Besides starting with a little rain, this year’s 86th Academy Awards went pretty much according to plan, all those who were expected to win, won. Cate Blanchett won Best Actress and Matthew McConaughey won best actor in leading role. “12 Years a Slave” won Best Picture, to no surprise. It’s a landmark film, and It’s only right that one of the most American of all awards should go to one of the most American of stories. And yet it was brought to life by a British director and two British stars. This was the most truthful telling of American slavery to date, and it is likely due to the fact that the Brits have a 3,000 mile perspective and less emotional baggage.
Here are some memorable moments that caught our eyes and ears.
Ultimate Selfie
Went to Ellen DeGeneres who called in all the big names like Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, half of Jared Leto, and others. Kevin Spacey came out of nowhere and tried to photobomb the shot. Then DeGeneres made another one with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt again, and Benedict Cumberbatch. She was going for the most retweeted photo in Twitter history. Later DeGeneres said it momentarily crashed Twitter.
Biggest Surprise(s)
(John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Host Ellen DeGeneres didn’t dance or sing. Not at the beginning, not towards the end, not at all. She did come out on stage with a guitar, but there was no playing, rather she just announced Jason Sudeikis and Kate Hudson. She delivered lots of jokes. Later, surprisingly, she got out of her standard black tux and walked on stage in a hilarious fairy god-mother pink puffy dress.
Most Suitable Presenter
(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Jim Carey walked on stage to present Hollywood’s most notable cinematic heroes. He mentioned his personal hero Bruce Dern, who was in the audience. The best part was when Carey did a flawless imitation of Dern with the line: “Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” he said.
Most Inappropriate Appearance
Actors Glenn Close, Jamie Foxx and daughter Corinne Foxx attend the Oscars on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
When Jamie Foxx walked onto the stage with his daughter, who was dressed in a flowing white gown, while Pharrell Williams performed the Oscar-nominated, original song “Happy” from the movie “Despicable Me 2.” They tried to join in with the crowd of backstage dancers who were wearing t-shirts, jeans, and shorts. Foxx looked like he was trying to bust a move, but then swiftly walked off stage. But the way he did that forwards moonwalk subtle dance, or whatever it was, during his presentation speech, alongside Jessica Biel as they presented best Original Score was to the point.
Best Acceptance Speech
(John Shearer/Invision/AP)
When Lupita Nyong'o with tears of joy gave her touching acceptance speech for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in “12 Years a Slave.” She started off well, graciously throughout, then for some unexpected reason she thanked Yale acting school. She ended on a sweet note: “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,” she said.
Best Time-Saver
(John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Pairing up celebs and having them present two awards back to back to save time during the 3-hour-long show. It gave DeGeneres enough time to distribute cheese pizza to Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, Jared Leto, Harrison Ford, and Martin Scorsese, while Leonardo DiCaprio refused to accept a slice.
Best Performance
(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
When U2 came on stage to sing “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” which was nominated for the Best Original Song it was a powerful, concert-like performance. Just like the good ol' times.
Most Adorable Acceptance Speech
(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Went to the couple Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez who wrote the Best Original Song “Frozen.” For their acceptance speech, they read and sang a poem that rhymed! It was short and impeccably sweet.
Most Enviable Moment
(L-R) Student filmmakers Zaineb Abdul-Nabi, Jean Paul Isaacs, Tayo Amos, Nathan Flanagan-Frankl, Mackenna Millet, and Bryson Kemp speak onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
When the six college students, winners of the “Team Oscar” college search, got the chance to present the Oscar statuettes to the presenters. Imagine making an impressive youtube video, then getting onto the Academy Awards stage, having Sandra Bullock clap for you and Channing Tatum read your name from the teleprompter. An unforgettable opportunity to say the least.
And, at Last, Saddest Moment
(Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio’s face after he lost yet another Oscar race, this time it was to Matthew McConaughey for the Best Actor in a Leading Role.
