The Day After the Oscars...

I have to admit that I am one of those sad, pathetic, geek girls who loves watching awards shows, and not just the actual ceremonies. I love it all: the nomination announcements, the pre-shows when we get to see how they arrive, with who, and wearing what, and then there are the after-parties, the fashion police wrap-ups and of course the special double issue magazines chronicling the events. I love it all, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

This is usually the day that I spend countless hours spouting to anyone and everyone within hearing about how awards season is now officially over and how my favorites were robbed of the glory that was so rightfully theirs.

Not this year. This year was by far the best year for awards, and I'm not just saying that because MOST of my picks actually came out on top. I'm saying it because it is quite simply the truth.

Of all the awards shows, the Oscars are the pinnacle, the be all and end all. For, me they run a close second to the Independent Spirit Awards. Usually the Indies are the highlight of my awards season. This year, they were just...okay. Was it because the movies nominated weren't all that great? Hell no! My favorite out of the bunch actually one the Academy Award for Best Picture, but we'll get to that later. Was it because the winners weren't the ones I'd chosen myself? Surprisingly, (surprising because I NEVER choose the winners) most of my pics made it. Woody Harrelson was fantastic in THE MESSENGER. Mo'Nique was phenomenal in PRECIOUS. Then, why did the Independent Spirit Awards fall just short of being my fave this year?

The host. The host is the glue that brings the show together. Ricky Gervais was great at the Globes. NPH was a ball of fire on the Emmy's. Pardon my opinion, but Eddie Izard was just not funny AT ALL and definitely not the right choice for hosting the Spirit awards this year.

And so, is it any wonder that the Oscars stole the top spot (in my book, at least) for the awards show? With an incredible opening number by Neil Patrick Harris and the hilarious antics of co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, the 82nd Annual Academy Awards was quite entertaining.

And now onto the winners...

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds (Yay! my pic and I loved him in it!)

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique for Precious: based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire (I was so glad she won, although I will admit to a small part of me hoping that Maggie Gylenhaal would win...but this brings up the question: Why didn't anyone who won for Precious thank Sapphire for writing an incredible novel? Hello? Where's the writerly love?)

Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (Okay, so I knew he was going to win. I mean, the man is a legend and he's been nominated like five times before but never won. It was his time. HOWEVER, Jeremy Renner was robbed. He was amazing in The Hurt Locker, really in anything he's been in but especially this movie. Why did he lose? Stupid awards politics...It's okay Jeremy, you're young and an amazing actor. You'll win next time!....can we tell who my pic was? LOL)

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side. (I will admit that this was the one movie in the acting category that I didn't see, and maybe that's why I picked Meryl, but I am not bitter at all that Sandra won. She's great in everything I've seen her in. This should be no different.)

Best Picture: wait for it....wait for it....THE HURT LOCKER!!!!! yay!!! I have to admit that I was leaning forward in my seat, fingers crossed and chanting for this one. I was sure that the greedy James Cameron would wrestle it out of my girl Katherine Bigelow's hands, but we won! If you haven't seen this movie yet, you must go right out and rent it...or better yet, buy it! Amazing script + stellar acting + brilliant directing = the best movie of the year (and this is not just my opinion people!).

So there you have it! My Monday morning quarterbacking of the awards show. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

Oh! and the Red Wings kicked serious Blackhawk butt yesterday too! All in all, a victorious weekend!