Monday, February 28, 2011

And the award for the most costume changes goes to... Oscars host Anne Hathaway wears EIGHT incredible outfits

By Jade Watkins


Divine: Anne Hathaway changed into an incredible SEVEN dresses whilst hosting the 2011 Oscar awards, including this burgundy silk gown by Atelier Versace


Hosting the Oscars may well have been Anne Hathaway's most important role to date.

And with the top honour came some serious couture.

The 28-year-old changed into an incredible eight difference outfits throughout the night.

She started out the evening in a Valentino, and even had the designer himself on hand in case of a red carpet emergency.


Shake it up baby now: Anne shimmied on-stage in a silver-fringed Oscar de la Renta gown

'I have a needle and thread in my pocket just in case, ' the designer told the Daily Mail.

She was styled by celebrity favourite Rachel Zoe and was adorned in Tiffany jewels throughout the ceremony.

Anne of many colours: She appeared in sapphire blue Giorgio Armani and a Vivienne Westwood corseted ball gown during the night, left to right


Opening the awards, Hathaway slipped into a cream-coloured strapless Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown.

Accessorising the look with a diamond ring, bracelet and earrings, she was positively glittering.

Her next look was especially styled for her hilarious cross-dressing spoof with co-host James Franco.

Emerging in a custom tuxedo by Lanvin she managed to make the androgynous theme still look somewhat feminine.

Androgynous: Her custom made Lanvin tuxedo was especially styled for an hilarious cross-dressing spoof with co-host James Franco


For her third look, the Hathaway slipped into a Vivienne Westwood corseted gown layered with taffeta and lace smattered with sequins.

The princess-style gown was said to have been specially designed for the actress in London.

Setting off the grey tones, she paired the gown with a stunning diamond and dusty amethyst necklace from the Tiffany Archives.

The biggest risk for Hathaway came in her silver-tasselled Oscar de la Renta gown.

But she turned the disco themed ensemble from bordering on tacky to sophisticated, by once again dripping in Tiffany jewels and also slipping her feet into some Jimmy Choo heels.

Dazzling: Hathaway opened ceremony wearing a cream-coloured strapless Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown and closed the night in a slinky Tom Ford smokey grey lace and crystal adorned gown


Next up was a burgundy silk gown by Atelier Versace.

Perhaps the most stunning of the night, her figure looked incredible in the body-hugging Art Deco inspired bodice.

It was followed by a sapphire Giorgio Armani Privé satin column dress which gave a memorising effect on screen with it's shiny accents.

Accentuating the blue tone, she slipped on a pair of Tanzanite and diamond earrings, a black onyx and diamond bracelet, and a diamond and sapphire ring.

Finishing off her hosting duties, Hathaway finally slipped into a slinky Tom Ford smoky grey lace and crystal adorned gown.

Hathaway is the youngest person to host the show, which was broadcast live in more than 200 countries worldwide.


Bold: The actress, who was styled on the night by celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, wore a bold strapless dress by Valentino on the red carpet


Source:dailymail

Single Scarlett Johansson takes handsome agent along as Oscars date

By Daily Mail Reporter


Oscars date: Scarlett Johansson took her agent Joe Machota to the Academy Awards last night


The pair were also spotted together at the star-studded Vanity Fair after party.

Scarlett Johansson took her agent Joe Machota along as her date to the Oscars.

The 26-year-old star split from husband Ryan Reynolds last year and was spotted with a mystery man on the red carpet of the Kodak Theatre as she made her way to the 83rd Academy Awards.

Her spokesperson has now confirmed that her date was in fact her agent, who also represents actress Jane Fonda.


The representative told Us Magazine the relationship is platonic.

The Iron Man 2 star was most recently linked to Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, 50, earlier this year.

She has also been seen enjoying the company of Saturday Night Live comedian Jason Sudukis and He's Just Not That Into You co-star Justin Long.

