The Oscars: Live Blog

The Oscars opened with a great number by Neil Patrick Harris, with show hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin starting the show with a bang. The duo is doing a great job so far, off-color jokes which is something the Oscars lack most of the time. Also a nice jab at James Cameron's love of 3-D and who doesn't like that?

All right, enough with the talk and time for the show.

The first Oscar of the night has gone to Christoph Waltz for 'Inglourious Basterds'. Not a big surprise here, for anyone who has seen the flick knows that Waltz steals the show and this is one of probably four or five sure bets on the evening.

Oscar Predictions 1-for-1

This was another no-brainer. How can a film be in the running for Best Picture and not win for Best Animated Feature? 'UP' was a great film, but I do think that 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' gave it a run for its money. Ed Asner did a wonderful job in the film. It took me a second view before the film finally connected with me, but once it did, it made such a great impression.

Oscar Predictions 2-for-2

The Oscar for Best Original Song went to 'The Weary Kind' from 'Crazy Heart'. How cool is T Bone Burnett? It would have been cool with something from 'The Princess and the Frog'. A bunch of upbeat, toe-tapping songs that always bring a smile to my face, even after multiple viewings. You can't get enough of singing alligators.

Oscar Predictions 3-for-3

I'm still going strong. 'The Hurt Locker' just won for Best Original Screenplay. I wonder if the recent lawsuit would have affected the win if it would have come out a few months back?

Oscar Predictions 4-for-4

What a great tribute to John Hughes. So many unforgettable movies. Sometimes it's easy to forget how many wonderful films he made, but his legacy will last forever. The tribute seemed a little out of place, but it's nice to see the Academy acknowledged his gifts. Man, I can't believe I still have a thing for Molly Ringwald.

Talk about stumbling. Ouch. I knew these categories were going to be the death of me. The Short Films were just announced and 'Logorama' won for Best Short Film (Animated) and 'The New Tenants' won for Best Short Film (Live Action). 'Music by Prudence' won for Best Documentary Short. Pretty nice how the crazy redheaded lady interrupted the dude's speech to ramble about something. Not quite sure what she was going on about, but I know it must have been more important that what the guy had to say. I loved Logorama, but I didn't think it had a chance. Glad the Academy gave me a little surprise.

Oscar Predictions 5-for-7

Picked against the Trek and it cost me. 'Star Trek' won for Best Makeup. I think I'm going to have to hit the hard stuff (Coke Zero) and regroup. Another surprise. I really didn't think the voters would have picked Trek to win, since they wanted to snub it in other categories.

Oscar Predictions 5-for-8

Upset alert....Upset alert. Geoffrey Fletcher just won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire'. Most everyone, including myself, had the Oscar going to Reitman and Turner for 'Up in the Air'.

Oscar Predictions 5-for-9

Finally, I'm back on track. If this award didn't go to Mo'Nique, I was willing to jump off my roof and take the rest of my predictions with me. I really loved Anna Kendrick in 'Up in the Air', but Mo'Nique was amazing in 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire'. Was Mo'Nique actually getting emotional watching her own performance? That's a little weird. Oh great, we can't simple say 'Thank You' for the award, we have to make a statement. Hopefully this isn't the beginning of every winner wanting to say something profound. Just say thanks and get off the stage -- keep the show moving. I like how the music didn't cut her off as it did to most every winner in the "smaller" categories. And what the heck is up with the standing ovation? Really? I'm getting more and more concerned about Best Picture.

Oscar Predictions 6-for-10

Winner for Best Art Direction is 'Avatar'. Is it a coincidence that Sigourney Weaver announced the award for a movie she starred in? Cue the conspiracy music.

Oscar Predictions 7-for-11

I voted with my heart in the Best Costume Design going with 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus', but I knew it would be 'The Young Victoria'. Did the winner, Sandy Powell, actually say "I already have two of these, so I'm feeling greedy" in a nonchalant way? Maybe she was actually being humble, but we need to amp the show up a little. Someone needs to runs on stage with a glove, slap her and give her Oscar to someone who appreciates it. Do it with flair, boys. Do it with flair.

Oscar Predictions 7-for-12

The honoring of Horror flicks? What's happened to the Academy? I love it. They showed a clip from 'Carrie', but I've always thought the most impressive thing about that film was William Katt's hair. That thing had to have its own trailer. Also, I love Kristen Stewart. It's nice to see a star that as awkward as most of us would be in front of a mass of people. Plus, she's comfortable enough in herself to clear her throat and keep right on going.

