‘Parasite’ and the 2020 Oscar winners: The complete list
The 2020 Academy Awards have wrapped at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
South Korea’s “Parasite” was the big winner of the night, picking up several key awards, including picture, director, original screenplay and international film. It’s the first foreign-language film in Oscars history to claim the top prize.
Joaquin Phoenix and Renée Zellweger won the top acting awards for “Joker” and “Judy,” respectively. Brad Pitt earned an Oscar for his supporting performance in “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” while Laura Dern was awarded the supporting actress trophy for “Marriage Story.”
Review: The Oscars ceremony fights its own irrelevance — by drawing attention to it
South Korea saved Hollywood from itself Sunday night when “Parasite” won the top prize at the 92nd Academy Awards, the culmination of a telecast that struggled to entertain let alone find relevance in the art form it was honoring.
To celebrate film’s biggest night, the Oscars relied heavily on talent imported from television, music and theater.
Welcome “Veep’s” Julia Louis-Dreyfus! Billie Eilish! Anthony Ramos of “Hamilton”! Most of the evening’s big winners, such as Laura Dern and Brad Pitt — who took home supporting acting honors for “Marriage Story” and “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” respectively — were easily predicted.
It’s just the Oscars — but my God, it matters that ‘Parasite’ won best picture
The members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did something extraordinarily rare on Sunday night. They gave the Oscar for best picture of the year to — wait for it — the actual best picture of the year.
You may not concur, which is fine, even great. Movies were made for vigorous argument, for the passionate drawing of aesthetic and ideological battle lines. But if we were to look at the Oscar pantheon from this young century alone, I would say that “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho’s genre-blurring marvel of a darkly comic thriller, joins an elite company of best picture winners — I’m thinking of “Moonlight,” “12 Years a Slave,” “The Hurt Locker,” “No Country for Old Men,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and not much else — that could be plausibly defended as the very finest films nominated in their respective years.
I took the subway to the Oscars. It was just the beginning of a wild ride
The Academy Awards are typically covered by veteran entertainment journalists steeped in the strategy of “awards season.”
But this year, The Times also sent Julia Wick, a reporter from the paper’s Metro section who writes the Essential California newsletter.
She emerged from the subway, passed the lines of valets and headed to the rain-soaked red carpet before claiming her nosebleed seat.
Over the next few hours, she experienced a different side of the Oscars.
Backstage at the Oscars: What you didn’t see on TV
The Times is backstage at the Oscars, catching winners moments after their acceptance speeches and capturing the behind-the-scenes chatter as celebrity presenters prepare to walk on. Here’s a live diary of the night:
8:38 p.m. “Crazy!” “Parasite” writer and director Bong Joon Ho is surrounded by his cast, which is shouting with excitement after its historic best picture win. “Crazy! It’s ... crazy!” he says, dropping an English expletive with total fluency. Bong starts looking for his wife, who was still sitting in the audience. He brings her onstage, and she is sobbing. They embrace as she dabs her face with a tissue, covering her mouth in disbelief. A minder approaches Bong’s translator, asking where his four trophies are for the photo ops. “They’re in our row! Row G, right?” he says, gesturing with hope that someone will retrieve his Oscar haul.
8:22 p.m. “I’m shaking so much.” Renée Zellweger is surrounded by a pool of photographers after winning best actress for “Judy.” She strikes a pose, holding the Oscar up in the air. “Thank you!” she says. “If only I could stand up straight, I’m shaking so much. Oh my word.” Her publicists, waiting in the hall, start welling up when Zellweger finally approaches them. “How did I do? Did I forget you?”
Who was sitting next to Bob Iger at the Oscars?
When the camera panned the Dolby Theatre audience during tonight’s Oscars ceremony, it stopped periodically on Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger. Who got the hot seats next to one of the most powerful people in Hollywood? On one side was his wife Willow. But the other seat went to Peter Rice, who was one of the most senior executives in the Fox empire before Disney acquired the company in 2019.
Rice is chairman of Walt Disney Television and co-chair of Disney Media Networks. He oversees The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment and news television properties and its radio business. Disney’s two (losing) bids for Best Picture tonight, “Ford v. Ferrari” and “Jojo Rabbit” were originally Fox productions.
Read the Oscars speech that choked up Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix recalled his late brother, River Phoenix, and spoke out about human beings exploiting other species “with impunity” in an emotional speech after he won the lead actor Oscar on Sunday night.
Netflix wins just two Oscars as ‘Parasite’ boosts Neon
Around Thanksgiving, it looked this could have been Netflix’s year to win it all at the Oscars.
Critics were heaping praise on the epic scale of Martin Scorsese’s mob movie “The Irishman,” which felt destined to be the streaming giant’s best shot at the elusive best picture trophy.
The Los Gatos-based tech company put its weight behind the $159-million film, with its big stars and intricate age-altering effects, and pushed it hard through awards season with billboards along Sunset Blvd.
And yet, on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre, Netflix came up short.
‘Parasite’ pulls off Oscar upset, winning four Academy Awards
In a surprise upset and a historic milestone, director Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” — a darkly comic class satire about two families, one rich and one poor, whose lives become entangled — won best picture Sunday night at the 92nd Academy Awards, becoming the first foreign-language film ever to win the film academy’s top prize.
The only Oscar ‘Little Women’ won was for costume design
“Little Women” had little luck at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Despite widespread critical acclaim and six nominations, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel collected just one Oscar, for costume design, at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday.
Billie Eilish performs ‘Yesterday’ as Oscars In Memoriam remembers Kobe Bryant, Kirk Douglas
To memorialize those who’ve left Hollywood behind, the Oscars turned to music’s brightest new hope.
Billie Eilish — the 18-year-old pop star who just swept the Grammy Awards — sang the Beatles’ ”Yesterday” during the annual “In Memoriam” sequence honoring the movie industry’s dearly departed at Sunday’s Academy Awards.