Bringing sexy back: The 26-year-old opted for a raspberry coloured lace Dolce & Gabbana confection
She has also previously taken her twin brother, Hunter Johansson, to awards shows.


Scarlett and Ryan filed for divorce back in December after just two years of marriage.

He was quickly linked to his Proposal co-star Sandra Bullock after the pair spent New Year's Eve together.

However, the actress denied any romance, insisting the pair are just friends.

The Lost In Translaterion star, who was dressed in a bold Dolce & Gabbana confection, presented a best sound award with Matthew McConnaughey during the ceremony.


Source:dailymail

Oscars 2011: Nicole Kidman stands by John Galliano in Christian Dior - but is still worst dressed of the night

By Tamara Abraham


Fashion fail: Nicole Kidman showed support for suspended Christian Dior designer John Galliano, in one of his gowns - but the white Oriental-inspired gown looked dated and ageing


Christian Dior needs all the good press it can get following John Galliano's arrest last week - but the fashion house failed to win the plaudits it was hoping for when it dressed Nicole Kidman for the Oscars last night.

The white Oriental-inspired gown seemed to wear the actress rather than the other way around - the colour was far too bridal and the embellishment dated and ageing.

And while the 43-year-old's make-up was fresh and pretty - she appears to have eased up on the Botox a little too - her hair was all wrong. The girlish ponytail was far too casual for such a formal dress and occasion and a chic up-do would have been far better.


Cate Blanchett was another that the fashion police had their claws out for. Though she went for a high-fashion choice in Givenchy Haute Couture, the lavender and yellow colour scheme was unorthodox, and, while the statuesque star somehow pulled off the bib-like top, it would have looked comical on anyone else.

Another surprising fashion fail was Michelle Williams in Chanel. While we hate to critique anything Karl Lagerfeld designs, the Blue Valentine star's 'greige' gown was not a flattering choice.

The capped T-shirt-style sleeves looked too casual and scruffy for such a glamorous event, and the bizarre seams at the bust looked as though the fabric had ripped.

Williams redeemed herself with flawless make-up though, and her gamine blonde crop looked fresh and modern.

Controversial: Cate Blanchett went for a high-fashion choice in Givenchy Haute Couture, but the lavender and yellow colour scheme was unorthodox and the cut-out front looked bizarre

Underdressed: Though Michelle Williams wore Chanel, the seams at the bust looked like she had ripped her dress in an unfortunate accident. Melissa Leo's Marc Bouwer dress looked a little like wrapping paper


Melissa Leo's Marc Bouwer dress also failed to impress - she too went for T-shirt-length sleeves on a dress embellished with what appeared to be silver foil, giving it something of a wrapping paper effect.

It is hard to criticise Helena Bonham Carter as she is so wonderfully eccentric, and her black dress by Alice in Wonderland costume designer Colleen Atwood was a vast improvement on recent red carpet attempts.

But for some unknown reason she hit the red carpet in bizarre round sunglasses - were the camera flashes too bright for her?

Eccentric: Helena Bonham-Carter shows off her Union Jack garter. She took herself far less seriously than Sharon Stone, who looked rather scary as she smouldered for the cameras in her gothic gown


She showed support for her fellow British stars by wearing a Union Jack around her calf by way of a garter - something she proudly flashed to the crowd as she walked the red carpet.

While Bonham-Carter clearly doesn't take herself too seriously, there were some who clearly do: namely Sharon Stone, who looked rather terrifying as she smouldered for the cameras.

The actress, 52, wore a black gown with an asymmetric neckline decorated with black and grey ostrich feathers. The knot of fabric above the knee looked awkward and uncomfortable though, and her make-up was far too heavy. A softer look, like that created by Nicole Kidman's artist, would have been much more elegant.

Bizarre: Helena Bonham-Carter hit the red carpet in sunglasses - were the camera flashes too bright? Fellow actress Sharon Stone wore a severe quiff and too-heavy make-up


Others who fell short of the mark were Michelle Williams's friend and plus-one, Busy Philipps. The dress, with its mixed textures and bows looked like a sweet wrapper, and made the slim actress look larger than she really is.

