The Leading Ladies Shine on Oscar Night

Hollywood shone like the golden Oscar statue last night. The men never looked more handsome or dapper, without an outlandish outfit among the bunch. It was the women; however, who brought the glow to the red carpet with eye-popping outfits befitting the golden king.

While there were a few stumbles along the way, there were far many more success stories. It started off with the emcees of the red carpet. Maria Menunos looked amazing in a black one-shoulder gown that clung to every curve with utter perfection. The one-sleeve look was a popular one this year but few carried it off as well as Menunos. Like many of Oscar's leading ladies, she wore her hair down and loose with lovely waves that framed her beautiful face perfectly. Unlike the others; however, she caught a bit of the top and pulled it back to make sure to show off that amazingly beautiful face.

Reese Witherspoon proved why black is always in with a strapless black dress featuring a white band across the top. She chose a retro-60's hairstyle, a la Sharon Tate's once famous bumped pony. It suited her classic all-American beauty.

Another beauty in black was actress Cheryl Hines. She went classic Hollywood in a black glitter gown with a sweetheart neckline. She also chose a 60's inspired hairdo, this time in the beehive. Oddly, it managed to accent her overall look without taking anything away from the actress or her gown. The real star, though, were the glittering diamonds at her throat. She never looked better.

Unfortunately, basic black doesn't always mean you'll get it right. There were more than a few misses this year with regard to that color.

Helene Bonham Carter donned a medieval looking velvet corseted gown that looked like it belonged in her Harry Potter film. She compounded the befuddled look by wearing her hair up with lose tendrils framing her face. It's the usual look to be sure. Carter is the only woman in Hollywood who can pull it off; well almost.

Sharon Stone took a beautiful one shoulder black gown to a whole new height last night with what looked like dead birds on her covered shoulder. Matched with a very severe updo and bright red lipstick, the completed looked was more than odd. It was a bit psychotic.

Virginia Madsen also missed big time with a strange black and white gown that was ruffled, feathered and ruched into a costume. Her super curly updo and chandelier earrings did nothing to help the overall effect. Neither did her too bright red lipstick.

Julia Ormond went for black lace over ivory in a mermaid style dress that did nothing to flatter her figure. Her messy straight hair and strange earring choice just added to the utter confusion.

Last year's leading lady, Sandra Bullock, stepped out in an architecturally inspired red gown that showcased her natural beauty. The strapless dress plunged just enough in the front to remind everyone that Bullock's body has never been better. Her tasteful button earrings and sophisticated updo finished off her stunning look.

Penelope Cruz also went red - - this time in wine - - with a plunging gown that hugged her body like a second skin. The coordinating red sequins looked like fire as the light bulbs went off on the red carpet. The only thing that outshone the dress, was Penelope's amazing smile. Cruz wore her hair down, straight, and pushed behind her ears. Chandelier earrings completed the look, which was classic and yet memorable at the same time.

Hostess Anne Hathaway walked the carpet for a bit in a red strapless vintage Valentino gown. Loaned to her by the designer himself, it was the dress's final showing before being put into his recently established museum. Although I frankly preferred some of her gown changes during the actual show, the actress proved she could wear anything with elegance and grace. She wore her hair pulled loosely back and donned jewels from Tiffany's, including a diamond necklace and earrings.

Another popular color or non-color, if you will, was nude. Many of Hollywood's beauties went for gowns that nearly matched the color of their skin tone.

Halle Berry proved once again that she can't be outdone on the red carpet with a stunning nude and silver gown that fit her like a glove. While some critics didn't care for the tulle Mermaid train, Berry worked it with all she had and looked resplendent doing so. Her short, sassy do and stunning smile were all she needed to polish off the look.

First time Oscar nominee Haliee Steinfeld chose a nude opera length gown with matching sequins and beading. It was proof that wearing something age appropriate doesn't mean it has to be dull and boring. This gown was anything but that. It showcased Hailee's youthful beauty to perfection. She finished the look with one of the season's favorite hair accents, the headband, which help cut her severe updo. She opted to wear no jewelry, which proved to be the right choice. Why guild the lily?

Mandy Moore also went nude with a cleverly sequined gown that almost looked like two dresses in one; a sequin mini with a tulle ball gown beneath. However, the severe pulled back hair somehow aged her 20 years at a time when Oscar was trying desperately to look young and hip.

Another red carpet hostess, Robin Roberts, also went nude with a one-shoulder gown. It glimmered in the light much as her personality does on TV. Careful ruching showed off her assets while hiding any supposed imperfections, making her look like one of the stars about to be recognized. Her short sassy cut and dangling earrings completed the look, which was sheer perfection.

Shades of white and ivory were popular last night as well. Nicole Kidman chose a white architecturally inspired gown from Dior that featured silver beading and sequins along with rose embroidery. She finished the look with a low slung ponytail and a vintage looking diamond choker. On her, it worked!

