xoxoxo e: and the winners were ...

I predicted at the beginning of February who I thought would win. Here's how my picks stacked up to the actual winners. I only did the major awards and ones that interested me. I've put the winners in bold and my original predictions in a smaller font below.Tom Hanks opened up the proceeding by presenting two important technical awards, cinematography and art direction:

I was right - Hugo took it home! This is a big vote of confidence for 3D too, I'm afraid. Cinematography- I'm thinking Hugo will take home the prize, but this is one of the categories that The Tree of Life might win. (The Artist, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Hugo, The Tree of Life, War Horse)

Hugo - Right again! Hopefully Scorsese will do more films like Hugo in the future.
Art Direction - Hugo will probably win. The sets of the train station and the recreations of Georges Méliès's films were amazing. The Academy doesn't seem to take Harry Potter seriously. (The Artist, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, War Horse)

Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez presented the awards for costume design:

I'm on a roll, but The Artist was an obvious choice.
Costume Design - The Artist will probably (and deservedy) win this one, too. (Anonymous, The Artist, Hugo, Jane Eyre, W.E.)

Christian Bale presented the best supporting actress award:

My first miss and no surprise, the deserving Octavia Spencer won.
Actress In a Supporting Role - I would love the award to go to Melissa McCarthy. C'mon Academy, comedians are best actors, too. Bejo was adorable in The Artist, but it wasn't really an Oscar-worthy performance. (Bérénice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer, Octavia Spencer)

A very funny Chris Rock presented best animated feature film:

Rango - Yay!
Animated Feature Film - I'm sure Rango will win, which was fun and beautiful to look at. I absolutely LOVE that Puss was nominated and am not upset that Tintin wasn't. (A Cat in Paris, Chico & Rita, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, Rango)

Ben Stiller and Emma Stone presented best visual effects. These two may have to team up on something in future:

I'm so glad to be wrong about this one - Hugo won again!

Visual Effects - The Apes will probably get this one, although Andy Serkis should have been in one of the acting categories. C'mon, already. (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Hugo, Real Steel, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Transformers: Dark of the Moon)

Melissa Leo present the best supporting actor:

Christopher. Plummer. Now that's how you do an acceptance speech.
Actor In a Supporting Role - This had better be Christopher Plummer. Period. (Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte, Christopher Plummer, Max von Sydow)

Penelope Cruz and Owen Wilson presented best original score:

Yep, The Artist, which makes sense, as music was uber-important for a silent film.
Music (Original Score) - There has been a lot of controversy over the use of a part of Bernard Herrmann's score for Vertigo in The Artist, but it will still probably win. (The Adventures of Tintin, The Artist, Hugo, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse)

Clad in white tails and ... cymbals, Will Ferrel and Zach Can'tEvenPronounceHisOwnName presented the best song:

Man or Muppet won! As funny as Will and Zach were, I was still hoping for a live performance from Jason Segel.

Music (Original Song) - "Man or Muppet" was the highlight of The Muppets. I'm hoping Jason Segel and Walter perform it live. It must win. ("Man or Muppet" from The Muppets, “Real in Rio” from Rio)

Angelina Jolie showed us how high the slit on her gown went as she struck a pose and presented best adapted screenplay and best original screenplay:

The Descendants won - I sure didn't call that one.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - I would really like Moneyball to win this one. Team Brad. (The Descendants, Hugo, The Ides of March, Moneyball, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)

Midnight in Paris! I'm very happy for Woody.
Writing (Original Screenplay) - It's hard going up against the Woodman, but I'd love the gals from Bridesmaids to take this one. (The Artist, Bridesmaids, Margin Call, Midnight in Paris, A Separation)

The ladies from Bridesmaids ("Scorsese!" Gulp) presented best animated short film:

SO happy about this one - The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore!

Short Film (Animated) - The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is simply fantastic and should take the prize. (Dimanche/Sunday, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, La Luna, A Morning Stroll, Wild Life)

Michael Douglas, looking very good indeed, presented the best director award:

Sorry Scorsese (Drink!), it was Michel Hazanavicius, director of The Artist, who thanked the crazy producer who put money in the film. Love the French.
Directing - This is not only the most accessible, but the best Scorsese film in quite a while. (The Artist, The Descendants, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, The Tree of Life)

Natalie Portman, looking lovely in a red dress with a polka dot pattern (unusual for an Oscar gown), presented the best actor award:

But of course, Jean Dujardin! Sorry, Bradster.

Actor In a Leading Role - I would love for Gary Oldman to win this. The Academy may surprise us, but I think (hope) it's going to be Pitt, not Clooney. Brad was excellent as Billy Bean and he also helped get the picture made. His biggest competition is Jean Dujardin, who was also wonderful. If he wins it, The Artist will probably sweep. (Demián Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt)

The fabulous Colin Firth presented the best actress Oscar:

Meryl won, with a standing ovation and the perfect gold gown to match her Oscar statuette. Clearly she really wanted to win. Plus, she thanked her hubby first, which was nice.
Actress In a Leading Role - I hope it's Michelle Williams, even though everyone is saying it should be Meryl. But I am against a movie that in any way celebrates Thatcher. And Meryl can suck it up. She'll get many more opportunities. Glenn Close may be brilliant in her cross-dressing film, but it's a vanity production that not many will want to see. But Viola Davis may be a surprise winner. Rooney is being honored for a great performance, but won't win. (Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams)

Tom Cruise presented the best director Oscar:

Only the second silent film to win Best Picture (Wings did, in 1929) The Artist was the big winner.

Best Picture - The Artist - The shoo-in. It's adorable and upbeat, which is the only thing it has going against it, as the Academy tends to favor dramas with a capital "D." But it's a phenomenon and should still win. (The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse)

Actually I did pretty well, calling all but a few. So what do I win?