Hollywood

The first Academy Awards ceremony, honoring the best films of 1927 and 1928, was held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. It was a private dinner with an audience of about 270 people. Tickets cost five dollars, and the ceremony lasted 15 minutes. This inaugural event laid the foundation for what would become one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark that consists of more than 2,600 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, California. The Walk of Fame was created in 1960 and continues as a tribute to artists working across the entertainment industry who have made significant contributions to the media.

The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's bestselling novel of the same name, premiered on March 27, 1972. It quickly became a critical and commercial success and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The movie features iconic performances by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan and has had a lasting impact on the genre of crime films.

James Cameron's Titanic premiered on December 19, 1997, becoming a worldwide phenomenon. The film, which depicts the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It went on to win 11 Academy Awards and grossed over $2 billion, making it one of the highest-grossing films of all time. The movie's success solidified Cameron's reputation as a master filmmaker.

The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, premiered on July 18, 2008. It is the second film in Nolan's Batman trilogy and stars Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker. The film was both a critical and commercial success, known for its complex storytelling and Ledger's critically acclaimed performance, for which he posthumously won an Academy Award. The Dark Knight redefined the superhero genre.

Marvel's The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, premiered on May 4, 2012. Bringing together characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie featured an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson. The Avengers was a massive success and considered a groundbreaking film that expanded the horizons of superhero cinema, leading to a string of successful sequels and spin-offs.

Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow and produced by Steven Spielberg, was released on June 7, 2015. The film revived the Jurassic Park franchise with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in leading roles. It was a major box office hit, setting opening weekend records upon release. The film’s visual effects, action sequences, and renewed interest in the franchise contributed to its worldwide success.

The Time's Up movement, created to combat sexual harassment and gender inequality in the workplace, gained significant momentum in 2018. This movement was a response to the #MeToo movement and the allegations against high-profile Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Time's Up raised awareness about these issues and aimed to enforce action towards creating safer working environments in Hollywood and beyond.

Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, made history at the 92nd Academy Awards by becoming the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. The film, a dark comedy thriller about class divide in South Korea, also won awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. Its success marked a significant moment in Oscar history, celebrating global cinema beyond Hollywood.

At the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, an unexpected incident occurred when actor Will Smith walked on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock who had made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The event quickly became a major talking point, overshadowing the ceremony itself and sparking discussions about on-stage behavior and Hollywood's culture. Smith later apologized publicly for the incident.