Oscars 2015: Eddie Redmayne, Julian Moore take home top acting awards; 'Birdman' wins best film, director

23 Feb 2015 6:36 AM GMT

The brightest stars in Hollywood converged on Sunday for the Oscars

Oscars 2015: Eddie Redmayne, Julian Moore take home top acting awards; Birdman wins best film, director

Los Angeles: 'Birdman' captured Hollywood's top honour at the Academy Awards on Sunday, where the jazzy, surreal comedy about an actor fleeing his superhero past won Best Picture at a ceremony punctuated by passionate pleas for equality.

On a stormy night in Hollywood, the 87th annual Academy Awards -- which came in humbled by backlash to its all-white acting nominees -- bristled with politics and heartfelt speeches about women's rights, immigration, suicide prevention and race.

Oscars voters opted for a movie that epitomises much of Hollywood -- showy, ego-mad, desperate for artistic credibility -- over one ('Boyhood') that prized naturalism and patience. 'Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' also won best director for Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. "Maybe next year the government will inflict immigration restrictions," said Innaritu, recalling last year's best director winner, Alfonso Cuaron. "Two Mexicans in a row. That's suspicious, I guess."

Inarritu, a larger-than-life figure of frizzy hair, regularly wrapped in a scarf, concluded the night's many moving speeches that called for societal change. Innaritu said he prays his native country finds "a government we deserve" and that immigrants to the U.S. "can be treated with the same dignity and the respect of the ones who came before and (built) this incredible immigrant nation."

The ceremony, hosted by Tony Award veteran Neil Patrick Harris, was heavy on song-and-dance to near-Grammy levels, perhaps headlined by Lady Gaga lavishly performing '
The Hills are Alive' from "The Sound of Music" with Julie Andrew looking on.

The awards that overwhelmingly went to less-seen independent films, were spread around. All eight of the best-picture nominees won awards, including Britain's Eddie Redmayne for best actor for his technically nuanced performance as Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything.'

"Please know this that I am fully aware that I am a lucky, lucky man," said Redmayne. "This belongs to all of the people around the world battling ALS." The Edward Snowden documentary "Citizenfour," in which Laura Poitras captured Snowden in the midst of leaking National Security Agency documents, won best documentary.

"The disclosures that Edward Snowden reveals don't only expose a threat to our privacy but to our democracy itself," said Poitras, accepting the Oscar. "When the most important decisions being made affecting all of us are made in secret, we lose our ability to check the powers that control."

All of Sunday's acting winners were first-timers, including best actress winner Julianne Moore, who won for her performance as an academic with early onset Alzheimer's in "Still Alice." "I read an article that said that winning an Oscar could lead to living five years longer," said Moore. "If that's true, I'd really like to thank the academy because my husband is young than me."

Wes Anderson's 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' was honored for its hand-made craft; 'Whiplash' for its pulsating pacing and J.K. Simmons' drill-sergeant jazz instructor; 'Boyhood' for Patricia Arquette's moving mother; "American Sniper" for its war film sound editing; 'The Imitation Game' for adapted screenplay; and 'Selma' for Common and John Legend's best song.

Harris gave the Academy Awards a cheery tone that sought to celebrate Hollywood, while also slyly parodying it. "Tonight we honor Hollywood's best and whitest - I mean brightest," he began the night, alluding to the much-discussed lack of diversity in this year's all-white acting nominees.

It was the first salvo in a night that often reverberated with heartfelt calls for change.

"To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation," said Arquette. "We have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once for all. And equal rights for women in the United States of America."

Cheers erupted throughout the Dolby, perhaps the loudest coming from a fellow supporting-actress nominee who Arquette bested: Meryl Streep. "Made my night," Streep told Arquette backstage.

Tears streamed down the face of David Oyelowo, who played the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma" and was famously left out of the best actor nominees, during the rousing performance of the song "Glory" from the film. Immediately afterward, Common and Legend accepted the best song Oscar with a speech that drew a standing ovation.

"We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that took place 50 years ago," said Legend. "We say that 'Selma' is now, because the struggle for justice is right now. We know that the voting rights act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today. We know that right now the struggle for freedom and justices where we live in the most incarcerated country in the world."

Graham Moore also moved the star-studded audience in his acceptance speech for best adapted screenplay for his "The Imitation Game" script. Moore said when he was 16 years old he tried to kill himself. "Stay weird, stay different," he said.

Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel," a European caper released in March, when many awards contenders were still shooting, tied for the most Oscars with "Birdman." The academy awarded Anderson's latest confection with awards for production design, score, costume design and makeup and styling.

The night's first Oscar went to Simmons, a career character actor widely acclaimed for one of his biggest parts: a drill sergeant of a jazz instructor in the indie "Whiplash." Simmons fittingly accepted his supporting acting Oscar with some straightforward advice, urging: "Call your mom. Call your dad."

Most of Sunday's early awards went as expected, though Disney's "Big Hero 6" pulled off something of an upset in the best animated feature category, besting DreamWorks' favored "How to Train Your Dragon 2."

The Mexican cinematographer Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki became the first to win best cinematography twice in a row. After last year winning for the lengthy shots of the space adventure "Gravity," he won for the stretched out takes of "Birdman."

"It sounds like a nightmare," Lubezki said backstage, recalling on his first impression of Inarritu's plans to shoot it as if in one shot. "There was no book on it. It was like an experiment."

The black-and-white Polish film "Ida" took best foreign language film, marking the first such win for Poland despite a rich cinema history. Director Pawel Pawlikowski charmed the audience with a bemused acceptance speech that ran drastically over his allotted time.

Pawlikowski remarked on having made a quiet film of contemplation about withdrawing from the world, "and here we are at the epicenter of noise and attention. It's fantastic. Life is full of surprises."

Several of this year's biggest box-office hit nominees - Clint Eastwood's Iraq war drama "American Sniper" and Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic "Interstellar" - had to settle for single wins in technical categories. "Interstellar" won for visual effects, while "American Sniper" - far and away the most widely seen of the best-picture nominee - took the best sound editing award.

Harris' opening quickly segued into a song-and-dance routine that celebrated a love for movies, complete with a villain to his sunny outlook in Jack Black. The comedian jumped on stage to counter that Hollywood movies weren't so fabulous: "Opening with lots of zeroes, all we get is superheroes."

Harris struck a chipper tone, while slyly mocking the Oscars or parodying Michael Keaton's half-naked scene in "Birdman."

The $160,000 gift bags for attendees, Harris said, came with "an armored car ride to safety when the revolution comes." The performance by Andy Samberg's Lonely Island of the Oscar-nominated song "Everything Is Awesome" from "The Lego Movie," let some live out their Oscar dreams, handing out golden Lego statuettes to Oprah Winfrey and Steve Carell.

Former Oscar nominee Viola Davis said on her way into the ceremony that Hollywood's diversity problems run deeper than the Oscars.

"You have to greenlight more stories that include people of color," said Davis, asked about how to improve diversity in Hollywood. "You can't get nominated for anything you're not in."

Here are the highlights of the award ceremony:

Sean Penn presented the award for Best Picture to Alejandro G Iñárritu. Before annoucing 'Birdman' as the winner, "Who gave this son of a ***** his Green Card," he asked, by way of introducing Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu to the stage.

Last year's 'Best Actor' award-winner Matthew McConaughey presented Julianne Moore with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film 'Still Alice'.

"Thank you so much. I read an article that an Oscar could lead to live five years longer. Then I would like to thank the Academy because my husband is 5 years younger. I am grateful to stand up here and thank the people I love. My grandparents, my mother and father, my brother. I want to thank everybody who made this movie, and Alec Baldwin. So many people with this disease feel marginalized. People with Alzheimer’s need to be seen. I want to thank my husband and my children, thank you for my life and thank you for giving me a home," exclaimed Julianne Moore in her acceptance speech.

Eddie Redmayne won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 'The Theory of Everything'.

A bit rattled Eddie recovered his equilibrium and said, "Thank you to the Academy. I am fully aware that I am a lucky, lucky man. This Oscar belongs to all those people around the world. I would not be here without my staggering partner in crime, Felicity Jones, my ferocious and incredible kind director James Marsh. I want to thank my family and my wife Hannah. I love you so much. We have a new fella coming to shower upon."

The award for Best Direction was handed to Alejandro G Iñárritu for 'Birdman'. While Richar Linklater was a popular choice, Iñárritu emerged as a clear winner.

Graham Moore for 'The Imitation Game' won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. "I want to take this moment for every kid who feels she or he is weird. Stay weird," declared a jubliant Moore.

