The 96th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are just around the corner. As the grand finale to the winter awards season, the Oscars will celebrate the best in film from the past year. With 'Oppenheimer' leading the pack with 13 nominations, including Best Picture, it seems like it could be a coronation for this highly acclaimed film. However, there are other contenders in the mix, such as 'Barbie,' 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' and 'Poor Things,' making the competition fierce.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 10, when the Oscars will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This year, the ceremony will start at 7 p.m. EDT, one hour earlier than usual, so don't forget to adjust your clocks accordingly. The live broadcast on ABC, with a pre-show starting at 6:30 p.m. EDT, will bring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood right into your living room.
If you prefer to stream the Oscars, you can do so via ABC.com and the ABC app with a cable subscription. Additionally, multiple streaming services like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV will also be offering live coverage of the event, ensuring that viewers have various options to tune in.
In terms of the host, the Oscars have brought back Jimmy Kimmel for the fourth time. With this appearance, Kimmel joins an elite group of four-time hosts, including Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon. However, he still has some way to go before reaching the record numbers set by Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, and Bob Hope.
This year, the Best Picture category features an array of diverse films, reflecting the rich tapestry of storytelling in modern cinema. The ten nominees include 'American Fiction,' 'Anatomy of a Fall,' 'Barbie,' 'The Holdovers,' 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' 'Maestro,' 'Oppenheimer,' 'Past Lives,' 'Poor Things,' and 'The Zone of Interest.'
For the frontrunner, Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' is leading the pack. Nolan himself is considered the favorite for Best Director, and this could be his long-awaited first Oscar win. The Best Actress category promises to be a nail-biter, with Lily Gladstone ('Killers of the Flower Moon') and Emma Stone ('Poor Things') in close competition. If Gladstone manages to secure the award, she will become the first Native American to win an Oscar. The Best Actor category is also a close contest between Cillian Murphy ('Oppenheimer') and Paul Giamatti ('The Holdovers'), both vying for their first win. In the supporting categories, Da’Vine Joy Randolph is favored to win Best Supporting Actress for 'The Holdovers,' while Robert Downey Jr. ('Oppenheimer') is expected to take home the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
Despite being 2023's biggest box office hit, 'Barbie' hasn't received all the nominations some expected. Greta Gerwig is notably absent from the Best Director category, and Margot Robbie missed out on a Best Actress nod. These snubs have sparked discussions about the film industry's representation and the challenges faced by comedic films at award shows. Nevertheless, 'Barbie' still managed to secure eight nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for America Ferrera.
As for changes to this year's Oscars, no major alterations have been made. All of the awards will be broadcast live, with the exception of honorary prizes, which will be presented earlier at the untelevised Governors Awards. The Academy is introducing a new award category for Best Casting, but this award won't be presented until the 2026 Oscars.
There are a few notable highlights to watch out for during the ceremony. Composer John Williams has received his 49th nomination for Best Original Score, this time for 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' Additionally, for the first time, the legendary Godzilla will grace the Oscars with a nomination for Best Visual Effects with 'Godzilla Minus One.' Furthermore, the foreign language films 'The Zone of Interest' (in German) and 'Anatomy of a Fall' (in French) have broken barriers by securing nominations in the prestigious Best Picture category.
As we eagerly await the 96th Academy Awards, it's certain that this year's show will bring excitement, surprises, and well-deserved recognition to the outstanding achievements of the film industry. Tune in on March 10 to witness the magic of Hollywood come alive on your screens.
For more information on this year's Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
