The Little Golden Man......

This year marked the 81st Academy Awards, and boy were they outstanding!!!!!! I have watched the Oscars for as long as I can remember (at least 30 years), and this year saw a return to the showcase it once was!

This year's host was none other than Hugh Jackman! Not only does the man look good, but he can sing AND dance. He looked in his element as he danced and sang his way through the opening number. Thank you for such a memorable experience for an avid watcher. When I watched some of the news highlights (and Oprah's Post-Oscar Special), the buzz was that once again, the Academy had returned to it's showmanship roots, and the air was filled with voices of gratitude.

For me, the most brilliant, and touching, experiences were the four main acting categories. How amazing to watch five previous winners from the following categories, step forward from behind the curtains and have gracious words for each one of the nominees in their respective categories:

Best Supporting Actress - Tilda Swinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Marie Saint, Goldie Hawn, & Anjelica Huston

Best Supporting Actor - Alan Arkin, Joel Grey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Christopher Walken, & Kevin Kline

Best Actor - Robert DeNiro, Ben Kingsley, Adrian Brody, Michael Douglas, & Anthony Hopkins

Best Actress - Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Shirley MacLaine, Sophia Loren, & Halle Berry

BEAUTIFUL! I was moved to tears as elegant words were spoken, particularly to Penelope Cruz, and Kate Winslet.

Even more touching was the acceptance speech by Heath Ledger's father, mother, and sister as they humbly accepted the second ever post-humous award to be handed out to the Academy. Heath wholeheartedly deserved the Oscar nod, and would have won even if he was around. His performance was nothing like anything I had ever seen him pull out of his repertoire, including Brokeback Mountain. We love you Heath!!!!!

On a final note to the night, I truly appreciated Sean Penn's sentiments in his speech. Despite the fact that even he knows he is difficult to work with (and alluded to it in his acceptance speech), it is a testament to his abilities as an actor to have brought Harvey Milk to life. Mr. Penn stood on a very solid and worthwhile soapbox to call to and end to inequality and that all humans, regardless of their sexuality, have equal rights. We are ALL human beings.

Once again, thank you to Bill Condon, Laurence Marks for producing one of my favorite Oscars of ALL TIMES!!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!