85th Academy Awards#Critical reviews

The nominees for the 85th Academy Awards were announced on January 10, 2013, at 5:38 a.m. PST (13:38 UTC) at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by Seth MacFarlane, host of the ceremony, and actress Emma Stone.{{cite news|title=Oscar Host Seth MacFarlane Joins Emma Stone To Announce Oscar Nominations |url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2013/20130107.html |access-date=October 8, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |date=January 7, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925102627/http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2013/20130107.html |archive-date=September 25, 2013 }} Lincoln received the most nominations with twelve total, and Life of Pi came in second with eleven.{{cite news|last=Morgan |first=David |title="Lincoln", "Life of Pi" lead Oscar race |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lincoln-life-of-pi-lead-oscar-race/ |access-date=October 7, 2013 |work=CBS News |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313184051/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lincoln-life-of-pi-lead-oscar-race/ |archive-date=March 13, 2014 }}

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on February 24, 2013.{{cite news|title=Nominees for the 85th Academy Awards |url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/85/nominees.html |access-date=September 22, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053814/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/85/nominees.html |archive-date=September 21, 2013 }} Argo was the fourth film to win Best Picture without a directing nomination, following 1927's Wings, 1932's Grand Hotel, and 1989's Driving Miss Daisy.{{cite news|last=Patches |first=Matt |title=Ben Affleck's 'Argo' Wins Best Picture Oscar, Michelle Obama Shout-Out |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55002214/oscars-argo-best-picture-academy-awards-2013?page=all |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=Hollywood.com |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235052/http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55002214/oscars-argo-best-picture-academy-awards-2013?page=all |archive-date=December 30, 2013 }} As co-producer of Argo, George Clooney became the third individual to win Oscars for both acting and producing.{{cite news|last=Eng |first=Joyce |title=Argo Tops Oscars, Daniel Day-Lewis Makes History |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/2013-oscar-winners-1061564.aspx |access-date=September 22, 2013 |work=TV Guide |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927112533/http://www.tvguide.com/news/2013-oscar-winners-1061564.aspx |archive-date=September 27, 2013 }} By virtue of his nomination for Best Original Song in Ted, host MacFarlane became the sixth person since James Franco, who was a co-host and a Best Actor nominee during the 83rd ceremony in 2011, to host the ceremony while receiving a nomination in the same year.{{cite magazine|last=Busis |first=Hillary |title=Seth MacFarlane joins elite list of Oscar hosts-slash-nominees |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2013/01/10/seth-macfarlane-oscar-host-nominee |access-date=October 7, 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012082534/http://www.ew.com/article/2013/01/10/seth-macfarlane-oscar-host-nominee |archive-date=October 12, 2016 }}{{cite news|last=Dolak |first=Kevin |title=Seth MacFarlane gets own Oscars nomination |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/01/seth-macfarlane-talks-academy-award-nomination/ |access-date=October 7, 2013 |work=ABC News |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917212347/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/01/seth-macfarlane-talks-academy-award-nomination/ |archive-date=September 17, 2013 }} Silver Linings Playbook was the fourteenth film to earn nominations in all four acting categories, and the first since Reds in 1981.{{cite news|last=Feinberg |first=Scott |title=Oscar Nominations by the Numbers: Fun Facts, Shocking Stats |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscar-nominations-by-numbers-fun-408951 |access-date=November 6, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218130008/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscar-nominations-by-numbers-fun-408951 |archive-date=February 18, 2014 }} At age 22, Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence became the second-youngest winner in that category.{{cite news|title=2013 Academy Awards: 'Argo,' Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Day-Lewis win Oscars |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2013/02/2013_academy_awards_argo_jenni_1.html |access-date=October 7, 2013 |work=The Oregonian |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119131259/http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2013/02/2013_academy_awards_argo_jenni_1.html |archive-date=November 19, 2015 }} With his third win for Best Lead Actor, Daniel Day-Lewis became the first three-time winner in that category.{{cite news|last=Pond |first=Steve |title=Daniel Day-Lewis Wins Best Actor Oscar |url=https://www.thewrap.com/awards/article/daniel-day-lewis-wins-best-actor-oscar-78966 |access-date=September 22, 2013 |work=The Wrap |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030153203/http://www.thewrap.com/awards/article/daniel-day-lewis-wins-best-actor-oscar-78966 |archive-date=October 30, 2013 }} He also was the sixth performer to win at least three acting Oscars.{{cite news|last=Germain |first=David |title=Argo Takes Top Prize in Closely Fought Race |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/25/tp-argo-takes-top-prize-in-closely-fought-race/ |access-date=September 22, 2013 |work=U-T San Diego |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927212214/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/25/tp-argo-takes-top-prize-in-closely-fought-race/ |archive-date=September 27, 2013 }} Amour was the fourth film nominated{{cite news|last1=Eng |first1=Joyce |title=Oscar Surprises and Snubs: Silver Linings Playbook Is Golden, But Not Ben Affleck |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/oscar-nominations-surprises-snubs-ben-affleck-kathryn-bigelow-1058692.aspx |access-date=July 18, 2013 |work=TV Guide |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607013355/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Oscar-Nominations-Surprises-Snubs-Ben-Affleck-Kathryn-Bigelow-1058692.aspx |archive-date=June 7, 2013 }} simultaneously for Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film in the same year.{{cite news|last=Roxborough |first=Scott |title=Haneke's 'Amour' Scores Rare Oscar Best Picture/Foreign Language Double |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/haneke-amour-rare-oscar-double-410709 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 30, 2013 |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413181948/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/haneke-amour-rare-oscar-double-410709 |archive-date=April 13, 2014 }} At age nine, Quvenzhané Wallis became the youngest nominee for Best Actress and the youngest female acting nominee overall. Meanwhile, Emmanuelle Riva (aged 85) was the oldest nominee for Best Actress.{{cite news|last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |title=Oscars 2013: Records Broken for Oldest, Youngest Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscars-2013-records-broken-oldest-410704 |access-date=October 7, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306143953/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscars-2013-records-broken-oldest-410704 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }} This marked the first time in Oscar history that all five nominees in an acting category (Best Supporting Actor) were all previous winners.{{cite news|last1=Leopold |first1=Todd |title=Unpredictable Oscar race holds promise for exciting night |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/22/showbiz/movies/oscar-advancer-argo-affleck-predictions/ |access-date=July 18, 2013 |publisher=CNN|date=February 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120064652/http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/22/showbiz/movies/oscar-advancer-argo-affleck-predictions |archive-date=November 20, 2013 }} Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty{{'}}s joint win in the Best Sound Editing category was the sixth occurrence of a tie in Oscar history.{{cite news|last=Scott |first=Mike |title='Skyfall' and 'Zero Dark Thirty' Oscar tie, not unprecedented, but unusual |url=http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/02/skyfall_and_zero_dark_thirty_t.html |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=The Times-Picayune |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002711/http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/02/skyfall_and_zero_dark_thirty_t.html |archive-date=December 31, 2013 }}

