Slumdog Millionaire Dominates 81st Annual Academy Awards with 8 of 10 Oscars

Hosted by Hugh Jackman, this year's Academy Awards presentation did not disappoint. It was a lot different from awards of the past. For one thing, Hugh Jackman was a lively and engaging host with myriads of talents. His opening tribute to nominated films was remarkable and entertaining, as is that interesting Australian accent.

It was a triumphant night for Slumdog Millionaire, which took in eight Oscars including best director for Danny Boyle, best picture, and best original score and song for A.R. Rahman. Steven Spielberg fittingly presented the best picture award. Slumdog Millionaire was nominated for 10 awards, and 8 out of 10 are not bad at all.

There were many special moments of the awards; among my favorites was a tribute to departed stars of 2008 including the original king of comedy Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes, Heath Ledger, Sydney Pollack, and Paul Newman. Who better to belt out a beautiful song as the pictures of the departed were shown, than her majesty, Queen Latifah?

Another great moment was when best actress and best actor awards were introduced. I thought it was great that each nominee was given a special tribute by yet another special someone; a best actress or best actor of the past. Beautiful leading ladies like Halle Berry, Sophia Lauren, Nicole Kidman, and Shirley McClain introduced nominees including Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, and of course the winner Kate Winslet. Winslet won the Oscar for her magnificent performance in "The Reader." I thought the individual tributes was more genuine and lively than past year's shows where a presenters read names of nominees amid clips of their performances. Great stars telling the nominees why they were chosen and giving them praises for their job was to me very touching and memorable.

For the top male honor, Michael Douglass, Robert DeNiro, and Anthony Hopkins were among past honorees that paid tribute to this year's nominees. Sean Penn won the award for best actor for his gutty performance in Milk. Heath Ledger posthumously won the best supporting actor award for his performance in "The Dark Knight" while Penelope Cruz won the best supporting actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

And what is an Oscar without fashion? The ladies and gentlemen of the night did not disapppoint! I particularly love Anne Hathaway's gorgeous, mermaidy gown, Kate Winslet's off-the shoulder style, and of course Halle Berry's. Angelina Jolie looked stunning as usual in her classic and elegant black with her man Brad Pitt.

Here are some of the categories and nominees, along with winners:

Best Picture Nominees: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire

Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actress Nominees: Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Melissa Leo, Meryl Streep

Winner: Kate Winslet

Best Actor Nominees: Richard Jenkins, Frank Langella, Brad Pitt, Mickey Rourke

Winner: Sean Penn

Best Supporting Actor Nominees: Philip S. Hoffman, Michael Shannon, Josh Brolin, Robert Downey Jr., Heath Ledger

Winner: Heath Ledger

Best Supporting Actress Nominees: Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Marisa Tomei

Winner: Penelope Cruz

Best Animate Feature Film Nominees: Bolt, Kung Fu Panda, Wall-E

Winner: Wall-E

Costume Design Nominees: Australia, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Duchess, Milk, Revolutionary Road

Winner: The Duchess

Best Directing Nominees: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire

Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Original Screenplay Nominees: Frozen River, Happy-Go-Lucky, In Bruges, Milk, Wall-E

Winner: Milk

Best Original Song Nominees: "Down to Earth" from Wall-E, "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, "O Saya" from Slumdog Millionaire

Winner: "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire

Sources:

www.oscars.com