This was not one of my favorite Oscar ceremonies by a long shot. Hell, it was a struggle trying to find five things I truly loved about it. Of course, as is often the case, I didn’t have the same struggle finding five things I didn’t love. But I managed and here you have it – my best and worst of Oscars 2018.

BEST

1. Almost as Good the Second Time Around – There weren’t as many laugh-out-loud moments in this year’s monologue but just as he did last year, Jimmy Kimmel delivered a strong and steady performance as host. And like last year, this was once again due largely in part to his not trying too hard and simply sticking to a formula that works for him. Like Seth Meyers at this year’s Golden Globes, Kimmel didn’t shy away from the very tough and awkward issues facing the industry. But he somehow managed to find that very delicate balance of still being funny, while addressing some decidedly unfunny issues.

2. All Hail the Montages – I know this one might be an unpopular opinion but sue me, I’m a woman who loves a good montage. The more the merrier I say. And this year’s ceremony definitely did not lack for it. From the repeat of last year’s previous winners’ montage before presenting the acting awards, to a celebration of military themes/images/stories in film, the celebration of and need for more diversity in film, etc. It was a montage-palooza and I loved every single one.

3. Jet Ski Gag – Some things are a staple of any Oscar ceremony – at least the ones of the last decade. And that is, the host makes a crack about the too long speeches (and let’s face it, many of them are pretty long, which makes an already long show, even longer). Sure enough, in his opening monologue, Kimmel addressed the speech length issue. This year, however, he decided to sweeten the pot for the winners – teasing a Jet Ski for whoever delivered the shortest speech. Best part of this gag – the Queen herself, Helen Mirren playing the Price Is Right girl, showing off the Jet Ski. The gag was played up throughout the night, with multiple nominees referencing it. In the end, the big winner was Mark Bridges, winner for Best Costume Designer. He not only won the Jet Ski but got to ride off with Helen Mirren in the back. I mean what could be more awesome than that?

4. Rachel Shelton’s Speech – Much has been made about Frances McDormand’s speech for Best Actress, where she celebrated all the female nominees in all categories. And taking nothing away from McDormand’s speech, which was wonderful, one of the highlights of the night for me in the speeches category was that of Rachel Shenton, one of the winners for Best Short Film (Live Action) for The Silent Child. Celebrating the theme of the film, which looks at the world through the eyes of a deaf child, Shenton delivered her speech using both words and sign language. It was for me, one of the most moving moments of the night.

5. In Memoriam – Um, Eddie Vedder performed. Do I really need to say more?

WORST

1. Predictability Makes for a Monotonous Night – It’s usually very easy to predict the Oscar winners due to the myriad of smaller award ceremonies in the months leading up to the show. That said, some years, we get an actual battle between nominees, to where the winner is not a lock on Oscar night. This was not one of those years. About the only category where the winner didn’t seem a sure thing was Best Picture, where both The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri came in as strong contenders. However, most of the major categories, including acting, director, screenplay, etc. were all pretty much sewn up weeks ago, which made for a pretty dull night. Awesome as Frances McDormand, Gary Oldman, Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney all were, by Sunday night, I’d watch them more or less deliver the same speech numerous times. I can’t help it, I was kind of hoping for an upset or two.

2. Continued Shade at the Best Director Nominees – Listen, I’ve already shared my thoughts on the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements and of course as a woman and just a human being, I fully support the conversation and fight for women equality and representation. That said, I do not believe that dismissing others’ accomplishments is a positive way to navigate this fight and achieve the end goals. Yes, Greta Gerwig is talented and more than deserving of her Oscar nomination. But I have yet to hear anyone make a genuine case suggesting that any of the men also nominated in the Best Director category were undeserving of said nomination and that Guillermo Del Toro was undeserving of his win. And yet, many felt it was necessary to take swipes at the male nominees in the category. Just like Natalie Portman’s shade at the Golden Globes was unnecessary (particularly, as later noted, in light of her being one who signed a petition to pardon Roman Polanski some years ago), so too was Emma Stone’s “four men and Greta Gerwig” reference, when presenting Best Director. It is also important to note, that in all the swiping, there was little recognition of the fact that Del Toro, who is Mexican and an immigrant, represents a triumph in light of another very important social issue.

3. Movie Theatre Bit – As much as I loved the Jet Ski gag is how much I didn’t love the movie theatre bit. I get that this will essentially be a thing whenever Kimmel hosts – i.e. finding a way to pull regular folks into the telecast. And I guess it’s great for the people who got to be a part of it but I personally found it tedious and unnecessary in a show that is already way too long.

4. Tiffany Haddish – Okay, just to be clear, I think Tiffany Haddish is very talented and I am happy that after all her years of hard work, she’s having amazing success right now. And there’s something to be said for always unabashedly being yourself and loving every moment of your success. However, there’s also something to be said for not always having the dial turned up to a 100. I have the same struggle with Haddish that I have had with Sofia Vergara, where I feel like there’s a shtick that plays a bit into stereotypes and at times, that shtick starts to feel a little exhausting and played out.

5. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez Win Best Song – Um, why? Seriously, in that category of nominees that included Sufjan Stevens’ sumptuous “The Mystery of Love” that so perfectly captures the beauty and tranquillity of Call Me By Your Name or Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s empowering anthem “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman, the winner was “Remember Me” from Coco? Really? This is as bad as Sam Smith’s win for his anemic Bond theme song.

FASHION

And of course, I could not conclude without including a few of my favorite fashion moments from the night and of course the worst (this year, there was so much awful that I have three worst dressed).

BEST

Jennifer Garner (Atelier Versace) – I don’t think Jennifer Garner has looked this good since her Alias days. I would like to think it’s because she’s finally realized what a loser Ben Affleck is and is completely over him.

Greta Gerwig (Rodarte) – There is just something so warm and bright about this dress and the whole look. And she pulls it off perfectly with minimal jewelry and the short flapper hairdo.

Lupita Nyong’o (Atelier Versace) – I’m not absolutely in love with the dress and it’s not something I would personally wear but she wears it well and it perfectly achieves the look and statement she was going for.

Meryl Streep (Christian Dior Haute Couture) – It cannot be overstated that there is truly something to be said for a woman who understands her body and what works for her. And that is definitely Meryl Streep. She never tries too hard and just always sticks to what works.

Allison Janney (Reem Acra) – Not really in love with the long dangling sleeves but talk about working your curves. This was sleek and simplicity did to perfection.

WORST

And now to the worse offenders. I always think with some of these looks, “do they not have family and friends?”

St. Vincent (Saint Laurent) – Look, I’m all about trying to make a statement and marching to the beat of your own drum. But there’s being quirky and different and just plain shitty fashion choices. This was an example of the latter.

Emma Stone (Louis Vuitton) – I’m confused. Was this a case of, “I’m not nominated this year so I don’t give a shit?” Don’t get me wrong, I’m always here for an awesome woman’s power suit but this wasn’t it. This looked like a bunch of pieces from a few different suits, thrown together. What, did her gown get stuck at customs or something?

Maya Rudolph (Valentino) – That this was a Valentino gown both stuns and baffles me. I adore Maya Rudolph but this look screamed, “I am here under duress”.

*All images courtesy Google Images*