It was the most politically tinted Oscar since Sacheen Littlefeather walked up on the stage in 1973 and accepted Marlon Brando’s Oscar for “The Godfather” after the actor declined. Brando protested Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans in film. Did you get that, Skowhegan?

The Oscars changed the tune with its new Ask Her More platform, i.e. stop the questions about clothes and talk about the person. Good move. Political issues were at the forefront, much was made of signaling a big wave of women, people of color and immigration issues looming for the 2016 election. I guess the Academy Awards are the new bellwether. Or for the Republicans, the canary in the coal mine?

Additional Images

Patricia Arquette, winner of the award for best actress in a supporting role for “Boyhood”, attends the Governors Ball after the Oscars on Sunday in Los Angeles. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Cate Blanchett, left, and Eddie Redmayne appear backstage with his award for best actor in a leading role for “The Theory of Everything” at the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.. Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, left, and Emma Stone are seen backstage at the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

Neil Patrick Harris, left, and Naomi Watts greet backstage at the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

J.P.'s SCORECARD

Best Picture

PREDICTION: “Birdman”

WINNER: “Birdman”

Best Actor

PREDICTION: Michael Keaton (“Birdman”)

WINNER: Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”)

Best Supporting Actor

PREDICTION: J.K Simmons (“Whiplash”)

WINNER: J.K Simmons (“Whiplash”)

Best Actress

PREDICTION: Julianne Moore (“Still Alice”)

WINNER Julianne Moore (“Still Alice”)

Best Supporting Actress

PREDICTION: Emma Stone (“Birdman”)

WINNER: Patricia Arquette (“Boyhood”)

Best Director

PREDICTION: Alejandro G. Inarritu (“Birdman”)

WINNER: Alejandro G. Inarritu (“Birdman”)

Adapted Screenplay

PREDICTION: “The Imitation Game”

WINNER: “The Imitation Game”

Original Screenplay:

PREDICTION: “Birdman”

WINNER: “Birdman”

Cinematography

PREDICTION: “Birdman”

WINNER: “Birdman”

Documentary Feature

PREDICTION: “Citizenfour”

WINNER: “Citizenfour”

Host Neil Patrick Harris dropped in a few lines that got a couple of laughs, but mostly sank. When he introduced David Oyelowo, who was not nominated for his portrayal of Martin Luther King, there was a big round of applause to which Harris quipped, “Oh sure, now you like him.”

Then Harris proceeded to a take off on a “Birdman” scen, by losing his clothes and coming on stage in very tight white Jockey shorts. His worst line was when he snarked about Edward Snowden who “couldn’t be here for some TREASON.” That fell under the seats with this liberal house. I did like his line about the original title for “Gone Girl”: “Bitches be trippin, yo.”

J.K. Simmons, who won Best Supporting Actor for “Whiplash,” touched the hearts of all when he thanked his wife and parents and asked us all to “call your mom and dad, don’t email, don’t text … call.”

Patricia Arquette, winning for “Boyhood,” got the house on its feet with her rousing demand for women’s equality in the workplace and for equal wages.

Then Alejandro G. Inarritu gave a political statement about politics in Mexico and a hope for immigration reform in America.

Sean Penn almost unhinged the joy with his comment on Inarritu winning so many Oscars. “Who gave this SOB his green card?” Most found it inappropriate. Inarritu, who is a close friend of Penn, thought it “hilarious.”

WINNERS, OR HOW I GOT SO MANY RIGHT:

Okay. Last week I put out my list of projected winners and I did pretty well, considering I had to suffer through a long three hours of young faces I did not recognize.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

I said, “Give the statue to J.K. Simmons and move on.”

So they did. I WIN BIG.

BEST PICTURE

I said, “Birdman.” So did they. I WIN BIG AGAIN.

BEST ACTOR

I said Michael Keaton, they picked Eddie Redmayne for “The Theory of Everything.”

Well, I knew they would, but I stuck with Keaton. I LOSE ONE. Big deal.

BEST ACTRESS

We all knew who that was going to be. It’s kind of like the upcoming 2016 presidential election. We KNOW who’s going to be the nominee, but you have to have some other bodies up there. I WIN BIG AGAIN.

Julianne Moore in “Still Alice.” A done deal and well deserved.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

I picked Emma Stone from “Birdman,” and I stick with it.

I know Patricia Arquette was the winner, but I’m holding further comment until the recount, which I’m demanding. Arquette is a hard-working small-screen actress.

EMMA WAS ROBBED!

BEST DIRECTOR

I went with Alejadro G. Inarritu and they agreed. I WIN.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

I Picked “BIRDMAN” and so did they.

I WIN BIG AGAIN.

BEST ADAPTED SCEENPLAY

I picked “The Imitation Game,” so did they.

ANOTHER BIG WIN FOR J.P.

BEST DOCUMENTARY

I went with “Citizenfour.” And SO DID THEY.

Another big win for the local kid.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

I picked “Birdman” to win. AND IT DID.

As usual, I avoid guessing about hairstyles, costumes and the Jean Hersholt Award, sticking with the ones we all care about anyway. The local kid wins eight.

I’m sorry, Meryl, your witch clip looked great, but at least you lost, and a little fairy somewhere gets to live and play Tinker Bell at the Opera House next year.

J.P. Devine is a former stage and screen actor.

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