File:Grant Heslov TIFF09 portrait.jpg, Best Picture co-winner]]

File:Ben Affleck by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg, Best Picture co-winner]]

File:George Clooney 2016.jpg, Best Picture co-winner]]

File:2016 NAB Show's The Future of Cinema Conference, produced in partnership with SMPTE (26717112630) (cropped).jpg, Best Director winner]]

File:Daniel Day-Lewis2 Berlinale 2008 (2).jpg, Best Actor winner]]

File:Jennifer Lawrence in 2016.jpg, Best Actress winner]]

File:Christoph Waltz Viennale 2017 f (cropped).jpg, Best Supporting Actor winner]]

File:Anne Hathaway-68408 (cropped).jpg, Best Supporting Actress winner]]

File:Quentin Tarantino by Gage Skidmore.jpg, Best Original Screenplay winner]]

File:BAFTA's 2013 (8464858238) (cropped).jpg, Best Animated Feature Film co-winner]]

File:Brenda Chapman at JDIFF 2012.jpg, Best Animated Feature Film co-winner]]

File:Michael Haneke 2009.jpg, Best Foreign Language Film winner]]

File:Malik Bendjelloul Deauville 2012.jpg, Best Documentary – Feature co-winner]]

File:Simon Chinn 2013.jpg, Best Documentary – Feature co-winner]]

File:Sean Fine Peabody 2014.jpg, Best Documentary – Short Subject co-winner]]

File:John Kahrs.jpg, Best Animated Short Film winner]]

File:_H011620-0419(cropped).jpg, Best Original Score winner]]

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger ({{double-dagger}}).{{Cite news|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2013 |title=The 85th Academy Awards (2013) Nominees and Winners |access-date=September 22, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014074656/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2014 }}{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-en-oscars-2013-nomination-list-story.html |title= Oscars winners and nominees 2013: Complete list |work= Los Angeles Times |date= February 25, 2013 |access-date= January 15, 2024 |archive-date= January 15, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240115133052/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-en-oscars-2013-nomination-list-story.html |url-status=live}}

