The 97th Academy Awards delivered a night of unexpected wins, notably with the indie film “Anora” sweeping five categories, and featured impactful speeches that transcended typical Hollywood fare. Conan O’Brien’s hosting was a highlight, blending humor with poignant moments, while winners used their platforms to address critical social and political issues. The “Wicked” duo’s musical performance dazzled, but the show’s pacing and certain omissions drew criticism. Ultimately, the ceremony offered a mix of entertainment and meaningful commentary.
Author: Web Desk
Music mogul Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against an anonymous woman who previously accused him of raping her when she was 13, alleging she was banking on “false and malicious claims” for financial gain. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in the Southern District of Alabama – where the woman identified only as “Jane Doe” lives – also accuses her and her attorneys of extortion and of being “soullessly motivated by greed.” Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, claims the allegations against him were “malevolent efforts to assassinate the impeccable and lifetime-earned character” of his personal and…
A joint Israeli-Palestinian team that produced a film chronicling the eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the occupied West Bank delivered a passionate speech calling out injustices faced by Palestinians on Sunday night after winning the Oscar for best documentary. “No Other Land” tells the story of the continued demolition by Israeli authorities of Masafer Yatta, a collection of villages in the Hebron mountains of the West Bank where Basel Adra, one of the directors, lives with his family. The documentary follows the Israeli government’s attempt to forcibly evict the villagers, having claimed the land for a military training…
Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn and actor Andrew Garfield shared a touching moment on stage at Sunday’s Academy Awards. Hawn, 79, was presenting the awards for best animated film and short, alongside “Spider-Man” star Garfield, when she paused and asked him, “Okay, sweetheart, can you read that? I can’t read that.” Goldie Hawn (left) and Andrew Garfield (right) pictured backstage at the Oscars. “I’m completely blind. I mean, I am!” said the “Private Benjamin” star, before jokingly adding, “Cataracts.” On Monday, a representative for Hawn clarified to CNN that the Oscar-winner’s vision is perfectly fine. (Cataracts are a common condition that…
Following the conclusion of the Academy Awards, Hollywood’s real parties commence, with the annual Vanity Fair soiree standing out as the most glamorous. It’s an environment where you might unexpectedly encounter Doja Cat – who delivered a show-stopping performance as part of the James Bond medley at the awards show earlier in the evening – and be reminded that, yes, mythical figures (to me, anyway) like Beck or Sarah Paulson are actual people who eat and drink. The sheer volume of activity allows stars like Camilla Cabello to take a moment to sit on the sidelines and simply observe the…
Karla Sofía Gascón’s eventful award season concluded at Sunday’s Oscars, and the “Emilia Pérez” star appears to be expressing gratitude for the experience. In an Instagram post, the actress thanked members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for nominating her in the best lead actress category and inviting her to the ceremony. “I truly enjoyed it, very entertaining and fun, especially your fabulous host Jimmy Kimmel, he resembles the great Conan O’Brien more each day,” she wrote, referencing a joke made by the show’s actual host, Conan O’Brien. During his opening monologue, O’Brien alluded to Gascón’s controversial…
Adam Sandler’s fashion sense, or lack thereof, gained even more attention at the Oscars on Sunday when host Conan O’Brien humorously commented on his casual attire during a skit. O’Brien, hosting his first Oscars, addressed the audience, stating, “For such a prestigious evening, it is crucial that everyone is dressed appropriately.” “Adam,” he pointedly said, as the camera focused on the “Uncut Gems” star, who was seated in the audience wearing his signature colorful hoodie, long gym shorts, socks, and sneakers. “What exactly are you wearing?” Sandler initially feigned ignorance before appearing to grow increasingly irritated as O’Brien teased him,…
Growing up, whenever there was a hurricane or a big storm, Jason Robinson enjoyed looking at maps from electric utilities’ websites that showed power outages. But there was one problem: The United States has so many electric utilities, each with their own website and map, that he had to open a bunch of different websites to see what was going on in one area. So in 2016, he set out on what he called a “side project” to build his own site consolidating all the outage maps into one place, combining his personal interest with his desire to learn more…
New York State Police say they’re investigating the Saturday death of an inmate who was housed at an upstate medium-security prison – reports of which Governor Kathy Hochul called “deeply troubling” on Monday. Messiah Nantwi, a 22-year-old inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, died at a hospital, state police said Monday. Although authorities have not said what led to or caused the death, The New York Times reported that nine prisoners – seven of whom agreed to use their names – said in interviews the inmate had been brutally beaten by corrections officers at Mid-State. Fifteen staff members have…
New York State’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is struggling to maintain staffing as officers strike, amidst the fallout from two high-profile inmate deaths and reports of staff violence. State police are investigating the death of 22-year-old inmate Messiah Nantwi, housed at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, about 50 miles east of Syracuse. Authorities have not released a cause of death, but The New York Times reported that nine prisoners alleged he was brutally beaten by corrections officers. Governor Kathy Hochul stated Monday that the “deeply troubling” incident is under investigation, and State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello…
