Hollywood’s golden image remains untarnished and unblemished (they wish), with the writers returning to work just in time to kiss and make up and write the lines for the Oscar presenters, as the Academy Awards turns 80. You can read the entire list of nominations and winners in all categories at the official Oscar Web site.

Jon Stewart was actually funny and engaging, especially with this line: "Welcome to the makeup sex." The evening's theme and special effects were well done but not overdone. There was lots of looking back to past Academy highlights naturally, with the winners, losers, and those who died in the past year reviewed.

The opening montage showcased special effects, a frame of reference that went down like good champagne. Speaking of special effects there was a moment that showed someone playing with a Nintendo Wii during the awards show, in case you missed it. If you haven’t played Wii on a wall-sized screen with those unbeatable paddles and life-size and life-like graphics, then you are missing a thrill or two. It is one hell of a game… sorry, Barack (Obama recently criticized gamers on the stump).

This year, Heloise spared the readers her sorry Oscar predictions. But I still feel like a winner because I actually saw many of the films that had wins in major categories. How’s that for economy? The lineup for best picture promised blood and there was lots of blood and guts in the nominees for best picture.

Denzel Washington gave the award for best picture. The winner was No Country For Old Men. It was up against Atonement (a novel adaptation in a WWII setting), There Will Be Blood, Michael Clayton, and Juno. I thought Atonement was the odds-on favorite because it typifies Oscar nod types. But many suggested that the Juno votes by the younger members would split the vote, thereby keeping Atonement or another film from winning. I saw two of the nominees, Atonement and Michael Clayton, and the trailer for No Country For Old Men twice. It looked like an electrifying movie and Javier Bardem stood out immediately, but it looked too violent for my taste.

The Coen brothers took the coveted best directing award for No Country For Old Men. This film was almost in a category by itself this year, being nominated for best picture, supporting actor, cinematography, directing, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing and best adapted screenplay, for a total of eight nominations. It won four: best picture (as stated above), supporting actor, directing, and adapted screenplay for a total of four wins.

Best supporting actor was a solid call for Javier Bardem. He was widely predicted to win. He made Oscar history as the first Spaniard ever to be nominated for best supporting actor. This Castilian kicked ass and tossed coins in No Country For Old Men. Bardem’s competition included the great Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson’s War. What a perfect performance once again by Hoffman. He previously won an Oscar for his leading role in Capote and this may have kept him from winning again so soon. But he was the one to beat in this category, I think.