Street in Philadelphia to be Named After Will Smith

A street in Philadelphia is reportedly set to be named after actor Will Smith, who is native to the area. The decision was made to recognize his accomplishments in the entertainment industry and advocacy for social justice and equality. The article also mentions a recent controversial incident involving Smith at the Academy Awards.

Weekly Events Recap

Summary of a week with events such as the Academy Awards, Mardi Gras, and the president's address to Congress. Lent is now here and the article encourages readers not to give up the quiz.

Fashion at the 97th Academy Awards

A breakdown of the best and worst dressed celebrities at the 97th Academy Awards, featuring stunning gowns and questionable fashion choices.

Academy Awards 2022

The movie 'Anora' won five Academy Awards including best picture. 'Anora' was made for $6 million and has generated $40 million at global box offices. Adrien Brody won best actor for his role in 'The Brutalist.' Zoe Saldana won best supporting actress for 'Emilia Perez.' Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor for 'A Real Pain.' 'No Other Land' won the documentary feature film Oscar. 'Flow' won best animated feature. 'I'm Still Here' won the best international feature award.

2025 Academy Awards Broadcast

The 2025 Academy Awards broadcast avoided politics and controversy, with minimal references to Donald Trump. Winners did not mention transgender issues or delve into U.S. politics. Some winners made political comments on global issues. The move to steer clear of political statements may signal a shift in Hollywood's approach to cater to the audience and improve ratings.

Julianne Hough's 'Land Acknowledgment' at the Academy Awards

Julianne Hough faced mockery on social media after delivering a 'land acknowledgment' at the Academy Awards, with viewers criticizing the performative nature of the gesture and questioning the lack of action to return the land to indigenous communities.

Harrison Ford diagnosed with shingles

Harrison Ford diagnosed with shingles, will not present at Academy Awards. Shingles is a painful rash illness caused by reactivation of chickenpox virus. Ford doing well and resting. Vaccination is the best protection against shingles.

Oscar Predictions for Best Picture and Other Categories

Anora has a 52% chance to win best picture according to a mathematical model that considers industry awards, critics scores, and betting markets. The Oscar race is unpredictable, with various contenders and potential upsets in different categories.

97th Academy Awards Nominations Announcement

The 97th Academy Awards nominations were announced with some surprises and snubs. Some notable omissions include Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, and Angelina Jolie, while Felicity Jones and Sebastian Stan were among the surprises. The Oscars will still take place on March 2, honoring both L.A. and first responders.

Sean Penn's criticism of the Academy Awards and support for 'The Apprentice' biopic

Sean Penn criticizes the Academy Awards for limiting cultural expressions and praises 'The Apprentice' biopic on President-elect Donald Trump at the Marrakech Film Festival. He advocates for freedom of expression and diversity in storytelling.

Will Smith's 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' Movie Success

The movie 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' opened with an estimated $56 million over the weekend, marking one of Will Smith's biggest hits since the 2022 Academy Awards incident. The film is the fourth installment of the 'Bad Boys' franchise.

Academy Awards and Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

The Academy Awards is changing the focus of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to recognize those promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities, in line with their increased emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is part of a broader trend of incorporating social justice activism into the Oscars.

Decline in Academy Awards viewership and criticism of entertainment industry

The 2024 Academy Awards had the fourth-lowest viewership in history at 19.5 million. Despite attempts to spin the numbers positively, the decline in viewership, especially among younger demographics, is evident. The article criticizes the entertainment industry for being hyper-politicized, talentless, and out of touch with the audience.