Virginia Madsen should have taken a leaf from Reese Witherspoon's book when she opted for monochrome - the ruffled dress was too tissue paper-like, making it look cheap.

And Mark Ruffalo's wife Sunrise Coigney went too far the other way with a far too fashion-forward look by Jean Paul Gaultier. The statement shoulderpiece on her dress was distracting, and the overall look was too aggressive with her severe haircut.

Trying too hard: Mark Ruffalo's wife Sunrise Coigney in Jean Paul Gaultier, Busy Philipps's 'sweet wrapper' dress made her look larger than she is, and Virginia Madsen's textured dress looked cheap


Nicole Kidman's dress was designed by British fashion designer John Galliano, who allegedly assaulted a respected art historian last week in an unprovoked attack in Paris.

The designer, 50, is said to have launched an anti-Semitic tirade against curator Geraldine Bloch, 35. Mr Galliano was arrested and has since been suspended from his job as chief designer at Christian Dior, putting his upcoming autumn/winter ready-to-wear collection for the fashion house in jeopardy.

A Paris police spokesman confirmed all details of the allegations against Mr Galliano, and said he was facing criminal charges.


Source:dailymail

That's awkward! Kate Garraway questions Jamie Oliver's Oscars party invite... moments before interviewing him on the red carpet

By Daily Mail Reporter


Faux pas: Kate Garraway is horrified when her dig at Jamie Oliver almost ends in disaster - she was questioning his A-list status... as he approached behind her


There are certainly a couple of no-no's when interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, and a big one is not asking them 'How did you get in?'

Kate Garraway came close to a very awkward moment while chatting to the stars at the Vanity Fair post-Oscars bash last night, when she told Daybreak viewers that she couldn't understand how Jamie Oliver managed to get an invite... and moments later he walked past.

Despite appearing to snub him mere seconds earlier, the entertainment reporter excitedly waved him over for a gushing interview.


Kate, reporting from the red carpet at the glitzy party, told Daybreak hosts Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley: 'We're not sure how he got an invite. It's our Jamie Oliver. He's not really A-list is he?'

The 43-year-old did an about face, though, when the TV chef and his wife Jools ambled by on their way into the bash.

Garraway grabbed the couple for an interview, telling them they were live on Daybreak

Don't you know who I am? The TV chef told Kate about meeting Colin Firth, whom he called the 'The nicest, most genuine, lovely man ever'


Jamie, 35, unaware of his celebrity status being called into question, happily obliged, telling Kate how he had just met Best Actor winner Colin Firth the week before.

He said the actor is: 'The nicest, most genuine, lovely man ever.'

Kate also chatted to ex-pat Kate Beckinsale and Tom Hanks, who both gushed about the success of The King's Speech.

Underworld actress Kate told the presenter that she had attended university with the film's director Tom Hooper, and he had asked her to be in a play in their first year.

Awkward: Kate was abashed after her gushing interview when Chiles and Bleakley reminded her that she had snubbed him moments before


'So it was surreal, exciting and brilliant to see him win,' she said.
Of Colin Firth, Kate said: 'He should just win everything because he gives such good speeches.'

Tom Hanks left Garraway speechless with his enthusiastic crowing about the film's success.

'Congratulations Britain! You've done it! The King's Speech has taken America by storm. We're exhausted from The King's Speech,' he said.

'I'm an actress': Helene Bonham Carter also chatted with Garraway, joking that she had faked looking pleased when beaten out by Melissa Leo


Helena Bonham Carter, who missed out on a gong for Best Supporting Actress, showed Kate her would-be acceptance speech, which was printed on a giant handkerchief.
'It will never be seen,' she said.

When Kate complimented her on 'looking genuinely pleased' when beaten by Melissa Leo at the start of the ceremony, Helena joked: 'Well I'm an actress, you've got to look pleased that someone else has won.'