The Academy held its 4th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on December 1, 2012, during which the following awards were presented:{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/milla-jovovich-oscars-sci-tech-awards-287415 |title=Katzenberg, Needham, Pennebaker, Stevens Tapped for Academy Honors |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=September 5, 2012 |first=Greg |last=Kilday |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104083154/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/milla-jovovich-oscars-sci-tech-awards-287415 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 }}{{cite news|last=Sperling |first=Nicole |title=Academy to honor Jeffrey Katzenberg, Hal Needham, D.A. Pennebaker and George Stevens Jr. |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-sep-05-la-et-mn-academy-chooses-honorary-oscar-recipients-20120905-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022102129/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/05/entertainment/la-et-mn-academy-chooses-honorary-oscar-recipients-20120905 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 }}{{cite news|last=Grossberg|first=Josh|title=Jeffrey Katzenberg, D.A. Pennebaker Tapped for Honorary Oscars|url=http://ca.eonline.com/news/343703/jeffrey-katzenberg-d-a-pennebaker-tapped-for-honorary-oscars|work=E!|access-date=May 6, 2013|archive-date=April 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425002912/https://www.eonline.com/news/343703/jeffrey-katzenberg-d-a-pennebaker-tapped-for-honorary-oscars|url-status=live}}

• To Hal Needham, an innovator, mentor, and master technician who elevated his craft to an art and made the impossible look easy.{{cite news|title=The 85th Academy Awards Memorable Moments |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2013/memorable-moments |access-date=September 22, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019022553/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2013/memorable-moments |archive-date=October 19, 2014 }}
• To D. A. Pennebaker, who redefined the language of film and taught a generation of filmmakers to look to reality for inspiration.
• To George Stevens, Jr., a tireless champion of the arts in America and especially that most American of arts: the Hollywood film.

• Jeffrey Katzenberg {{em-dash}} who has led our community in enlightened philanthropy by his extraordinary example.

{{Col-begin|width=80%}}{{Col-1-of-2}}

The following 15 films received multiple nominations:

{{Col-2-of-2}}

The following six films received multiple awards:

{{Col-end}}

File:First Lady Michelle Obama announces the Best Picture Oscar to Argo.jpg Michelle Obama announces Best Picture, awarded to Argo, live from the Diplomatic Room of the White House|alt=Michelle Obama announces the Best Picture Oscar to Argo.]]

The following individuals, listed in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.{{cite news|last1=Barnes |first1=Brooks |last2=Cieply |first2=Michael |title=Best Picture for 'Argo' in Varied Oscar Field |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/movies/awardsseason/best-picture-for-argo-in-varied-oscar-field.html |access-date=February 26, 2013 |work=The New York Times |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228042603/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/movies/awardsseason/best-picture-for-argo-in-varied-oscar-field.html |archive-date=February 28, 2013 }}{{cite news|last1=Hardle|first1=Giles|title=Live: 2013 Oscars|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/oscars/live-2013-oscars-20130225-2f0h4.html|access-date=February 17, 2016|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=February 25, 2013}}

File:Seth MacFarlane 2012 cropped and retouched.jpg hosted the 85th Academy Awards|alt=Seth MacFarlane in 2012]]

Due to declining interest and viewership in recent ceremonies, the Academy hired a new production team in an attempt to improve ratings and revive interest in the ceremony. Reports surfaced that Academy then-president Tom Sherak approached television producer Lorne Michaels for producing duties with actor and comedian Jimmy Fallon as host.{{cite news|last=Sperling |first=Nicole |title=Jimmy Fallon in talks to host 2013 Oscars, but ABC said to object |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-aug-02-la-et-mn-jimmy-fallon-in-talks-to-host-2013-oscars-lorne-michaels-to-produce-20120802-story.html |access-date=May 6, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 2, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227211817/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/02/entertainment/la-et-mn-jimmy-fallon-in-talks-to-host-2013-oscars-lorne-michaels-to-produce-20120802 |archive-date=February 27, 2013 }} However, the telecast's broadcaster ABC objected to these selections, and both men declined afterward.{{cite magazine|last=Newcomb |first=Tim |title=Jimmy Fallon as Oscar Host? Not If ABC Has Anything to Say About It |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2012/08/03/jimmy-fallon-as-oscar-host-not-if-abc-has-anything-to-say-about-it/ |magazine=Time |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=August 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023001058/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/08/03/jimmy-fallon-as-oscar-host-not-if-abc-has-anything-to-say-about-it/ |archive-date=October 23, 2013 }} With newly elected Academy president Hawk Koch assuming leadership duties, the Academy hired Neil Meron and Craig Zadan in August 2012 to produce the ceremony. Two months later, the Academy announced that actor, director, animator, singer, and comedian Seth MacFarlane would host the telecast.{{cite news|last=Shoard |first=Catherine |title=Seth MacFarlane to host Oscars |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/01/seth-macfarlane-host-oscars-2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=October 1, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022083359/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/01/seth-macfarlane-host-oscars-2013 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 }} MacFarlane expressed that it was truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host Academy Awards commenting, "It's truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars. My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don't find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast."{{cite web|last=Finke |first=Nikki |title=EXCLUSIVE: Seth MacFarlane Oscar Host |url=https://deadline.com/2012/10/exclusive-seth-macfarlane-oscar-host-345899/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=October 1, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915163840/http://deadline.com/2012/10/exclusive-seth-macfarlane-oscar-host-345899/ |archive-date=September 15, 2014 }} In an unusual break from previous years, producers Meron and Zadan announced that the on-air telecast of the ceremony would be simply referred to as "The Oscars" instead of "The 85th Annual Academy Awards".

