This year’s Academy Awards was a brilliant spectacle that entertained most and surprised some. With big winners like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Revenant,” it seemed as though movies made a big comeback. I recently wrote an article on “Oscar Predictions,” and it seemed as though most of them came true.

The hot topic over this year’s show was Leonardo DiCaprio finally capturing that elusive Oscar. He played a left-for-dead fur trapper in the hit movie “The Revenant.” I predicted that he would win this award, not by necessarily having the best performance, but by it finally being his time to shine. After four previous nominations, it seemed as though it was a one person race. With Leo being my favorite actor, it was fantastic that he rose victorious.

Prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio – Correct

The Best Picture award seemed to be overshadowed by the Best Actor award, but that does not take anything away from the deserved winner: “Spotlight.” This film about the Boston Globe’s uncovering of the Catholic Church’s cover-up was my pick to win the award. The way the film described how journalism works is masterful. The viewer can feel the tension throughout this whole movie as journalists try to uncover the truth about the Catholic Church’s cover-up of priests molesting children. “Spotlight” beat out close contenders like “The Big Short,” “The Martian,” and “The Revenant,” to receive the night’s biggest honors.

Prediction: “Spotlight” – Correct

Best Director honors went to the 52-year-old, Mexican filmmaker, Alejandro G. Iñárritu. This was the first time since the early 1940’s that a director has won this award two years in a row. Last year, “Birdman” won the director this award as well as Best Picture. This award was essentially a two man race: Iñárritu and George Miller. Miller, the 70-year-old director of “Mad Max: Fury Road,” was vying for his first Best Director Oscar. I seemed to have taken a ride on the “hype train” because I predicted Miller to snatch the crown. However, history was in favor of Iñárritu as he became only the second Mexican director to win the award.

Prediction: George Miller – Incorrect

Although Miller did not win the award, his film still took home six Oscars, becoming the night’s big winner. With awards ranging from sound editing to makeup, “Mad Max: Fury Road” was the biggest surprise of the night. I would have to say the biggest loser was “The Martian.” With seven nominations, it was believed that the film would take home at least one Oscar. This was not the case, however, as the film was shutout.

This year’s Academy Awards was a resurgence in film. Surprises throughout the night kept viewers on pins and needles, and Chris Rock, the host, showed no mercy while attacking the lack of diversity in the nominations. It was a beautiful night to showcase the films that made 2015 special.