Eddie Murphy presented the award for Best Original Screenplay to Alejandro G Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr and Armando Bo for 'Birdman'.

The award for Best Original Score was won by Alexandre Desplat for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'.

Lady Gaga delivered a befitting tribute to Julie Andrews with a 'Sound Of Music' medley. Everyone was on their feet as Gaga introduced "the incomparable Julie Andrews", this was definetly one the gorgeous moments of the night. The singer recieved a standing ovation and was praised by Julie Andrews, who announced the nominees for Best Original Score.

"Dear Lady Gaga, thank you for the wonderful tribute. 50 years have gone by since the film's release. We all really felt blessed to be apart of it and I speak on behalf of everyone who has been a part of it," said an emotional Andrews.

Idina Menzel and John Travolta presented John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn with the award for the Best Original Song for 'Glory' from the film 'Selma'.

John Legend and Common performed the song 'Glory' from the film 'Selma'. The duo receieved a standing ovation from the audience. David Olyelowo was spotted breaking down after the emotional performance.

'Citizen Four' won the Best Documentary Feature Film.

Bennedict Cumberbatch and Naomi Watts presented Tom Cross with the award for Best Film Editing for the film 'Whiplash'.

Academy Award-winner and Singer Jennifer Hudson perfomed at the the 87th Oscars.

Oscar-winner Meryl Streep presented the annual Academy Awards death montage, honouring all the talented artists we lost last year. However, Joan Rivers seemed to be missing from the footage.

Idris Elba and Jessica Chastain presented Emmanuel Lubezki with the award for Best Cinematography for the film 'Birdman'.

'The Grand Budapest Hotel' won the Award for Best Production Design. Christopher Pratt and Felicity Jones presented the award to Adam Stockhausen and Anna Pinnock.

Zoe Saldana and 'Fast and the Furious' star Dwayne Johnson presented the Oscar for Best Animated Feature film to Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli for 'Big Hero 6'.

'Feast' by Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed won Best Animated Short Film. The award was presented by Anna Kendrick and comedian Kevin Hart.

'The Fault in Our Stars' actor Ansel Eglort and Chloe Grace Moretz presented Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher with the award for Best Visual Effects for 'Interstellar'.

Rita Ora peformed the Oscar-nominated song 'Grateful' from 'Beyond the Lights'.

Last year's 'Best Supporting Actor' winner Jared Leto announced the nominees for 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role'. And the award went to Patricia Arquette for 'Boyhood'.

"To every woman who gave birth to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America."

The other nominees were Laura Dern, "Wild"; Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"; Emma Stone, "Birdman"; and Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods."

Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman bagged the Best Sound Editing for the film 'American Sniper'.

Sienna Miller and Chris Evans announced the winner for Sound Mixing, and the Oscar was taken home by Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley for 'Whiplash'.

Neil Patrick harris stripped down to white underpants and arrives on stage in 'Birdman' Parody. We wonder what Iñárritu would have to say.

Tim McGraw performed the Oscar-nominated song 'I'm not Gonna Miss You' at the award ceremony.

Harry Belafonte received the Governor Award for his social activism, among others. The award was presented by Viola Davis.

'Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1' won the award for Best Documentary Short Subject.

Kerry Washinghton and Jason Bateman announced 'The Phone Call' by Matt Kirkby and James Lucas, as the winner of 'Best Action Short'. The is the first Oscar for both Kirkby and Lucas.

French actress Marion Cotillard introduced 'The Lonely Island' and Mark Mothersbaugh, as they performed the song 'Everything is Awesome' from 'Lego Movie.'

Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor presented the award for Best Foreign Language film to Pawel Pawlikowski for the Polish film 'Ida'. This was Pawel's first win and tenth Oscar nomination.

'Walk The Line' star Reese Witherspoon announced Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier in the category 'Best Makeup' for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel. This is the first Oscar and nomination for Frances Hannon and the second for Mark Coulier.

Jennifer Lopez presented the award for Best Costume Design along Chris Pine. And the Oscar went to Milena Canonero for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.

'Fifty Shades of Grey' star Dakota Johnson introduced 'Maroon 5' singer Adam Levine, who perfomed the song 'Lost Stars' from his film 'Begin Again'.

The first award was presented by last year's Best Supporting actress Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o for the category 'Actor in a Supporting Role' . The Award went to J.K Simmons for his powerful performance in 'Whiplash'.