How ‘Parasite’ made Oscars history as the first foreign-language best picture winner
By the time Leonardo DiCaprio crashed the poolside “Parasite” party at the Sunset Tower Hotel on the weekend of the Golden Globes, the awards-season momentum for Bong Joon Ho’s acclaimed thriller had been building for months.
It crested Sunday night: “Parasite” became the first non-English language movie to win best picture, also winning Oscars for director, original screenplay and international feature. By the end of the evening, Bong had taken the stage four times to accept trophies.
Playing Hollywood icon Judy Garland in ‘Judy’ earns Renée Zellweger her second Oscar
Though she has been reluctant herself to call it a comeback, Renée Zellweger capped off her return to the awards scene by winning the Oscar for lead actress for her role in “Judy.”
Playing Judy Garland, Zellweger did her own singing and dancing in the film’s depiction of the Hollywood legend’s notorious five-week run of shows at Talk of the Town in London not long before she would die at age 47 in 1969.
Yes, Joaquin Phoenix deserves his best actor Oscar — but not for ‘Joker’ alone
In one of his greatest, most entrancing performances, Joaquin Phoenix plays a cold-blooded killer who strikes terror in the hearts of the rich, the predatory and the corrupt. Having witnessed terrible things and endured horrific abuse, he now projects that abuse outward in brutal but meticulously orchestrated eruptions of violence. Apart from a sliver of tenderness in his relationship with his aging, ailing mother, he is a man incapable of giving or receiving human kindness, an outcast from society turned avenger of the downtrodden.
Renée Zellweger wins Oscar for lead actress
Renée Zellweger won the 2020 Oscar for actress in a leading role Sunday night for her performance in “Judy.”
“Cynthia, Scarlett, Charlize, Saoirse, it was an honor to be nominated alongside you,” said Zellweger when accepting the award.
“Our heroes unite us ... and that matters,” said Zellweger. “When we celebrate our heroes, we’re reminded of who we are as one people united.”
The other nominees were:
- Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”
- Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”
- Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”
- Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”
Why ‘Knives Out’ writer Rian Johnson didn’t mind losing original screenplay Oscar to ‘Parasite’
Even though “Parasite’s” Bong Joon Ho beat out his “Knives Out” screenplay earlier in the evening, Rian Johnson was rooting for the South Korean film to take home best picture.
“I was on my feet cheering,” he said. “The movie is incredible and he’s such a wonderful human being and so talented. ... I’ve got my fingers crossed for him for the end of the night.”
Joaquin Phoenix wins Oscar for lead actor in ‘Joker’
“Joker” star Joaquin Phoenix won the Oscar for actor in a leading role Sunday night.
“This form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life,” said Phoenix in accepting his award after noting that he and his fellow nominees shared the same love of film.
Phoenix promised in his speech to be a “voice for the voiceless,” noting the importance of the fights for gender and racial equality and LGBTQ and indigenous rights. “We’re talking about the fight against injustice,” he said.
The other nominees were:
- Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory”
- Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood”
- Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”
- Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”
‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon Ho makes Oscars history with win
The Korean class satire “Parasite” came into the 2020 Academy Awards with a historic six nominations. Sunday night in Hollywood, filmmaker Bong Joon Ho left with a history-making win of his own: best director.
“1917” filmmaker Sam Mendes had swept the directing prizes at the Golden Globes, Directors Guild Awards and BAFTAs. But after becoming the first foreign film to win the Screen Actors Guild ensemble prize, “Parasite” nabbed Bong his first directing Oscar, capping an awards run that began in May when the film became the first South Korean entry to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
Billie Eilish performs ‘Yesterday’ during Oscars’ In Memoriam tribute
Grammy-winning L.A. artist Billie Eilish took the stage at the 2020 Oscars Sunday night for the In Memoriam segment.
She was joined by brother and fellow Grammy winner Finneas O’Connell to perform “Yesterday.”
The tribute kicked off with an image of Kobe Bryant, the Oscar-winning former Lakers star who died last month in a helicopter crash with eight others.
Elton John picks up his second original song Oscar, this one with Bernie Taupin
Elton John was already Oscar royalty. Now, he has one to share with his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin for their song “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the fanciful biopic “Rocketman.”
Songwriting Hall of Famers Taupin and John are the hit-making machine behind seemingly countless Top 10 songs, including “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Rocket Man,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Your Song” and many others.
‘Joker’ composer Hildur Guðnadóttir first woman in 20 years to win Oscar for original score
The “Joker” composer Hildur Guðnadóttir won the Academy Award for original score. The Icelandic composer is just the fourth woman to win in the Oscars’ scoring categories, and the first since 1997.
The 37-year-old Guðnadóttir, who first came to prominence in the Icelandic experimental band Múm, previously won the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for her “Joker” score. The last woman to win in the category was the British composer Anne Dudley, who won for 1997’s “The Full Monty.” Only seven women have ever been nominated in the Oscars’ scoring categories.
Taika Waititi spotlights the indigenous people of Los Angeles at Oscars
“Jojo Rabbit” writer-director-producer Taika Waititi acknowledged indigenous inhabitants of Los Angeles on behalf of the academy on Sunday, while introducing Brie Larson, Sigourney Weaver and Gal Gadot, presenters of the awards for original score and original song.
Waititi won for adapted screenplay earlier in the evening, making the filmmaker the first person of Maori descent to win an Oscar.
“The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would like to acknowledge that tonight we have gathered on the ancestral lands of the Tongva, Tataviam and the Chumash,” Waititi said.
The practice is formally known as a “land acknowledgment.” Read more about the Tongva here.
Huh? Hollywood’s A-listers seem confused by Eminem’s Oscars performance
Hollywood heavyweights didn’t appear too impressed by Eminem’s surprise Oscar’s performance Sunday night.
The rapper took the stage at the 92nd Academy Awards to perform his 2002 hit “Lose Yourself,” the lead single of the film “8 Mile,” also released that year. The track won best original song in 2003.
