I'd like to thank the Academy....

...for putting on a GREAT show last night.

The whole show was classic glamour Hollywood.  This was evident from the beautiful crystal curtain to the charismatic host.  

There was also a very charming opening number (go Anne Hathaway!!!) 

On this video, the musical number starts at 1:45.

Hugh did a wonderful job.  I thought Laurence Marks and Bill Condon (the producers) put together a fantastic show.   

I absolutely loved the way they presented the acting nominees with 5 past winners each paying tribute to the nominees this year.  Very touching.

Also loved the way they presented the categories such as set design or makeup with the flatscreen tv's... very theatrical.  It made the whole night interesting to watch.

I even liked the MUSICALS ARE BACK medley.  It got a little random when they put in bits of HSM and MAMMA MIA at the end.  Although this medley wasn't as smooth as the opening number, it still had some nice moments.

I was very happy with all the winners especially DUSTIN LANCE BLACK for his Original Screenplay MILK.  

His powerful acceptance speech was the best moment of the night.  Much more about him in the next post.

Here is a brief list of upcoming DVD/BLU-RAY releases of last night's winners.  These, of course, are subject to change. 

March 10

MILK

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

April 7

DOUBT

April 21

FROST/NIXON

Already out

FROZEN RIVER

CHANGELING

THE VISITOR

No release date YET... (will probably be announced soon)

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE READER

THE WRESTLER

You can find a full list of last night's winners here.

We got SPIRIT yes we do...

The Independent Spirit Awards were yesterday.  THE WRESTLER was the big winner of the night.  After seeing clips of the other nominees, I really want to see WENDY AND LUCY!!!

Each year they do a song parody of the Best Feature nominees.

Here is Rainn Wilson in an ode to THE WRESTLER...

Here are all the parodies of the night.  This isn't the clearest video, but you get the idea.

AND... the ACADEMY AWARDS are just hours away.

The past couple of days I've caught up on most of the films....

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA - Penelope Cruz was amazing!

CHANGELING

FROZEN RIVER

and REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

They all were really good.

You can also find the short film nominees available on itunes.  I just watched TOYLAND and THIS WAY UP.

ENJOY the broadcast tonight.

These are not my predictions, but who I hope wins...

ACTOR, LEADING - Sean Penn MILK or Richard Jenkins THE VISTOR (also thought Leonardo really should have been nominated for REVOLUTIONARY ROAD) I'm over the praise for Mickey Rourke.  Yes, he was good in the film... but I liked the performances of Sean and Richard a lot more.

ACTOR, SUPPORTING - Heath Ledger THE DARK NIGHT will and should get it (thought Josh Brolin was really good too and loved the performances of James Franco and Emile Hirsch MILK and Brad Pitt BURN AFTER READING)

ACTRESS, LEADING - I'm torn between Kate Winslet and Anne Hathaway.  

Kate was really good in THE READER (and REVOLUTIONARY ROAD) and really deserves it for a great body of work the past few years.  However, I thought Anne was astounding in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED.  

I have many friends that did not like this movie or thought it was ok, but I LOVED it.  I thought Bill Irwin, Debra Winger, and the wonderful Rosemarie DeWitt should have received supporting nods, as well as the music (which is really an important element in the movie.) Finally, I really liked Sally Hawkins as leading actress in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY. 

ACTRESS, SUPPORTING - I thought Viola Davis gave an amazing raw performance in DOUBT, but I'm rooting for Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.

BEST PICTURE/DIRECTION - SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is going to get both of these and it certainly deserves it.  It was a WONDERFUL film.  I am rooting that the equally extraordinary MILK takes home one of the prizes.  I also thought WALL-E should have been nominated for picture.

The nominee I'm really rooting for is Dustin Lance Black for Best Screenplay - MILK.  

Read about him HERE.

You can find a downloadable ballot here.