81st Annual Academy Awards

A little over an hour ago, marked the conclusion of the 81st annual Academy Awards, which aired live on ABC. If I could describe this year's show in one word it would be......DRY!

OMG! I don't know what was worst, the red carpet or the actual broadcast of the show. I watched the red carpet on E! and just about everybody I saw either looked average or seemed as if they didn't want to be there. Then again, if I was being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest and continuously asked frivolous questions, I'd not only have the "get the hell outta my face" attitude but also the "Get me the hell outta here" look as well.

Actor, Hugh Jackman served as host for the event and opened the show by showcasing his vocal ability which was very impressive. The first award presented was "Best Supporting Actress", my two picks to win the award were Taraji P. Henson or Viola Davis. Henson's role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has gotten her all kinds of buzz this award season and while I have yet to see the film, I've been a fan of hers since the "Baby Boy" days. As for Viola Davis, who co-starred in "Doubt" alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep, has also been getting a massive amount of buzz over her role. In the end, I was left disappointed as neither lady walked away with the statue.

Anyway, my personal highlight of the night came when Jackman along with Beyoncè, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens paid tribute to the greatest musicals of all time. Despite, Beyoncè lip syncing, the performance was the highlight of the night for me. Also, Queen Latifah performed during a tribute honoring those who had passed during the past year. She never seems to disappoint and she delivered one of her best vocal performances. Sadly, I don't even know the name of the song she sang.

Overall, the show was similar to shows of the past----boring! Only delivering minor high points but delivered multiple cries of "What time does this go off?" and "...this why I never watch the Oscars".

Here's a complete list of winners:

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk

Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Animated Feature Film: WALL-E

Foreign Language Film: Departures (Japan)

Original Score: A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Song: "Jai Ho," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar; Slumdog Millionaire

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design: The Duchess

Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Documentary Feature: Man on Wire

Documentary Short Subject: Smile Pinki

Animated Short Film: La Maison en Petits Cubes

Live Action Short Film: Spielzeugland (Toyland)

Sound Editing: The Dark Knight

Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis