83rd Annual Academy Awards Results and Commentary (2011)
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- Date of Ceremony: Sunday, February 27, 2011
- For films released in: 2010
- Host(s): James Franco (video) and Anne Hathaway (video)
Welcome to DigitalHit.com’s coverage of the 83rd Academy Awards.
08:31 PM
The show opens with hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco in a filmed piece inside the various nominated films.
08:37 PM
James and Anne stroll out on stage. “Anne, you look so young and hip,” says Franco. “You look like you appeal to a younger demographic,” quips Hathaway. They talk to Anne’s mom in the audience, who tells her to stand up straight as Spielberg’s in the audience.
They then look back at Gone with the Wind. As the set transforms into scenes from the film, Tom Hanks arrives to present Art Direction and Cinematography. As he mentions the two crafts he mentions the last film to win both, Titanic, and the set transforms again into shots from that film.
Hanks then presents Art Direction. And the Oscar goes to Alice in Wonderland’s Robert Stromberg and Karen O’Hara. Stromberg has a tiny Mad Hatter hat to place on his Oscar.
“I’m standing here because of three people, Ken Ralston, the great Richard Zanuck, and the wacky world of Tim Burton.” – Robert Stromberg
Tom then announces the nominees for Cinematography. And the Oscar goes to Wally Pfister for Inception.
“Good God, what have you done? Thank you so much, this is a phenomenal honor for me. Thank you to the Academy for this great honor and for the respect you have shown for all cinematographers.” – Wally Pfister
08:51 PM
Franco and Hathaway introduce Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, who gets a standing ovation. He looks at Hathaway and says, “Where were you when I was making pictures?” He then presents the nominees for Best Supporting Actress. And the Oscar goes to Melissa Leo for The Fighter. She beats the censor by saying “When Cate won this two years ago, she made it look so f-ing easy.” The rest of her speech seems to continue for a lifetime.
09:01 PM
Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis are out next. “I’m Banksy,” says Timberlake, referring to the elusive graffiti artist who is nominated tonight. They’re presenting Best Animated Short and the background turns into a scene from Shrek. And the Oscar goes to The Lost Thing’s Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann.
“Wow, this is quite surreal. Our film is about a creature that nobody pays any attention to, so this is wonderfully ironic.” – Shaun Tan
Justin and Mila then present Best Animated Feature. And the Oscar goes to Toy Story 3 and Lee Unkrich.
“Oh boy. I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but thank you to the Academy. I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for the vision of three incredible guys. John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, and Steve Jobs, the founders of Pixar Animation Studios, which by the way, is the most awesome place on the planet to make movies.” – Lee Unkrich
09:12 PM
Anne Hathaway talks about the first Academy Awards, across the street at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin hug as they come out to announce the screenplay awards. They first present Adapted Screenplay. And the Oscar goes to Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network. Sorkin concludes his speech by saying “Roxy Sorkin, your father just won the Academy Award, I’m going to have to insist on some respect from your guinea pig.”
“It’s impossible to describe what it feels like to be handed the same award that was given to Paddy Chayefsky 35 years ago for another movie with ‘network’ in the title.” – Aaron Sorkin
Josh and Javier then present Original Screenplay. And the Oscar goes to The King’s Speech’s David Seidler. “My father always said to me that I’d be a late bloomer,” says the 74-year-old writer.
“I would like to thank her Majesty, the Queen, for not putting me in the Tower of London for using the Melissa Leo ‘f’ word.” – David Seidler
09:23 PM
“There’s a tradition of singing at the Oscars,” says Hathaway, who sang with Hugh Jackman a few years back. Her song pokes fun at Jackman, who she says bailed on a duet with her. Franco then strolls out dressed as Marilyn Monroe. “Weird part is I just got a text from Charlie Sheen,” says Franco as they introduce Russell Brand and Helen Mirren. She speaks in French and he mistranslates as they introduce the nominees for Best Foreign Language Film. And the Oscar goes to Denmark’s In a Better World. Director Susanne Bier accepts.