As evident by the numerous musical numbers featured throughout the telecast, the ceremony was billed as a salute to music and the movies.{{cite news|last=Serjeant |first=Jill |title=Oscar show promises music, megastars and James Bond |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-oscars-idUSBRE91M07X20130223 |access-date=February 25, 2013 |work=Reuters |date=February 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224135602/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/23/entertainment-us-oscars-idUSBRE91M07X20130223 |archive-date=February 24, 2013 }} In keeping with the theme of the evening, numerous film scores from various motion pictures were played intermittently throughout the ceremony; most notable was John Williams' theme music from Jaws, which was used to goad winners off the stage if their acceptance speeches were overly long.{{cite news|last=Halperin |first=Shirley |title=Oscars 2013: 'Jaws' Theme as Play-Out Music Proves Divisive |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/oscars-2013-jaws-theme-as-424037 |access-date=February 25, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226163038/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/oscars-2013-jaws-theme-as-424037 |archive-date=February 26, 2013 }}{{cite news|last=Harris |first=Scott Jordan |title=Oscars 2013: Argo wins, Streisand sings and MacFarlane is nowhere near the knuckle |url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/scottharris/100068205/the-oscars-argo-wins-streisand-sings-and-macfarlane-is-nowhere-near-the-knuckle/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=May 6, 2013 |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512010414/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/scottharris/100068205/the-oscars-argo-wins-streisand-sings-and-macfarlane-is-nowhere-near-the-knuckle/ |archive-date=May 12, 2013 }} In a departure from having the orchestra perform in the same theatre, composer Williams Ross conducted the orchestra from a studio inside the Capitol Records Building a mile away.{{cite news|last=Marr|first=Merissa|title=The Toughest Job in Show Business|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323485704578258270986598306|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=May 17, 2013|date=January 24, 2013|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808100601/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323485704578258270986598306|url-status=live}}

Several other people were involved with the telecast and its promotion. Tony Award-winning art director Derek McLane designed a new set and stage design for the ceremony.{{cite news|last=Kilday |first=Greg |title=Derek McLane to Design Oscar Set |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/derek-mclane-design-oscar-set-382587 |access-date=October 7, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608141636/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/derek-mclane-design-oscar-set-382587 |archive-date=June 8, 2014 }} Rob Ashford served as choreographer for several musical numbers during the event.{{cite news|last=Weisman |first=Jon |title=Ashford to choreograph Oscars |url=https://variety.com/2012/scene/news/ashford-to-choreograph-oscars-1118061900/ |access-date=October 7, 2013 |work=Variety |date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322065343/http://variety.com/2012/scene/news/ashford-to-choreograph-oscars-1118061900/ |archive-date=March 22, 2014 }} Comedians Ben Gleib and Annie Greenup served as correspondents and hosts of "Oscar Road Trip", a nationwide bus tour promoting the ceremony in eleven major cities across the United States.{{cite news|title=Oscar hits the Road for Nationwide Tour |url=http://oscar.go.com/blogs/oscar-news/oscar-hits-the-road-for-nationwide-tour |access-date=October 7, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |date=February 4, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304185559/http://oscar.go.com/blogs/oscar-news/oscar-hits-the-road-for-nationwide-tour |archive-date=March 4, 2014 }} Six young film students from colleges across the country, who were selected from a contest conducted by AMPAS and MtvU, were recruited to appear onstage to deliver Oscar statuettes to the presenters during the gala.{{cite news|title=The Academy And mtvU Name Winners Of "Oscar® Experience College Search" |url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2013/20130215.html |access-date=October 8, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=February 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925101907/http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2013/20130215.html |archive-date=September 25, 2013 }}

