The Oscars are an opportunity for fans and fanatics to argue over which movie was the best in its category and why the Academy was right or wrong in its choices.
Feb. 9 marked the 92nd Oscars and all the celebrity and circumstance that comes with award shows.
The big winner of the night was Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, with four awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay.
The story follows the Kim family in South Korea. The family lives paycheck to paycheck and jump at any opportunity to improve their circumstances. When one of them gets an offer to work with the wealthy Park family, the Kims will go to any length to get the job.
"It was a film that was completely out of the box and had me on my edge of my seat the entire time," said Rebecca Irvy, a senior film and video major. "Everything was timed right and a lot of the reactions were flawless. The actors definitely helped the script too, they were amazing."
1917, directed by Sam Mendes, was the runner up, with three awards: Visual Effects, Best Cinematography and Best Sound Mixing.
1917 follows two British soldiers who must race against time to deliver a message to save the lives of 1600 men from walking into a trap. They must face the uncertainty and peril of enemy territory if they want to make it in time.
"I am not surprised it won Best Cinematography," Irvy said. "I heard it was one long shot, which is really impressive."
Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, won both Best Actor and Original Score.
Gotham is in the throes of unrest as the rich belittle the poor and resentment builds in the tired, huddled masses. Arthur Fleck has always had troubles, but being cut off from psychiatric help sends him further down as he tries to understand his place in the world and the truth as he knows it.
"I really respect Joaquin Phoenix in his performance," Irvy said. "The weight he lost, the mentality he put himself in, and the physical price he paid all make him deserving of the award."
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino's ninth film and won Best Supporting Actor and Best Production Design.
Tarantino tells the story of a washed up TV cowboy and his stunt double as they realize that Hollywood has left them behind. As they navigate the new Hollywood landscape and find their roles in it, new stars and directors are finding out just how treacherous Hollywood can be.
"I may be biased, but I think that Parasite should have won Best Production Design, since they built it from the ground up and the sets were perfect," Irvy said.
Ford v. Ferrari, directed by James Mangold, was the last movie to win more than one award, winning Best Sound Editing and Best Film Editing.
The movie depicts the effort by American car manufacturer Ford to build a car fast and durable enough to defeat Ferrari in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Eleven other films each won awards, including Toy Story 4, Little Women, and Jojo Rabbit.
"I admit, I didn't watch the Oscars fully, but I did watch the nominees I cared about," Irvy said. "Beyond just the movies, I feel like everyone is focused on the drama of awards shows. Unless there is a movie I am excited about, I don't watch. I'm there for the win, not the drama."
