The 2018 Academy Awards: And the Winner is…

On March 4, 2018, Hollywood’s finest walked the red carpet, anxiously awaiting the announcement of who the winners of the 90th Academy Awards would be.

The show came off without a hitch (unlike last year’s blunder over naming the Best Picture). Even the host, Jimmy Kimmel, and the presenters reigned in their political remarks and social commentary – expect to pat themselves on the back for how wonderfully were changing the world through their efforts like the Times Up and Me Too movements, and their past criticism of the Oscars being too “white”.

Here is a list of the winners in the top categories:

BEST PICTURE
Winner:
The Shape of Water (MPAA: R)
A cleaning lady at a secret government laboratory falls in love with an mysterious aquatic creature. This movie also won Best Director (Guillermo del Toro), Best Music: Original Score (Alexandre Desplat) and Best Production Design (Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau and Jeffrey A. Melvin).
Parent Previews Perspective:
We were disappointed that this R-rated love story, between a woman and an aquatic creature, also came with so many gory depictions of brutality. Despite amazing art direction and a lovely score, the characters were very one dimensional. (Our pick for Best Picture was Darkest Hour.)

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Winner:
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour (MPAA: PG-13)
Gary Oldman plays Winston Churchill in this bio-drama about the Prime Minister’s first month in office during a critical time for Britain and the events of WWII. This movie also won Best Make-Up and Hair Styling (Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick).
Parent Previews Perspective:
We were delighted by Gary Oldman’s win. He does an exceptional job as in this role, and the make-up/prosthetics that turns him into the portly historical figure were just as incredible.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winner:
Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (MPAA: R)
Sam Rockwell plays a peace officer in this tale of an angry mother demanding justice after her daughter is brutally raped and murdered.
Parent Previews Perspective:
Rockwell, as well as the other actors in this movie (Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson), does an amazing job – it is just too bad the story portrays this group of dysfunctional people doing so many violent and disturbing things.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Winner:
Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (MPAA: R)
Not surprisingly, Frances McDormand took the Oscar for her strong portrayal of a woman willing to do anything to catch her daughter’s killer.
Parent Previews Perspective:
Although it is not hard to sympathize with her cause, it is difficult to condone her methods. These include acts of violence (such as burning down the police station) and murderous intentions.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winner:
Allison Janney in I, Tonya (MPAA: R)
This movie is based on the life of the infamous US figure skater, Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie). Allison Janney portrays her mother in a manner so despicable, that you can’t help but feel sorry for the over-ambitious athlete.
Parent Previews Perspective:
Again, this story of dysfunctional adults that continue to make bad choices is hard to recommend, except perhaps as a cautionary tale. The violence depictions, scenes of nudity and excessive profanity don’t endear it either.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Winner:
Coco (MPAA: PG)
This colorful story follows Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez), a 10-year-old Mexican boy who wants to do is become a musician, despite his family’s wishes. His determined quest leads him on an unexpected journey to the lively Land of the Dead. This movie also won Best Music: Original Song for Remember Me (Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez).
Parent Previews Perspective:
Directors Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson, and Pixar/Disney, take the audience on an equally unexpected adventure. Full of music, culture and family connection, this tale will delight most viewers, but may still be a bit too frightening for the littlest ones.

Click here for a complete list of all Oscar 2018 the winners and nominees.