2010 CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS ON VH-1

Amy Poehler as "Pretty in Pink's" Andie Walsh and John Krasinski as a very tall Duckie photo: kevin mazur/getty

The 15th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards were announced last night in Los Angeles while airing live on VH-1. The following are a few standout moments for me:

1. When Amy Poehler-dressed as Molly Ringwald’s Andie Walsh from Pretty in Pink, complete with pink lace prom dress!-was escorted on stage by a 6’3″ Duckie aka John Krasinski, who towered at least 1 foot over Amy. Together they introduced the moving John Hughes video tribute followed by the Death Cab For Cutie rendition of “Don’t You Forget About Me.” In true Hughes fashion, brought back memories of the awkward teenage years, sans braces and headgear. Oh yes, headgear.

2. After The Cove won the award for Best Documentary and the director, Louie Psihoyos, declared in his heartfelt speech, “We’ve been trying, with this film, to give the ocean a voice.” And that you certainly did. Thank you!

3. When Kathryn Bigelow won Best Director for The Hurt Locker and her ex-husband, James Cameron, seemed genuinely excited about Kathryn’s victory (although beating him) and even led the standing ovation. However, when her movie also swept the Best Picture award, Cameron was a little slower to jump for joy. Similarly, Quentin Tarantino seemed graciously disappointed, but still tried to maintain a pleasant look on his face. That being said, both Avatar and Inglourious Basterds walked away award winners-6 and 3 respectively. But the night still belonged to the ladies as it was the first time at this awards show that a female (bubbly Kristin Chenowith) hosted and Bigelow made history winning the Best Director award as it had never been done by a woman before. Nicely done!

4. Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock’s refreshingly spontaneous, unprepared, off the cuff acceptance speech. She addressed the critics by jesting, “For the critics, I bet you never saw this coming. You might never again.”

5. Susan Sarandon is one sultry 63 year old cougar! Watch out boys!

And here are the winners:

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Best Actress: (tie) Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia, and Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Best Young Actor/Actress: Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones
Best Acting Ensemble: Inglourious Basterds
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
Best Cinematography: Avatar
Best Art Direction: Avatar
Best Editing: Avatar
Best Costume Design: The Young Victoria
Best Makeup: District 9
Best Visual Effects: Avatar
Best Sound: Avatar
Best Animated Feature: Up
Best Action Movie: Avatar
Best Comedy: The Hangover
Best Picture Made for Television: Grey Gardens
Best Foreign Language Film: Broken Embraces
Best Documentary: The Cove
Best Song: “The Weary Kind,” T Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham (Crazy Heart)
Best Score: Up