“This is a real Oscar? Thank you so much, the Academy, what an honor. I am so truly honored and grateful and happy, thank you very much.” – Susanne Bier
09:29 PM
Time for Reese Witherspoon to take the stage. She’s presenting Best Supporting Actor. And the Oscar goes to The Fighter’s Christian Bale.
“Bloody hell. Wow, what a room full of talented and inspirational people and what the hell am I doing here in the midst of you? It’s such an honor.” – Christian Bale
09:38 PM
Time for Academy President Tom Sherak to come out with an ABC exec to announce they’ve just renewed their contract until 2020.
09:39 PM
Hathaway introduces Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. They talk about silent films and the transition into sound and how music is linked. The orchestra then plays some of the great movie themes. Hugh and Nicole then present the nominees for Original Score. And the Oscar goes to The Social Network’s Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
“Wow, is this really happening? When we finished work on “The Social Network,” we were very proud of our work and happy just to be involved in this film. And to be standing up here in this company is humbling and flattering beyond words.” – Trent Reznor
09:45 PM
Franco, who looks awkward with the teleprompter, introduces Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey, who are presenting Best Sound Mixing. And the Oscar goes to Inception’s Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick.
“Chris [Nolan] is the architect with the soundtrack in every way. He is the creative force behind every decision that we made and so this is as much of a win for him as it is for us. So congratulation Chris, and thank you very much.” – Gary Rizzo
Matthew and Scarlett then present Best Sound Editing. And the Oscar goes to Inception’s Richard King.
“I owe this 1000 percent to Chris Nolan. As artists and crafts people it’s all about the opportunities we get and I just want to thank you Chris, wherever you are for making great movies and inviting me along for the ride.” – Richard King
09:53 PM
Hathaway and Franco discuss Marisa Tomei’s career before introducing her. She talks about the Scientific and Technical Awards which she hosted earlier this month. “Congratulations, nerds,” says Franco. They then introduce Cate Blanchett, who is presenting Makeup. And the Oscar goes to The Wolfman’s Rick Baker and Dave Elsey.
“It was always my ambition to lose an Oscar one day to Rick Baker, this is better.” – Dave Elsey
Cate then presents Costume Design. And the Oscar goes to Alice in Wonderland’s Colleen Atwood. She reads her speech from her notes.
“The story, Alice in Wonderland, was described by its publisher in 1865 as a story valued for its rare imagination, priceless humor, and power to transport the reader into a world of pure fantasy, a gift to us all. The heart of any movie lies with the director and I’ve been incredibly lucky on this and many films to work with the singular Tim Burton.” – Colleen Atwood
10:01 PM
A filmed piece has people talking about their favorite movie songs. Kevin Spacey then sings a little bit before saying “I’m George Clooney.” He introduces a performance of Toy Story 3’s “We Belong Together” by Randy Newman. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi then join composer Alan Menken to perform Tangled’s “I See the Light.”
10:11 PM
Franco continues to squint at the prompter as he introduces Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, who present Best Documentary Short Subject. And the Oscar goes to Strangers No More’s Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon.
“Wow, what a great year for docs. Thank you most of all to the exceptional immigrant and refugee children from 48 countries at Tel Aviv’s remarkable Bialik-Rogozin School. You’ve shown us that through education, understanding, and tolerance, peace really is possible.” – Karen Goodman
Amy and Jake then present Live Action Short Film. And the Oscar goes to God of Love’s Luke Matheny. The wild-maned filmmaker says “I should’ve got a hair cut!”
10:17 PM
A filmed clip uses Autotune to turn various films, like Twilight, into musicals. Anne and James then introduce Oprah Winfrey. She talks about how we use movies to escape but she’s presenting movies where we can’t escape, the Documentary Feature. And the Oscar goes to Inside Job’s Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs.
