![Host Neil Patrick Harris at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)](https://lgbtqnation-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/2015/02/NPH-Oscars-2.jpg)
John Shearer, Invision (AP)
Updated: 9:45 p.m. PST LOS ANGELES — The long take of “Birdman” has stretched all the way to the Academy Awards, where the jazzy, surreal comedy about an actor fleeing his superhero past, took Hollywood’s top honor in a ceremony punctuated by passionate pleas for equality. On a stormy night in Hollywood, the 87th annual Academy Awards — which came in humbled by backlash to its all-white acting nominees — bristled with politics and heartfelt speeches about women’s rights, immigration, suicide prevention and race. In a battle of B-movies for best picture, the Oscars awarded “Birdman” best picture, opting for a movie that epitomizes much of Hollywood — showy, ego-mad, desperate for artistic credibility — over one (“Boyhood”) that prized naturalism and patience. “Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” also won best director for Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, best original screenplay and best cinematography.
The Oscar goes to… A list of winners at Sunday’s 87th annual Academy Awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Best Picture: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” Lead Actor: Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything.” Lead Actress: Julianne Moore, “Still Alice.” Supporting actor: J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash.” Supporting actress: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood.” Directing: Alejandro G. Inarritu, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” Foreign language film: “Ida.” Adapted screenplay: Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game.” Original screenplay: Alejandro G. Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr. and Armando Bo, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” Animated feature film: “Big Hero 6.” Production design: “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Cinematography: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” Sound mixing: “Whiplash.” Sound editing: “American Sniper.” Original score: “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Original song: “Glory” from “Selma.” Costume design: “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Documentary feature: “CitizenFour.” Documentary (short subject): “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1.” Film editing: “Whiplash.” Makeup and hairstyling: “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Animated short film: “Feast.” Live action short film: “The Phone Call.” Visual effects: “Interstellar.”