Kate Winslet
To be honest, her umpteenth speech on the topic of winning was dull until she called out to her dad and he whistled to her to let her know where he was. That was cool and unexpected.
Hugh Jackman
The audience-pleasing Aussie kept the crowd at home and in Hollywood entertained with a totally winning display of talent, wit and a sense of fun.
Tina Fey & Steve Martin
Even though they weren't nominated, these two multitalented stars turned their moments on stage into a capsule performance that delivered plenty of laughs.
Freida Pinto & Dev Patel
Though they weren't nominated, the two young stars of Slumdog Millionaire had a lot to celebrate tonight.
Philippe Petit
The attention-grabbing subject of the documentary Man on Wire shows just how to keep that attention while balancing the director's Oscar on his noggin.
Beyoncé Knowles
Who do you call when you want to deliver a splashy extravaganza devoted to the movie musical? That's right, this lady.
Hugh Jackman & Anne Hathaway
These two teamed up for a musical moment that reimagined Frost/Nixon as a hot duet of sexy politics.
Penélope Cruz
She's great in the film and deserved the award, but Cruz went above and beyond by giving a gracious speech that thanked many but didn't seem perfunctory or insincere.
Heath Ledger's Family
Reminding all of us that audiences didn't just lose a talented actor but a family lost a son brought the kudofest back down to earth. As great as it was to see his work recognized, no award can replace what they lost.
John Legend
Though Peter Gabriel decided sit this one out, the smooth crooner showed up to perform "Down to Earth" from Wall-E.
Angelica Huston, Whoopi Goldberg, Tilda Swinton, Penélope Cruz
Each of the acting awards was given out by a five-pack of previous winners, and the results left us with a bit of a hangover.
Ben Stiller & Natalie Portman
Inside the Kodak, this bit—in which the Tropic Thunder star channeled Joaquin Phoenix—killed, but you had to wonder who cared beyond that.
See the red carpet's big moments in our Oscars 2009: Arrivals gallery!