Even the pre-Oscar buzz augured a return to old-school. The academy had its wits about them awarding Everything Everywhere All at Once, which, for the most part, swept the earlier awards. When that phenomenon began, the world seemed divided: some could not understand its metaverse. Others said, it spoke to them. Because the latter group included some younger film enthusiasts I respected, I understood, attention must be paid. I finally saw the film. I tried to keep an open mind as I guffawed at visual effects, spinning, lurching, the hotdog fingers, and just the look of Jamie Lee Curtis, and the verbal jokes too, losing it at the everything bagel. Within the chaos, the tender moments floored me: the struggle of a mother/daughter relationship, the love. A most unusual film, EEAAO hit many bases resolving them in simplicity: Nothing Matters.

If you think Best Supporting Actor Ke Huy Quan was exuberant for the Oscars, let’s just say, his manic enthusiasm—reminiscent of Roberto Benigni from another time—was consistent throughout the long season. At the NYFCC awards, he made sure to greet everyone, hugging, telling his American Dream story. Unstoppable. He launched his own campaign, but guileless, sincere. You had to adore him.

Kudos for Jamie Lee Curtis. I instantly remembered her in the first Knives Out movie, thinking then that she had transformed, returning to her True Lies serious comedic chops, that it was all a late life career shift from the horror flicks. And the look of Sarah Polley in a tux, eschewing the froufrou of some of the bouffant fare. Another great win: Adapted screenplay for Women Talking. We can talk about the representation due women.

Michelle Yeoh was on everyone’s lips for Best Actress. Angela Bassett should have been better prepared. Great as she is, she did not seem to take her loss well, staring stunned at the announcement. This was a tough category with thrilling performances such as Bassett’s in Wakanda Forever, Cate Blanchett’s in Tar, and my favorite, Michelle Williams in The Fabelmans. I am purposely not including Andrea Riseborough’s superb turn in To Leslie; given the controversy over her nomination, a win would have been too upsetting. But just watch Yeoh in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which has made it back to theaters. She’s a knockout, and I can’t wait to watch her again in EEAAO.

Great moments from the show: Lady Gaga singing her song for Top Gun: Maverick, “Hold My Hand!” “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, complete with dance. Jennifer Connelly’s black jewel-necked Louis Vuitton gown.

Finally, a comment on the Oscars for the most old-school film of all, All Quiet on the Western Front: Could anything be more relevant than the reminder of why war sucks.