Apparently director Spike Lee didn't think much of the decision either, as he was reported storming up the aisle heading for the exit after the announcement, ala Eddie Murphy, only to be turned back toward the stage where he stopped mid-aisle and stood with his back to the winners. I guess he was a Black Panther fan, since his BlacKkKlansman was an extreme longshot to nab the top honor.
Lee did score his first Oscar earlier in the evening for Klansman's adapted screenplay, where he promptly brushed aside his three fellow collaborators onstage to more or less make the win all about himself. Classy as always, Spike.
To be fair, Green Book had earned Golden Globe and Producers Guild honors for Best Picture, not to mention Mahershala Ali's award-season sweep for Best Supporting Actor. I have yet to see the film, but from what I've gleaned from the trailer, it's an old-fashioned, play-it-safe account of a very turbulent time. A recipe that used to render Oscar gold in decades past, not so much in 2019.
Nice to see Rami Malek win for Bohemian Rhapsody, as well as Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk. Regina's paid her dues in Hollywood, going all the way back to playing Marla Gibbs' teenage daughter on the popular '80s series 227. A true survivor.
Otherwise a pretty pedestrian, uneventful telecast. But still too long, even without a host.
