When I first heard about Parasite – and I can’t even remember how I came across it, but it was long before it premiered in Hungary – I marked its release date in my calendar. Then the day came, and I took my seat, leaned back in one of those good, old, slightly worn-out crimson chairs, and Ìę—— I was blown away.

Ever since then, I’ve kept telling anyone, whether they seemed curious enough or not, that Parasite is a masterpiece. All the issues that this film brings up and puts out in the open with such plain honesty, the experience is paralyzing and elevating at the same time.

The South Korean movie was the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. So, if we want to speak about milestones and historical Oscar nights, I guess we were fortunate enough to witness Bong Joon Ho’s victory. Parasite also won Best International Feature, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

“We never imagined this to ever happen. We are so happy.” said producer Kwak Sin Ae.

1917 took three accolades for Best Cinematography (ROGER DEAKINS), Best Sound Editing, as well as Best Visual Effects. Jojo Rabbit was chosen to win the Best Adapted Screenplay, while Ford v Ferrari took the lead in the categories of Film Editing and Sound Editing.

Renee Zellweger won for her performance in Judy, Joaquin Phoenix for his Joker. I was glad to see Laura Dern take the stage to accept the award in the category of Actress in a Supporting Role for her brilliance in Marriage Story. And yes, I was so so happy to have Pitt take home an Oscar for all the work he put into his character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Whenever I watch movies, I’m very sensitive to what their score sounds like. While watching Joker, one of my first observations was that the music was awesome – absolutely deserved winning an Academy Award for Original Score.

To see the full list of this year’s winners, click !

Since 2001, Dolby Theatre has been the place, and though we usually have to wait until the end of February, this year, the accolades are being handed out at the beginning of the month. (Good!) For many years, the question of the host would keep the crowd excited, but since last year’s ceremony went all to well compared to the fact that no celebrity was selected and got paid a fortune for manoeuvring their way through the biggest night of Hollywood, ABC announced that the 92^nd will be another concert without a conductor – so no, this one won’t have a host, either.

As a child, I loved everything about the ceremony. I was absolutely enchanted by those famous actresses in their fairy dresses worth more than all the money in the world I’d ever be able to imagine, and the excitement hovering all over the place. To this very day, I have a list of my Favorite Oscar Speeches that I can turn to for some warm tears of comfort and a taste of grandiose success. But once I was old enough to realize the complete madness – talking about racial issues and basically shutting women out of such ‘rather’ important categories like, uhm, let’s say, Directing) – behind all the glamour, year by year I feel more and more disappointed by the Academy members’ lack of recognition for any human being, however talented, who differs from the classic Oscar-worthy mug (ergo, who’s not a white male).

How on earth, for example, Lupita Nyong’o’s performance did not shoot her to the list of nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role? She was impeccable. JLo’s performance in Hustlers and Awkwafina’s in The Farewell – for which Lulu Wang should have also been nominated based on what I heard about the film so far, as I’m yet to see this one – could have also been recognized.

So yeah, if you take a closer look than a ten-year-old would at the nominees each year, you see these gaps: the blank parts that should have been filled with the names of such talents —— if only they were ‘the right kind’.

But the good news? Parasite. For the second time in a row, a foreign language film was also welcomed in the category of Best Picture. The South Korean masterpiece portraying class issues definitely brought something new to the table, and has been receiving claps from critics and audiences around the world – Hollywood included. Parasite has been nominated for six awards, in the category of Directing, Film Editing, International Feature Film, Production Design, Writing (Original Screenplay), and yes, Best Picture. Fingers crossed, I’d be very happy to see the first South Korean movie nominated for an Oscar succeed.

This year, Joker takes the lead with its eleven nominations – see how it proves the point I just made, right? – which, for me, is slightly controversial, though Phoenix was brilliant without a doubt. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino’s love letter to filmmaking was an absolute thrill for many around the world – myself included. I’m really rooting for Tarantino and Pitt to take the awards this year!

I’m actually going to skip the part about Mendes taking the story of his own grandfather, and jump right to Mr. Roger Deakins. 1917Ìęwas filmed “in a series of extended, uncut takes that could be connected seamlessly to look and feel as if it is one continuousÌęshot” – that, the look and feel of one continuous shot, is owed to the genius of this particular cinematographer. Nominated thirteen times in a row before he could finally get the statuette for Blade Runner 2049, I sincerely hope he won’t have to wait that long for the next one.

I love Noah Baumbach. My – strictly cinematographic – crush started with , kept growing for Mistress America, and of course, . Marriage Story, with the astonishing performances of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, is a heartbreakingly beautiful – or beautifully heartbreaking – ballad of the complexity of love and relationships. Whether you’re dating or single, married or going through a divorce, this movie will speak to you. (No, this title won’t be hiding in the envelope for Best Picture tonight. But it does deservedly belong to the list of nominees this year.) Speaking of Noah Baumbach
Greta Gerwig nailed it again! Little Women was cute – but not in a demeaning way. In a smart, moving, Greta Gerwig way. Go, Laura! Go Saoirse!)

I loved the Hunt For the Wilderpeople. And I liked Thor: Ragnarok. Jojo Rabbit was not perfect, it’s true. But it was heartfelt and had a concept not many directors/ writers would ever be bold – or crazy – enough to try on the screen. (Much like Baumbach’s movie, I don’t think it would win Best Picture this year.) The Irishman didn’t do the trick for me, but I’ve been out of touch with Scorsese ever since he made Silence, which I could only describe as an utter disappointment. (Please, don’t let this be the winner this year!) And, last but not least, Ford v Ferrari is the one movie that feel neutral about. I have to – I haven’t had the chance to watch it so far. (Working on it!)

You still have a few hours to scroll through the of nominees, and we’ll be back in the morning with a summary of the 92^nd Academy Awards!

Dorothy Mezo