The 88th annual Academy Awards was hosted by the hilarious Chris Rock, who had plenty to say about the controversy surrounding the academy awards this year. Making light of the controversy in his bold but comical way, he handled the issue well and with comical skits and shorts. He also called out the divisions of men and women into categories being the same as race divisions. But the purpose of the night was the winners.

Running on the high of her Golden Globe win in the same category for her role in Steve Jobs, Kate Winslet was highly speculated to win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role during the Oscars. But the tremendous acting chops on actresses Rooney Mara (Carol), Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), Rachel McAdams (Spotlight), and Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight) made this category anybody’s game. The Best Actress in a Supporting Role award went to the talented Alicia Vikander, who breathlessly thanked her director and co-star Eddie Redmayne, along with many others who influenced and encouraged her.

The award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role was just as wide open as the one for Supporting Actress. If the Golden Globes were any indication, Sylvester Stallone was the one to beat with his triumphant return to the screen in Creed (reprising his iconic ‘Rocky’ role). But Tom Hardy (The Revenant) hasn’t slowed down this year with three critically acclaimed films released in 2015 alone, and was another favored to win. Christian Bale (The Big Short), Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight), and Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) rounded out this category. The title of Best Actor in a Supporting Role was awarded to Mark Rylance and he graciously thanked director Steven Spielberg, his co-star Tom Hanks, and his fellow nominees.

Jennifer Lawrence was once again nominated for the Best Actress award, after claiming this recognition in 2012, she was up for the win again with her role in Joy. Brie Larson’s emotionally charged performance in Room won her a nomination, as well as Saoirse Ronan for her poignant role as an Irish immigrant in Brooklyn. Veteran actresses also populated this year’s nominations, with Cate Blanchett nominated for her role in Carol and Charlotte Rampling nominated for her role in 45 years. The distinguished winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role was the magnificent Brie Larson, winning her first Oscar ever, thanking her young co-star Jacob Tremblay and everyone involved with making the film.

The coveted award for Best Actor in a Leading Role was especially close this year. Eddie Redmayne, the winner in this category last year, was nominated once again for his glamorous performance in The Danish Girl. Considering it is Leonardo DiCaprio’s sixth Oscars nomination and his success in the SAG Awards, many were hopeful it was his time for a win with his brutally astounding performance in The Revenant. Michael Fassbender was nominated for his eponymous role in the biopic Steve Jobs. Matt Damon was nominated for his triumphant role in The Martian. Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame was nominated for his performance in Trumbo. With the massive star-power and talent encompassed within these nominees, it’s unbelievable a winner could be chosen from this line-up, but the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role was (finally) awarded to the illustrious Leonardo DiCaprio. With tears in his eyes, he delivered his long-overdue acceptance speech thanking winner of Best Directing for The Revenant Alejandro G. Iñárritu, co-star Tom Hardy, his fellow nominees, those who helped him begin his career, his family, and friends. He took the opportunity to emphasize the need for environmental preservation.

Arguably the most anticipated award of the night was for Best Picture. The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, The Revenant, and Spotlight are all based on true events. Films adapted from books also made a great impact. Brooklyn, The Martian, and Room were all adapted from source material. Mad Max: Fury Road is the odd one out the bunch of inspired films, but does come from a well-known series of films. All magnificent in their own scope, the deserving winner for Best Picture was Spotlight.

Here are some of the best highlights of this magical night. The wonderfully talented Sam Smith, winner for Best Original Song, performed “Writing’s on the Wall” from the film Spectre. Mad Max: Fury Road swept the board with 6 wins under its belt. The first Chilean Oscar was won for Best Short Animated Film with Bear Story. A special shout out to Pete Docter for acknowledging the stressed out middle and high schoolers and telling us to never give up or stop dreaming. The changing of Pakistani law because of the moving winner of the Documentary Short Subject Film, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness. Dave Grohl’s heartbreaking, moving, and beautiful cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” as the stars who have past away were remembered. Vice President Joe Biden getting a standing ovation and promoting speaking out against sexual abuse. Lady Gaga performing “Til it Happens to You” from The Hunting Ground, carrying a strong message against sexual abuse.

All the recipients of awards were amazing in their respective categories, and all the nominees (even some snubbed nominees) are outstanding in their respective categories. Not every nominee can win, but we as the viewers certainly all feel like winners because of the astounding performances, productions, and finished products we are graced with at the end of the day. For a full list of winners in each category, check out the online article at aviatornews.org.

Full List of Winners:

Best Picture- Spotlight
Actor in a Leading Role- Leonardo DiCaprio
Actress in a Leading Role- Brie Larson
Actor in a Supporting Role- Mark Rylance
Actress in a Supporting Role- Alicia Vikander
Animated Feature Film- Inside Out
Cinematography- Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)
Costume Design- Jenny Beavan (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Directing- Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant)
Documentary (Feature)- Amy
Documentary (Short Film)- A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Film Editing- Margaret Sixel (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Foreign Language Film- Son of Saul
Makeup and Hairstyling- (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Music (Original Score)- Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)
Music (Original Song)- “Writing’s On The Wall” from Spectre
Production Design- Mad Max: Fury Road
Short Film (Animated)- Bear Story
Short Film (Live Action)- Stutterer
Sound Editing- Mad Max: Fury Road
Sound Mixing- Mad Max: Fury Road
Visual Effects- Ex Machina
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)- The Big Short
Writing (Original Screenplay)- Spotlight