Oscar moments: Record night for women; Wakanda makes history

Spike Lee bounding into the arms of Samuel L. Jackson, and trading shout-outs to Brooklyn with Barbra Streisand. Yes, the hostless Oscars at first threatened to be a rather antiseptic affair, but the brisk-moving ceremony soon came alive with genuinely moving feel-good moments and heartwarming surprises — though it finished on a decidedly unsettled note with a best-picture win for the divisive segregation-era drama “Green Book.” Some key moments from one of the more unusual nights in recent Oscar memory: ___ WAKANDA MAKES HISTORY, AGAIN It was a great night for diversity at the Oscars, thanks in part to the groundbreaking Marvel film “Black Panther.” Celebrated costume designer Ruth E. Carter won for her vivid, futuristic designs, the first black winner in the category, and moments later Hannah Beachler became the first black winner in production design. FINALLY, OSCAR DOES THE ‘RIGHT THING’ Carter also thanked Lee, with whom she worked on the 1992 “Malcom X,” and soon Lee himself was onstage, accepting his award for best adapted screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman.” It was perhaps the feel-good moment of the night as the director, who’d never won a competitive Oscar, leaped up into the arms of presenter Jackson. Best supporting actress Regina King brought mother Gloria as her date, and thanked her tearfully “for teaching me that God is always leaning in my direction.” Best actor Rami Malek also pointed out his mom as he accepted his award for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” saying, “I love you, lady.” Carter, winning her costume award, called her own 97-year-old mother “the original superhero.” Best actress nominee Yalitza Aparicio brought her mother as her date, at one point introducing her to actor Diego Luna. Presenting the costume award along with Brian Tyree Henry, McCarthy, a nominee for best actress, appeared in an elaborate royal get-up, channeling Olivia Colman’s Queen Anne in “The Favourite,” including a cape embellished with stuffed rabbits — a reference to the queen’s beloved pets.