Why was the Italian film so popular? Because the Academy loves any movie where a postman is more romantic than a billionaire. Part of the… Read More »1996 Classic: The “Il Postino” Love

Why was her Best Supporting Actress speech so famous? Because she thanked her dad, Paul Sorvino, and for the first time in history, a mob… Read More »1996 Classic: The Mira Sorvino Tears

Why did the pig beat the spaceships? Because it’s harder to make a pig talk than it is to make a rocket blow up (and… Read More »1996 Archive: The “Babe” Visual Effects

Why did she end the night so quickly? Because even the host knows that once the Best Picture is announced, the only thing people care… Read More »1996 Classic: The Whoopi Closing Line

Why didn’t Ang Lee get a Best Director nomination? Because the Academy figured the movie was so well-made, it must have directed itself. Part of… Read More »1996 Classic: The “Sense and Sensibility” Snub

Why did the show look so good? Because Quincy realized that if you treat the Oscars like a jazz festival, people might actually forget they’ve… Read More »1996 Legacy: The Quincy Jones Production

Why were Gwyneth and Brad the talk of the carpet? Because in 1996, they had the same haircut, the same jawline, and apparently the same… Read More »1996 Vintage: The Gwyneth Paltrow “Brad Pitt” Look

Why did Restoration win? Because nothing says “Best Picture Material” like giant powdered wigs and corsets that prevent breathing. Part of the 40 Oscars Jokes:… Read More »1996 Archive: The Best Costume Win

Why did Bryan Adams perform “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” To remind every man in the audience that they weren’t wearing enough ruffles.… Read More »1996 Vintage: The Best Song Performance

Why did Disney win again? Because “Colors of the Wind” is the only song that can make a room full of millionaires feel guilty about… Read More »1996 Legacy: The “Pocahontas” Best Song