The 82nd Annual Academy Awards

This year's Oscar show was not exactly inspired (with rather sparse input from hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin) but quite tolerable altogether. As such there was little novelty (surprisingly, the individual presentation of the nominated songs was dropped but, then, there was still the usual ostentatious dance number which tried to 'illustrate' the nominated scores – the one for THE HURT LOCKER was particularly idiotic!), and the embarrassing display of reverence for the acting candidates (though this time it was restricted to the leading roles) from last year was reprised. Though appropriately featuring the accompaniment of The Beatles' track "In My Life" (beautifully played on guitar and sung by James Taylor), the "In Memoriam" section was not as moving as that of previous shows (due to the fact that, thankfully, no true cinema giant passed away during 2009); the individual tribute to John Hughes – by several of the (grown-up) actors he had honed – was an unexpected but pleasant surprise…as was the presence among the audience of Lauren Bacall and especially Roger Corman (recipients of an Honorary Oscar in a smaller-scale ceremony held back in November). The apologetic ode to Horror movies really came out of nowhere and, despite the obvious inclusion of clips from beloved classics and popular modern fare, mostly stuck out like a sore thumb! Again, none of the 'Thank You' speeches were particularly stirring – though Jeff Bridges dedicated his victory to his late parents, Mo'Nique acknowledged Hattie McDaniel (who had set a precedent with the first black win back in 1940), and costume designer Sandy Powell saluted those of her field typically involved in projects boasting contemporary settings (which she readily admitted were seldom recognized by the Academy). With respect to the results, apart from the AVATAR fiasco, the only real unforeseen victories were those of the Best Adapted Screenplay (won by PRECIOUS, complete with pretentious and baffling subtitle, rather than UP IN THE AIR) and Best Foreign-Language Film (Austrian Michael Haneke's highly-touted THE WHITE RIBBON missing out in favor of the Argentinian entry THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES). Typically, the night culminated with the Best Actor, Actress, Direction and Picture statuettes – all of which saw the winners venting their elation uninterrupted; though it was a given that Kathryn Bigelow would triumph (and receive a well-deserved standing ovation into the bargain) over her ex-husband James Cameron, thus awarding a woman director the first Oscar after 82 years, this became even more obvious when Barbra Streisand turned up to present that particular category. In the end, while hardly memorable, the show emerged (as ever) to be worth a watch for hardened movie-buffs.

I always look forward to the Oscars! This was the most enjoyable one for me in a long time. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were great hosts -- very funny. Baldwin is the epitome of cool. The only real disappointment was that there were no real surprises in most of the categories. So I made a pact with myself next year not to read magazines newspapers or watch television shows that pertain to Oscar predictions. Just so there will be an element of surprise next year.

Regardless of that it was one of the best Oscar telecasts in a long time. The tributes to the lead actors and actresses prior to the announcement of the winners in those categories was a bit tedious for me, even though, as I said, I pretty much knew who would win. Even at almost 3 and a half hours, it was pretty entertaining.

"The 82nd Annual Academy Awards" wasn't one of the best Oscars, and still not one of the worst. However it was history making and a little different than those past as the hosting was a tag team duty(Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin)and it featured for the first time since 1943 ten films were nominated for best picture. And for the first time in history a female would win best director(Kathryn Bigelow)and her film "The Hurt Locker" would knock off the all time box office grossing king "Avatar" for best picture! And it was nice to see two well deserved overdue veterans win for best actor(Jeff Bridges) and best actress(Sandra Bullock).

Starting off with a bang the tag team of Martin and Baldwin kept the show funny with crude jokes and well written one liners. Proving they were the funniest men in show business especially Steve stood out. However their stage time seemed to take a backseat to presenters, music skits, and speeches. Many past award winners were presenters as always, somewhat surprising was a tribute to the late romantic comedy and teen coming of age director and writer John Hughes. Odd was a montage tribute to horror films? And as typical as this year with music played by James Taylor a homage montage was given to stars that past away why was Farrah Fawcett left out? And the awards given out were predictable no real surprises.