Here’s a peek at some of the audience’s befuddled reactions:
‘Parasite’ wins Oscar for international feature film
“Parasite” won the 2020 Oscar for international feature film Sunday night.
Directed by Bong Joon Ho, the film was the first film nominated from South Korea in the category formerly known as “Foreign-Language Film.”
“I’m ready to drink tonight,” said Bong when accepting the award.
The other nominees were:
- “Corpus Christi”
- “Honeyland”
- “Les Misérables”
- “Pain and Glory”
World War I adventure ‘1917’ wins visual effects Oscar
Sam Mendes’ World War I adventure “1917” collected a win for perhaps the least expected Oscar of its nominations: for visual effects. However, the win continued the academy’s habit of awarding the VFX Oscar to a best-picture nominee.
“Thank you to the academy for this tremendous honor,” said VFX supervisor Guillaume Rocheron in accepting the Academy Award. “ ‘1917’ is what you call a dream project, an opportunity to challenge how we approach visual effects, but also a chance to collaborate with some truly fantastic people. Thank you to Sam Mendes for being so inspirational and leading us through this epic journey.”
Dressed for the Oscars 2020 red carpet, with all the hits and misses
The 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday staged the final red carpet of the 2020 awards season as seemingly all the stars in the galaxy made their soggy way into the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. As we’ve come to expect from this year’s events, the Oscars didn’t disappoint, showcasing the showstopping trends we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.
Bold colors and voluminous gowns ruled the various awards red carpets this year, along with shimmering fabrics and an abundance of bling, courtesy of some of the marquee names in the jewelry game. Sunday night, however, brought us a more muted color palette.
Gal Gadot, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson and Natalie Portman dress up like their superheroine characters
Gal Gadot, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson and Natalie Portman lived up to their onscreen superheroine personas on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday.
In a prelude to the ‘80s setting for her forthcoming “Wonder Woman” sequel, Gadot’s gown by Givenchy Haute Couture combined a black lace turtleneck with a fluffy skirt in baby pink.
As her stylist Elizabeth Stewart posted on Instagram, Gadot was a “rock princess heading to the Oscars.”
Johansson’s silver strapless gown by Oscar de la Renta was enhanced with metallic strands across the bustier, a web-like detail that her character Black Widow would surely approve.
Just as Captain Marvel electrifies the Marvel Universe, Larson shimmered in a gown embroidered with more than 120,000 sequins, 110,000 glass beads, 13,000 Swarovski crystals and 6,500 pink strass jewels by Celine by Hedi Slimane. Captain Marvel doesn’t wear a cape, but Larson had one resting on her shoulders for this chilly Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Portman’s new character Thor won’t fly across the big screen until next year, but the Oscar winner did what she thought was right. The names of all the female directors who had been snubbed at the Oscars this year were embroidered on her cape, which was by Dior Haute Couture.
As Portman told The Times on the red carpet, “I wanted to recognize the women who were not recognized for their incredible work this year in my subtle way.”
‘Bombshell’ wins Oscar for makeup and hairstyling
Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan and Vivian Baker won the 2020 Oscar for makeup and hairstyling for their work on “Bombshell” Sunday night.
The other nominees were:
- Nicki Ledermann and Kay Georgiou, “Joker”
- Jeremy Woodhead, “Judy”
- Paul Gooch, Arjen Tuiten and David White, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”
- Naomi Donne, Tristan Versluis and Rebecca Cole, “1917”
James Corden and Rebel Wilson poke fun at the VFX in ‘Cats’ — in costume as cats
“Cats” made its way to the Oscars.
Presenters Rebel Wilson and James Corden took the stage as their “Cats” characters at the 92nd Academy Awards Sunday night. The movie was critically panned, and was famously reissued post-release to fix some visual effects issues.
“As cast members of the movie ‘Cats,’” started Wilson.
“Nobody else understands the importance of good visual effects,” added Corden.
(The award went to “1917.”)
Eminem surprises Oscars with ‘Lose Yourself’ performance, 17 years after best original song award
Eminem put in a surprise appearance at Sunday’s Academy Awards to perform his song “Lose Yourself.”
Why?
Because the aspirational rap-rock song, from director Curtis Hanson’s sort-of-biopic “8 Mile,” won an Oscar for best original song in 2003 — but didn’t attend that year’s ceremony.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell say they were edited out of 2019’s best movies
Presenters Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell definitely know what film editors do.
Carrying on their bit about being unaware of the role of cinematographers, the pair ran down all of the Oscar-nominated films they had been edited out of this year.
“It was called ‘Ford v Ferrari v Farrell,” said Farrell.
The Oscar for film editing went to Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland for “Ford v Ferrari.”
The other nominees were:
- Thelma Schoonmaker, “The Irishman”
- Tom Eagles, “Jojo Rabbit”
- Jeff Groth, “Joker”
- Yang Jinmo, “Parasite”
Jonas Rivera makes history as first two-time U.S.-born Latinx Academy Award winner
After winning the Oscar for animated feature, “Toy Story 4” producer Jonas Rivera was stunned and pleased to be reminded that he is now the first U.S.-born Latino to win multiple Oscars.
Rivera previously won for the 2015 film “Inside Out.”
“As if my mind couldn’t be more blown about the last five minutes, thank you for that,” Rivera said. “I’m a little bit out of my body right now. It means the world to me. I can’t even really put it into words.”
‘1917’ wins Oscar for cinematography
Roger Deakins won the 2020 Oscar for cinematography for “1917” on Sunday night.
The “unsung cinematic hero” was presented with the award following a bit by presenters Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, who appeared to have no idea what cinematographers do.
The other nominees were:
- Rodrigo Prieto, “The Irishman”
- Lawrence Sher, “Joker”
- Jarin Blaschke, “The Lighthouse”
- Robert Richardson, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”
Move over, Meryl: Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig flex their ‘acting’ skills at the Oscars
Never before have the presentations for production design and costume design been so dramatic. Or so, um, musical.
