The Locker wasn’t the only thing hurting after the bittersweet battle between formerly married directors James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow, as they battled it out for best picture at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.
Hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin did their best, but comic relief was no match to the anticipation building in Hollywood’s Kodak Theater on Sunday Night.
This year’s Oscars awards ceremony made the history books with its record setting ten nominations for best picture. Though millions of Avatar fans were left disappointed, Bigelow’s victory for The Hurt Locker made it even more special. She is the first female in the history of the Academy Awards to win an Oscar for best director. The low-budget Iraq war drama won six out of its nine nominations, including best picture, editing, sound mixing and sound editing.
On the front side of the camera, all four of the acting prizes were taken by first time Oscar winners.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession,” Jeff Bridges said while accepting his award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for his performance in “Crazy Heart.”
Sandra Bullock claimed the Best Actress victory for her leading role in The Blind Side, where she played a southern woman who turns life around for an underprivileged black teen; all based on a true story.
“Did I really earn this, or did I just wear yall Down?, Bullock said as she fought back tears during her acceptance speech. She also acknowledged her counterparts Helen Mirren, Carey Milligan, Gabourey Sidibe, and Meryl Streep, who were all nominated for this category.
“First, I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics,” Monique said as she accepted her highly anticipated Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Precious: Based on the novel Push’ by Sapphire. The crowd roared in excitement when she won. As she said her thank you’s, she made sure to let the world know that accepting the role was an unpopular and controversial one.
“To my amazing husband Sidney, thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forego doing what’s popular in order to do what’s right. And baby, you were so right. God bless us all.”
Christoph Waltz concluded the awards for the acting category with his win for best supporting actor in “Inglorious Basterds.”
“This is your welcoming embrace and there’s no way I can ever thank you enough, but I can start right now. Thank you.
Other highlights from the night included the heartfilling tribute to the late director John Hughes. Stars from several of his films such as Macaulay Culkin, Matthew Broderick, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy, gathered on stage to commemorate Hughes for his contributions to the film industry. Some of his works include: The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bulers Day off and Home Alone.
To view the complete list of winners, as well as video footage and red carpet highlights, visit www.oscar.go.com