Now that Filipinos get the chance to conveniently watch the Hollywood’s biggest night, here are some of the Oscars moments that we’re hyped up to see.
Related: All The Historic Nominations At This Year’s Oscars
It’s just days away until we can all finally revel in Hollywood’s biggest night, the Academy Awards. More commonly known as the Oscars, the nearly hundred-year-old has been honoring cinematic excellence and heroing powerful storytelling. It’s a night where cineastes, celebrities, artists, and enthusiasts gather to celebrate the best of film in the past year and where Film Twitter explodes with memes, fan bardagulans, and just passionate reactions.
Fortunately, it’s also a great time for Filipino fans as its 95th edition will be live-streamed via the streaming giant, Disney+. It’s a big deal for Pinoy fans (like this writer), who for years have struggled to find the most convenient way of tuning into the premier awards show live. On March 13, 2023 (Monday), Philippine time, Disney+ subscribers will be able to stream the Oscars live with the pre-show (red carpet) scheduled at 6:30 AM and the awards proper at 8:00 AM.
From the emotional speeches, surprising moments, and historic wins, we know that this year’s Oscars is looking to be a memorable edition. So, to get us all hyped up for the greatest cinematic celebration of the year, here are five things we’re most excited to witness at the star-studded night.
THE RED CARPET
In the Oscars, we’re not just waiting to see which films emerge as the best. We’re also on the lookout for those who will stun and slay the night with their best ‘fits. This year, we’ll get to have an insider look into the glitz and glamour of the Oscars’ red carpet with the pre-show, Countdown to the Oscars, hosted by Ashley Graham, Lilly Singh, and Vanessa Hudgens. Meanwhile, TikToker Reece Feldman is in charge of the backstage correspondence, providing the audience an exciting behind-the-scenes sneak peek.
PERFORMANCES
As per tradition, the Oscar nominees for best original song get to grace the stage and perform their respective musical pieces. And this year’s lineup boasts of exciting and diverse musical acts that you should definitely not miss. First of all, there’s Rihanna who got her first Oscar nomination for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Lift Me Up. Joining her is industry veteran and Oscar regular Diane Warren who will perform Applause with Sofia Carson.
Indian musicians Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava are also set to present the much-loved Naatu Naatu from the epic movie RRR for which they received their historic nominations. American experimental band Son Lux will be joined by David Byrne and best supporting actress nominee Stephanie Hsu to perform This Is A Life from this year’s most nominated film, Everything Everywhere All At Once. Moreover, Grammy winner singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz will deliver the In Memoriam performance. As for Lady Gaga, she sadly won’t perform Hold My Hand, but will still attend as a nominee.
OPENING MONOLOGUE
Apart from the nominees and performances, another much-anticipated Oscars announcement every year is who will be the evening host. And while it seems like an ordinary segment that’s part of the program flow, the host’s opening monologue has become a pop culture moment of its own and a definite highlight and marker of every Oscars edition.
Just like Chris Rock’s already-iconic 10-minute piece in 2016 where the comedian was able to tactfully handle pressing issues (like the lack of black nominees that year) while also keeping the atmosphere light and humorous. Now viewed millions of times online, it became one of the unforgettable, fun, and important key takeaways from the 88th Oscars, and rightfully so.
This year, television host Jimmy Kimmel will return as Oscars’ master of ceremony for the third time now. Having experienced that 2017 best picture snafu, we surely could rely on the Emmy winner to flex his hosting and, well, crisis management skills (if needed) once more.
CUTE INTERACTIONS
In 2014, Twitter got broken by this selfie initiated by then host Ellen DeGeneres who was joined by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Jared Leto, Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Lupita Nyong’o (plus her brother), and Jennifer Lawrence. It became the most retweeted post in the platform at that time and was forever etched in Oscars history as one of its most viral moments.
Spontaneous interactions like this also adds to the fun and excitement of the Oscars ceremony and with the heavy star power of this year’s edition, we’re surely going to get some of it. A Cate Blanchett and Rihanna moment together maybe? We’re all for it.
UNEXPECTED MOMENTS
From Jennifer Lawrence’s stumbling moment in 2013 to that La La Land–Moonlight blunder in 2017 to that reverberating Will Smith slap last year, the Oscars have recently been serving some surprising, bewildering and at times, strangely satisying moments. Who knows what the 95th edition holds for us? Hopefully not another face getting smashed.
Continue Reading: Surprises, Snubs, And Slaps: What Went Down During The 94th Oscars
