The Oscars deliver an orderly evening

David Smith Staff Writer

This past Sunday was the 95th Academy Awards ceremony. Although it wasn’t as controversial as the previous year, it was an exceptional event. Ultimately, what this year’s ceremony illustrated was an expectation of the unexpected.

The event may not have included a grown man slapping another peer, but it was a night to remember.

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the awards this year, did not hold back on jokes. He referenced Will Smith slapping Chris Rock several times, which seemed to lighten the mood.

Taking a more cutthroat approach to the ceremony may have actually saved it, or maybe it just made it more interesting and engaging. Viewers might have been anticipating another slap or something controversial, but Kimmel’s comedic touch was decent entertainment.

For all the positive vibes going around – a refreshing scene after the 94th Academy Awards – not everyone was excited to be there.

Hugh Grant simply was not having it. He seemed miserable during the pre-show, and after a few awkward questions and responses with Grant, Ashley Graham attempted to make light of the situation and asked him whom he was excited to see.

He responded, “No one in particular.” She then asked, “What are you wearing tonight?” He replied, “Just my suit. I can’t remember my tailor.” Even Grant and Andie MacDowell’s “Four Weddings and a Funeral” reunion with a salacious joke couldn’t save him from being blatantly insolent. Regardless, the ratings for the 95th Academy Awards were higher than in the past three years.

Ratings aside, it was a fascinating night for those who love film. “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which was nominated for the most awards and won seven, including the prestigious Best Picture.

Its seven wins make it the most won by a Best Picture winner since “Slumdog Millionaire” won nearly 15 years ago. It was also the first film since “Gravity” to win seven awards. The film’s directors, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, won Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

The categories of Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor went to the cast: Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis and Key Huy Quan, respectively. It was an emotional moment for Quan in particular, considering he had been on a hiatus from acting for a prolonged period.

Quan, who was a child actor in Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” was embraced by his co-star Harrison Ford

BBC who announced “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as the Best Picture winner.

Because the Best Picture winner brought home so many awards, many films such as “Tár” and “The Banshees of Inisherin” went home empty-handed. The distribution company, A24, which produced both “The Whale” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won nine awards total.

Another beautifully captivating win was Brendan Fraser for “The Whale.” His performance in the film was stellar; however, I never thought that I would see him nominated for, let alone, win Best Actor.

These stories prove redemption is real and that you should never give up on your dreams.

Now let’s be clear, Cyrus is no Michael Jackson. Her early work in the pop genre is passable, but since she took on the “bad girl” persona she thinks the public wants to see, the quality of her music has fallen off drastically.

“Endless Summer Vacation” seems hopeful, but Miley has proven time and time again that each style of music she tries is simply a costume that she will discard when it is no longer shiny or trendy.As the first half demonstrates, this album is a continuation of the rock aesthetics heard on her last album.

“Flowers” is a decent opener and first single. The hook is catchy, but the production and vocal performance is bland. Lyrically, she makes authenticity sound forced and fake. Unfortunately, most of the album follows suit.

The songs are fun in the same way Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” is fun –everyone can agree with it. Watery guitars, clean drums, cool synths and groovy basslines are great, but they can only carry a musical vibe so far.

Despite this major issue, there are some genuinely euphoric and catchy pop songs to be had on the track list.

The first of these is the track “Handstand,” which comes out of nowhere and totally ups the atmosphere of the project. Between the woozy synthesizers, uncanny spoken word and airy falsetto of the hook, this song is a blast.The best way to describe it is “neon-soaked jam melting under city lights.” It is just the right amount of camp and fun.

“River” follows and stands as one of Miley’s best odes to classic rock. The song is upbeat and shimmering, full of grit and bravado. It doesn’t sound like she’s trying too hard.

Perhaps the standout song on the album is “Violet Chemistry.” Miley pulls from the best of Nelly Furtado and Timbaland and makes a grooving and slick pop tune with a singalong chorus that is buoyed by a steady beat. She makes it sound easy.

These moments beg the question: What if Miley actually committed to just making commercial music? It might end up being the endless summer vacation that we are all looking for.