Highlights from the 96th Academy Awards

The 96th Academy Awards crowned 'Oppenheimer' as best picture, with Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. winning acting honors. The event doubled as a coronation for Christopher Nolan, with 'Barbie' and 'Poor Things' also gaining recognition. Protest and politics intruded on the event, with nods to the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Fashion at the 96th Annual Academy Awards

Recap of best and worst dressed celebrities at the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Carey Mulligan stuns in a vintage Balenciaga gown, while Emma Stone's Louis Vuitton dress receives mixed reviews. Ryan Gosling and Lily Gladstone impress in Gucci. Emily Blunt and Kirsten Dunst shine in custom Gucci gowns. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's outfits are criticized. Lupita Nyong'o reuses a gown from her personal archive. Margot Robbie's Versace dress misses the mark. Jennifer Lawrence dazzles in polka dots, while Florence Pugh's space age ensemble disappoints.

Current Events

Ramadan begins amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Haiti extends state of emergency due to gang attacks, Oppenheimer wins big at Academy Awards, point-of-sale donations on the rise, bullfighting returns to Mexico City after ban overturned, Alaska Airlines inspects Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.

Anti-Israel Protests at the Academy Awards

Anti-Israel protesters marched through the streets ahead of the Academy Awards calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, criticizing Hollywood's support of U.S.-funded Israeli actions in Gaza. Police issued a dispersal order for unlawful assembly near the Oscars venue. Protests aimed to disrupt the event and highlight retaliation against industry figures critical of Israel. Recent polls suggest challenges for Biden with young voters due to his support of Israel. Director Paul Roland Bois promoted his film 'EXEMPLUM' during the protests.

Seating Arrangements at the Academy Awards

The 96th Academy Awards will feature many famous stars in the audience as background players, with priority seating based on a traditional hierarchy and logistics. The seating arrangements are carefully planned to ensure a smooth broadcast and capture real-time reactions. Seating politics involve considerations like nominees' relationships and avoiding awkward encounters. The COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced seating capacity and unconventional broadcasts. Being seated at the Oscars comes with great scrutiny, as demonstrated by Will Smith's recent incident.

Academy Awards Dramatic Moments Through the Years

A look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the Academy Awards over the years, including controversies, memorable wins, and unforgettable speeches.

2024 Academy Awards Nominees and Winners

Nominees for the 2024 Academy Awards include high-earning A-list actors like Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Winners have the potential for financial gains, including lavish 'swag bags' valued at over $100,000. Winning an Oscar can lead to significant career boosts and salary increases for stars.

Academy Awards Gift Bags Value

The value of the gift bags at the Academy Awards has reached $180,000, surpassing previous years' values. The bags include luxury items such as skincare products, trips, appliances, and more. The focus is on promoting small businesses and minority-owned brands.

Criticism of Academy Awards' Diversity Quotas

The New York Times published a story criticizing the Academy Awards' diversity quotas, calling them 'flimsy and showy'. Despite the new DEI rules, on-screen and behind-the-camera diversity is not mandatory, leading to criticisms from Hollywood insiders. The Oscars' diversity rules are seen as mostly an illusion with various loopholes.

Security Measures at the Academy Awards Amidst Tensions

The LAPD is increasing security measures at the Academy Awards to prevent protesters from disrupting the event amidst tensions related to the Israel-Hamas War.

Academy Awards and Historical Achievements

Jimmy Failla explains why we don't need to feel bad for Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig after not receiving Oscar nominations for their work in 'Barbie'. The article also highlights historical achievements and records at the Academy Awards.

Academy Awards Diversity Requirements

The 96th Academy Awards require diversity quotas for best picture nominees, but loopholes allow movies to qualify as diverse without actual on-screen or behind-the-camera diversity. Studios can meet DEI requirements by fulfilling industry access and audience development criteria.

Academy Awards Diversity Requirements

The 96th Academy Awards will be the first to implement new diversity requirements for best picture nominees, focusing on race, gender, and sexuality. The rules are complex and have loopholes, with movies needing to meet at least two out of four sets of quotas. The Academy's goal is to promote equitable representation on and off screen.

Academy Awards and Recognition for Stunt Performers

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is adding a new category for Best Casting but has not yet recognized Best Stunt, despite its significant contribution to cinema. Industry insiders and stunt professionals have been advocating for the inclusion of Best Stunt at the Oscars.