84th Academy Awards

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Nostalgia ruled at the Oscars, with the classic film homages "The Artist" and "Hugo" dominating with five awards each, Meryl Streep winning her first best-actress prize in nearly three decades and longtime favorite Billy Crystal returning as host. It was a rather safe, predictable affair all around, with the winners who've heard their names throughout awards season being called up on stage one last time Sunday night. "The Artist," a black-and-white love letter to silent film, won best picture, best director for France's Michel Hazanavicius and best actor for Jean Dujardin as an actor who finds his career in danger with the arrival of the talkies. It also earned prizes for costume design and original score.

Meryl Streep poses with her award for best actress for "The Iron Lady" during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Billy Crystal pauses for a picture showing nine fingers for the number of times he's hosted the show after the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Benjamin Millepied, left, and Natalie Portman arrive before the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain, left, and Sacha Baron Cohen, second from right, are shown on the red carpet at the the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Brandon Oldenburg, left, and William Joyce, jump with their awards for best animated short film for "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Christopher Plummer accepts the Oscar for best actor in a supporting role for “Beginners” during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Michel Hazanavicius, left, poses with his wife Bérénice Bejo and his award for best director for "The Artist" during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Meryl Streep, right, hugs Sandra Bullock at the Governors Ball following the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Members of the cast of "Bridesmaids" Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy drink a toast to Martin Scorsese as they present an award during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Meryl Streep, right, is congratulated by Viola Davis before accepting the Oscar for best actress in a leading role for “The Iron Lady” during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angelina Jolie presents an award during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Jean Dujardin winner of best actor for this work in "The Artist" looks at his Oscar award at the Governors Ball following the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Bret McKenzie poses with his award for best original song for "Man or Muppet" during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Bret McKenzie with the Oscar for best original song for his work in "Man or Muppet" at the Governors Ball following the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Emma Stone arrives before the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell present an award during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
French actor Jean Dujardin holds aloft his Oscar for the Best Actor in the movie "The Artist", upon his arrival from the 84th Academy Awards, in Roissy Charles de Gaulle, outside Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)