She added: 'I've got to be a good example for my children. It's not the winning that counts, is it?'


Not needed: The actress showed Daybreak what would have been her acceptance speech, printed on an oversize handkerchief


The Daybreak presenter was snubbed by Glee star Matthew Morrison, after being elbowed out of the way by an American MTV host live on air and failing to be granted an interview when he told her: 'One interview at a time, give me a minute.'

Chiles and Bleakley were in hysterics when a red-faced Kate told them: 'The teeth are white and the elbows sharper out here, I'm just a girl from Oxfordshire, I cna't handle it!'

Chiles saved her, telling viewers, 'We don't want a punch up, we'll leave it there.'



Source:dailymail

Isn't it a bit cold for bare legs? Suri Cruise braves the snow in a flimsy dress as she goes for cupcakes with mother Katie

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Aren't you cold? Suri Cruise steps out in Vancouver with mother Katie Holmes in a flimsy dress and bare legs - ignoring the snow on the ground and cold weather


With temperatures dropping to as low as minus 1C in Vancouver, Canada, locals are wrapping up warm to protect themselves from the bitter cold.

But little Suri Cruise is clearly determined to put style above comfort, stepping out in a flimsy dress and bare legs as she went for cupcakes with her mother Katie Holmes in the city yesterday.

The four-year-old did give in to the wintery conditions at all, wearing pink boots and a bright pink jacket, but didn't appear to be staying warm in her thin dress.


Mummy and me: Katie holds tight to her four-year-old as they step out


Meanwhile, Katie, 32, opted for black trousers, a long coat, knee-high boots and a scarf for the trip out.

The pair are in the Canadian city while Tom Cruise shoots the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible film franchise.

And they have certainly been making the most of their time in Vancouver, popping out on regular coffee runs, with Suri even permitted to follow in her mother's footsteps by getting coffee of her own.


Sweet treat: Suri deliberates on which cupcake she wants as Katie looks on


It seems Suri's favourite colour of the moment is pink, as she appears to be continually choosing clothes in the sweet shade for her days out.

Tom and Katie have both previously spoken about Suri's passion for fashion, with Katie admitting her daughter is developing a love of shopping.

She said: 'The other day we came out of a store, and she said, ‘I want to go there,’ pointing at another store quite a distance away. In that store was the dress that she wanted. I said, "Wow, Suri. You’re something. You picked that out from a football field away." '


Passion for fashion: Suri has been putting style above comfort as she and mother Katie accompany Tom Cruise in the Canadian city


Katie added she finds it amazing that Suri also gives her fashion advice on what or what not to wear on the red carpet.

She laughed: 'She’ll really tell me what she thinks. Like today I’m wearing brown suede pants, and she said, "I don’t like your pants."

'But then she’ll say, "You’ve got to wear these shoes." Or "That’s so pretty, Mom. Wear that." She’s got a great eye.'


source: dailymail

'Clumsy and downright painful': Anne Hathaway and James Franco's Oscar skits fail to impress critics

By SARAH BULL

'Downright painful': Anne Hathaway and James Franco's presenting skills received a mixed reception at this year's Oscars


It had been hoped that employing Anne Hathaway and James Franco as hosts for this year's Oscars would give the ceremony a young and fresh feel.

But despite bringing their considerable comedic talents to the plate while presenting the Academy Awards, using skits and montages to add to their hosting duties, the pair's performance was met with mixed critical reception.

The 83rd Academy Awards opened with a montage of Hathaway and Franco delving into the mind of former Oscar winner Alec Baldwin in an Inception-inspired moment, narrated by the smooth-voiced Morgan Freeman.

And things continued to get more and more surreal, as the pair poked fun at The King's Speech, which took home four Oscars, The Fighter and True Grit, as well as The Social Network and Back to the Future.


Changing faces: The pair also integrated themselves into movies such as The King's Speech (left) and True Grit


Perhaps the funniest moment of the opening montage, however, was Hathaway and Franco both donning leotards and tutus to join Natalie Portman in Black Swan.