That was thanks to the impeccable comedy pairing of Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig, two “Saturday Night Live” veterans turned movie stars.
‘1917’ wins Oscar for sound mixing
Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson won the sound mixing award for “1917” at the 2020 Oscars Sunday.
The other nominees were:
- Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson and Mark Ulano, “Ad Astra”
- Paul Massey, David Giammarco and Steven A. Morrow, “Ford v Ferrari”
- Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic and Tod Maitland, “Joker”
- Michael Minkler, Christian P. Minkler and Mark Ulano, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”
‘Ford v Ferrari’ wins sound editing Oscar
Donald Sylvester won the 2020 Oscar for sound editing “Ford v Ferrari” on Sunday night.
The other nominees were:
- Alan Robert Murray, “Joker”
- Oliver Tarney and Rachael Tate, “1917”
- Wylie Stateman, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”
- Matthew Wood and David Acord, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
17 years later, Eminem (finally) performs ‘Lose Yourself’ at the Oscars
During the Oscars 2020 telecast Sunday night, Lin-Manuel Miranda introduced a montage of memorable music from films, which led to a scene from the 2002 movie “8 Mile.”
Suddenly, Eminem appeared and kicked off a performance of “Lose Yourself.”
This opportunity comes twice in a lifetime: As the rapper pointed out himself on Twitter, he did not perform the song during the telecast in 2003, when it won for original song.
Hey Twitter: Shia LaBeouf was not cutting off Zack Gottsagen
If you’re thinking of adding to the Twitter chorus of those accusing Shia LaBeouf of cutting off or demeaning his “Peanut Butter Falcon” costar Zack Gottsagen during their live-action short presentation, let us save you some embarrassment.
LaBeouf and Gottsagen developed a strong bond during the movie’s filming. “[Zack] tells you straight up; he’s a truth barometer,” LaBeouf told The Times in March. “Sometimes he doesn’t want you to tickle him. He just says that, there’s no weird extra. I just know where I stand with him. He’s the straightest shooter.”
For his part, Gottsagen said of the controversial LaBeouf, “I was what changed his life around, just so you know. Shia has struggled and been through bad times, and I was what changed his life around to make it better. Not everything is bad.”
LaBeouf’s “Honey Boy” director, Alma Har’el, tweeted that the actor only agreed to present at Sunday night’s ceremony if he could do it with Gottsagen:
Laura Dern wins her first Oscar as supporting actress in ‘Marriage Story’
Laura Dern won her first Oscar on Sunday night for her supporting role in “Marriage Story,” as a shrewdly charming Los Angeles divorce lawyer. It was her third nomination, having previously been recognized for lead actress in 1992’s “Rambling Rose” and in a supporting role in 2015’s “Wild.”
‘The Neighbors’ Window,’ a story of voyeurism and empathy, wins the live-action short film Oscar
The Oscar for live-action short went to “The Neighbors’ Window,” a story about the intersection of voyeurism and empathy.
“I want to dedicate this to my mom, who grew up on a peach farm in Chesterfield, S.C.,” said writer-director Marshall Curry, a four-time nominee, from the Oscar stage. “She was the best storyteller I ever knew. She always had a story about some crazy thing that happened, with her siblings when she was growing up, or some weird dog that she had seen, or something the taxi driver had told her about his life that would break your heart. I learned from watching her that a well-told story is a powerful thing. It can change the way we see the world and it can help us to notice other people and care about those other people and maybe love each other a little bit more. So this is for her and for all the storytellers.”
‘Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)’ wins for documentary short
“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)” won the 2020 Oscar for documentary short on Sunday.
“I’ve been working in Afghanistan since 2005,” said director Carol Dysinger. “This movie is my love letter for the brave girls in that country.”
The other nominees were:
- “In the Absence”
- “Life Overtakes Me”
- “St. Louis Superman”
- “Walk Run Cha-Cha”
Chris Rock and Steve Martin let the zingers fly at 2020 Oscars
There was no host at the 2020 Oscars, but the show did get rolling with a couple of comedians riffing back and forth: Chris Rock and Steve Martin.
Rock, who (along with Martin) had practiced some of his new material the night before at the Comedy Store in Hollywood, declared the reason the Academy Awards didn’t have hosts anymore: “Twitter,” he said.
‘American Factory’ wins the Oscar for documentary feature
“American Factory” won the 2020 Oscar for documentary feature Sunday night.
“Our story is from Ohio and China but it can really be from anywhere. Working people have it harder and harder these days,” said Julia Reichert in accepting the award. “We believe things will get better when workers of the world unite.”
The other nominees were:
- “The Cave”
- “The Edge of Democracy”
- “For Sama”
- “Honeyland”
Oscar presenters Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph display their many talents
Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph took the stage to presents the award for production design and costume design at the 2020 Oscars on Sunday night.
But before they could get to business, they had something to prove.
“We’re upset,” said Rudolph.
The “Saturday Night Live” alums went back and forth as they discussed how upset they were.
“We’re too upset to do this,” said Wiig.
Except they weren’t upset at all. They just wanted to display their acting chops.
“We just know there are a lot of directors here tonight,” explained Wiig.
“We just want them to know that we do more than comedy,” added Rudolph, as they appealed for work.
The pair continued the bit as they presented the costume design award. This time, they hoped to prove that they could sing as well.
Somebody hire them, already!
Oscars 2020: Taika Waititi, Antonio Banderas and other men sparkle in bejeweled pins
Oscar winner Taika Waititi, Timothée Chalamet, Antonio Banderas and Anthony Ramos weren’t going to let Mindy Kaling and Gal Gadot grab all the gems for themselves at Sunday’s Academy Awards.
Kaling sparkled in more than 135 carats of diamonds, courtesy of Chopard, and Gadot’s pendant necklace from Tiffany & Co. offset her black lace turtleneck by Givenchy Haute Couture, but the men added a glint of style with brooches, pins and, in Ramos’ case, an oversized chain necklace by Dolce & Gabbana.
