I liked “Anora” (review here) but never to the extent of its victories at this year’s Academy Awards; there is an undiagnosed, mystifying meme that seems to infect, percolate between the voters; this year it reflects the mission to elevate the sex-worker to the same level as “Oppenheimer”, “12 Years a Slave” etc. I have no objection to the theme but at the dismissal of a Holocaust survivor, architect, the vicissitudes of a Pope selection, a fantasy between green/white protagonists, a woman who fought and bested a totalitarian regime? Well-acted, the selection is still marinating, confounding. Conan O’Brien hosted the evening with aplomb, levity and humorous grace. Song and dance sequences (especially the James Bond tribute with “Substance” costar Margaret Qualley) pleasingly perfect; Gene Hackman, poignant and blessed retrospective of a translucent star, blazing in the firmament. Those honored and presenters spoke with humility and refinement. Kieran Culkin, winning the Best Supporting Actor Award for “A Real Pain” proved he could act by eliminating the unwanted, unnecessary, ubiquitous “likes” from his acceptance speech. Zoe Saldana is testament to intelligence, thankfulness and equanimity, soaring in her acceptance of the Best Supporting Actress category for “Emilia Perez”. Da’Vine Joy Randolph classily triumphed as the presenter of the Best Supporting Actress. Although no longer in vogue DEI redolently swamped the Academy Awards: 135 countries submitted films, 64 countries received a nomination and Brazil’s “I’m Still Here” won the Best International Feature Film Award; it was also in the Best Film category and certainly supremely worthy of its accolades; its star, in my estimation, Fernanda Torres, was celestial in her depiction of Eunice Paiva, and more than any other nominee deserving of the Best Actress Oscar. “No Other Land” an Israeli Palestinian documentary received the Academy Award and directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham crooned for peace and unity in tandem with the audience’s thunderous acquiescence. As previously predicted, my “predictions” fell short of success; rethinking, no regrets, “tomorrow is another day” and the wizardry of films and their makers will slice into the known and expected, unbosom the unknown and unexpected. Again and again, perpetually grateful for your subscribership, Peneflix