Wow, that was a thrill ride.

How awesome was Wolverine’s opening song and dance number?

I had very little hope for Hugh Jackman as a presenter, and I’m not sure why. I suppose it’s because I was used to comedians such as Steve Martin,Whoopi Goldberg, Ellen Degeneres and Jon Stewart hosting the show. To see a man famed for his action movies and turns on Broadway really made me stop and wonder. But he did a fantastic job.

As for the awards, Slumdog Millionaire was a shoe-in. It was a great film and deserved its recognition.

There were four categories that I was most concerned with, though, and here are my thoughts on what transpired.

1.) Best Supporting Actress – This was a come from behind victory for Penelope Cruz. It was unexpected, and I was a little disappointed because I was rooting for Amy Adams or Viola Davis, who both gave great performances in Doubt. Oh well, good for Penelope.
2.) Best Supporting Actor – A very well-deserved posthumous Oscar to Heath Ledger for his role as The Joker. That was a performance that will, I believe, be remembered for a long, long time.
3.) Best Actress – The marvelous and talented Kate Winslet finally picked up the golden statue. I’ve always been fond of her, but her work in The Reader actually helped to elevate the film.
4.) Best Actor – This was the biggest upset of the night for me. Mickey Rourke completely and utterly deserved this award. And to hear that his precious little dog died just days before the ceremony? Equally as heartbreaking.

All in all, from the stoner skit with Seth Rogan and James Franco, to the interesting set designs, to the outcomes, this was a very enjoyable Oscar night.