Chalamet continued to translate streetwear to the Oscars red carpet (remember his Louis Vuitton harness at last year’s Golden Globes?). On Sunday, the “Little Women” actor arrived in a high-end gas station jacket by Prada, accented with a Cartier brooch made of 1-karat white gold, platinum rubies and diamonds.
Waititi, who won for his his adapted screenplay of “Jojo Rabbit,” adorned his black Dior Men tuxedo with Nikos Koulis’ pin crafted from diamonds and a gray Tahitian pearl.
Banderas, also dressed by Dior Men, pinned a constellation of stars on his lapel.
Meanwhile, up-and-comer Ramos from “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” piled on the accessories with a polka dot ascot, a gold and green lapel pin and a hefty chain necklace that has pendants shaped as “M” and “F.”
Oscars reminder: No woman has won a screenplay award in 12 years
Taika Waititi’s sentimental satire “Jojo Rabbit” won the Oscar for adapted screenplay Sunday, prevailing over, among other nominees, Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed adaptation of “Little Women.”
That outcome, coupled with “Parasite’s” victory in the original screenplay category, means that no woman has won an Oscar for writing in 12 years. (Krysty Wilson-Cairns, who co-wrote “1917” with Sam Mendes, was the only other woman nominated this year.)
Taika Waititi makes Oscars history as first Maori Academy Award winner
Taika Waititi has made Oscars history.
At the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday, the “Jojo Rabbit” writer-director-actor took the prize for adapted screenplay. This makes Waititi the first person of Maori descent to win an Oscar. He was the first ever indigenous person to be nominated in the category.
‘Parasite’ makes history as first Asian winner of a screenplay Oscar
Among its numerous firsts throughout this awards season, the genre-shredding class satire “Parasite” made history Sunday night by becoming the first Korean — and the first Asian — film ever to claim the original screenplay Oscar, with director Bong Joon Ho and cowriter Han Jin Won beating a field that included Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”), Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story”), Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns (“1917”) and Rian Johnson (“Knives Out”).
‘The Neighbors’ Window’ wins the Oscar for documentary short
“The Neighbors’ Window” won the 2020 Oscar for documentary short on Sunday night.
“I learned from watching her that a well told story is a powerful thing,” said director Marshall Curry, dedicating the award to storytellers.
The other nominees were:
- “Brotherhood”
- “Nefta Football Club”
- “Saria”
- “A Sister”
Taika Waititi wins the Oscar for adapted screenplay for ‘Jojo Rabbit’
Taika Waititi won the 2020 Oscar for adapted screenplay for “Jojo Rabbit” on Sunday.
“I’d like to thank my mother,” said Waititi when accepting the award, noting he lost track of his mother hours ago. “Thank you for being my mother and for giving me the book that I adapted.”
He ended by dedicating the award to all the indigenous kids who want to tell stories.
The other nominees were:
- Steven Zaillian, “The Irishman”
- Todd Phillips and Scott Silver, “Joker”
- Greta Gerwig, “Little Women”
- Anthony McCarten, “The Two Popes”
Janelle Monáe kicks off Oscars with Mr. Rogers, Billy Porter and a troupe of ‘Midsommar’ hoofers
Janelle Monáe opened the Oscars on Sunday night with an epic fake-out.
The adventurous R&B singer began her number with a quiet rendition of the twinkly theme from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which she sang while wearing Fred Rogers’ trademark red sweater — and while palling around in the front row with Tom Hanks, who played the legendary kids-TV host in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”
“Parasite” wins the Oscar for original screenplay
Bong Joon Ho and Han Jin Won won South Korea’s first Oscar Sunday night for the original screenplay of “Parasite.”
The other nominees were:
- Rian Johnson, “Knives Out”
- Noah Baumbach, “Marriage Story”
- Sam Mendes & Krysty Wilson-Cairns, “1917”
- Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”
‘Toy Story 4’ wins animated feature, giving Pixar Oscar No. 10
Pixar notched its 10th animated feature Oscar win on Sunday as “Toy Story 4” took home the gold statue. Surprisingly, considering the box office success of animated sequels, no franchise had ever collected more than one animated feature Oscar until “Toy Story 4” added to the previous installment’s Oscar in the category.
Director Josh Cooley said, “We want to thank the moviegoing audience so much, especially those who grew up with ‘Toy Story.’ We hope that your adventures with Woody and Buzz made growing up a little easier.”
‘Into the Unknown’ performance shows the global reach of ‘Frozen 2’
Surrounded by floating diamond shapes that evoked scenes from the animated film, Idina Menzel was joined by Elsas all over the world for a special performance of Oscar-nominated “Frozen 2” song “Into the Unknown” at the Oscars on Sunday.
The performance featured languages including Japanese, Thai, German, Russian, Norwegian and Spanish.
‘Hair Love’s’ Matthew A. Cherry is the second Oscar-winning former pro athlete after Kobe Bryant
Former NFL player Matthew A. Cherry is proof that you can have more than one dream.
The writer, producer and co-director of “Hair Love” became just the second former professional athlete to win an Oscar when the film took the award for animated short at the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday. His win follows Kobe Bryant, who won in the same category for “Dear Basketball” at the 2018 Oscars. The former Lakers star died in a helicopter crash last month that also took the life of his 13 year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others.
Timothée Chalamet’s Oscars look? Valet chic
Oscars presenter and “Little Women” actor Timothée Chalamet went valet chic on the Oscars red carpe , rocking a midnight-blue sweatsuit-tuxedo-hybrid by Prada.
Chalamet, a.k.a. the internet’s boyfriend, has built a reputation for breaking red carpet rules.
At last year’s awards show, he donned a glittering black harness from Louis Vuitton by Virgil Abloh (which he insisted was a bib) that sent the Twitter into a frenzy. We suspect this look will as well.