The strongest performance wins were in the best actress category sweetheart Sandra Bullock walked away for her caring sympathetic role in "The Blind Side" clearly the kind of roles that pleases voters. It's nice the down to earth Sandy can take home gold as her speech was emotional almost bringing tears. Most pleasing was seeing the hard working talented Jeff Bridges win best actor for "Crazy Heart". Jeff was long deserving of receiving an award. His acceptance speech was happy go lucky he's a good likable guy too nice pick by the academy. If you saw "Crazy Heart" his performance was talented and amazing for how his character battled pain and hardship on the way to redemption.

Next history was made Kathryn Bigelow was the first female ever to win best director as she won for her film "The Hurt Locker". And to add the icing on the cake "The Hurt Locker" won best picture defeating all time box office champ "Avatar" as Kathryn was two and zero against her ex husband James Cameron who directed "Avatar" and was up for best director. The academy liked a bomb stopping crew over blue aliens! Overall good Oscar show that could have been better it seemed a little rushed and really no surprises in the awards to predictable. It will be most remembered for Bigelow's history making win and well liked for Bullock and Bridges well long overdue deserved wins.

"The 82nd Annual Academy Awards" will mainly be remembered as important because a woman won Best Director for the first time, and a movie about the Iraq War won Best Picture. I should admit that I haven't seen most of the nominated movies. I'll now have to see "The Hurt Locker", "The Blind Side" and "Crazy Heart" (I think that I'll pass on "Avatar"). Mo'Nique definitely deserved her Oscar. Christoph Waltz, who made one nasty Nazi, must be the first person who won an Oscar for playing a guy who eventually gets a swastika carved into his forehead.

I really liked it when Ben Stiller appeared made up to look like a Na'vi. Silly, yes, but anything that elicits humor is fine by me.

But the most important thing is that a woman has finally won a directing Oscar. To be certain, by awarding it to Kathryn Bigelow, the Academy really stuck it to James Cameron.

All in all, I liked what I saw.

_The worst costume goes to: the dress worn by (Sandy Powell) the lady who won the Oscar for the best costume design!

_The best line goes to: "I love you baby more than the rainbows" said by (Ryan Bingham), the winner of the best song, to his wife.

_The most creative moment goes to: (Ben Stiller) wearing as Avatar's creatures!

_The meanest look upon someone's face: (Quentin Tarantino) when he heard that someone else him won the Oscar for the best screenplay. Hmmm, wait a minute. I don't think it was mean. He always looks this way!

_The worst jokes came from: (Steve Martin), talking about whores, (Sandra Bullock), or Avatar. Silly jokes Steve, silly and offensive. And you know what the worst part is? THEY ARE NOT FUNNY!

_The most mediocre factor goes to: The 2 hosts. They were between "Ok" and "Yawn". When you put (Martin) with (Baldwin) what you'll have is: half of good host!

_The most invisible moment goes to: honoring Hollywood's icons (the lifetime achievement Oscar and the Irving Thalberg award previously). Yes, they made them as one award, but with names like (Lauren Bacall) and (Roger Corman) how there wasn't even a short montage for their greatest works?!

_The most distracting moment goes to: the dead artists montage. 3 screens to Not be able to watch anything or anyone!

_The most predictable moments goes to: I always thought that the academy used to send deliberate hints through selecting certain stars to present certain awards, whereas you can predict the winner by seeing the presenter. So it was easy for me to relate (Sigourney Weaver) and (James Cameron), who she worked with in (Aliens) and recently in (Avatar), when it came to present the set award to (Avatar). So (Barbra Streisand) and (Kathryn Bigelow) when it came to the first female to win the Oscar for the best director. Then the not too starry now (Demi Moore) when it came to the dead artists montage!

_The best moment of the show goes to: (Kate Winslet) while declaring the award of the best actor, since she said wisely: "The Oscar Goes To" instead of "And The Winner is" which all the presenters said it this year in sort of ugly way that indicates how all the rest competitors are LOSERS!

Fair show by the way. Not the best, but fair.