In January 2012, AMPAS announced that it would create electronic voting system starting with the 2013 ceremony as another method for members to select the nominees and winners during the process.{{cite news|last=Kilday |first=Greg |title=Academy Explains How Electronic Oscar Voting Will Work |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/academy-awards-2013-oscars-nominees-voting-371377 |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 18, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608141634/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/academy-awards-2013-oscars-nominees-voting-371377 |archive-date=June 8, 2014 }} According to AMPAS Chief Operating Officer Ric Robertson, the implementation of the digital ballot was designed to increase participation among members in the voting process and to provide an alternative method of voting in case of emergency. Despite several Academy officials denying such reasons, some industry insiders speculated that the introduction of electronic voting was another move toward moving future awards galas to January.{{cite news|last=Feinberg |first=Scott |title=The Academy's Decision to Use e-Voting Could Have Far-Reaching Implications (Analysis) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/academy-electronic-voting-oscars-284893 |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 25, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608141635/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/academy-electronic-voting-oscars-284893 |archive-date=June 8, 2014 }} The deadline to submit nomination ballots was originally scheduled for January 3, but technological errors and glitches prompted the Academy to move the deadline one day later.{{cite news|title=The Academy Extends Oscar® Nominations Voting Period to January 4 |url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2012/20121231.html |access-date=October 9, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |date=December 31, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925102649/http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2012/20121231.html |archive-date=September 25, 2013 }}

None of the nine Best Picture nominees were among the top ten releases in box office during the nominations. However, four of those films had already earned $100 million in American and Canadian ticket sales.{{cite news|last=Coker |first=Lesleyann |title=Lincoln Dominates Oscar Nominations and History is Made |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesleyanncoker/2013/01/10/lincoln-dominates-oscar-nominations-and-history-is-made/ |access-date=October 9, 2013 |work=Forbes |date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123743/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lesleyanncoker/2013/01/10/lincoln-dominates-oscar-nominations-and-history-is-made/ |archive-date=April 13, 2014 }} At the time of the announcement of nominations on January 10, Lincoln was the highest-grossing film among the Best Picture nominees with $144 million in domestic box office receipts. The other three films to earn $100 million prior to nominations were Django Unchained with $112 million, Argo with $110 million, and Les Misérables with $103 million. Among the five remaining Best Picture nominees, Life of Pi was the next highest-grossing film with $91.8 million followed by Silver Linings Playbook ($35.7 million), Beasts of the Southern Wild ($11.2 million), Zero Dark Thirty ($4.4 million), and finally Amour ($311,247).{{ref label|BoxOffice|B}}{{cite news|title=2012 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=2012&p=.htm |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=May 4, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508082952/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=2012&p=.htm |archive-date=May 8, 2013 }} The combined gross of the nine Best Picture nominees when the Oscars were announced was $620 million with an average gross of $68.9 million per film.

Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 61 nominations went to 15 films on the list. Only Brave (8th), Wreck-It Ralph (13th), Lincoln (17th), Django Unchained (23rd), Argo (26th), Les Misérables (27th), Flight (30th), and Life of Pi (31st) were nominated for Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, or any of the directing, acting, or screenwriting awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?asof=2013-01-10&view=releasedate&view2=domestic&yr=2012&sort=gross&order=DESC&p=.htm |title=2012 Yearly Box Office Results (January 10, 2013) |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110030538/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?asof=2013-01-10&view=releasedate&view2=domestic&yr=2012&sort=gross&order=DESC&p=.htm |archive-date=November 10, 2013 }} The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations were Marvel's The Avengers (1st), Skyfall (4th), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (6th), Ted (13th), Snow White and the Huntsman (15th), Prometheus (20th), and Mirror Mirror (44th).

During the opening monologue, MacFarlane is told by James T. Kirk (William Shatner) (Captain Kirk set in the next day) about how he was going to ruin the telecast, Captain Kirk then shows him a music video where MacFarlane sings We Saw Your Boobs. Its lyrics lists out movies that featured scenes of actresses' disrobing.{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2013/feb/24/entertainment/la-et-ms-oscars-2013-celebration-music-starts-we-saw-your-boobs-201302243|title=Oscars 2013: Celebration of music starts with 'We Saw Your Boobs'|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 29, 2016}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The song has mixed reviews. On the positive side, The Guardian reported, "MacFarlane was employed partly to puncture the event's pomposity, which he did by lightheartedly pointing out that some of the world's most self-important people regularly get their kit off for money".{{cite news|title=Oscars 2013: We Saw Your Boobs - sexist or smart?

