LIVE BLOG: 81st Annual Academy Awards Coverage

8:07pm – Thanks for tuning into the Live Oscar Blog! Hopefully we’ll have a good show. I think Hugh Jackman will put on a good show although I would’ve loved to see Ricky Gervais host tonight. We’re still doing red carpet, so stay tuned in for the show to start at 8:30!

8:27pm – Last night at the Spirit Awards, Mickey Rourke gave a weird speech – – perhaps we’ll see a reprise tonight?

8:38pm  – Hugh Jackman cured ALL of my doubts that he wouldn’t be funny. That was probably the best opening I’ve seen in a couple years. And yes, he DOES have some moves. Who would’ve thought?

8:44pm – Did Tilda Swinton forget her dress and just throw her bed sheets on?

8:48pm – This was such a tough category. All great performances but I’m happy to see Penelope win. Always great to see someone from a comedy up there.

8:54pm – Tina Fey always steals the show! Her and Steve Martin never fail.

8:57 – Original Screenplay was another awesome category. I would’ve preferred WALL-E but Milk was definitely worthy of this category. It was an amazing story written by a talented writer.

9:01pm – No suprise from Adapted Screenplay – I’m expecting Slumdog to clean up tonight. Has anyone ever read the book it was based on, “Q&A”?

9:10pm – Short Animated Film: I’ve only seen Presto (which was awesome), but I’ve heard great things about Le Maison. Interesting speech though.

9:20pm – This jazz music in the background is distracting.

9:34pm – That Ben Stiller impersonation of Joaquin Phoenix was awesome. Slumdog will win best picture no doubt.

9:43pm – Why aren’t the Best Song nominees performing like they did last year? They’re dropping the ball!

9:51pm – Here’s some history on the Oscar’s during a commerical break: It has broadcasted on schedule all but three times in its 81 years of broadcast. 1938 due to a flood, 1968 due to the assassination of MLK and 1981 due to the assassination attempt of Reagan.

9:54pm – I’m sorry – I like Beyonce, but who thought she was a good choice for this musical with Hugh Jackman? AND WHY IS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TAKING OVER THIS MUSICAL NUMBER? Oh geez.

10:04pm – Did Alan Arkin really say Seymour Phillip Hoffman? Yikes.

10:12pm – That was a really nice speech. You’re right Bobbi, I don’t know how they didn’t break down. I’m glad Heath’s daughter gets the award.

10:56pm – I demand a ‘Jai Ho’ performance!

10:17 – Phillipe Petit = awesome. So glad he went up on stage. If you haven’t seen Man On Wire, check it out!

10:34pm – Where did Hugh Jackman go? Anyway, something I thought was really nice was the fact that the producers of Slumdog got the young Latika and Saleem from the true slums of Mumbai. It was by complete chance that they could act. And instead of offering them a salary for their acting in the movie, they put them up in school so they could get an education and get out of the slums.

10:46pm – Nice speech from Jerry Lewis. Why did Eddie Murphy present it to him? After the acting categories, it will be Slumdog for the rest of the night.

10:58pm – I demand a ‘Jai Ho’ performance right now!

11:01pm -  I did not like that John Legend Jai Ho remix. What?

11:09pm – So what does everyone think so far? I think the show started with a bang and a great opening act with Jackman, but has slowed down dramatically since. Thoughts?

11:13pm – Paul Newman is going to get a HUGE applause when his name comes up.

11:20pm – Danny Boyle no suprise. Well deserved, but I gotta say I’m yearning for an upset at one point. I feel like all of the nominees are too much of a given. Maybe a Richard Jenkins upset?! Just kidding, you know how much I want to hear a crazy strange speech from Rourke.

11:33pm – Go Kate Winslet! That moment with her dad was cute. Her speeches are a bit lenghty tho.

11:37pm – I’m going with Mickey Rourke for Best Actor. That movie would’ve gotten no recognition without him in that role.

11:43pm – Okay, so I was wrong. But Sean Penn was my second runner up. He never fails to give an amazing performance. Maybe that was our upset? Also, Great speech.

11:53pm – Hands down best film of the year – Slumdog Millionaire. Everyone knew this was going to win since it exploded back in December. The Academy finally picks the underdog.

11:56pm – That’s all. I could’ve used a couple more Hugh Jackman skits like in the beginning, and many of the categories were predictable, but for avid movie fans, it was satisfying. Thanks everyone for commenting! Hope you enjoyed. See ya next year!