LOS ANGELES—Jimmy Kimmel got the 90th Academy Awards underway with an opening monologue that mixed Harvey Weinstein punchlines with earnest comments about reforming gender equality in Hollywood.At the Dolby Theatre ceremony Sunday, Kimmel dove straight into material about last year’s infamous best-picture flub.“I do want to mention, this year, when you hear your name called, don’t get up right away,” said Kimmel. “Give us a minute.”But while Kimmel spent a few moments on the fiasco known as EnvelopeGate, he expended far more minutes frankly discussing the parade of sexual harassment allegations that have coursed through the movie business in the wake of the revelations regarding Weinstein. Kimmel called the show “a night for positivity” but he also spoke straightforwardly about the industry’s poor record for female directors and equal pay.“We can’t let bad behaviour slide anymore,” said Kimmel. “The world is watching us.”The night’s acting honours are considered fairly locked, and the first award of the evening — as expected — went to Sam Rockwell for his supporting performance in Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.Raising the award as he was played off, the veteran character actor shouted: “For my buddy, Phil Hoffman.” Kimmel, with stopwatch in hand, also emphasized keeping acceptance speeches short. He promised the shortest speech would win a Jet Ski. Go long, and winners might get Lakeith Stansfield screaming “Get out!” as the actor briefly reprised his character from the Oscar-nominated Get Out on stage.Early wins went to makeup that adorned Gary Oldman’s Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour and period costume design of Phantom Thread.Best documentary went to Netflix’s Icarus, Bryan Fogel’s investigation into doping in sports, aided by the assistance of Grigory Rodchenkov, the head o ...
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