by PJ Heath
Some of the world’s biggest stars were decorated as they celebrated the magical, glamorous, ‘slap-free’ 95th Oscars Academy Awards on Mar. 12.
Jimmy Kimmel, three-time host of the Oscars, entertained audiences with his quick wit and clever jokes throughout the duration of the celebration.
He made not one, not two, but five light-hearted references to the infamous slap from the 2022 Oscars during which Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock.
“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap,” Kimmel said, “Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said no.”
Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford, presented the Oscar for best picture solo, after Glenn Close had to bow out after contracting COVID-19.
After announcing one of the several wins for the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Ford shared a heartfelt embrace with his “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” co-star and winner of ‘Best Supporting Actor’ winner, Ke Huy Quan.
Quan’s acceptance speech was nothing short of emotional, reminiscing on his past; there was hardly a dry eye in the house.
“My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp; somehow, I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage,” Quan said. “They say stories like this only happen in the movies, I cannot believe it’s happening to me.
“This is the American dream.”
Michelle Yeoh made history, as she became the first Asian woman to win Best Actress for her role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
Yeoh lifted her statuette and began her speech.
“For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities,” Yeoh said.
“And ladies,” the 60-year-old Malaysian-born actor added, “don’t let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime.”
Brendan Fraser won Best Actor for his role in “The Whale.” In honor of Fraser’s comeback, the audience at the Dolby Theater erupted in one of the loudest standing ovations of the night as his win was announced.
“I started in this business 30 years ago,” Fraser said. “Things didn’t come easily to me but there was a facility that I didn’t appreciate at the time until it stopped.
“I just wanted to say thank you for this acknowledgment.”
For the first time, two sequels, “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” were nominated this year for Best Picture.
James Hong was just 3-months-old during the first Oscars in 1929, and at 94-years-old, he finally made it to the show. Hong was a cast member in the now highly decorated film “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
“It shows if you wait long enough, you’ll make it,” Hong said during his acceptance speech Saturday night.
Tearfully, John Travolta introduced the In Memoriam segment of the night.
Travolta spoke of those “who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to,” in reference to his “Grease” co-star Olivia Newton-John. Newton-John died in August 2022 and was the first name presented.
Some of the many stars remembered during the telecast include Irene Cara, Ray Liotta, Nichelle Nichols, Angela Lansbury, Louise Fletcher, Burt Bacharach, Mary Alice, Gina Lollobrigida, James Caan and Raquel Welch.
As the evening concluded, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” has now become the most awarded movie of all time, beating out “Return of the King” by 57 awards from major critic and award organizations.
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