By Sam Boyce


The Oscars 2022 were, well let’s just say, a slapping success. The 94th presentation of the Oscars was nothing short of drama filled. Here’s the recap of all the hits this year, even the ones you wouldn’t expect. (See end for full list of nominations.) 

Of the nominations for Best Picture, CODA, a touching story about a deaf family and their failing fishing business won. Apple made history with this award by becoming the first streaming service to win the best picture Oscar. 

Of the nominations for Actor In a Supporting Role, Troy Kotsur won CODA another Academy Award. Kotsur won the award for his performance as Frank Rossi in the movie. Kotsur also made history, and was the first deaf man to win an oscar for acting. CODA has proven to be nothing but a success, and the awards are groundbreaking. 

The next award was Actress In a Supporting Role, and of the nominations, Ariana DeBose won this Oscar for her performance in the remake of West Side Story. This movie is nothing short of a classic love story, and DeBose’s performance was, well, Oscar worthy! 

For the International Film Feature, of the nominations, Drive My Car won the oscar. A story about a renowned stage director who lost his wife, this picture is described as a “thought-provoking drama on loss and letting go.”

For the Documentary (Short) award, of the nominated documentaries, The Queen of Basketball won the oscar. A story about Lucy Harris, her impressive story on the court is shown marvelously through this documentary. 

Of the nominated Documentary Features, Summer of Soul won. This documentary explores the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which was an annual festival in Harlem, New York, that featured black music and performers. 

Next up, Original Song. Of the nominated songs, No Time To Die by Billie Eilish and Finneas brought home yet another award. At least it was only one this time, right? 

The Animated Feature Film winner wasn’t a surprise to much of anyone. This movie shocked the internet, but we don’t talk about it. (Or Bruno)  Encanto, a movie highlighting Colombian culture won this Academy Award. 

The next award given was for an Adapted Screenplay. Of all the nominations, CODA brought home yet another Academy Award. 

For the Original Screenplay award, Belfast took home the Oscar. This screenplay shines light on the troubled times of the 1960s in Northern Ireland. It follows a middle class family, and their journey through the conflict in the nation’s capital. 

The next award given was for Actor in a Leading Role, but we’ve decided to save that for last because of the, well response. So, next up is Actress in a Leading Role. This award presentation was much calmer and relaxed than its counterpart, and Jessica Chastain for The Eyes of Tammy Faye proved victorious. This remake of the 2000 documentary tells the story of Tammy Faye Bakker. 

Next up, Best Director. This Oscar was given to Jane Campion for her movie, The Power of The Dog. Not only did she get to bring home the trophy, she also made history by becoming the first woman to be nominated for more than one Best Director award. The Power of the Dog is based on the novel by Thomas Savage, and follows two ranchowning brothers in Montana.

For Best Production Design, of the nominations, Dune took home one of its many Oscars. Dune is a dystopian movie which follows a noble family that has been encapsulated in a war. 

The next award given was for Best Cinematography. Dune brought home yet another Academy Award. This movie was set in the desert, so we can’t be too surprised that it’s leaving the awards presentation so victorious. 

For Best Costume Design, I know I was excited this trophy didn’t join Dune’s collections of fake gold men. The winner of this award was Cruella, a backstory of one of our favorite villains. No shade to Dune, but the costumes in this movie were over the top and definitely Oscar worthy. 

Next up, Achievement in Sound. Yet again, Dune won this Oscar. If three Academy Awards (and counting!) doesn’t seem like a good reason to watch the movie, I don’t know what does. 

The next award given was for Best Animated Short File. The Windshield Wiper, which follows a man posing the question of “What is Love?”. This Spanish-American short film is magnificent, and hopefully helps you answer the same question. 

For Best Live Action Short Film, The Long Goodbye took home the Oscar. This 12 minute film follows the relationship between post Brexit Britain and South Asians and British Asians through the story of an abusive relationship

Next up, Best Original Score. The winner is… drum roll please…. Dune! Again! This movie is clearly nothing but stellar. 

The next award was for Best Visual Effects. I’ll give you $5 if you can guess what the winner is. Yes, Dune won yet another Academy Award. 

