The Oscars overview (From News Shopper)

The Oscars overview

11:41am Tuesday 26th February 2008

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THE Oscars may all be over now but that’s not going to stop us harping on about the night’s events long after the world’s most famous carpet is rolled up.

Yes it’s overly-long (I feared my Sky+ may explode under the five-hour strain), there were few show stopping-frocks and far too many safe little black dresses and Kate Thornton was painfully underprepared for her red carpet coverage, but it doesn’t stop the Oscars being one of the most exciting events in the entertainment calendar.

There’s just something about them cooped up together, isn’t there?

Can’t say there were any real classic moments of the Sally Field “You really like me” variety.

Although Marian Cotillard, touchingly shocked with her deserved win, did give a very luvvie and French acceptance speech “thank you life, thank you love”. Very sweet indeed but it’s unlikely to go down in history with Halle Berry and Gwyneth Paltrow’s teary speeches.

Leisure also enjoyed Javier Bardem collecting his best supporting actor Oscar and addressing his mother - perched proudly in the front row – in his native Spanish. Fingers, toes, arms, legs and ears crossed he’ll be getting even more mainstream work in alongside his more indie choices.

Knocked Up’s Katherine Hegel’s appearance could come back to haunt her. She got a bout of the Oscares and was charmingly nervous when she read out her award.

Host Jon Stewart kept the night ticking over, just, with a few confident jokes. It still felt quite reserved though, nothing like the Chevy Chase and Billy Crystal days.

In fact can’t help but feel the academy members played it safe this year. Yes Ratatouille was brilliant but giving the award to Persepolis would have been a far bolder move as would There Will Be Blood getting best picture over No Country for Old Men.

It was a truly excellent film which deserved to win yes, but it being the Coen’s ‘turn’ loomed over the win. Like Scorsese’s award for The Departed last year.

Daniel Day Lewis managed to shock no-one by winning best actor. Finest of his generation?

Finest of this year’s nominations that’s for sure, but only just. It was widely overlooked but Viggo Mortensen gave a frighteningly good turn in Eastern Promises and Tommy Lee Jones has been making startling work recently.

At least Scottish weirdo Tilda Swinton, who made a weird speech, was something of a surprise for best supporting actress. First she claimed she was giving her golden statue to her US agent, then going on about George Clooney’s rubber nipple-wearing stint on Batman. Surely he’s done enough decent work for this to be dropped now? The look on Clooney’s face suggested it’s not just Leisure feeling this joke is wearing dangerously thin. Liked her weirdo dress though.

I’m yet to see it, but Juno is being massively over hyped. It’s a rom com with a smart script! Calm down, people. Pleasing to see the brilliant Bourne Ultimatum picking up some awards (for sound and editing). Can’t see how Juno can be ranked above this though.

Genuinely can’t wait until next year. How about you?