Category: Entertainment

It was Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another that came away as the big winner during Sunday night’s 98th Academy Awards.

The movie earned six Oscars including best picture. Anderson won his first-ever Academy Awards at the ceremony, and backstage after those wins, he was asked how One Battle After Another represents this year and the current time period we are living in.

“Our film obviously has a certain amount of parallels to what’s happening in the news every day. So, it obviously reflects what’s happening in the world,” Anderson said.

The director then reflected on how One Battle After Another offers some hope for where our real world could be headed.

“In terms of where it’s going, I don’t know. But I know that the end of our movie is our hero, Willa, heading off to continue to fight against evil forces,” Anderson said. “And, I think, like I said in my speech, bring at least common sense and decency back into fashion.”

Anderson also addressed some of the criticism his film has faced over its portrayal of Teyana Taylor’s character, Perfidia Beverly Hills. The writer and director explained that Perfidia has to be who she is so that the film’s hero, Willa, played by Chase Infiniti, can right the mistakes of her parents.

“The point of it is to set up the story of Willa. The next generation. What happens when your parents, who are damaged, have handed quite a difficult history to you? How do you manage that? That’s our story. And our story is in Chase and her evolution,” Anderson said.

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Michael B. Jordan won best actor at the Academy Awards Sunday for his dual role in Sinners, becoming the sixth Black actor to take home the award.

Speaking backstage, he reflected on the honor and the balance between being ambitious and trusting the path meant for you.

“There is a selfishness in understanding that in your craft, in your industry, this is a pinnacle,” he said. “This is what our industry standard is, it’s what we put value on in a big way. That competitiveness, you do want that.”

At the same time, he said success comes down to timing.

“What’s for you is for you,” he continued. “And you can’t take anybody’s blessings away…So I’m just like walking my path, man, and just trying to be locked in.”

He encouraged actors and artists “to keep that in mind” during their journeys, to remain honest and continue dreaming big.

In Sinners, Jordan played twin brothers Smoke and Stack. To prepare, he imagined the history they shared after spending their whole lives together.

“Just imagine you being in a partnership for like 30-something years. How many times they would argue? How many times they would keep score on who’s right and who’s wrong?” he said, noting he built those layers so it could feel like they had a real history.

Director Ryan Coogler said he always believed Jordan was perfect for the role.

“I knew I had to call Mike,” he said backstage. “He ended up calling me before I got to him and asking me if I would be interested in something he was working on independently. And I told him it wasn’t the right time.”

He said Jordan got upset, forcing him to tell him about Sinners earlier than he intended. “Thankfully he said yes,” Coogler said. 

Sinners also won the Oscar for best original screenplay. 

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The new series The Vampire Lestat will make its premiere June 7 on AMC and AMC+. The show follows the world’s first immortal rockstar, Lestat de Lioncourt, as played by Sam Reid. The first season follows his band’s popularity and his rising star power as the world contends with an unnatural surge in the vampire population …

Bradley Cooper could possibly take on the upcoming Ocean’s 11 prequel. Deadline reports that Cooper is being considered to write and direct the upcoming movie for Warner Bros. Pictures. While no deals have been made, Cooper would potentially replace Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung, who was previously attached but stepped away from the project. As for who will star in the film, the outlet reports that Margot Robbie is set to take on a key role …

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Hoppers isn’t hopping away from the #1 box office spot just yet.

The Pixar animated film stayed on top for a second week, bringing in $28.5 million. Two of the week’s other new releases, the Colleen Hoover romance adaptation Reminders of Him and the horror film Undertone, came in at #2 and #3, respectively.

Rounding out the top five were Scream 7 and GOAT. Two rereleases made it into the top 10: Kiki’s Delivery Service at #7 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze at #9.

Here are the top 10 films at the box office:
1. Hoppers – $28.5 million
2. Reminders of Him – $18.25 million
3. Undertone – $9.34 million
4. Scream 7 – $8.35 million
5. GOAT – $4.7 million
6. The Bride! – $2.1 million
7. Kiki’s Delivery Service – $1.668 million
8. Wuthering Heights – $1.665 million
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze – $1.48 million
10. Crime 101 – $1.14 million

Disney is the parent company of Pixar and ABC News.

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The stars once again dazzled at the 98th annual Academy Awards.

A big trend of the evening was feathers, with several of this year’s standouts wearing gowns embellished with them. Demi Moore wore a green and black feathered Gucci gown; Teyana Taylor was in a black-and-white Chanel gown with a feather train and sheer bodice; and Nicole Kidman wore a white Chanel corseted gown with feathers at the waist and train.

Green was also hot on the red carpet, with not only Demi in green, but Kate Hudson in a figure-hugging green crystal gown from Armani Privé, and Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku in a green sequined dress by Louis Vuitton. White was also a recurring look, with Kidman donning white, along with Elle Fanning in a white Givenchy princess gown; Emma Stone in a shimmering white Louis Vuitton dress; and even Timothée Chalamet getting in on the trend in an all-white tux.

Other stunning looks included: Rose Byrne in a black backless dress with a floral print from Christian Dior; and Jessie Buckley, who was channeling Grace Kelly in a pink and red Chanel gown.