Gal Pal Gwyneth Paltrow also went white in pearly ivory with a low cut front and thigh high leg split. She wore her hair down and straight and sported color in a matching multi-gem pin and earring set. It was okay but didn't hit a home run.

Oscar nominee Michelle Williams showed off her sassy new platinum haircut with a matching white gown, resplendent with pearls from top to bottom. The sheath-like dress was classic and beautiful, much like the actress herself. She was smart to keep the look simple with nothing more than matching earrings. It was youthful and charming.

Another nominee, Melissa Leo, went white and gold with a shirt cut sheath of white lace over gold lame. The standup collar framed her face, which was unfortunate since her hair looked messy and undone. The look was a bit odd and certainly unfinished.

Singer Celine Dion scored slightly higher than usual this year with a long-sleeved white sheath dress featuring a plunging neckline. While it wasn't nearly as offensive as some of the things she has worn it the past, it lacked sophistication and style. Still, her long hair, worn down and wavy, along with her carefully chosen jewels were perfect.

Daphne Zuniga chose an unusual ivory gown with a draped front that showed promise. That is, until you got to the deliberate tears around the bottom or the dress. It was a strange look and one that should find its way into the trash bin as quickly as possible. The actress herself; however, looked lovely with soft, loose hair and perfectly chosen dangle earrings.

Purple showed up at the Oscar last night in everything from delicate lilac to rich aborigine. Nominee Mila Kunis chose a stunning orchid gown with lace insets and ruffles. It should have worked but somehow managed to miss the mark. Maybe it was the pasty looking cutouts that barely covered her golden globes. Or maybe it was the too severe updo. Still, she managed to shine through it all, which is a testament to inner beauty.

Scarlett Johansson also missed in a fuschia lace concoction that looked like a thift-store buy. Now if she was making a green statement, I applaud her for that. However, the overall effect could have still looked more polished had she actually done her hair or found a makeup artist. The look did this stunning beauty no justice at all.

No one was quite sure if Marisa Tomei was wearing purple, navy or a combination thereof. The upper satin part of the gown looked navy but the mermaid tulle bottom skewed purple. Either way, it was a lot of look for such a diminutive figure. The unpolished hair and strange earring choice did nothing to improve the overall effect.

Natalie Portman looked resplendent in an eggplant empire waist gown that showed her baby bump off with grace and dignity. The stunning neckline framed her natural beauty. She wore her hair down and wavy, clipped off to one side with a perfect jeweled hair-clip that went well with her earrings.

Cate Blanchett looked stunning in an orchid gown, but the style was a bit bizarre. That was especially true because of the strange arrangement of yellow pearls around the neck. An unconstructed and uncurled short haircut and pale makeup did nothing to improve the finished look.

Coral made an appearance in two classic gowns. The first, worn by Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence, was a simple sheath. It showed off her beautiful blond hair and sparkling earrings. I loved that it was also age appropriate.

The other gown, chosen by Jennifer Hudson, was a show-stopping architecturally inspired halter gown with a unique plunging neckline. The singer looked stunning with a pulled back braid, simple dangling earrings and bangles galore.

Blue is always a popular choice for Oscar and it was again last night. Whether it was the bright turquoise gown chosen by Nancy O'Dell or the shimmering navy litter gown worn by nominee Amy Adams, there was nothing depressive about these blues.

Oscar nominee Amy Adams looked stunning in a beaded blue column sheath with an emerald necklace and bracelet. While a little more attention to the hair might have put the look over the top, she still managed to look every bit the leading lady.

Charcoals, pewters, and silvers were abundant last night as well. Helen Mirren shopped the show in a charcoal stunner that showed off her beautiful white haircut into a new sassy "do." The dress, while age appropriate, showed every curve and reminded everyone that she is a force with which to be reckoned She never looked more beautiful.

Annette Benning went pewter and silver in a gown that was befitting a grand dame. Unfortunately, the gown was a bit shapeless in style and the rhinestone stripes that went off into different directions, confused the eye, but not in a good way. Her standard short cut was bumped up a bit but the makeup was a bit harsh. It didn't showcase her beauty, as it should have. The one perfect part of the whole outfit was the emerald jewels earrings and simple line bracelet.

Hillary Swank also went silver in a heavily beaded mermaid gown. Feathers encrusted the bottom half of the gown, but the moved from a silver color to dark charcoal that made the gown look a dirty. A severe bun, which usually showcases Hillary's look, this time around muddied it further; leaving an overall disappointing effect.

Erin Andrews went all silver sequins in a stunning one-shoulder gown that glistened and gleamed like her smile. Her long blond hair was worn down in loose waves that completed the polished look.

Lady O - - Oprah Winfrey - - also went pewter and silver in a stunning gown with a sweetheart neckline and full skirt. The tight corset top, in pewter, featured an open neckline that showcased the star's lovely face. The skirt then cascaded from pewter to silver in a flow of sequins. She completed the look with ringlet curls and long dangle earrings.

All in all, it was a successful year for Oscar both on the red carpet and inside the auditorium.