Oscars Can Tradition for Broadway Musical-Styled Show

Hugh Jackman hosted the 81^st Academy Award ceremony. While he is a departure from the typical A-list of comedians the awards show usually selects, Jackman ably emceed the many facets of the three-hour plus show. The show's producers took advantage of Jackman's tongue-in-cheek, off-the-cuff acting ability and showcased his Broadway experience. It certainly was a welcomed departure from what sometimes seems a rather somber event. It appeared there were quite a few jabs taken at the award ceremonies themselves, further lending to the tongue-in-cheek atmosphere for the night.

However, at times, a viewer may have wondered if he or she was watching the Tony Awards or the Oscars. At least the bit with Ann Hathaway was planned and not as risqué as the stint Jackman pulled with Sarah Jessica Parker when hosting the 2004 Tony Awards. And what a delightful surprise it was to her peers and the television-watching audience that Hathaway can sing!

For the major awards like Best Actor, having five presenters each give a speech about the nominee was time-consuming, but a nice touch. It was a welcome change that there was only one set of presenters for a group of the other awards. That did seem to make the ceremony flow a little more quickly.

As for the winners themselves, there were not many surprises. Heath Ledger won for his role as The Joker in "The Dark Knight." His family accepted this award on his behalf. Rumored favorites, Penelope Cruz and Sean Penn, for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor, respectively, both won.

The big winner of the awards with a total of eight awards was "Slumdog Millionaire" - walking away with the biggest prize of Best Picture.

A complete list of the 81^st Academy Award winners as published in USA Today:

Supporting actress
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Original screenplay
Milk

Adapted screenplay
Slumdog Millionaire

Animated film
WALL-E

Short animated film
La Maison En Petite Cubes

Art direction
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Costume design
The Duchess

Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cinematography
Slumdog Millionaire

Live action short film
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

Supporting actor
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Documentary
Man on Wire

Documentary, short subjects
Smile Pinki

Visual effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Sound editing
The Dark Knight

Sound mixing
Slumdog Millionaire

Film editing
Slumdog Millionaire

Original score
Slumdog Millionaire

Original song
Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire

Foreign film
Departures (Japan)

Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Actress
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actor
Sean Penn, Milk

Best picture
Slumdog Millionaire

Source:
USA Today; Life Section; Movies; February 23, 2009