And it wasn’t just the women who brought the style. Men making a statement included Michael B. Jordan, in an all-black tux with no tie; Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams, in an all-black Balenciaga suit; and an uncharacteristically clean-shaven Pedro Pascal, who went without a jacket, donning a white shirt with a huge floral broach, black pants and a cummerbund.

And speaking of Oscars and fashion, Vogue’s Anna Wintour joined The Devil Wears Prada‘s Anne Hathaway onstage to present best costume design, and best hair and makeup, but not before Hathaway asked the fashion icon’s thoughts on her dress. But Wintour sidestepped the question and went right to announcing the nominees, getting big laughs from the audience. Wintour got another crack in at Hathaway’s expense, ending the segment by saying, “Thank you, Emily,” a reference Hathaway’s character in the film.

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The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, aired live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15.  

One Battle After Another was the night’s big winner, taking home six Oscars, including best picture, best director for Paul Thomas Anderson and best supporting actor for Sean Penn.

Here are the winners:

Best picture
One Battle After Another

Best director
Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Best actor
Michael B. Jordan, Sinners

Best actress
Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

Best supporting actress
Amy Madigan, Weapons

Best supporting actor
Sean Penn, One Battle After Another

Best original score
Sinners, Ludwig Göransson

Best live action short film (TIE)
The Singers
Two People Exchanging Saliva

Best adapted screenplay
One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson

Best original screenplay
Sinners, Ryan Coogler

Best animated short film
The Girl Who Cried Pearls

Best animated feature film
KPop Demon Hunters

Best casting
One Battle After Another, Cassandra Kulukundis

Best original song
“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters

Best documentary feature film
Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Best documentary short film
All Empty Rooms

Best international feature film
Norway, Sentimental Value

Best film editing
One Battle After Another, Andy Jurgensen

Best sound
F1

Best visual effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Best cinematography
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners

Best makeup and hairstyling
Frankenstein

Best costume design
Kate Hawley, Frankenstein

Best production design
Frankenstein

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One Battle After Another was the big winner at Sunday’s Oscars, taking home the top prize of best picture.

“I just want to say that in 1975 the Oscar nominees for best picture were Dog Day Afternoon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Jaws, Nashville and Barry Lyndon,” said the film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson. “There is no best among them, there is just what that mood might be that day.”

“But we’re happy to be part of this, a wonderful, wonderful journey with our fellow nominees, our fellow filmmakers, our fellow filmmakers that even weren’t recognized by the academy,” he added. “So many great films this year.”

Anderson also thanked his cast, noting he “blew it” when he forgot to thank them when he won best director earlier in the evening. He specifically called out actress Chase Infiniti, saying, “You are the heart of this movie.”

One Battle After Another took home six awards. In addition to best picture, it won director, adapted screenplay, film editing, achievement in casting and supporting actor for Sean Penn.

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Jessie Buckley won the Oscar for best actress at the 2026 Academy Awards Sunday. She took home the award for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in the film Hamnet, becoming the first Irish performer to win in the category.

“Thank you so much — this is really something,” Buckley started off her acceptance speech, before admiring her fellow nominees. “Thank you to the incredible women that I stand beside. I am inspired by your heart and your art, and I want to work with every single one of you.”

She also thanked the producers of Hamnet, noting, “None of this is possible without you,” and shouted out her family members in attendance.

“Mom, Dad, thank you for teaching us to dream and to never be defined by expectations,” she said. Buckley also expressed her love for her husband, Freddie Sorensen, and their daughter.

“It’s Mother’s Day in the U.K. today, so I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart,” she ended the speech. “We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds. Thank you for recognizing me in this role. This is the greatest honor.”

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Michael B. Jordan won best actor at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday night for his dual roles as Smoke and Stack in Sinners.

This was Jordan’s first Oscar nomination and win. He was nominated alongside Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke and Wagner Moura.

Last year’s winner, Adrien Brody, took to the stage to announce this year’s best actor nominees. Brody won the award in 2025 for his performance in The Brutalist. He poked fun at himself by referencing his infamously long acceptance speeches for his win last year, as well as his 2003 win for The Pianist.

Jordan is the sixth Black actor to win in the category. He follows Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith. Jordan thanked the actors who came before him, as well as best actress Oscar winner Halle Berry, when accepting his award.

“I stand here because of the people that came before me,” Jordan said.

The actor continued by thanking everybody in attendance at the Oscars and everyone watching the ceremony at home for supporting him over the course of his career.

“I feel it. I know you guys want me to do well, and I want to do that because you guys bet on me. So thank you for keeping betting on me,” Jordan said. “I’m going to keep stepping up, and I’m going to keep being the best version of myself I can be.”

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In the battle for best director, Paul Thomas Anderson came away with the win for his film One Battle After Another.

“You make a guy work hard for one of these, I really appreciate it,” Anderson said in accepting the award, thanking the academy for “finding my work worthy of this highest honor.”

He also recognized his fellow nominees in the category, Chloé Zhao for Hamnet, Ryan Coogler for Sinners, Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme and Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value. 

“I couldn’t ask for a better class. It’s an honor to be counted amongst you guys,” he said. “There will always be some doubt in your heart that you deserve it, but there is no question at the pleasure for having it for myself.”

Finally, Anderson noted, “This is a wonder gift, and I’m so happy to call the movies home. This is really terrific.”

The win comes after 14 career Academy Award nominations for Anderson. It was his second win of the night, after winning best adapted screenplay.

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