Oscars

Wow! So last night was the Oscars and Slumdog Millionaire really came out on top. They won 8 awards, although it is not the record it is pretty impressive. The record is shared by three movies who have won the highest number of Oscars for one movie: Ben-Hur (1952), Titanic (1997), and Lord of the Rings Return of the King (2003). The anticipation of Titanic’s wins at the Oscars made 1998’s Oscars the most viewed showing.

Heath Ledger won last night for best supporting actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. His Oscar was accepted by his mother, father, and sister who were accepting on behalf of his daughter Matilda. It was not a surprise that Ledger won his work as the Joker was unmatched and will remain a great role to look up to in the industry.

Other winners include:
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Director: Danny Boyle Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor: Sean Penn Milk
Best Actress: Kate Winslet The Reader
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger The Dark Knight
Best Supporting Actress: Vicky Christina Barcelona
Best Animated Feature: Wall-E
Best Foreign Film: Departures – Japan
Best Original Screenplay: Milk Dustin Lance Black
Best Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire Simon Beaufov
Best Documentary Feature: Man on Wire
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Original Song: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Documentary – Short Subject: Smile Pinki
Best Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire Anthony Dod Mantle
Best Costume Design: The Duchess Michael O’Connor
Best Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Sound Editing: The Dark Knight Richard King
Best Live Action Short Film: Spielzeugland (Toyland)
Best Animated Short Film: La Maison de Petits Cubes
Best Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The set of the production was incredible. It has the bandstand 50’s feel to it and great music. The crystal screen they had that framed the stage was phenomenally beautiful giving the stage a very elegant feel. Hugh Jackman hosted, who I’m a huge fan of, I did however think he was trying a bit too much to be humorous but it takes a lot for the humor to come natural to a more serious actor. The presenters were kept a secret until airtime which I honestly hadn’t noticed until I heard they had a new way of presenting the awards. For categories such as best actor, best actress, and best supporting for each they had five previous winners introduce each of the nominees. What an honor it would be to have an actress or actor respected greatly for their work introduce you as a current nominee. It added to the elegance and the beauty of the night to see all the actors appreciate the work of one another. I have great respect for the academy and all the cast and crew that goes into putting together an event such as the Oscars for the 81st time.