At the 80th Annual Academy Awards, Happy Atmosphere Wins

The 80th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony was broadcast tonight, Sunday, February 24th, in all its pomp and glory since the writer's strike came to an end just recently. Normally, by this time in the awards season, we are downright tired of watching stars and entertainment reporters stroll, prance and sway down the red carpet. However, since the writer's strike robbed us of so many awards shows this year, the atmosphere at the Oscars tonight was clearly one of sheer happiness.

The pre-Oscar Red Carpet show seemed awkward with odd camera angles. Perhaps this was because it was unusually rainy in southern California this weekend and there was little time to remove the plastic tents and wraps before the show hit air.

The show moved along nicely, except for far too many montage tributes. They included a tribute to binoculars and periscopes? Thanks to the quick and clever wit of host Jon Stewart, a lively, light attitude prevailed during this normally staid and pompous program. A wet spot in front of one of the podiums also caused Colin Farrel to slip on his way to the microphone. Quite some time later, John Travolta slipped in the same wet spot as he stepped up. Somewhere a stage hand has been fired.

There were a couple of appropriately touching moments. The tribute to colleagues who have passed including Heath Ledger, the honorary oscar to Robert Boyle - who at 98 stood at the podium and made his acceptance speech, and Javier Bardem's emotional thank you in his native language to his mother who was in the audience. Also, as a nice surprise, Tom Hanks announced that American service men and women around the world would read the nominees and winner of the Best Short Documentary Award - starting in Baghdad.

And the Winners Are:

Category - Best Picture
Nominees:
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men - WINNER
There Will Be Blood

Category - Best Director
Nominees:
J. Schnabel - The Dving Bell & the Butterfly
J. Retiman - Juno
T. Gilroy - Michael Clayton
Cohen Brothers - No Country for Old Men - WINNER
P.T. Anderson - There Will Be Blood