‘Hair Love’ wins the Oscar for animated short
“Hair Love” won the 2020 Oscar for animated short film.
“We have a firm belief that representation matters deeply, especially in cartoons,” said producer Karen Rupert Tolver.
“This award is dedicated to Kobe Bryant,” said Matthew A. Cherry, the writer, co-director and producer “Hair Love.” “May we all have a second act as great as his.”
The other nominees were:
- “Dcera”
- “Kitbull”
- “Memorable”
- “Sister”
‘Toy Story 4’ wins the Oscar for animated feature film
Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” won the 2020 Oscar for animated feature film on Sunday.
Among those thanked were the moviegoing audience: “We hope your adventures with Woody and Buzz made growing up a little bit easier.”
The other nominees were:
- “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”
- “I Lost My Body”
- “Klaus”
- “Missing Link”
Steve Martin and Chris Rock take swipe at Oscars’ lack of diversity
For the second year in a row, the Oscars have no host for the telecast. So the academy turned to a pair of veterans to help riff on the evening’s events and nominees.
Chris Rock and Steve Martin took the stage to take comedic jabs at the nominees as well as the academy itself, with repeated jabs at the nominees’ lack of diversity. In particular, the pair commented on the fact that academy voters once again failed to recognize female filmmakers.
“We had a great time not hosting tonight,” said Martin.
Brad Pitt wins his first acting Oscar for ‘Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood’
Is it possible to be one of the most famous people in the world and still somehow underrecognized? Apparently so, as Brad Pitt won his first Oscar for acting on Sunday night, picking up the statue for his performance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” as Cliff Booth, stuntman, best friend, hired driver, handyman, dog lover, war hero and possible wife killer.
Janelle Monáe opens the Oscars 2020 telecast as... Mr. Rogers
Janelle Monáe channeled her inner Mr. Rogers to kick off the 2020 Oscars telecast.
The singer and actress walked through a door — and reenacting a scene — familiar to many when she donned a red sweater and sang about the beautiful day in the neighborhood.
Things quickly took a turn when dancers dressed in costumes reflective of the films of 2019 (including some that aren’t among the nominees) joined her onstage. Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter even got in on the fun.
And so the show begins.
Oscars nominee Saoirse Ronan goes full Gucci at the Oscars
Saoirse Ronan, whose performance as Jo March in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” earned her an Oscar nomination for best actress in a leading role, strutted the red carpet in a three-toned Gucci ensemble with a peplum that wouldn’t quit.
Ronan accessorized the black, ivory and pale-lavender gown with Gucci jewelry and hair clips, and brand-new baby bangs. However, her gown looks as if it’s part of Cardi B’s half-shell dress for the Grammys in 2019.
Natalie Portman dons cape with names of snubbed female directors on Oscars carpet
Natalie Portman strutted onto the 92nd Academy Awards’ red carpet in protest.
The Oscar winner wore a black Dior cape with the names of female directors who weren’t nominated Sunday.
“I wanted to recognize the women who were not recognized for their incredible work this year in my subtle way,” she told a Times reporter on the red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre.
‘Hair Love’ team brings teen who wouldn’t cut his dreadlocks to the Oscars
In January, DeAndre Arnold was told by his Texas high school that he had to cut off the dreadlocks he’s had for years or he’d be suspended and banned from the school’s graduation ceremony.
On Sunday, the 18-year-old — who has since transferred schools and still has his locs — was headed with Matthew A. Cherry’s “Hair Love” team to a very different event: the 2020 Oscars ceremony.
Power couple Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach walk the Oscars red carpet in Dior
Greta Gerwig, director of the Oscar-nominated “Little Women,” walked the red carpet in an olive-hued Dior Haute Couture gown, accessorized with a statement necklace and sparkling stud earrings. The look: Old Hollywood.
She was joined by her partner, Noah Baumbach, director of the Oscar-nominated “Marriage Story,” who was in Dior Men.
Nominee Laura Dern wears custom Armani Privé on the Oscars red carpet
Laura Dern, whose role as a Louboutin-wearing lawyer in “Marriage Story” nabbed her a best supporting actress nomination at Sunday’s Oscars, stepped onto the red carpet in a custom blush pink Armani Privé gown with black crystal embroidery and tassels around the bust.
Dern walked the red carpet with her actress mother, Diane Ladd, who wore a velvet Giorgio Armani power tuxedo and ruffled blouse.
Rain soaks Oscars red carpet, but Hollywood stars still don their best
It was a wet and chilly red carpet at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, where Hollywood’s elite arrived for the 92nd Academy Awards. But Hollywood’s stars still donned their Oscar-Sunday best.
Just after 1 p.m., a mild panic began to set in as a storm rolled in right as the carpet was opening.
A tent protected attendees from much of the deluge but not enough, with crews scrambling to stop up leaks and sweep collecting rainwater off the roof.
“We have a leak in the red carpet next to the stage,” one crew member barked into his walkie-talkie. “I repeat: there’s a leak in the tent.”
Julia Butters wears custom Christian Siriano for her Oscars red carpet debut
Ten-year-old actor Julia Butters, who worked alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the best picture-nominated “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” made her Oscars debut in a custom, tiered Christian Siriano gown in bubblegum-pink.
She accessorized with a platinum asymmetrical bow necklace from Lark & Berry and spherical purse, which held aturkey sandwich.
Billie Eilish wears oversized Chanel suit on the Oscars red carpet
Oscars performer Billie Eilish walked the red carpet in a custom, oversized Chanel suit, accessorized with chunky chain jewelry and lace fingerless gloves. Naturally, her neon green roots and black talons were in view.
Now will she bring a dose of James Bond to the Academy Awards? We’ll keep an eye out.
Cynthia Erivo could be an EGOT winner at the Oscars. But does a Daytime Emmy win count?
It took less than a year for Cynthia Erivo to collect all three of her Tony, Grammy and Daytime Emmy Awards, thanks to her showstopping performance as Celie in the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple.”