The pair attempted to impress the hard-nosed Vincent Cassel with their dancing abilities, and left Portman looking flustered with their 'talent'.


Living the dream: Hathaway and Franco recreated the famous Paris scene as they took on Inception


Hathaway also returned to her former duty at the Oscars in 2009 when she joined then-host Hugh Jackman for a duet to open the show.

Paying tribute to the track, Hathaway donned a tuxedo to perform a comic rendition of On My Own from Les Miserables.

Directing the song at Jackman, who sat in the front row of the ceremony and found himself the butt of many a presenter's joke, Hathaway belted out lyrics including: 'He stuck his fake retractable claws into my heart when he left me on my own.'

But Franco, determined not to be outdone, later donned a pink dress and blonde wig to come on to the stage as Marilyn Monroe and tell a joke about Charlie Sheen.

However, if he had been hoping the joke earn him a reputation as a controversial host, it paled in comparison to Ricky Gervais' choice numbers at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

Other montages throughout the show included a look back to Gone With The Wind and Lord of the Rings.


And one of the most memorable montages of the evening was a clever piece using auto-tune technology to make songs out of dialogue from films including Twilight, which saw Edward and Bella sing 'He Doesn't Own a Shirt' about Jacob, Toy Story 3 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

One of the advantages of having a younger host, however, is that Franco used is considerable knowledge of social networking site Twitter to tweet fans throughout the show as the ceremony went out live on US television.

Using the hash tag #OscarsRealTime, Franco tweeted photographs and video of himself, as well as a group shot with Hathaway and Oprah Winfrey, before later adding another one of the presenting pair and former host Billy Crystal.

He later posted photographs of himself still wearing his tuxedo and enjoying a cocktail with 'Goodbye LA' scrawled over it in blue writing.

It remains to be seen whether Franco and Hathaway's attempts to make the ceremony more modern and accessible for younger viewers was successful enough to ensure similar hosts next year, or whether producers will go back to a veteran host like Billy Crystal.


Musical number: Hathaway donned a tuxedo to perform a rendition of On My Own, with jokes directed at former duet partner Hugh Jackman


Passion for fashion: However, Hathaway did get to go for stylish outfits for the rest of the evening, indulging in an astonishing eight costume changes throughout the ceremony


Before the awards, Franco said: 'Nobody thinks I'm Chris Rock or Billy Crystal. I can try anything and nobody has high expectations, so nobody cares if I'm not great.'

Hathaway had added: 'I love the Oscars. I do. I think it's wonderful. I love being an actor.

'I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole wide world, and this is just a continuation of the amazing fortune and remarkable and unusual experiences I've gotten to have in my life. I couldn't be more grateful.'


Famous faces: Franco posted pictures on his website of himself and Hathaway with Oprah Winfrey and Billy Crystal


Twittering away: Franco updated followers on Twitter with realtime messages as he co-hosted the ceremony


Franco in Drag on 'The 83rd Annual Academy Awards' 2/27/11 - TV Replay



source: dailymail

Love's young dream: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez FINALLY make their red carpet debut together at Vanity Fair Oscars party

By SARAH BULL

Love's young dream: Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber made their red carpet debut together at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles last night


They've been quietly dating since November but have been maintaining a low profile ever since.

But last night, teen sensations Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez finally confirmed their relationship by making their first official red carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles.

With their arms wrapped around each other, the young pair stared lovingly into each others' eyes as they posed for photographers on the red carpet outside the Sunset Tower Hotel.


Dolce & Gabbana duo: Gomez looked stunning in a red dress, while Bieber wore a sharp black suit and red pocket square


The couple had even colour coordinated their outfits for the occasion, with 16-year-old Bieber donning a red pocket square in his black Dolce & Gabbana suit to complement 18-year-old Gomez's floor-length red gown, also by D&G.

