THE 2011 ACADEMY AWARDS

So here's my thoughts on tonight's ACADEMY AWARDS:

BEST PICTURE: The King's Speech

Although I don't agree with the new 10-picture nominee system for Best Picture, I am glad that King's Speech won. It's a great intimate film that focuses on the relationship of two different men amidst the backdrop of royal politics and WWI. See it if you haven't yet, it's magnificent!

BEST DIRECTOR: Tom Hooper for The King's Speech

Great film but not an astounding achievement in direction in my opinion as the acting and writing really make the film for me. In my opinion, Fincher got robbed!!!

BEST ACTRESS: Natalie Portman for Black Swan

Agreed, she was awesome, fragile, violent and haunted all at once!!!

BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth for The King's Speech

Well, well deserved. Firth knocked it out of the park in this role. Fantastic!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Melissa Leo for The Fighter

Can take or leave this one. Leo was good but not as memorable as Bale and his performance.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christian Bale for The Fighter

Agreed, Batman was amazing in this part. One of the strongest performances all around this year!

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: David Seidler for The King's Speech

Agreed, this was a fantastic script that focused on the relationship between two very different men from different worlds.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network

Well deserved, this is a fantastic film with deep characters and riveting dialogue. I never thought I could enjoy a movie about Facebook but I was wrong plus Sorkin is a proven writer (The West Wing, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Sports Night)

BEST ANIMATED PICTURE: Toy Story 3

Wow, this must be the political win of the evening as How To Train Your Dragon is clearly the more original and far superior film over this cashgrab threequel!

BEST FX: Inception

Agreed, any awards this film picks up are worth it!

BEST SOUND: Inception

Agreed, any awards this film picks up are worth it!

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Wally Pfister for Inception

Agreed, any awards this film picks up are worth it!

BEST ART DIRECTION: Alice in Wonderland

A beautiful looking film indeed! Rich in color but dark in tone, it's like Tim Burton's mind exploded and the Art Team put back together the pieces to create this world.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Alice in Wonderland

See above. Very cool costumes and reimaginings of those classic characters!!!

BEST MAKE-UP: The Wolfman

Say what you will about the overall film, the practical Wolfman make-up were dynamic and frightening. Award well deserved.

There you have it, I can't comment on the job Franco & Hathaway did as co-hosts as my Oscar experience was based on updating IMDb in Singapore from time to time rather than being at Wally & Geo's house in Vancouver for an Oscar Party. Until next year...