Oscars 2026

photo: Kathleen Kinmont

The Good, The Not So Good and The If Only:

Back to The Grind today, so let me write to you briefly, in bullet statements. This is for those of you who like movies, enjoy The Oscars, and who watched last night and are interested in some banter around this cultural phenomenon.

First, The Good:

1. Conan O'Brien was funny, self-effacing and well-rehearsed. The opening bit with him as monstrous Auntie from Weapons was both hilarious and kind of frightening. Throughout the show were elements suggesting that Generations Z and Alpha might herald the end of cinema-going and the birth of an AI addicted, gaming, non-intellectual group of entertain-me consumer freaks. Conan managed to hint at the despair of our times, without becoming morose or too "political" -a difficult balance.

2. The WINNERS themselves. Gratifiying to see a veteran like Amy Madigan, a real Artist/actor/musician and someone in the game a long time, win an Oscar. A lack of pretension and a celebration of true artists prevailed. Jessie Buckley. Michael B Jordan. Everyone in the room and watching rooting for them. Paul Thomas Anderson and his humility, and humor. Ryan Coogler, also humble and grateful. This year, it felt like the Winners were not the "Stars," but members of ensembles who together made these movies magic. It is exciting to think that the future could be more about collaboration and the acknowledgment of that, as opposed to the celebrity/star thing.

3. MR NOBODY vs PUTIN winning BEST DOC. Surely an opportunity was taken to stress the small ways in which a culture can be eviscerated, as fascism and militarism undermine the lives of school children. These implications are dark, but far-reaching. And how glorious that film can connect the dots and nations.

4. THE TIE for BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT. Really great to see THE SINGERS win and also TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA and witness a truly cross-cultural collaboration. Fun to see the energy and excitement in the win, and the tie!

5. The IN MEMORIAM. Finally, a really beautiful tribute section. Billy Crystal and actors remembering The Reiners. The Diane Keaton section. Then Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand. Admittedly this section might have thrilled older viewers more than younger, but these were genuinely felt moments.

6. The INCREDIBLE Sinners musical presentation. Beat out anything that happened at THE GRAMMYS.

7. The joy for and embrace of K POP Demon Hunters, the dance and music number and the wins. A nice idea to have everyone shining their lights in the audience.

8. Autumn Durald Arkapaw winning BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER for Sinners. What a beautiful speech. And acknowledging all women. Something very sweet and sincere about that moment.

9. Fun to see ensemble regrouping of THE BRIDESMAIDS and really delightful to see Ludwig Goransson accept for SINNERS. The story he told about his Swedish father's love of John Lee Hooker and his own embrace of the blues guitar was very touching.

10. Von Trier's comment in winning Best International Film, regarding all leaders putting the welfare of the world's children before their own was very touching and profound, in the same way as ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS doc begs us to remember the children lost to guns in school shootings.

    THE NOT-SO-GOOD:

    1. Sorry, but I missed SEAN PENN. Really? He couldn't show up to accept an award? I call BS. Now more than ever, we would have appreciated his voice, and his presence.

    2. Playing people off-stage didn't happen too much, but the KPOP songwriter should have been able to finish his thank yous.

    3. No music should have played so loudly over Barbra Streisand as she remembered Robert Redford.

    4. The aura of foreboding regarding WARNAMOUNT is very much felt. NO one seems to know what to do about it. There is already a feeling of intimidation, and a sense of what can you do? Javier Bardem spoke up: No wars. Free Palestine. But those comments are so loaded, and it is difficult stuff to parse out. Hence, a yearning to seize the platform but as subtly as possible. Many elephants in the room.

    5. Paul Thomas Anderson's film is loaded with contemporary crises: the immigration situation. The oppression of some. The oligarchy. Secret societies who aim for profit and control over the majority. Yet he cannot address any of these. Perhaps he is like Dylan.

    Let the films speak for themselves? There is no doubt he is becoming more and more powerful in Hollywood, respected. This is a good thing. And we hope and know the same for Ryan Coogler. Yet, even they must answer to the new funding machine. How will all of this play out?

    IF ONLY:

    1. We can hold true to the belief that film itself is important. That movie theaters bring people together in empathy, in immersive environments. Keep the movie theaters alive!

    2. That movies like the ones we saw this year can keep being made.

    3. That opportunities exist for all kinds of different people who can make a living this way.

    4. That Hollywood will thrive and preserve its history and traditions while opening the door to new people, all kinds of diversity.

    5. That the beautiful people we have lost will continue their spirits in new people who hold those values: freedom of speech, good stories

    6. That technology will not minimalize human effort and expression

    7. That we can keep The Oscars going, preserve history and traditions, but make things better. Less advertising time, maybe?

    8. That all of these great films are accessible to all people, and live in movie theaters longer. Access online and home screens are valuable, but allow people the chance to view on big screens too

    9. Culture matters. Stories matter. The international aspect of the Oscars is really profound and exciting. May it continue.

    10. Anything in culture that gives us hope beyond war and exploitation, violence and corruption. Anything that makes us think, empowers us, ennobles us. Makes us laugh and cry together. More of all of this!