Simmons plays a cruel jazz band instructor who berates and humiliates his students, including Miles Teller, who co-stars as an aspiring jazz drummer in Damien Chazelle's film. It was the first Oscar nomination for Simmons, 60, a longtime character actor. He also won the Golden Globe in January.

The other nominees were: Robert Duvall, "The Judge"; Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"; Edward Norton, "Birdman"; and Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher."

The show began with Harris breaking out in song with 'Pitch Perfect' star Anna Kendrick, and were later joined by Jack Black on stage, in the funny but true introductory performance. The star even introduced most of the nominees in song at the 87th Academy Awards. He joked later saying the entire act was 'improvised'.

The brightest stars in Hollywood converged on Sunday for the Oscars, the film industry's biggest night of the year, with dark comedy "Birdman" and coming-of-age drama "Boyhood" in a duel for top honours.

A-listers -- and rain showers -- hit the red carpet for the annual pre-show fashion parade ahead of curtain up at the Dolby Theatre.

The sealed-off stretch of Hollywood Boulevard outside the venue turned into a glittering throng of designer dresses and sparkling jewelry, with giant umbrellas in red or black helping to keep carefully chosen outfits and makeup pristine.

A-list actresses oozed old-school elegance in white and glittering silver on the Oscars red carpet Sunday, even as rain tumbled down on Tinseltown's top fashion parade.

Beyond the icy color palette, another trend for the ladies was lots of pearls and beads. Many of the gowns seen on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre were embellished to the max.

Julianne Moore, Patricia Arquette and Eddie Redmayne are among those widely tipped to take home acting prizes during the extravaganza, which will be hosted by song-and-dance man Neil Patrick Harris. The show will also see performances by Lady Gaga, Tim McGraw and John Legend.

Julianne Moore, the favorite in the best actress category for playing a woman with early onset Alzheimer's disease in "Still Alice," wore a custom beaded white strapless Chanel gown with black accents, her red hair swept back in a bun.

"Karl Lagerfeld made this for me!" she exclaimed.

France's Marion Cotillard, a previous Oscar winner and nominated again Sunday in the best actress category, also chose white -- a sleeveless Dior polka dot gown with a geisha-style bustle.

"I dreamed of cinema glory, for sure... but I would have never thought I would be part of this American family of cinema," Cotillard told E! television's Ryan Seacrest.

"I hope we're going to see more of me in comedies," she said on the Oscar red carpet. "I wish I can find my way into comedies. Sometimes it's hard to live with dark ... characters all the time."She added that she didn't see the movie as just a woman's story, although it relates the struggles her character faces to hold onto her factory job.

"She's a woman, but I don't think it's just a struggle of a woman," she said. "Men and women can face the absurdity of our society's choosing money over human people."

Lupita Nyong'o -- the best supporting actress Oscar winner last year for "12 Years a Slave" and a red carpet darling -- wore a custom pearl-encrusted sleeveless Calvin Klein gown. The gown was encrusted with 6000 pearls. Lupita also revealed that she will be working on a film with Mira Nair for her next.

The pressure's off," she said. "I can just dress up and enjoy the show."

On the eve of the Oscars, "Birdman" got a fresh boost, taking best film at the Independent Spirit Awards as well as best actor for Michael Keaton, while "Boyhood" took best director for Richard Linklater.

The race for the biggest prize of the night Sunday -- best picture -- is too close to call. "Birdman," a fanciful yet dark tale of a washed-up superhero actor battling to revive his career on Broadway, has swept a string of prizes ahead of the Oscars, including top prizes from the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America.

But Linklater's "Boyhood" -- made over the course of 12 years with the same actors aging with their characters -- scooped up the biggest awards at last month's Golden Globes, as well as Britain's BAFTAs.

A star-studded cast of presenters will hand out the prizes, including Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Eddie Murphy, Liam Neeson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey. Many of the nominees and stars spent the weekend at pre-Oscars parties, schmoozing to the last.

While the red carpet is chaotic outside, it's mostly calm within the Oscar ceremony's home. As attendees sip cocktails in the lobby, stagehands are doing some last-minute hammering on the stage and vacuuming in the aisles inside the Dolby Theatre.

( Source : dc/ap/afp )

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Oscars 2015: Eddie Redmayne, Julian Moore take home top acting awards; 'Birdman' wins best film, director

Here are the highlights of the award ceremony:

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