“Forgive me, I must start by pointing out that three years after a horrific financial crisis caused by massive fraud, not a single financial executive has gone to jail and that’s wrong.” – Charles Ferguson
10:26 PM
Anne Hathaway introduces Billy Crystal. Billy gets a standing ovation, maybe because they wish he was hosting. He talks about Bob Hope, who hosted more Academy Awards then anyone. We see some clips of Hope’s work. Through effects they get Hope to introduce Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. They poke fun at each other as they present Visual Effects. And the Oscar goes to Inception’s Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb.
“Well, it feels like that top is still spinning, but I don’t really care anymore.” – Paul Franklin
Jude and Robert then present Film Editing. And the Oscar goes to The Social Network’s Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter.
“To my daughter, Bronte, find something you truly love doing and great things can happen.” – Kirk Baxter
10:41 PM
Franco says he’s offended by some of the titles this year. “Winter’s Bone. Rabbit Hole. How to Train Your Dragon.” They then introduce Jennifer Hudson who presents a performance of 127 Hour’s “If I Rise” by A.R. Rahman and Florence Welch. Hudson then introduces Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance of “Coming Home” from Country Strong. After reminding us of all the nominees, Hudson presents Best Song. And the Oscar goes to Randy Newman for “We Belong Together.”
“I’m very grateful for this and surprised. My percentages aren’t great. I’ve been nominated 20 times and this is the 2nd time I won.” – Randy Newman
10:52 PM
Celine Dion sings “Smile” as we see this year’s In Memoriam segment. The segment ends with Lena Horne and Halle Berry then pays tribute to her. It ends a clip of Horne singing “Stormy Weather.”
11:01 PM
Anne Hathaway thanks Halle and Celine and then introduces Hilary Swank. She talks about directors and then introduces the first female director to win an Oscar, Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow presents Best Directing. And the Oscar goes to Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech.
“And I know there’s been a lot of thanking of mums, but this is slightly different because my mum in 2007 was invited by some Australian friends, she’s Australian in London, to a fringe theater play reading of an unproduced, unrehearsed play called The King’s Speech. Now she’s never been invited to a play reading in her entire life before, she almost didn’t go because it didn’t sound exactly promising, but thank God she did because she came home, rang me up and said, ‘Tom, I think I found your next film.’ So with this tonight, I honor you, and the moral of the story is listen to your mother.” – Tom Hooper
11:05 PM
Franco introduces Annette Bening who talks about the Governor’s Awards, which were presented back in November. They then present three of the winners, Kevin Brownlow, Eli Wallach and Francis Ford Coppola.
11:11 PM
James and Anne introduces Jeff Bridges who talks about the various nominees for Best Actress. And the Oscar goes to Natalie Portman for Black Swan.
“Thank you so much to the Academy this is insane and I truly sincerely wish that the prize tonight was to get to work with my fellow nominees. I’m so in awe of you. I’m so grateful to get to do the job that I do. I love it so much.” – Natalie Portman
11:19 PM
Anne says she’s honored to introduce last year’s Best Actress winner, Sandra Bullock. She talks about the nominees for Best Actor. And the Oscar goes to Colin Firth for The King’s Speech.
“I have a feeling my career has just peaked. My deepest thanks to the Academy. I’m afraid I have to warn you that I’m experiencing stirrings. Somewhere in the upper abdominals which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves. Joyous as they may be for me, it would be extremely problematic if they make it to my legs before I get off stage.” – Colin Firth
11:31 PM
Steven Spielberg is presenting Best Picture. And the Oscar goes to The King’s Speech and producers Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin.
“Tom Hooper, you put so much passion and love into every frame of this film. Thank you directing the film. To our acting royalty, Colin, Geoffrey, Helena, thank you so much for saying yes.” – Iain Canning
11:38 PM
James and Anne say goodbye as they introduce the choir from P.S. 22 in Staten Island, NY as they sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. As they sing the backdrop opens and we see all the winners from tonight’s show.
G’night!