The 78th Annual Academy Awards

Hooray! Another year at the Oscars!

I love the Oscars. I really do. I wait for it every year. I think it's because I never lost that little girl inside me who wants to be a big movie star and wear wonderful gowns to glittering affairs... Or maybe I'm really still that little girl, and I haven't grown up at all!

At any rate, I was lucky enough this year to be on leave from work and watch the awards ceremony live. Still lots of magical moments, but I have a few favorites.

• Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep presenting the Honorary Oscar to Robert Altman - I have the greatest respect for each of these actresses individually. Imagine what happens when you put the two together. They were so spontaneous and funny. They were acting out prescisely what they were saying about Mr. Altman, and of course, they did it oh so very well. Amazing.
• Awarding of Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song - "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp" was probably the least likely winner of the three songs nominated in this category. First of all, Dolly Parton was nominated... how in the world does one compete against a legend like that? Secondly, "Pimp" is a hip-hop song. Something more acceptable for the Grammys, maybe, but the rap at the Oscars?! I get the idea that the Oscars are reserved for more traditional forms of music. But in a year where a film about two gay cowboys led the race, I suppose this isn't very surprising after all. It was so refreshing to see the exhiliration with which the Three 6 Mafia accepted the award. I fully agree with Jon Stewart when he said that that was how Oscars acceptance speeches should be made. Winning one is really a great honour.
• "Crash" announced as winner for Best Motion Picture of the Year - Everyone thought it would be "Brokeback Mountain". This was the biggest surprise of the evening. With the exception of "Pimp" winning Best Song, I was beginning to think that this year was probably one of the most predictable Oscar ceremonies. I love surprises.