|newspaper=The Guardian|date=February 25, 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/25/oscars-2013-seth-macfarlane|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020050234/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/25/oscars-2013-seth-macfarlane|archive-date=October 20, 2013}} SheKnows wondered if the live reaction of some of the actresses were indeed acting as the "pre-recorded spoof apparently looked real enough for social media to worry about it".{{cite web|title=Actresses upset over "We Saw Your Boobs"… or were they?|publisher=Sheknows.com|date=February 24, 2013|first=Jaclyn|last= Brandt|url=https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/986383/were-actresses-upset-over-we-saw-your-boobs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226094126/https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/986383/were-actresses-upset-over-we-saw-your-boobs/|archive-date=February 26, 2013}} On the negative side, actress Jane Fonda stated, "if they want to stoop to that, why not list all the penises we've seen? Better yet, remember that this is a telecast seen around the world watched by families with their children and to many this is neither appropriate or funny."{{cite web|url=http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/jane-fonda-seth-macfarlane-boobs_n_2783839.html|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20200402181943/http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/jane-fonda-seth-macfarlane-boobs_n_2783839.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2020|title=Jane Fonda On Seth MacFarlane's 'We Saw Your Boobs': 'Why Not List All The Penises We've Seen?'|work=HuffPost|date=February 24, 2013|access-date=February 25, 2013}} California assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal and state senator Hannah-Beth Jackson expressed their disappointment at MacFarlane, ABC, and AMPAS in a press release reading, "there was a disturbing theme about violence against women being acceptable and funny. From topical jabs about domestic violence to singing about 'boobs' during a film's rape scene, Seth MacFarlane crossed the line from humor to misogyny."{{cite news |title=Seth MacFarlane's Oscars performance condemned by two California state lawmakers |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seth-macfarlanes-oscars-performance-condemned-by-two-california-state-lawmakers/ |date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=February 28, 2013 |agency=CBS News |archive-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424025516/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/seth-macfarlanes-oscars-performance-condemned-by-two-california-state-lawmakers/ |url-status=live }} Amy Davidson of The New Yorker interpreted the song as hostile to women.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/seth-macfarlane-and-the-oscars-hostile-ugly-sexist-night |title=Seth MacFarlane and the Oscars' Hostile, Ugly, Sexist Night |magazine=The New Yorker |author=Davidson, Amy |date=February 23, 2013 |access-date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803130001/http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/seth-macfarlane-and-the-oscars-hostile-ugly-sexist-night |archive-date=August 3, 2014 }}

In a press release statement, the Academy defended MacFarlane for expressing his artistic freedom, "If the Oscars are about anything, they're about creative freedom. We think the show's producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and host Seth MacFarlane did a great job and we hope our worldwide audience found the show entertaining."{{cite magazine|last1=Lang |first1=Brent |title=Academy Defends Seth MacFarlane Despite Charges of Sexism |url=https://www.thewrap.com/academy-defends-seth-macfarlane-despite-charges-sexism-79641/ |access-date=March 1, 2013 |magazine=TheWrap |date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723211403/https://www.thewrap.com/academy-defends-seth-macfarlane-despite-charges-sexism-79641/ |archive-date=July 23, 2016}}

The show received a mixed reception from media publications. Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Columnist Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly commented "By calling constant attention to the naughty factor", MacFarlane created "an echo chamber of outrage, working a little too hard to top himself with faux-scandalous gags about race, Jews in Hollywood, and the killing of Abraham Lincoln."{{cite magazine|last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |title=This year's Academy Awards: a lively, occasionally uneasy mixture of snark and sincerity |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/02/25/this-years-oscars-snark-meets-sincerity/ |access-date=October 8, 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927190014/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/02/25/this-years-oscars-snark-meets-sincerity/ |archive-date=September 27, 2013 }} The Washington Post television critic Hank Stuever bemoaned, "There was nothing notably terrible about the show, and nothing particularly enthralling." Regarding MacFarlane's performance as host, Stuever noted, "What you got was a combination of sicko and retro, an Oscar show hosted by someone who waited until Oscar night to discover that he's only so-so at stand-up comedy."{{cite news|last=Stuever |first=Hank |title=TV review: At the Oscars, the same old song and dance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/tv-review-at-the-oscars-the-same-old-song-and-dance/2013/02/24/27de5b76-7ed9-11e2-8074-b26a871b165a_story.html |access-date=October 8, 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302015647/http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/tv-review-at-the-oscars-the-same-old-song-and-dance/2013/02/24/27de5b76-7ed9-11e2-8074-b26a871b165a_story.html |archive-date=March 2, 2013 }} Television editor Alan Sepinwall of HitFix lamented that the ceremony made for a "frequently messy, but occasionally surprising and/or entertaining evening." He added that MacFarlane "had some funny moments here and there, but he missed way more than he hit, and Frat Boy Seth quickly assumed dominance as the evening went along."{{cite news|last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |title=Review: Seth MacFarlane emcees a conflicted, bloated, song-heavy Oscar-cast |url=http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-seth-macfarlane-emcees-a-conflicted-bloated-song-heavy-oscar-cast |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=HitFix |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515121648/http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-seth-macfarlane-emcees-a-conflicted-bloated-song-heavy-oscar-cast |archive-date=May 15, 2013 }}

