. I don’t mean to say that I don’t understand why they were booing, but, I couldn’t hear anything because of all the booing and hissing at just the mention of his name. It felt as if I was watching a public shaming rather than an awards show. I just wanted to watch an awards show.
On Losing Yourself
Kim Rice, Deputy Copy Chief
I’m not going to lie. I wasn’t at home, so I didn’t watch the Oscars because I generally do not care. To be completely honest, I thought they’d already happened. However, we had it playing at the office and I happened to catch Eminem performing “Lose Yourself.” Two quick questions for the Academy: Why Eminem? And why “Lose Yourself?” “8 Mile” came out 18 years ago, and it’s not like it was rebooted or anything this year. I’m just a little confused. I understand that the song ended up winning an Oscar for Best Original Song back in 2003, but that was also 17 years ago. So in my opinion, he lost his opportunity to perform the song. Also, I mean — do the Oscars even need musical performers, seeing as they’re giving awards to movies? I love a good soundtrack, but I cannot stand sitting in one spot for three hours every other award night. But alas, that is another rant.
On the Actors
Divya Nelokonda, Beauty and Style Editor
Don’t get me wrong — “Parasite’s” historic Oscar wins are not to be undermined and were, frankly, a refreshing change after a rather disappointing 2019 Academy Awards. But is it wrong to ask for more Asian representation in the acting categories? “Parasite” was no doubt a cinematic masterpiece, but what would the film be without the actors and actresses within it? So many of the scenes were amplified by the dramatic performances of the family of antiheroes: think Cho Yeo-jeong in the peach scene, Song Kang-ho’s “No Plan at All” monologue and the entire Kim family as they indulge in the Park family’s luxuries when left alone with the estate. And what about Zhao Shu-zhen in “The Farewell?” Her moving performance brought a simultaneously witty and agonizing depth to her role and the film as a whole. And speaking more generally, roles by people of color in general — including (but not limited to) Lupita Nyong’o in “Us” and Eddie Murphy in “Dolemite is My Name” were shut out from acting categories, reflecting the Academy’s continued narrow interest in white narratives. I guess #OscarsSoWhite is still pretty relevant.
On 1917
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor
To all those upset about “1917” not winning Best Picture: please do not fret. A group of dudes is planning another movie exactly like “1917” as you read this, and it will be made within the next couple of years, and it will also be nominated for a load of Oscars.
On Film Boys
Gabby Lozano, Deputy Opinion Editor
What would happen to me if I told a Tisch student that I didn’t see the Oscars?
Raves
On Julia Butters
Helen Wajda, Deputy Opinion Editor
I didn’t watch the Oscars and failed to see most of the movies that were nominated, so I don’t feel qualified to comment on them. I did, however, see that 10-year-old actress Julia Butters brought a turkey sandwich to the Oscars in her purse and ate it on the red carpet, and I’m just here to say that seeing someone who clearly understands the importance of having food at all times just in case hunger strikes made me feel seen. Thank you, Julia, for being unapologetically you.
On Cosmic Justice
Abby Hofstetter, Managing Editor
Every year, I try to predict who will win the Oscars in each category, and every year, I’m scarily accurate. The trick is to pick which movie a boomer would vote for, not which movie actually deserves the award. Which is why I predicted that Quentin Tarantino would win the Oscar for Best Director. Did he deserve it? No. “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” was terrible. (Tisch kids, fight me in the comments.) But for some reason, the Academy loves Quentin and his Doofenshmirtz-esque chin. But this year was special — this year, my prediction was wrong. Bong Joon-ho won Best Director (and everything else), Quentin Tarantino won nothing and justice was finally served. Bless up.
On “Hair Love”
Vanessa Handy, Social Media Editor
Two words. Hair. Love.
Karen Toliver and Matthew A. Cherry won the Oscar for Best Animated Short and won my heart. I hesitate to create the notion of a singular universal “black experience,” or how her hair is something that the majority of the black community recognizes to be symbolic. I’ve fought with my hair, been in tears over it, and hated it for years. I wish something like “Hair Love” existed when I was younger. This Oscar win is a historic moment, that reminds all individuals of our differences which make us beautiful. It reminds us that young Deandre Arnold’s dreadlocks should not be the mark of his intelligence or maturity. Most importantly, it makes those who look like me feel seen and heard. With it being Black History Month, this all feels even more timely. Kudos to the Academy, you did something right this time.
On the Best Picture
Mandie Montes, UTA Editor
PARASITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s all. That’s the whole rave.
Opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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