She won the lead actress in a musical Tony in 2016 and followed it with a Grammy for the cast album and a Daytime Emmy for a performance from the show on NBC’s “Today Show,” both in 2017.
Just a few years later, the “Harriet” star is now nominated for her first two Oscars, which could spell EGOT for the triple threat should she come away with any victories at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday. But does a Daytime Emmy — awarded in a separate ceremony from the Primetime Emmy Awards (a.k.a. the Emmy Emmys) — still count toward EGOT status?
The short answer is: Yes.
“Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood’s” Julia Butters makes her red-carpet debut in Christian Siriano
Julia Butters
Ten-year-old actor Julia Butters, who worked alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the best picture-nominated “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” made her Oscars debut in a tiered, bubblegum-pink Christian Siriano confection.
She accessorized the look with an asymmetrical bow necklace by Lark & Berry and a spherical purse that held none other than a turkey sandwich.
Cast and crew of “1917” sing the praises of “Parasite”
With the best picture race heating up between South Korean juggernaut “Parasite” and World War I drama “1917,” nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins had nothing but praise for his competition.
“I mean, how do you judge between the two movies?” Deakins said. “‘Parasite’ is brilliant. ... If it wins best picture, it deserves it.”
And “1917” star George MacKay had some kind words for “the loveliest man” and “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho.
“He’s so friendly, so warm and kind,” he said. “And ‘Parasite’s’ just such an incredible film. It’s been a real pleasure.”
Spike Lee wears a custom tuxedo to honor Kobe Bryant
Julia Butters brings her own turkey sandwich to the Oscars
No, the Obamas won’t be winning any Oscar statuettes tonight
Former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama have earned a slew of impressive honors and awards over the years, from Grammys to NAACP Image Awards to the Nobel Peace Prize. But despite backing this year’s Academy Award-nominated documentary feature “American Factory,” the Obamas won’t be adding any Oscar statuettes to their mantle if it wins. At least not yet.
Co-directed by Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, “American Factory” chronicles a fascinating experiment in cross-cultural capitalism when Chinese auto-glass manufacturing firm Fuyao decided to establish a satellite plant in an abandoned GM facility in Ohio. The film won the U.S. documentary directing award at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and is considered a strong contender to take home the Oscar.
But while Netflix released “American Factory” under the banner of the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground, they themselves were not involved in making the film and were not personally nominated for it; indeed, their names don’t appear anywhere in the film’s credits. And unlike former Vice President Al Gore, who took the stage in 2007 when the climate-change doc “An Inconvenient Truth” won the Oscar, they are not attending the show.
Oscars 2020: Billy Porter steps out in Kensington Palace-inspired print gown
No surprise that “Pose” star, musician and gender-bending fashion icon Billy Porter lived up to all style expectations at the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday.
Arriving early on the red carpet to host ABC’s official Oscars pre-show, Porter stepped out in another over-the-top custom gown, designed by British couture designer Giles Deacon.
The bodice is embellished with a flurry of 24-karat-gold feathers, and the intricate pattern on the voluminous silk skirt is inspired by the architectural design of the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace in London, according to Porter’s stylist Sam Ratelle.
Porter accessorized with high-heeled gold leather Jimmy Choo bespoke platform booties, designed by the brand’s creative director, Sandra Choi, and finished with a floral-patterned metal buckle. His Judith Leiber Couture handbag is embellished with more than 8,000 24-karat-gold-plated crystals. And for added dazzle, his Dita eyeglasses are encrusted with gold and silver Swarovski crystals, courtesy of Mercura NYC.
He topped off the look with diamond and recycled gold jewels from Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry.
Known for bringing fashion drama to the red carpet, Porter similarly wore a feather-embellished look (a white tuxedo adorned with 4,000 Swarovski crystals and a 6-foot-long white feathered train that zipped off) to the Golden Globes in January.
At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, he shined in a custom Michael Kors Collection suit with disco vibes embellished along the pinstripes with more than 130,000 crystals. Then he continued his ode to the disco era (a theme he is pursuing in his music) at the 62nd Grammy Awards in a glittery Baja East turquoise jumpsuit, jacket and accessories decked out with over 70,000 crystals — topped with a matching lampshade-like hat with a fringed crystal veil that opened and closed at the click of a remote control, carried by Ratelle.
Earlier in the year, he kicked off 2020 in a series of four lavish tuxedo looks, while co-hosting “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” including another shimmery Michael Kors suit, inspired by Studio 54.
Ratelle told the Los Angeles Times we can expect more outfit changes from Porter on Sunday.
Oscars 2020: Renée Zellweger brings her signature style to the red carpet
Renée Zellweger is considered the shoo-in for lead actress at the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday, having walked away with awards at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, British Academy Film Awards and more for her role as Judy Garland in Rupert Goold’s biopic “Judy.”
During her elegant awards season run, Zellweger (with the help of stylist Petra Flannery) has wowed in a distinctive signature look. Her series of mostly polished, strapless column gowns, with no frills or distracting extras beyond a bracelet or two, is seamlessly finished with dyed-to-match pumps. Sweeping her hair into a loose, low bun, the actress has opted for natural, understated makeup — leaving the focus on her smiling face and her performance.
Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz and more: A look at the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscars dinner
Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz, Robert De Niro, Tracee Ellis Ross and Michael Keaton were among the stars who turned out for the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscars dinner held at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge on Saturday night.
With a celebratory mood in the air, Robbie shared her practical perspective on Oscar nominations. “It just means that hopefully more people will watch the movie,” said the “Bombshell” star. “I particularly want men to see the film. Awards recognition can do that. So it’s a wonderful thing.”
Oscars 2020: Charlize Theron goes for the fashion gold this award season
An actress nominee at the 92nd Academy Awards for her role as former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly in “Bombshell,” Charlize Theron has been one to watch on the step-and-repeat this awards season. With the help of stylist Leslie Fremar, Theron tends to combine hard and soft as well as structured with delicate. Metallics also have always been her go-to.