Other media outlets received the broadcast and more positively. Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter praised MacFarlane's performance saying that he did "impressively better than one would have wagered." He also noted that he added "plenty of niceties with a little bit of the Ricky Gervais bite-the-hand-that-feeds-you thing and worked the juxtaposition rather nicely.{{cite magazine|last=Goodman |first=Tim |title=TV Review: Seth MacFarlane Wins at Oscar Hosting Against Odds |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bastard-machine/tv-review-seth-macfarlane-wins-424058 |access-date=March 29, 2013 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306005134/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bastard-machine/tv-review-seth-macfarlane-wins-424058 |archive-date=March 6, 2013 }} Chicago Tribune television critic Nina Metz lauded MacFarlane for keeping "a solid handle on the proceedings." She also remarked that the host "opened with a series of jokes that were bona fide winners, landing on just the right tone: confident but not cocksure".{{cite news|last=Metz |first=Nina |title=MacFarlane relaxed, confident as Oscars host |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/02/25/macfarlane-relaxed-confident-as-oscars-host/ |access-date=February 25, 2013 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227000209/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-25/entertainment/chi-oscars-live-20130224_1_oscars-host-tommy-lee-jones-laugh-85th-academy-awards |archive-date=February 27, 2013 }} Associated Press critic Frazier Moore extolled MacFarlane observing that he "seized the camera Sunday as host of ABC's Oscarcast and proved to its vast audience that he's a ridiculously versatile entertainer, a guy who can be as charming as he is famously irreverent, even polarizing."{{cite news|last=Moore |first=Frazier |title=Oscars Review: MacFarlane Proves He's An Oscar Guy In Hosting Gig |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/25/oscars-review_n_2756931.html |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=HuffPost |date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523175954/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/25/oscars-review_n_2756931.html |archive-date=May 23, 2013 }}

The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 40.38 million people over its length, which was a 3% increase from the previous year's ceremony. An estimated 77.92 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.{{cite news |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda |title=Oscars Draw More than 40 Million Viewers and is TV's Most Watched Entertainment Telecast in 3 Years |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/25/oscars-draw-more-than-40-million-viewers-and-is-tvs-most-watched-entertainment-telecast-in-3-years/170801/ |work=TV by the Numbers |date=February 25, 2013 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520195638/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/25/oscars-draw-more-than-40-million-viewers-and-is-tvs-most-watched-entertainment-telecast-in-3-years/170801/ |archive-date=May 20, 2013 }} The show also drew higher Nielsen ratings compared to the two previous ceremonies with 24.47% of households watching over a 35.65 share.{{cite news|title=Academy Awards ratings |work=Television Bureau of Advertising |url=http://www.tvb.org/media/file/Academy_Awards.pdf |access-date=June 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515152338/http://www.tvb.org/media/file/Academy_Awards.pdf |archive-date=May 15, 2013 }} In addition, the program scored its highest key demo ratings in six years with a 13.71 rating over a 33.45 share among viewers in the 18–49 demographic.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/awards/oscars-top-40-million-surge-in-demos-818811/ |title=Oscars top 40 million, surge in demos: Show draws best score among adults 18–34 since 2005 |work=Variety |date=February 25, 2013 |access-date=February 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301051116/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118066534/ |archive-date=March 1, 2013 }}

In July 2013, the ceremony presentation received nine nominations for the 65th Primetime Emmys.{{cite news|title=Primetime Emmys: Full List Of Nominees |url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/emmy-nominations-2014-nominees-list-emmys-801678/ |access-date=July 18, 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710201048/http://www.deadline.com/2014/07/emmy-nominations-2014-nominees-list-emmys/ |archive-date=July 10, 2014}} The following month, the ceremony didn't win any of the nominations.{{cite news|last1=De Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=HBO, 'Behind The Candelabra' Lead Creative Arts Emmy Awards; Bob Newhart, Dan Bucatinsky, Melissa Leo, Carrie Preston, Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn, 'Undercover Boss', 'South Park' & Tony Awards Among Winners |url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/creative-arts-emmy-awards-2013-winners-live-587432/ |access-date=September 15, 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817094136/http://deadline.com/2013/09/creative-arts-emmy-awards-2013-winners-live-587432/ |archive-date=August 17, 2014}}

