I title my post in homage to this year’s winner, even though I was hoping this year’s winner wouldn’t win.

I preferred “Hamnet” of the films I’d seen … but knew it wouldn’t win. I’m glad its leading lady took home an Oscar, though. To watch her performance as Shakespeare’s wife, to see the emotions of love and grief and wonder pass across her face, was a master class in acting.

Which is not to say that “One Battle After Another” doesn’t have some fine performances, too. It was the overall feel of the movie that left me cold.

But you do not come here for movie critiques, dear reader, so I will close by saying that the 98th Academy Awards presentation was brisker than many; it ended by 10:30 p.m. And since I have sat through the reception of countless Oscars after another (seldom skipping the program in decades), I’m celebrating the pre-midnight close of the show as much as anything else.