Originally posted Monday, February 25, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
In a relatively brisk, host-free Oscars, the Academy spread the wealth, with no film winning more than four awards and every single Best Picture nominee taking home something.
Even two films that were considered possibilities in the Best Picture category - “If Beale Street Could Talk” and metro Atlanta-shot “First Man” - took home Oscars.
The civil-rights era buddy film "Green Book" took home best picture after being introduced by Atlanta civil rights legend John Lewis and Amandla Stenberg, who starred in "The Hate U Give," shot in Atlanta.
Lewis received a standing ovation.
The first superhero film to ever get nominated for best picture - “Black Panther” - pocketed three secondary categories: “Costume Design,” “Production Design” and “Best Score.” It was shot in metro Atlanta.
Morehouse graduate Spike Lee - who literally jumped into the arms of fellow Morehouse alum and presenter Samuel L. Jackson when he came on stage - took home his first competitive Oscar for adapted screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman." (He gave Morehouse a shout out.)
And while Donald Trump was the Name Not To Be Uttered, Lee did say this: "The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let's all mobilize. Let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's do the right thing!"
The biggest upset was best actress: Olivia Colman from "The Favourite" over favorite Glenn Close in "The Wife." This was the seventh time Close was nominated and didn't win.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" won the most Oscars with four, including best actor for Rami Malek.
RELATED: The entire list of winners
Among other presenters with Atlanta ties:
- Tyler Perry, who does all his films and TV shows in Atlanta, presented best cinematography, won by Netflix's "Roma."
- Brian Tyree Henry, a Morehouse graduate and FX's "Atlanta" star, presented costume design in a ridiculous costume.
- Melissa McCarthy, who shoots so many films in Atlanta that she now has a permanent residence here, joined Henry in an even more absurd costume which included a puppet rabbit.
- Queen Latifah, who has shot several movies in metro Atlanta and stars and executive produces "Star" on Fox, introduced "The Favourite," about a queen. Subtle, eh?
- Smyna native Julia Roberts presented the Best Picture "The Green Book."
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