The annual In Memoriam segment was presented by actor/producer/director George Clooney. The montage featured an excerpt of the main title from Out of Africa by composer John Barry.{{cite web|last=Burlingame |first=Jon |title=Oscar Scores More Than Pi in the Skyfall |url=http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2013/022513.html |publisher=The Film Music Society |access-date=October 8, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804233140/http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2013/022513.html |archive-date=August 4, 2013 }} At the end of the tribute, singer Barbra Streisand sang "The Way We Were" from the film of the same name in tribute to composer Marvin Hamlisch.{{cite news|last=Arbeiter |first=Michael |title=Oscars: Barbra Streisand Sings 'The Way We Were', And We All Sigh Wistfully |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55002208/oscars-barbra-streisand-the-way-we-were?page=all |access-date=October 8, 2013 |work=Hollywood.com |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118010205/http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55002208/oscars-barbra-streisand-the-way-we-were?page=all |archive-date=January 18, 2014 }}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Ernest Borgnine – Actor
• Eiko Ishioka – Costume designer
• Ralph McQuarrie – Conceptual designer, illustrator
• Jack Klugman – Actor
• Celeste Holm – Actress
• Adam Yauch – Musician, film executive
• Michael Clarke Duncan – Actor
• Charles Durning – Actor
• Carlo Rambaldi – Special effects artist
• Erland Josephson – Actor
• Richard Robbins – Composer
• Stephen Frankfurt – Advertising executive, title designer
• Harris Savides – Cinematographer
• Tonino Guerra – Writer
• J. Michael Riva – Production designer
• Ulu Grosbard – Director
• Herbert Lom – Actor
• Bruce Surtees – Cinematographer
• Andrew Sarris – Film critic
• George A. Bowers – Film editor
• Tony Scott – Director
• Theodore Soderberg – Sound
• Lois W. Smith – Publicist
• Geoffrey G. Ammer – Marketing executive
• Neil Travis – Film editor
• Michael Hopkins – Sound
• John D. Lowry – Image restoration pioneer
• Hal David – Songwriter
• Nora Ephron – Writer, director
• Charles Rosen – Production designer
• Jake Eberts – Executive
• Michael Kohut – Re-recording mixer, executive
• Frank Pierson – Writer, director
• Chris Marker – Director, writer
• Charles C. Washburn – Assistant director
• Ray Bradbury – Writer
• Richard Rodney Bennett – Composer
• Robert B. Sherman – Composer, songwriter
• Richard D. Zanuck – Producer
• Matthew Yuricich – Visual effects
• Marvin Hamlisch – Composer, songwriter

{{div col end}}

• 19th Screen Actors Guild Awards
• 33rd Golden Raspberry Awards
• 33rd Brit Awards
• 55th Grammy Awards
• 65th Primetime Emmy Awards
• 66th British Academy Film Awards
• 37th Laurence Olivier Awards
• 67th Tony Awards
• 70th Golden Globe Awards
• List of submissions to the 85th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film

:A{{note|BoxOffice}}: Both Life of Pi and Silver Linings Playbook would eventually earn over $100 million in domestic ticket sales before the ceremony on February 24.{{cite news|last=Miller |first=Daniel |title=Oscars 2013: A box-office milestone for best picture nominees |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-academy-award-best-picture-nominees-record-box-office-20130224,0,2743070.story |access-date=February 26, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225204441/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-academy-award-best-picture-nominees-record-box-office-20130224%2C0%2C2743070.story |archive-date=February 25, 2013 }} Zero Dark Thirty was the number one film at the American box office during the weekend of January 11–13;{{cite news|last=Orden|first=Erica|title='Zero Dark Thirty' Tops Box Office|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324595704578239810847104592|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=May 7, 2013|date=January 13, 2013|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808113958/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324595704578239810847104592|url-status=live}} the movie eventually grossed $91 million prior to the awards gala.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

;Official websites

• {{Official website|http://www.oscar.com/|Academy Awards official website}}
• {{Official website|http://www.oscars.org/|The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences official website}}

News resources

• [https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/oscars/2013/ 85th Academy Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005048/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/oscars/2013/ |date=March 5, 2016 }} Boston.com
• [https://www.theguardian.com/film/oscars-2013 Oscars 2013] The Guardian
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130113071333/http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/redcarpet/0,,20658247,00.html Academy Awards 2013] People

Analysis

• [http://www.filmsite.org/aa2012.html 2012 Academy Awards Winners and History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408214121/http://www.filmsite.org/aa2012.html |date=April 8, 2014 }} Filmsite
• [https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000003/2013 Academy Awards, USA: 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203035802/http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000003/2013? |date=December 3, 2017 }} Internet Movie Database

Other resources

• {{IMDb title|tt2461862|The Oscars (2013)}}

{{Academy Awards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Academy Awards, 85}}

Category:Academy Awards ceremonies

Category:2012 film awards

Category:2013 in Los Angeles

Category:2013 controversies in the United States

Category:Television controversies in the United States

Category:2013 in American cinema

Category:2013 awards in the United States

Category:February 2013 in the United States

Category:Television shows directed by Don Mischer