Best Sound Editing went to 'The Hurt Locker'. 'The Hurt Locker' is building speed toward the Best Picture award. Winner Paul N.J. Ottosson has some crazy hair himself. Got some back in the day Daniel Day Lewis style going on.

Oscar Predictions 8-for-13

Best Sound Mixing also went to 'The Hurt Locker'. Crazy hair is back, along with fellow winner Ray Beckett. Both guys seem very cool and very humble. Love to see that. Nice E.T. theme to usher them off the stage as well.

Oscar Predictions 9-for-14

Did you notice Quentin Tarantino following John Travolta's introduction of 'Inglourious Basterds'? Name me another dude that has more self confidence than him and I'll call ya a liar. I know he's not everyone's taste, but the man has gusto.

'Avatar' just won for Best Cinematography. Mauro Fiore gave a nice little speech, even though I didn't get it all. Another humble person.

Oscar Predictions 9-for-15

I always hate the In Memoriam part of the show. I cry every time -- it never fails. It's wonderful to look at the impact they had on cinema, but sometimes you wonder about what the future holds and if it will live up to what they gave us. Little surprise how rough James Taylor began "In my Life". Not the best performance, but nobody was paying attention to him anyway.

Best Original Score goes to 'UP'. Glad to see the award go to a very moving animated feature. Great speech from Michael Giacchino about chasing your dream and how powerful the support of friends and loved ones are. Who knew that interpretive dance moves has so much to do with the Best Original Score. I'll keep that in mind for next year. You know, which score I could see a group of interpretive dancers bring to life on Oscar night.

Oscar Predictions 10-for-16

Best Visual Effects went to 'Avatar'. I'm pretty sure if it went to another film, James Cameron's head would have exploded - in 3-D of course, silly. Another Cameron butt-kiss fest on stage.

Oscar Predictions 11-for-17

I'm so glad that 'The Cove' won for Best Documentary. A very disturbing film about the dolphin slaughters that occur in Japan every year. One of the most heart-wrenching films I've seen. If you haven't seen this film, head to Family Video right now. I have to say that Fisher Stevens is a little too upbeat about a film that depicts such atrocities to these mammals. Nice cutaway after Ric O'Barry hoisting a sign to text 'Dolphin to 44144'. Not advocating folks, just stating the facts.

Oscar Predictions 12-for-18

Best Film Editing went to 'The Hurt Locker'. Notch another award for the film and moving it one step closer to capturing the Best Picture award.

Oscar Predictions 13-for-19

This just in folks -- Keanu Reeves just sucked the life out of the room. Woah!

'The Secret in their Eyes' just won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. I didn't get to see the film, so I have little to say about it. Very nice of the Academy to give the filmmakers a full 30 seconds to thank everyone they would like to. Jerks.

Oscar Predictions 13-for-20

Jeff Bridges won the Oscar for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. It's hard to believe this is his first Academy Award. Very overdue. It's nice how the Academy has set up co-stars to introduce the Best Actor nominees. When Michelle Pfeiffer spoke of his wife and daughter being on set, the man began to tear up. The Dude Abides.

Oscar Predictions 14-for-21

Well, I'm sure it's the first sign of the Apocalypse. Sandra Bullock has won the Oscar for Best Actress. Maybe that's a little harsh, but I was pulling for Carey Mulligan. I haven't seen 'The Blind Side' yet, but from what I've heard, she gives an amazing performance. Congrats, Sandy. Being serious though, it's nice to see someone who's very touched to win and humble. On a side note, Sean Penn didn't kick or hit anyone while presenting the award, so overall it was a good night.

Oscar Predictions 15-for-22

Kathryn Bigelow has become the first women to win the Oscar for Best Director. If that's not sticking it to your ex-husband, I don't know what is. She might not have the biggest movie of all time, but she's got the Oscar. Boom! Also, I didn't realize that Jeremy Renner was 5-foot tall.

Oscar Predictions 15-for-23

The Best Picture goes to 'The Hurt Locker'. Thanks for the anticlimactic ending to the ceremony, Tom Hanks. Was that the way it was really supposed to end or did Mr. Hanks screw up. I know we're running late, but what a bummer for the others. Talk about lowering the sledge hammer on the other nominees. Maybe Hanks had an after-party he needed to get to. A bad way to end an otherwise cool show.

Oscar Predictions 16-for-24