High profile celebs dazzled the excited red-carpet gazers, actor Heath Ledger won a prestigious award posthumously, and jaws dropped when Sting pranced on stage in a bizarre fashion-victim get-up.
By the time the glitter settled on the walk of fame, the popular hit - "Slumdog Millionaire" (the little film that could) shut-out "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "FROST/NIXON", and "Doubt" in four categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Score.
After interviewing Simon Beaufoy (Full Monty) and Danny Boyle at the premiere of the run-away hit a few weeks ago at the AFI Fest, I have been inclined to root for both since.
After all, Beaufroy is a charming down-to-earth man deserving of the honor.
And, Boyle is not unlike an excited kid with a new toy, still intrigued with the wonder of the potential of the medium of film.
For the most part, the women sashayed along the red carpet in simple chic gowns, with a touch of understated jewellery to spark up their fashion flourishes.
There was an exception with Eva Mendes, though.
Her over-the-top frock ( swept up on one side) appeared to have been jolted by a gale force wind. Even still, spectators were wowed by a stunning diamond necklace which drew attention to her graceful neck.
The males tended to go for dark suits and ubiquitous bow ties - a number of which - needed tweaking. Some were a tad floppy, or too wide, or just downright stingy when it came to fabric (and individual flair).
When it came to the male peacocks, stand-outs included heart-throb Leonardo Di Carpio (at ease in a tasteful black suit & skinny tie) Colin Farrell (spiffy in a dark ensemble which included a vest and properly-knotted cravat) and, believe it or not, Tom Cruise.
Mr. Cruise took a risk with a black tuxedo-style jacket with wide satin lapels and matching slacks and pulled the look off admirably.
In contrast, when Sting strode on stage, jaws literally dropped.
A three-quarter-length boxy-style jacket - skirt-like in appearance and teamed up with a sparkly shirt underneath open at the neck) - conjured up a hideous fashion disaster.
An English gentleman run amok in Frederick's of Hollywood?
Kate Winslett was positively stunning in a strapless black cocktail dress, as was Drew Barrymore in a pretty feminine gown in a distinctive pastel shade which complemented her fresh complexion.
There was a buzz in the room when Renee Zellwegger floated on stage in what can only be described as a witchy apparition.
For starters, fabric pulled unpleasingly at stress points (there were a few).
Worse still, her bodice played beek-a-boo with her unmentionables underneath which was very tacky! tacky! tacky!
There were also a number of side-splitting awkward moments when the camera panned in on unsuspecting guests, too.
In one shot, Leonardo Di Carpio was focused somewhere a thousand-miles away.
A penny for your thoughts, Leo!
Sally Field appeared to be laughing at two earnest young presenters trying to get it "right" at the podium until a friend pointed out she was on air.
With little aplomb, she half-turned and waved, with a slightly sheepish look on her face.
Yeah, we like you! We really like you!
Highlights of the night?
Mickey Rourke rolled off the ropes at long last and landed a knock-out punch in the acting arena which garnered him a Best Actor prize.
Kate Winslett faced an embarrassment of riches - Golden Globes for her roles in "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road" respectively.
Laura Linney snatched up a Best Actress Award for her role in the mini-series John Adams, which rustled up some elation in this corner.
I've been loyally following Laura's rising career since she first appeared in one of my primo favorite cable shows "Tales of the City".
Comments that got laughs?
One actor quipped that he would never sleep with 200 female Foreign Press Correspondents again.
"Too many wispy beards."
Ouch!
Aaron Eckhart, responding to queries about his role in Dark Knight, laughed:
"It was great to be in a film people actually saw."
What about Erin Brockovich, dummy???
Tina Fey won for 30 Rock, and took the golden opportunity to give the finger to Internet critics who have been razing the funny-lady throughout the novel Sarah (who?) Palin impersonations in recent days.
"Suck it," she gleefully shouted at the camera as she held her statuette high and proud.
In an inspirational moment, Steven Spielberg took the stage to received a tribute for his life's work in the form of the Cecil B. DeMille award.
Martin Scorsese, a buddy since Film 101, stood on the sidelines humbly - and if I am not mistaken - actually shed a genuine tear or two.
For some inexplicable reasons, the camera crew didn't shine a light on it.
Some moments are too precious for celluloid intrusions.
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