Birdman was the clear victor at the 87th Annual Academy Awards this past Sunday, where it took home accolades for Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and Cinematography. But not Best Actor for Michael Keaton? There are interesting dynamics to discuss here, wonderful performances, tear-jerking moments and a host who couldn’t quite get a grasp on the night.

Boyhood was my pick heading into the night. In my mind, it was the best (albeit obvious) choice, a film that took so much creativity, ingenuity and over twelve years to film. Yet in the end, the Academy decided to award the offbeat, eccentric, and sometimes very diverse Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance), and much to my dismay, I’m not surprised. The board of voters love movies about Hollywood, so to award the film it represents was no shocker.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu took home the top directing prize (over my pick, Richard Linklater) and also took home gold as one of the principal writers on the screenplay.The only other film to do as well (award wise) was Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel with four (which I had pegged for Best Original Screenplay – but lost to the aforementioned Birdman).

Whiplash, the sundance darling, took home three awards, including one for JK Simmons as Best Supporting Actor – no surprise there, as Simmons had been winning almost every single award leading into the Oscars (Guilds, BAFTa, Globes etc.). Even when they announced his name, Simmons had a look on his face as though he already knew (this was easily the safest bet of the night). His acceptance speech was glorious, urging everyone who has a mom and dad to “call, not text” if they are still alive.

The stunning speeches don’t stop there. Patricia Arquette (who took home Best Support Actress for Boyhood, the film’s sole award) pleaded for equality among women, which had Meryl Streep going insane (in a good way). John Legend and Common had compelling speeches about equality in the world while accepting their Oscar for Best Original Song for “Glory” (featured in Selma). Graham Moore, who took home the Best Adapted Screenplay award for The Imitation Game, shared a heartfelt story about how he attempted to kill himself when he was 16 because “he was weird.” He then closed his speech with telling everyone to “stay weird,” which started an uproar on social media; the worldwide trending topic of #StayWeird was all over the web.

Eddie Redmayne upset the 60+ year old, Michael Keaton, for Best Actor in Theory Of Everything. So, you’re telling me that Birdman was the best picture of the year, well-shot, written and directed, yet the actor at the center of it all is not good enough for best actor? Interesting. Concurrently, long time favorite, Julianne Moore, finally took home Oscar glory for her performance in Still Alice and brought attention to Alzheimer’s in her speech.

Neil Patrick Harris stepped front and center and opened with a fun and quirky song (in the vein of Into The Woods) and featured Anna Kendrick and Jack Black. This was probably the only good skit during his entire run. NPH – I’m sorry – fell flat in all areas, no matter which way you view it. He made a variety of awful puns – such as “This next presenter can eat with-a-spoon” or “Edward Snowden couldn’t be here for some treason.” NPH also had an overlong skit which revolved around his Oscar predictions locked inside a box on stage, which was then revealed at the end of the telecast to be almost exactly word-for-word the events which occurred throughout the night. This bit really never paid off, and with it already pushing midnight, I was just ready for bed.

John Travolta also came out with Adele Dazee (I mean Idina Menzel) to present an award. It was actually quite awkward, to be honest. Sure, it showed what a good sport Travolta was for his stunning mistake last year, but at what cost? Lada Gaga also rocked the house in an electrifying tribute to Sound Of Music, at the end of which Julie Andrews came on in near tears applauding the tribute.

Equally for all those that followed my predictions (I’m almost sure none of you), I apologize. This year was very tough to predict. Last year, I stood strong at 20/24. This year, I dropped 50% to 10/24. Yikes. The LEGO Movie was the true animated film winner (though it was shockingly snubbed), but yet, the next OBVIOUS choice, How To Train Your Dragon 2, the sweet, well-timed and affectionate sequel, lost to Big Hero 6, Disney’s cartoony brand of simple formulaic retread. What gives?

In the end, I still think in fifteen years when discussing past Best Picture winners, I won’t be talking about the zany humor of Birdman, but the integrity, as well as the cinematic aspects of what Boyhood accomplished. The movie took TWELVE years to create and manufacture. I mean, maybe if the film had taken 13 years to perfect, then maybe it would have won the Oscar? Just remember, Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Bernie, Before Midnight) and Wes Anderson (Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums, Bottle Rocket) still don’t have Oscars on their resumes…Yeah, let that sink in for a minute.