Wizards of Waverley Place star Gomez accessorised her Grecian-inspired gown with Brian Atwood heels, Judith Leiber bag and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Gomez and Bieber were first romantically linked last year, after a series of meetings including Gomez visiting Bieber on his tour bus.


Starlets: The teenage sensations mixed with Hollywood royalty at the annual Oscar after-party


However, the Disney sensations declined to comment on their pairing for months, instead answering coyly about the status of their relationship.

Recently, a bold fan quizzed Bieber during an MTV question and answer session if he was dating the stunning singer and actress, to which he replied: 'I think anyone would be lucky to date her. She’s a great person.'

He later added: 'I like girls with nice, pretty eyes and a nice smile. I like girls that are funny because I like to laugh and joke around.'

Gomez has maintained an equally coy attitude about Bieber, saying previously that she considers the Never Say Never star family.


Loved-up: The pair have been quietly dating since November but have kept things under wraps until now


Recalling the first time the pair met, Gomez explained: 'When he first started to come over from Canada his manager contacted me and he just said that he would like to meet me and he was just such a good kid.

'I feel like a big sister now, because I want to protect him.'

But when she was asked if she was suffering from 'Bieber Fever' at the Grammy Awards last month, Gomez replied to Access Hollywood: 'I love him. He’s been in my life a very long time. He’s my friend.'

Gomez added she wasn't worried about the attention she was getting for her relationship with Bieber, despite Kim Kardashian receiving death threats from hundreds of fans when she and the singer joked about a mutual crush.

Gomez laughed: 'I think it’s awesome people are interested – I don’t understand why.'
Bieber and Gomez looked delighted to be mixing with Hollywood royalty at the Vanity Fair party as they made their way into the exclusive event.


Giggles all round: The pair appeared to be in high spirits as they attended the exclusive event together


Earlier in the evening, Bieber had backed True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld to take home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

He tweeted: 'Good luck to my friend Hailee Steinfeld tonight on the #oscars . young people going for theirs! also want Christian Bale to win. #TheFighter.'

But it seems the grandeur of the party might have reminded Bieber of how lucky he has been, as he later added on Twitter: 'i'm never gonna change...i will always remember...i will always be that kid from stratford...I will always be grateful.'


Grown-up glamour: Emma Stone opted for a Chanel dress, while True Blood star Anna Paquin went for red


The cute couple weren't the only young celebrities gracing the red carpet at the star-studded event.

Country star Taylor Swift caused a stir in a tiny jewelled gold Zuhair Murad dress, while actresses Emma Stone and True Blood star Anna Paquin went for very different looks for the party.

Stone opted for an oriental-inspired Chanel Haute Couture dress with purple satin heels, while newlywed Paquin looked stunning in a ruffled red Monique Lhuillier dress and Brian Atwood black shoes.



Country strong: Taylor Swift showed off her legs in a tiny jewelled Zuhair Murad dress and gold heels


source: dailymail

Oscars 2011: Natalie Portman triumphs as best actress but the night belongs to best film, The King's Speech, with honours to Colin Firth, director

By LIZZIE SMITH and BAZ BAMIGBOYE

I did it! Natalie Portman wipes away a tear as she accepts her award for best actress for her role in Black Swan at the OScars


The King's Speech wins best film and best director

Christian Bale named best supporting actor for The Fighter

Melissa Leo apologises after using F-word as she accepts best supporting actress for The Fighter


Wiping tears from her eyes, pregnant Natalie Portman dedicated her best actress Oscar for Black Swan to her family, and fiancé, last night.

But while her delight was obvious the night belonged to another small budget, independent movie that was a labour of love.

The King’s Speech and its star Colin Firth were the toast of Hollywood, winning best film, best actor, best director and best original screenplay.

Few in the UK wanted to back the film, but a band of producers and film-makers slashed their usual rates to get it made.


Congratulations: Dancer Benjamin Millepied embraces his fiancé Natalie as her win is announced


With Film 4 and BBC Films both refusing funding, the UK Film Council put up a large part of the money, along with London-based Momentum Pictures and Harvey Weinstein's Weinstein film company.

