Oscar® Highlights

Although getting off to an awkward start, last night’s 82nd Annual Academy Awards Show included some interesting highlights. Here’s a list of my favorite moments:

■ Christoph Waltz, Best Supporting Actor winner, delivering an exceptionally well-thought-out acceptance speech about his exciting Inglourious Basterd’s journey under the direction of Quentin Tarrantino.

■ Sandra Bullock, Best Actress winner, giving the most gracious (and amusing) acceptance speech of the evening while looking so beautiful in her sparkly lace-trimmed silver gown.

■ Mo’Nique, Best Supporting Actress winner, reminding everyone how important it is to “do what’s right instead of what’s popular.”

■ Presenters Robert Downey Jr. and Tiny Fey humorously bantering about the different ways an actor and a writer look at screenplays.

■ The dynamic group dance number performed to the nominated musical scores.

■ Funnyman Ben Stiller, made-up as a Na’Vi from Avatar, presenting the Best Make-Up Award to the Star Trek folks.

■ A woman, Kathryn Bigelow, finally being named Best Director.


Unfortunately, some parts of the show didn’t work for me. Am I alone in this, or was there too much George Clooney teasing going on? Sure, George is a good sport, but co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin went overboard in this regard. And I’m disappointed about not hearing the original song nominees. While clips of them from the movies helped, I would prefer longer versions sung live during the show. And, most of all, I desperately missed Hugh Jackman.