The Covid-era 'red carpet' is boring
What used to be arguably the best part of any awards show is now a total snooze. Most of the nominees (and their outfits) are already inside the theater, the handful who are around are asked questions by seemingly-bored red carpet hosts, and the people standing around on camera appear to be press or publicists. I understand the safety concerns, but slideshows of still photography are not what the red carpet show was made for. Without the offhand comments, twirls and bows and on-the-spot dress judgments, it's hard to understand the point of tuning in.
'Dune' triumphs in score, editing, production design categories
"Dune" cleaned up in the pre-show categories, following up its best sound Oscar with victories in the original score, film editing and production design races.
Hans Zimmer, the film's awe-inspiring composer, appears to be absent from the ceremony.
The film editing Oscar goes to Joe Walker, and the production design champions are Patrice Vermette and Zsuzsanna Sipos.
'The Long Goodbye' is the academy's favorite live-action short
"The Long Goodbye," a short film tied to a concept album of the same name from the actor Riz Ahmed, wins the Oscar for best live-action short film.
Ahmed was nominated in the category alongside Aneil Karia.
"The Long Goodbye" (both the album and the short) were inspired by what Ahmed saw as the troubling rise of far-right extremist groups and nativist rhetoric in the United Kingdom post-Brexit.
'The Windshield Wiper' cleans up in best animated short race
"The Windshield Wiper," from the Spanish artist Alberto Mielgo, takes home the third award of the night: best animated short film.
The film beat four other contenders for the animated short prize: "Affairs of the Art," "Bestia," "Boxballet" and "Robin Robin."
'The Queen of Basketball' crowned best documentary short
The second award of the night (and the second to be presented off-air) goes to "The Queen of Basketball," for best documentary short subject.
"The Queen of Basketball" is a 22-minute portrait of sports giant Lusia Harris, one of the pioneers of women's basketball in the U.S.
I continue to think it's strange that the first eight categories are being presented before the ceremony starts airing live, and I wish these early winners had gotten a chance to deliver acceptance speeches in front of a national audience.
Travis Barker arrives with Kourtney Kardashian ahead of his Oscars performance
Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker (also known as Kourtney Kardashian's boyfriend) is part of the celebrity band performing on stage throughout the show. He'll be playing alongside the show's music director, Adam Blackstone, singer Sheila E. and pianist Robert Glasper, The Academy announced.
Other performers include DJ Nice, who gained notoriety throughout the pandemic for hosting virtual parties in which people could still dance to tunes together even though they were physically apart. There will also be musical performances from Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Finneas, Reba McEntire and more.
Barker's plus-one was, of course, his longtime girlfriend, and they dazzled the red carpet dressed in black.
What will win and what should win, according to NBC's bloggers
NBC News Digital's live-bloggers are (mostly) in agreement that "CODA" will win best picture.
The film, a coming-of-age portrait of a teenage girl torn between her artistic dreams and loyalty to her Deaf family members, gained momentum in recent weeks after it won trophies from Hollywood's actors, writers and producers guilds. But a couple of us are still bullish on Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog," a haunting Western starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a cruel rancher in 1920s Montana.
We'll find out who was right soon enough!
Daniel Arkin, reporter
What will win: "CODA" | What should win: "Drive My Car"
Anna Brand, editor
What will win: "CODA" | What should win: "CODA"
Mike Fant, video producer
What will win: "CODA" | What should win: "West Side Story"
Joshua Feldman, platforms editor
What will win: "The Power of the Dog" | What should win: "The Power of the Dog"
Saba Hamedy, editor
What will win: "CODA" | What should win: "The Power of the Dog"
Doha Madani, reporter
What will win: "CODA" | What should win: "CODA"
Jesse North, director of digital video
What will win: "The Power of the Dog" | What should win: "The Power of the Dog"
Randi Richardson, reporter
What will win: "The Power of the Dog" | What should win: "King Richard"
The first award of the night goes to 'Dune'
Best sound — the first award of the night, and one of eight categories that are being presented off-air in the hour before the show — goes to the sci-fi spectacle "Dune."
The award was presented by two of the movie's stars, Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa.
Five sound geniuses — Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett — were recognized for their work on the film.
"Dune" beat out "Belfast," "No Time to Die," "The Power of the Dog" and "West Side Story."
Watch: Tonight’s Academy Awards could set big milestones for the movie business
The Academy Awards will be held tonight against the backdrop of war in Ukraine, lingering coronavirus concerns and a rapidly changing entertainment industry. With Apple+ and Netflix battling to be the first-ever streaming service to earn an Oscar for best picture, Hollywood’s return to the red carpet could affect the future of the great American pastime of “going to the movies.”
Watch NBC’s Jo Ling Kent's report in this week’s "Sunday Focus."
The Covid-19 protocols in place
Guests will be required to show proof of vaccination and two negative Covid tests, The New York Times reported. But presenters and performers will not be required to be vaccinated. They just need to show proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus.
That is, of course, a shift from last year's April 25 show, which was moved to Union Station, where the audience was just 170 people.