As Academy Awards host James Franco noted ‘The King’s Speech has now become part of Oscar history’.

Black Swan star Portman had showed off her bump in her flowing Rodarte gown as she walked to the stage to give her acceptance speech.


Now for her next role: With her first child on the way, Natalie said she wasn't sure whether she would ever work on another movie like Black Swan


'I want to thank my parents,' she said. 'First and foremost for giving me my life. And for the opportunity to work at such a young age.'

The pregnant actress wiped away a tear as she also thanked her fiancé, who she met while filming Black Swan, and with whom she is now expecting her first child.

'My beautiful love Benjamin Millepied who choreographed the film and has now given me my most important role of my life.'

Portman said backstage that she was ‘still in a dream-like state’.


'My career has peaked': Colin Firth had the audience laughing as he picked up his Oscar for best actor


A kiss for the wife: Firth is congratulated by Livia Giuggioli


She joked that the baby she is carrying started kicking during the show when the nominated songs were being sung.

Someone asked her if she would be naming her baby Oscar and she replied that most certainly would not be happening.

Asked how her pregnancy would affect her future movie choices, she said: ’It’s one of the most exciting things of being pregnant. I’m just accepting that I have no idea, it’s accepting what people go through every day.'


The Oscar winners: Best supporting actor Christian Bale, best actress Portman, best supporting actress Leo and best actor Firth
It was a big night for British film as Firth took the best actor award for his role in The King's Speech.


Firth was nominated last year for Tom Ford’s film A Single Man but lost to Jeff Bridges.

But now it was Firth’s turn to triumph over his once-again nominated rival.
'I’ve a feeling my career’s just peaked,' he joked.

Firth thanked, 'all the people who have been routing for me back home,' and his wife, 'Livia, for putting up with my fleeting delusions of royalty.'


The cast and crew of The King's Speech, (Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers), celebrates their trophy for Best Picture


The crowd of Oscar nominees and winners watch as Firth gives his thank you speech


Although it was pretty much a given that Firth was going to collect an Oscar for his powerful portrait of King George VI, and that David Seidler would win for best original screenplay, the wins for best director and best film weren’t as assured as people believed.

Seidler dedicated his award to 'all the stutterers around the world,' and thanked 'Her Majesty The Queen for not putting me in the Tower for using the F word.'

Halfway through the ceremony when The Social Network won for best editing, one of the King’s Speech team exclaimed, ’well that’s it, we’ve lost it’.


Group effort: Geoffrey Rush congratulates Tom Hooper as he accepts the Oscar for best achievement in directing


Tom Hooper accepts his Oscar for best director as David Seidler accepts best original screenplay; both for The King's Speech


That’s because the best editing win is often, but clearly, not always, seen as a signal to which film will win best film.

But as the evening wore on Tom Hooper The King’s Speech’s 38-year-old director beat rival David Fincher for best director. He dedicated the prestigious gong to his mother.

It was she, he revealed, who first suggested he make the movie, after watching a script read through of the stage version.


Your honour: Melissa bows to Kirk Douglas as she joins the 94-year-old screen icon onstage


The win surprised many, who had predicted that David Fincher would win for The Social Network.

Later Gareth Unwin, one of the three producers with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, joked that it was his good luck charm, a Union Jack pocket square, that helped them win.

He admitted he ‘borrowed’ the silk square from a table centre piece at the BAFTA awards in London two weeks ago.

‘It felt lucky so I took it’, Unwin joked.


No hard feelings: Amy Adams congratulates Melissa Leo after The Fighter star won the Oscar for best actress


Shock: Melissa holds her face in horror after realising she has sworn onstage as Kirk Douglas holds her Oscar


The King’s Speech didn’t achieve the sweep that some had hoped, it was up for twelve Oscars, but best picture is a pretty nice trophy to take home.

Helena Bonham Carter missed out on the best supporting actress Oscar as Melissa Leo won for her work on The Fighter.

