"The Artist" Takes 5 Oscars Along With "Hugo"

Billy Crystal Hosts the Oscars

Thank you to the Academy…for bringing back Billy Crystal!  Eric thinks he should be the permanent host.  The highlight last evening was the opening number with him appearing in segments from several of the nominated pictures—the signature opening that he created back in 1990.  After that, I have to admit that I nodded off for a while.  Neil and Eric caught me up when I woke up for the last three awards.  I heard Neil say "Oh, no" when they announced Meryl Streep and then she called him out when she said "I thought i could hear half of America saying 'oh, no' when my named was called".  Now that was weird!  He felt bad because he really does like everything that she does.  We were just all cheering for Viola Davis this year.  And Jean Dujardin was a bit of a surprise too. Congratulations to all of the winners!  It was a big night and I'm pooped this morning.

      Dexter came out on top by predicting 8 out of 12.  The Academy agreed with 3 of Neil's picks, and only 1 of Eric's.  Everyone has their favorites and there has been much

discussion about how votes are won in Hollywood.  But for us, the bottom line is that there is a vast variety of films out there and whatever your preferences are…go out to the movies and see them!  And if you didn't get a chance to see all of the nominees in the theater, then consider viewing them on DVD along with the rest of the movies on your list.  Even if you don't like them, you'll have a better appreciation and understanding of all that moviemaking can be.

If you missed the show, here's a list of the major winners:

Best Picture: The Artist

Actor: Jean Dujardin

Actress: Meryl Streep

Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer

Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer

Director: Michel Hazanavicius

Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris

Adapted Screenplay: The Descendants

Film Editing: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Cinematography: Hugo

Art Direction: Hugo

Costume Design: The Artist

Makeup: The Iron Lady

Visual Effects: Hugo

Sound Mixing: Hugo

Sound Editing: Hugo

Original Score: The Artist