For the Best Film Editing Award, take your guesses now! In 3.. 2.. 1…, Dune brought home another Oscar. For those of you who are still debating not seeing this movie, stop. 

Next up, Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The Eyes of Tammy Faye brought home their second Academy Award. 

Finally, the award for Best Actor in A Leading Role. I’ve run out of slapping jokes, so let’s cut to the chase. The winner of this award was Will Smith for his role in King Richard. But, moments before Will Smith was presented his award, he went on stage and slapped Chris Rock. The slap was insinuated from a joke Chris Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife. Chris Rock was greeting the audience, and when he got to the Smiths, he said “Jada, I love you. G.I Jane 2, can’t wait to see you!”. If you don’t know, G.I Jane is a movie about a girl with beautiful long hair, who shaves it all off to be in the military. What prompted the slapping is that Jada Pinkett Smith is bald because of her alopecia, a disease causing hair loss. So, this joke was a low blow. But was it right of Will Smith to react in the violent way he did? No matter your opinion, we can’t ignore the hard hitting irony of Will Smith winning the award right after he smacked the announcer. 

So, there’s the recap of the 2022 Oscars! Hopefully you will watch some of the award winning movies after the brief summaries. And, go watch Dune for crying out loud. 

FULL NOMINATIONS: (bolded are winners) 


Best Picture:  Belfast, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, CODA, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, West Side Story

Actor in a Supporting Role: Ciaran Hinds – Belfast, Troy Kotsur- CODA, Jesse Plemons- The Power of the Dog, J.K Simmons- Being the Ricardos, and Kodi Smit-McPhee- The Power of the Dog

Actress in a Supporting Role: Jessie Buckley- The Lost Daughter, Ariana DeBose- West Side Story, Judi Dench- Belfast, Kristen Dunst- The Power of the Dog, and Aunjanue Ellis- KIng Richard

International Film Feature: Drive My Car, Flee, The Hand of God, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, and The Worst Person in the World

Documentary (Short): Audible, Lead Me Home, The Queen of Basketball, Three Songs for Benazir, When We Were Bullies. 

Documentary Feature: Ascension, Attica, Flee, Summer of Soul, Writing with Fire

Original Song: King Richard, Encanto, Belfast, No Time to Die, Four Good Days

Animated Feature Film: Encanto, Flee, Luca, The Mitchells vs. The Machine, Raya and the Last Dragon

Adapted Screenplay: CODA, Drive My Car, Dune, The Lost Daughter, The Power of the Dog

Original Screenplay: Belfast, Don’t Look Up, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, The Worst Person in the World

Actor In A Leading Role: Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos, Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog, Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Will Smith, King Richard, Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth

Actress In A Leading Role: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter, Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers, Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos, Kristen Stewart, Spencer

Director: Kenneth Branagh, Belfast, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Drive My Car, Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza, Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog, Steven Spielberg, West Side Story

Production Design: Dune, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, The Tragedy of Macbeth, West Side Story

Cinematography: Dune, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, The Tragedy of Macbeth, West Side Story

Costume Design: Cruella, Cyrano, Dune, Nightmare Alley, Westside Story

Achievement In Sound: Belfast, Dune, No Time to Die, The Power of the Dog, Westside Story

Animated Short File: Affairs of the Art, Bestia, Boxballet, Robin Robin, The Windshield Wiper

Live Action Short Film: Ala Kachuu — Take and Run, The Dress, The Long Goodbye, On My Mind, Please Hold

Original Score: Don’t Look Up, Dune, Encanto, Parallel Mothers, The Power of the Dog

Visual Effects: Dune, Free Guy, No Time to Die, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home

Film Editing: Don’t Look Up, Dune, King Richard, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick… Boom! 

Makeup and Hairstyling: Coming 2 America, Cruella, Dune, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, House of Gucci

sources: 

France, Lisa Respers. “Oscar Winners 2022: See the List.” CNN, Cable News Network, 28 Mar. 2022, http://www.cnn.com/2022/03/27/entertainment/oscar-winners-2022/index.html.