February 28, 2016

The best moments of the 2016 Oscars

From Chris Rock's hosting gig to Leo finally having his moment

By Aubrey Nagle
PhillyVoice Contributor

This year's Oscars were high-stakes: not only were the ceremonies surrounded by controversy over the lack of diversity in this year's nominees, but a number of records were on the line and Leonardo DiCaprio was up for yet another award. Would it be his night? Would Chris Rock tackle the #OscarsSoWhite debacle head on? Who wore what?

Below, we captured some of the night's biggest moments for those who fell asleep before the (very, very long) 2016 Oscars came to a close.

More on the 2016 Oscars
Oscars 2016: Celebrities fete a year in film
Chris Rock tackles diversity in Oscar monologue
Best Dressed: Celebs rock the 2016 Oscars red carpet
How Adam McKay went from Temple dropout to Oscar nominee

On the red carpet, Kate Winslet and her "Titanic" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio had everyone reminiscing as they teamed up for "reunion" photos before the Oscars ceremony.

RIGHT IN THE FEELS#Oscars pic.twitter.com/eeS9gqJYjZ
— good luck leo. (@shxrlocked) February 29, 2016

In addressing Hollywood's glaring lack of diversity, the Oscars aired a montage of black actors superimposed in the year's biggest films. This montage included the gift of Tracy Morgan playing "The Danish Girl," as a girl who loves danishes. Like, the pastry.

Oh, Tracy #oscars pic.twitter.com/hFWoRraO8b
— New York Post (@nypost) February 29, 2016

Later, Adam McKay - a Malvern-raised writer/director and Temple dropout - won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Big Short" with his co-writer Charles Randolph. Learn all about McKay's rise to fame in our exclusive interview here. Upper Dublin's Josh Singer also took home an award, sharing the best original screenplay Oscar for "Spotlight."

#Oscars: Adam McKay warns against "weirdo billionaires" in acceptance speech https://t.co/AZFzWSzgdV pic.twitter.com/RYQrgf48Ga
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 29, 2016

When host Chris Rock brought out conservative TV personality Stacey Dash as the Academy's "Director of Minority Outreach," the joke didn't exactly land - and Chrissy Teigen gifted us all with yet another funny reaction meme.

Chrissy. Again? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/rcTiWFrBPC
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 29, 2016

Then there was this cute moment:

Eddie Redmayne looks at Alicia Vikander the way we look at Friday. 😍😍😍 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/OgL23e44nH
— E! Online (@eonline) February 29, 2016

"Mad Max: Fury Road" took home six awards for its technical prowess and was recognized for costumes, makeup and hair styling, sound editing and more.

All of this #MadMax #Oscars love right now. 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/rVChiqe40C
— Nerdist (@nerdist) February 29, 2016

And Tina Fey pretended to be drunk for her presentation with "Date Night" co-star Steve Carell.

"The nonymees are." - Tina Fey and Steve Carell presenting. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/u33zAjxVqK
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 29, 2016

Then the Oscars expertly trolled Leo by bringing in a guy in a bear costume, like the bear he fought (via CGI) in "The Revenant."

same pic.twitter.com/O2PJxNP9Y6
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) February 29, 2016

"Room" star Jacob Tremblay had an adorable reaction to special "Star Wars" guests appearing on stage.

Squad #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Ud0Pe2yOdO
— Geekadelphia (@geekadelphia) February 29, 2016

Here's that GIF of @JacobTremblay getting up to look at C-3PO you've been searching for. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/gSOyRRn0St
— Yahoo Movies (@YahooMovies) February 29, 2016

In an astute expansion on last year's pizza gag from Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock brought out a Girl Scout troop selling cookies during the awards show. They raised over $65,000 for the group.

Girl Scout cookies 🍪: Way better than Ellen's pizza. 🍕#Oscars pic.twitter.com/uAIgAVkmi6
— New York Post (@nypost) February 29, 2016

Then there was this slick wink.

He may not have won the Oscar, but @MarkRuffalo won our hearts with that wink. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/OcKHzNuNmu
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) February 29, 2016

The director of "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness," Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, gave a moving acceptance speech for Best Documentary Short.

"This week the Pakistani PM said he will change the law on honor killing after seeing this film. That is the power of film.” #Oscars
— Upworthy (@Upworthy) February 29, 2016

And yes, this really happened.

Yes, the #Oscars just memorialized David Bowie by using a clip from 'Zoolander.'
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) February 29, 2016

Oscar nominee Lady Gaga performed her song "Til It Happens to You" from the film "The Hunting Ground" during the night, bringing survivors of sexual assault on stage with her to create a powerful message. Unfortunately, she would later go on to lose the award for Best Original Song to "Writing's On the Wall" from "Spectre."

Take the pledge. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/NTAMjaYP7f
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 29, 2016

After the performance, Best Actress winner Brie Larson hugged each of the survivors as they walked off stage.

Then best actress fave Brie Larson gets up, hugs each, every one. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/OI3cFZaLtl
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 29, 2016

Then: it finally happened. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won a Best Actor Oscar for his work in "The Revenant," and millions of memes joking about his lack of an award slowly died.

When you've had forever to perfect that acceptance speech 🙌 #LeonardoDiCaprio #Oscars pic.twitter.com/QIqyzGCqpR
— Seventeen (@seventeen) February 29, 2016

"Spotlight" pulled off an upset by taking home Best Picture and star Michael Keaton reacted appropriately.

pic.twitter.com/tifC6LX6un
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) February 29, 2016

And then the curtain finally fell. Of course, there were plenty of noteworthy moments during the almost three-hour ceremony. Which were your favorites?

Aubrey Nagle
PhillyVoice Contributor