As a longtime face of Dior’s J’adore fragrance, the star often turns to fashion looks from the French luxury label designed by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, a champion of modern feminism. At the 73rd annual British Academy Film Awards this month, the 44-year-old actress stunned in a pleated purple silk Dior bustier gown finished with a thin velvet belt; for the Golden Globes, Chiuri designed Theron a belted one-shoulder green silk gown with an attached black train and an exposed black tulle corset.
Some streets around Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre to remain closed days after today’s Oscar
Many street closures are in effect around the Dolby Theatre for Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony, and some will remain closed several days after Hollywood’s biggest event of the year.
Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue will remain closed until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The northernmost curb lane of Hollywood Boulevard, along with much of the north sidewalk, is closed in front of the Hollywood & Highland complex and will remain blocked until Wednesday.
Curb lanes of Orange Drive north of Hollywood Boulevard have already been closed.
Oscars 2020: Cynthia Erivo brings bold, colorful looks to awards season
Bringing a burst of fun to the red carpet, Cynthia Erivo — a first-time and double nominee for lead actress and original song at the 92nd Academy Awards (and also the only black nominee for acting) — has gained attention for donning a wide array of head-turning fashion looks during this awards show circuit.
At the Oscars, all eyes will be on the 33-year-old “Harriet” star, who is one step away from landing in the EGOT club, having already won a Daytime Emmy, Grammy and Tony.
Partnering with stylist Jason Bolden, Erivo has channeled strength in tuxedos. She went for a gold JW Anderson tux with black lapels at the SAG-AFTRA Patron of the Artists Awards and stepped out in a tuxedo-inspired gown by Thom Browne encrusted with glittery sequins in a peony pattern at the hem (an ode to her favorite flower) at the Golden Globes.
Oscars 2020: Everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s show
Finish those screeners and lock in your predictions — Oscar Sunday is nearly here.
With the Golden Globes, the SAGs and craft honors in the rear-view mirror, the 2020 race is shaping up to be quite a showdown between more traditional awards darlings (period drama “1917”) and history-making entries (South Korean thriller “Parasite”).
And though the months leading up to the ceremony have been relatively calm compared to 2019, the motion picture academy still managed to cause an inevitable ruckus by snubbing women and artists of color in major categories and tweeting a confusing sample ballot of winners.
See iconic Oscar dresses from past decades — and explore them in AR
One of the fun things about watching the well-heeled stars hit the Academy Awards arrivals red carpet is imagining how their fashionable finery — from the trim, tailored tuxedos and full-skirted ballgowns to the instantly iconic and fantastical (swan dress, anyone?) — would look on us. For most of us, though, the dream of satisfying that curiosity has been frustrated without the necessary disposable income (or stylists or fashion-house connections, for that matter) to make it happen.
Now, thanks to augmented-reality technology, trying on an Oscar-caliber gown can be almost as easy as taking a selfie. We’ve looked back at the last half-century of Academy Awards fashion — the 1970s through the 2010s — and picked a single memorable look from each of those decades. Next, we tapped New York artist Micah 404 to sketch interpretations of these looks.
‘1917’ dominates our 2020 Oscar predictions, but ‘Parasite’ could surprise
Brad Pitt will make us laugh. Joaquin Phoenix will make us nervous. And “Little Women” will win exactly one Oscar, costume design, richly deserved, don’t get me wrong, but, wow, that’s it?
So, yes, get ready for the annual outpouring of agony and elation. Here are my final Oscar predictions for all 24 categories, including, when applicable, the places where surprises could (and, in some cases, should) happen.
Oscars 2020: Who will win and who should win. Our critics’ picks
No, it wasn’t just your imagination. This actually was the shortest Oscar season ever. The nominations were revealed on Jan. 13, and the awards will be handed out Sunday.
Times critics Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang weigh in with their predictions of who and what will win in 11 key races this year. And, because they’ve put in the work of seeing these films all year long, who and what should win too.
Inside the Oscars rehearsals: What to expect from the 2020 Academy Awards
On the day before the Oscars, you might imagine that Hollywood’s biggest stars are busy getting their final dress fittings, squeezing in a last-minute manicure or hitting an exclusive party.
And although all of that may very well be true, any celebrity presenting at the 92nd annual Academy Awards also had a required stop to make Saturday: the Dolby Theater, where Oscar rehearsals were underway.
The awards show draws more eyeballs than any other on television, and it’s also the only one that requires star presenters — barring extenuating circumstances — to run through the show in advance.
Oscars 2020 preview: Five things to watch, from Joaquin Phoenix to Billie Eilish
This year’s Oscars will have no host and, if you believe the pundits, no suspense.
Joaquin Phoenix, Renée Zellweger, Brad Pitt and Laura Dern accepted trophies five weeks ago at the Golden Globes ... and at the SAG Awards two weeks later ... and at the British Academy Film Awards last weekend. And as practice makes perfect, they’re really honing their craft!
Actually, Pitt didn’t give a speech at the BAFTAs because he didn’t make the trip to London. He was likely too busy working out new jokes for the Oscars. Dude’s having the time of his life. And why not? He leaves every show with a trophy. As Pitt said at the National Board of Review gala last month, “It’s nice to be able to leave this carrying something other than George Clooney.”
Everything you need to know about ‘Parasite’ and its Oscar nominations
It was clear from Times critic Justin Chang’s radiant enthusiasm coming out of Cannes in May: “Parasite” was something special — a movie to be seen, and then to be watched as it took the awards circuit by storm.
It’s a journey that will culminate Feb. 9 at the Oscars, where the Korean-language film now stands nominated in six categories, including best picture and director.
But for those those who’ve missed the “Parasite” train thus far, here’s a short course in why director Bong Joon Ho’s movie is such a buzzy big deal.