The 84th Annual Academy Awards

It's about time that we've been able to see an Academy Award presentation that is not hosted by wooden, stick figures that either have 'forced' jokes or have no idea of what to do except just stand there. This is only because of Billy Crystal's presence as host. This is his ninth stint, not consecutively, to host the gala event, and he pulled it off as though he'd been the host year after year. But, considering Crystal's inate ability of having perfect timing and delivery within his jokes, it's no wonder this was as entertaining as it was. Crystal also works so well with other actors at the presentation, that he makes it seem effortless. Of course, the best part of the show was his parody of all the nominated films he presents which he always does at the beginning of each Oscar show he happens to host. I just howled!

The complete list of those that received Oscars:
Best Picture: "The Artist"

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin ("The Artist")

Best Actress: Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady")

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer ("The Help")

Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist")

Best Original Screenplay: "Midnight in Paris" (Woody Allen)

Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Descendents" (Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash)

Best Animated Feature: "Rango" (Gore Verbinski)

Best Foreign Language Film: "A Separation" (Asghar Farhadi) Iran

Best Cinematography: "Hugo" (Robert Richardson)

Best Editing: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter)

Best Art Direction: "Hugo" (Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo)

Best Costume Design: "The Artist" (Mark Bridges)

Best Makeup: "The Iron Lady" (Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland)

Best Original Score: "The Artist" (Ludovic Bource)

Best Original Song: "The Muppets" (Bret McKenzie- "Man or Muppet")

Best Sound Mixing: "Hugo" (Tom Fleischman, John Midgley)

Best Sound Editing: "Hugo" (Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty)

Best Visual Effects: "Hugo" (Robert Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman, Alex Henning)

Best Documentary Feature: "Undefeated" (Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin, Rich Middlemas)

Best Documentary- Short Subjects: "Saving Face" (Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy)

Best Short Film- Animated: "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris" (William Joyce,
Brandon Oldenberg

Best Short Film- Live Action: "The Shore" (Terry George, Oorlagh George)

The Honorary Governor's Awards were presented to:
Oprah Winfrey, Dick Smith and James Earl Jones

Can you believe they got all these awards plus entertainment with a great host in Billy Crystal and all in a 3 hour and 10 minute time slot? Miracles do happen.

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                     Rated: NR                         3:10