The 2019 Oscars

Surprisingly enough, the 2019 Oscars left me with a decent list of movies I actually want to watch. While the general public was weary of this award show since Kevin Hart was (kinda) forced to step down, it was fairly entertaining. While there weren’t a ton of great punchlines and skits, we were able to simply hear the speeches and watch the performances. I was actually glad to hear the tear-jerking thank you’s on stage instead of everything being a joke 🤷🏽‍♀️

Here is my list of movies to watch ASAP, I’ll link my recaps as they’re written!:

1. If Beale Street Could Talk (Amazon Prime)

2. Hale County This Morning, This Evening (in theatres)

3. Roma (Netflix)

4. The Favourite (Amazon Prime)

5. Bohemian Rhapsody (Amazon Prime)

6. Blackklansman (Amazon Prime)

7. Greenbook (in theatres)

8. The Wife (Amazon Prime)

9. A Star is Born (in theatres)

Coming back strong from 2017’s #OscarsSoWhite, this year’s winners and nominees illustrated what we hope is progress in Hollywood. 4 of the 9 movies on my list of movies to watch feature Black & minority casts. Even more beautiful, though was the plethora of faces that graced the carpet & stage throughout the night.

Among the most notable wins, for me, were the following (speeches below):

• Regina King won her first Oscar for her supporting lead in If Beale Street Could Talk”

• Spike Lee won Best Director for Blackkklansman noting in his speech that day was the anniversary of slaves first arrived in this country 400 years ago on February 24th, 1619.

• Ruth Carter won her 3rd award in costume design for Black Panther (previously having won for Amistad and Malcolm X. Her shout out to Spike Lee made me want to learn her history… it’s interesting to find out who has been standing shoulder to shoulder with the greats.

• Alfonso Cuaron won his 4th award for ROMA for best foreigh language film. I am Hispanic, I really don’t watch enough Spanish-speaking films; this story highlights Mexican culture through the eyes of a woman (who happened to be nominated for best actress) working as a the help in a typical Mexican family.

• Hannah Beachler was the first Africa-America women to win in Production Design for her work in Black Panther.

• Olivia Coleman won for best female lead in The Favourite and had the sweetest speech as she accepted the awards. She deserved it simply for entertaining us well at the end of the night!

What did you think of the 2019 Oscars? Favorite winners? Disappointing upsets? Do you think that Hollywood is going to be able to maintain this diversity in the line up? Should there never be a host again?

I’m dying for conversation! Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!