Beginning around 6 p.m. EST Sunday, February 27, 2011, all the Hollywood heavyweights began to arrive at the Kodak Theatre in California for the biggest night in the film industry.

The 83rd annual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards began in earnest at 8:30 with a spectacular mash-up of the Best Picture-nominated films through which hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco navigated, Inception-style, to find last year's host, Alec Baldwin. The two hosts got off to a comedic start and played right into the clear and much publicized divide between the new and older generations of Hollywood.

Tom Hanks stepped onstage to present the "art trifecta" of awards after the brief introduction:

Art Direction - Alice in Wonderland, Robert Stromberg and Karen O'Hara

Cinematography — Inception, Wally Pfister

Kirk Douglas, whose speech has improved exponentially since he suffered a stroke in 1996, made an emotional, yet hilarious, presentation for Actress in a Supporting Role. Douglas kept everyone, including Colin Firth, in stitches.

Actress in a Supporting Role - Melissa Leo, The Fighter

The next presenters up were the much buzzed about, but not nominated, stars of big hits, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis.

Animated Short Film - The Lost Thing, Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann

Animated Feature Film - Toy Story 3, Lee Unkrich

In matching dapper white suits Josh Brolin and visibly tired new dad Javier Bardem presented a not surprising award for adapted screenplay.

Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published - Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Original Screenplay - David Seidler, The King's Speech

After a side-splittingly funny song by Anne Hathaway, the equally hilarious Russell Brand and Helen Mirren took the stage to present the award for foreign language film.

Foreign Language Film of the Year — In a Better World, Susanne Bier

Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon was up next to present the supporting actor award.

Actor in a Supporting Role - Christian Bale, The Fighter

In a night full of Australian talent, Aussie heavy-hitters Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman presented the original score award after an awesome Star Wars theme song introduction.

Original Score - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network

More young talent, in the forms of Scarlet Johansson and Matthew McConaughey, handed out the sound mixing trophy.

Achievement in Sound Mixing - Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick, Inception

Achievement in Sound Editing - Richard King, Inception

Marisa Tomei gave a nice nod to the scientific and technical awards, called "nerds" by host Franco, and was followed by Kate Blanchett who presented the make-up award.

Achievement in Make-up - Rick Baker and Dave Elsey, The Wolfman

Achievement in Costume Design - Colleen Atwood, Alice in Wonderland

The best song nominees performed back to back; Randy Newman, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi performed first, then there were more awards presented by Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhall.

Documentary Short Subject - Strangers No More, Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon

Live Action Short Film - God of Love, Luke Matheny

This far into the show and the big names kept coming. Oprah fittingly presented the documentary award.

Documentary Feature - Inside Job, Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

Eight-time host Billy Crystal was still as funny as ever, getting laughs galore from the audience. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law took over and managed to keep the laughs going strong.

Achievement in Visual Effects - Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb and Paul J Franklin, Inception

Achievement in Film Editing - Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, The Social Network

The songs were back with A. R. Rahman and Florence Welch, then Gwyneth Paltrow. Jennifer Hudson presented the best song award.

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song - Randy Newman, We Belong Together

Celine Dion is another Canuck who made Canada proud this year with her accompaniment to the memorial that is truly touching.

Hillary Swank took the stage to proudly present the Academy Award-winning Kathryn Bigelow, who in turn presented the best direction award - which she historically won last year.

Achievement in Directing - Tom Hooper, The King's Speech

Annette Benning beautifully introduced the lifetime achievement winners, Francis Ford Coppola and Eli Wallach. Jeff Bridges followed to present the leading actress award. No surprise here:

Actress in a Leading Role - Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Crowd favorite Sandra Bullock took the stage to present the best actor statue.

Actor in a Leading Role - Colin Firth, The King's Speech

Legendary Steven Spielberg finally presented the award on everyone's mind.

And the winner is.....

Motion Picture of the Year - The King's Speech

Just in case you're keeping count, that's 14 of 24 for my picks.