2009 Oscar Winners

Photo by Howie Berlin

As the Oscars closed Sunday night, the movie that not too many people knew about until recently overcame all other films. Slumdog Millionaire, a film about a guy who overcame life's obstacles, took eight Academy Awards. It was named Best Picture and Best Director, Danny Boyle. It also won Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Editing, Original Musical Score and Best Song ("Jai Ho").

Other winners of this year's Oscars was Sean Penn, who won the Best Actor award for his role as a 1970's gay activist Harvey Milk in Milk. "I did not expect this, and I know how hard I make it to appreciate me, often," Penn said in his acceptance speech. He also acknowledged his fellow nominee. "Mickey Rourke rises again," said Penn, "and he is my brother." The movie Milk also took the Original Screenplay, by Dustin Lance Black.

Kate Winslet was named Best Actress for her role as a troubled woman with a Nazi past in The Reader.

As for the Best Supporting Actor, the late Heath Ledger took the title for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. The audience rose to their feet as Ledger's family accepted his Oscar.

Penelope Cruz took Supporting Actress for her role in Vickey Cristina Barcelona. At the podium she said, "Has anybody ever fainted here? Because I may be the first one."

Disney-Pixar's WALL-E, about a robot who falls in love was named Best Animated Feature. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button had 13 nominations but took three of them, Art Direction, Makeup and Visual Effects. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was given to 82 year old Jerry Lewis. As he clutched his Oscar Lewis said, "This award touches my heart."

I kinda knew Slumdog Millionaire would be taking home some Oscars because of all the hype it was getting. Congrats to all the winners.

Source: People.com