Birdman scoops the ‘big two’ Oscars

THERE were few surprises at the weekend’s Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles, with Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu’s Birdman scooping the two biggest awards.

The Mexican director’s movie starring Michael Keaton won the Best Picture and Best Director awards, while also picking up the Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography gongs.

Perhaps the only shock of the night was Richard Linklater’s Boyhood – tipped as one of the favourites – only picking up one award; the Best Supporting Actress statue for Patricia Arquette. Birdman tied with The Grand Budapest Hotel for the biggest number of awards – four each – although the latter had to suffice with lesser technical awards.

The Best Actor award went to Eddie Redmayne for his performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, while the Best Actress award was picked up by veteran actress Julianne Moore for her performance in Still Alice. Polish drama Ida won the Best Foreign Language Film award and Best Supporting Actor went to JK Simmons for his role in Whiplash.

Host Neil Patrick Harris has been criticised in the American press this morning (February 23) for a dull, uninspired performance that lacked funny jokes, described as “one of the most forgettable for years.”