All About the Oscars: My Rants and Raves

Were last night's Oscars some of the best in years or what? Not only were the winners a mix of deserving and surprising, but the ceremony was also one of the most entertaining — if still overlong — I've seen in a while. You can read my insta-commentary from last night, or if you prefer a more reflective look at the awards, here's a recap of some of the biggest shocker and more entertainment moments. (Or, check out the full list of 2007 Oscar winners.)

Biggest Surprises

• After all the pre-Oscar hype, Babel won nothing but Best Score.
• The on-stage banter was actually funny.
• Happy Feet beat Cars, proving that the Academy likes penguins even more than it likes Pixar.
• The Lives of Others took home the award for Best Foreign Film, renewing my hope that the Oscars aren’t just a popularity contest.
• A good Melissa Etheridge number beat out all three of Dreamgirls' shameless attempts to score a Best Song Oscar.

For more highlight and tons of photos, read more

Totally Unsurprising But Totally Awesome

• Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren taking home the top acting honors. Their acceptance speeches alone proved what pros they are.
• Martin Scorsese finally gets his directing due.

Best Quotes

• "I think I see a few Americans as well. Of course, I'm talking about the seat fillers." — Ellen DeGeneres, in her opening monologue.
• "Sound editing is like sex: It's usually done alone, at night, and surrounded by electronic gadgets." — Steve Carrell
• "Wait, somebody dropped their rolling papers. Oh, here, it's the band." — Ellen DeGeneres, while vacuuming the theater floor.
• "Scorsese calls it 'the first movie he has ever done with a plot.'" — Diane Keaton, as Martin Scorsese came to accept his Best Directing Oscar.
• “To be standing here where the Queen just stood, and Idi Amin, is incredible.” — Graham King, accepting the Best Picture award for The Departed