The actress kept her disappointment in check as she applauded Leo, alongside fellow nominee, 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld.

Leo's gong was presented to her by 94-year-old screen legend Kirk Douglas, who happily eked out his moment in the spotlight, having never won himself.

'You pinch me?' Leo asked him, not sure if she was dreaming.

Leo, nominated for a second time, had shook as she took to the stage, before accidentally blurting out a swear word, which was removed by editors.

'Oh wow, really truly wow,' she gasped. 'I know there's a lot of real lovely people who've said a lot of nice things to me for several months but I'm just shaking in my boots right now.'



The show: Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway speak onstage at the Kodak Theatre


Cross dressers: Anne Hathaway and James Franco swap outfits; Franco joked that he had received a text from Charlie Sheen


Also winning for The Fighter was Christian Bale, named best supporting actor.

Bale thanked Dicky Eklund, who he played in the movie, asking the retired fighter to take a bow in the audience.

He also referred to his co-star's slip up, saying: 'I'm not going to drop the F-bomb like she did. I've done that plenty before.'


British singer Florence Welch performs If I Rise from the motion picture 127 Hours, a nominee for best original song


Nominees: Mandy Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow perform tracks nominated for best original song


The Social Network took its first Oscar for best adapted screenplay - handed to Aaron Sorkin for his adaptation of the book The Accidental Billionaire by Ben Mezrich.

The film also picked up an award for best original score, presented to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

Inception's Gary A Rizzo & Ed Novick won an Oscar for best sound mixing and the film also won for best sound editing for the work of Richard King. The film took a third for best cinematography, going to Wally Pfister.

The Oscar for best foreign film went to the movie In a Better World, from Denmark, while the Oscar for makeup went to The Wolfman.


Winner for best foreign language Film, Susan Bier accepts her award for her Danish movie In A Better World


The first award, for art direction, was presented by Tom Hanks to Robert Stromberg (production design) and Karen O'Hara (set decoration) for their work on the 3D movie Alice in Wonderland.

Hanks, a double winner himself, also presented the Oscar for costume design to Colleen Atwood, for her work on the Tim Burton directed movie.

The winner for best animated short film was The Lost Thing, while the animated film Oscar was awarded to the considerably bigger budget Toy Story 3.


'I'm a married man': Presenters Russell Brand and Helen Mirren joke around onstage, with Brand implying that Mirren has a crush on him


Presenter Josh Brolin dances with fellow presenter Javier Bardem as they make their way onto stage


Toy Story also won original song for We Belong Together, Music and Lyric by Randy Newman.

Missing out an an award was British graffiti artist Banksy, for his film Exit Through The Gift Shop. Instead the Oscar for best documentary feature went to Inside Job.

The show opened with co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco inserted into a montage scenes from best-picture nominees, built as a series of dream sequences a la Oscar contender Inception.

Hathaway and Franco joked about the criticism over their appointment as hosts.

'You look so lovely and so hip,' Anne told James. 'You look very appealing to a younger demographic as well, ' he replied.


Presenter Steven Speilberg, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, producers of The King's Speech


There was also some comic relief from the audience as Franco's grandmother shouted out: 'I just saw Marky Mark.'

She was of course referring to Mark Wahlberg, nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Fighter.

The actor has made every effort to distance himself from his cheesy past as an 80s pop star.

At one stage Franco appeared on stage dressed as Marilyn Monroe.

'I just got a text message from Charlie Sheen,' he remarked, referring to the troubled actor.


One to treasure: Rick Baker, left, and Dave Elsey pose with presenter Cate Blanchett after receiving the Oscar for achievement in makeup for The Wolfman


We've got Oscars! Lora Hirschberg, Ed Novick, Gary A Rizzo and presenters Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson pose backstage after Hirschberg, Novick and Rizzo win the Oscar for achievement in sound mixing for Inception





Melissa Leo's X-rated Oscars speech


Colin Firth's Oscar speech


source: dailymail