In 1930, the people of America would turn on their radios and listen patiently as an announcer described the dresses, the celebrities and the winners of the Academy Awards.
On Sunday, America will get to watch it all: the awards ceremony, the red carpet, the back stage interviews and even the after-parties.
Pull out your list of favorite 2015 movie releases, and cross your fingers because one of them will be awarded the famous Oscar statuette, symbolic of cinematic excellence.
2016 marks the 88th Annual Academy Awards, which is under extreme scrutiny by the public this year due to the nominee list being all-white.
Many celebrities such as actor Will Smith and director Spike Lee have voiced their disapproval and are boycotting the ceremony. However, the show must go on.
The Oscars will be hosted by Chris Rock, a comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and documentarian.
He is a man of many traits who has done just about everything you can in the industry.
Rock also hosted the 77th Academy Awards, and is back again.
Despite the controversy of the all-white Oscars, Rock stated he will address the situation in his opening introduction and has plans to rework his jokes around it as well.
The show focuses on awards for all parts on the cinema industry, such as Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects.
Eyes usually focus, however, on the Big Five Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay.
Best Picture nominees are “The Big Short,” “Bridge of Spies,” “The Martian,” “Brooklyn,” “Room,” “Spotlight,” “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Revenant.”
“The Revenant” is nominated for 12 awards this year, three of which are Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.
This is the second year in a row “The Revenant” director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, has been nominated for the Best Director award.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” has also been nominated for multiple awards, totaling 10.
Along with awards, the Oscars is well- known for its performances.
Lady Gaga will be performing her song “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground,” and Sam Smith will also be singing “Writing’s on the Wall” from “Spectre.”
Additional performers are Harold Wheeler, The Weekend and Dave Grohl.
Award presenters are Benicio Del Toro, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Gosling, Kevin Hart, Charlize Theron, Jacob Tremblay and Pharrell Williams.
The Academy Awards show will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, on ABC. For more information on nominations and performances visit Oscars.go.com.
LAUREN SOVISKY
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