AWARDS
2012 Academy Awards Winners - 'The Artist' & 'Hugo' Each Win Five
by Alex Billington
February 26, 2012
The 84th Academy Awards are upon us and it's time to watch the show and announce the winners of the most prestigious award in Hollywood. The Oscar ceremony is being broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre where everyone's favorite host Billy Crystal returns, for his ninth time. The nominations this year resulted in a total of nine Best Picture nominees, ranging from Tree of Life to Hugo to Moneyball to The Artist, and although we may think we know who will win, it should be an interesting night. The complete list below will be updated with winners marked as they're announced live on the show tonight - refresh for any updates.
Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Jean Dujardin -
The Artist
Meryl Streep -
The Iron Lady
Read on for the complete list of nominees and winners. Be sure to let us know what you think of the results!
This will be updated throughout the night to reflect the winners as revealed. Additionally, I might be adding a small bit of editorial commentary beneath each category. Winners are highlighted in BOLD below.
PICTURE:
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
War Horse
Thoughts: Yep, it was as expected, BUT I love it. It's one of my favorite films of last year and despite all the complaints I've heard (and tried to address) I still think it's a wonderful film, and I'm happy to see it win.
DIRECTOR:
Alexander Payne - The Descendants
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Martin Scorsese - Hugo
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life
Thoughts: I think he really deserves this and I'm happy for him, to create a wonderful B&W silent film in this day and age, and make it entertaining. I'm a big fan of The Artist, congrats Michel.
ACTOR:
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
George Clooney - The Descendants
Brad Pitt - Moneyball
Demián Bichir - A Better Life
Thoughts: Hooray! The Frenchman takes it for a silent movie. Congrats to Jean, quite a magnificent way to break into Hollywood, and he did it by paying homage wonderfully to Hollywood of past.
ACTRESS:
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Viola Davis - The Help
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn
Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Thoughts: No big surprise here at all; I haven't even seen the film yet. "Oh yea, her again," indeed.
SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Max Von Sydow - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Thoughts: Well-deserved! He's fantastic in this, great film, amazing actor, his first Oscar and totally deserving. "You're only two years older than me darling. Where have you been all of my life?"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Berenice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help
Thoughts: Expected to win, but deserving, the finale she's been waiting for this awards season. Congrats!
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumolo - Bridesmaids
J.C. Chandor - Margin Call
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris
Asghar Farhadi - A Separation
Thoughts: Totally expected, it's an excellent script and out of these nominees, I think it's one of the best.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash - The Descendants
John Logan - Hugo
Aaron Sorkin & Steven Zaillian - Moneyball
George Clooney - The Ides of March
Peter Straughan & Bridget O'Connor - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Thoughts: My least favorite out of these nominees, I think it's an overrated film and I think the script is one of the weakest parts about it. But that's just me, as it did just win the Oscar, and just about every other screenwriting award this year. Not my favorite at all, but what can you do?
ANIMATED FEATURE:
A Cat in Paris (dirs. Jean-Loup Felicioli & Alain Gagnol)
Chico & Rita (dirs. Tono Errando & Javier Mariscal & Fernando Trueba)
Kung Fu Panda 2 (dir. Jennifer Yuh)
Puss in Boots (dir. Chris Miller)
Rango (dir. Gore Verbsinki)
Thoughts: Since this was honestly a mediocre category this year, I think Rango is the best of the bunch and I'm happy with it winning. Don't really prefer any of the others, and Rango was pretty good.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
Bullhead (dir. Michael R. Roskam - Belgium)
Monsieur Lazhar (dir. Philippe Falardeau - Canada)
A Separation (dir. Asghar Farhadi - Iran)
Footnote (dir. Joseph Cedar - Israel)
In Darkness (dir. Agnieszka Holland - Poland)
Thoughts: An incredible film, and a deserving win, not only for the politics and the nature of the ideas in the film, but for the film itself, which is worth seeing as soon as possible. Congratulations.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Guillaume Schiffman - The Artist
Jeff Cronenweth - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Robert Richardson - Hugo
Emmanuel Lubezki - The Tree of Life
Janusz Kaminski - War Horse
Thoughts: Wow, over The Tree of Life? Maybe the Academy really did feel the need to focus on the 3D and incredible visuals of Hugo. At this point in the show (since this is the first award) I'm wondering if this will set the pace. All of these nominees are strong contenders, and Hugo is a still great win. Bravo!
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
Pina
Hell and Back Again
If A Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3
Undefeated
Thoughts: A big congrats on what seems to be a great win for a phenomenal doc; I haven't seen it yet.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
The Barber of Birmingham (dirs. Gail Dolgin & Robin Fryday)
God Is the Bigger Elvis (dir. Rebecca Cammisa)
Incident in New Baghdad (dir. James Spione)
Saving Face (dir. Daniel Junge)
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom (dir. Lucy Walker)
ANIMATED SHORT:
Dimanche/Sunday (dir. Patrick Doyon)
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (dirs. William Joyce & Brandon Oldenburg)
La Luna (dir. Enrico Casarosa)
A Morning Stroll (dir. Grant Orchard)
Wild Life (dirs. Amanda Forbis & Wendy Tilby)
LIVE-ACTION SHORT:
Pentecost (dir. Peter McDonald)
Raju (dir. Max Zähle)
The Shore (dir. Terry George)
Time Freak (dir. Andrew Bowler)
Tuba Atlantic (dir. Hallvar Witzø)
VISUAL EFFECTS:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Thoughts: Wow, Hugo over Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Transformers and Harry Potter? Damn. Not my personal pick, but I think I see what they're going for. Either it's the visuals and the world, or the 3D, or all of the above, either way, can't argue now and congrats to the Hugo team for winning this.
ART DIRECTION:
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse
Thoughts: Well, Hugo is off to a great start tonight, taking home two strong technical awards, no doubt for the visuals in that film, which are certainly wonderful. Tough break on The Artist so far.
COSTUME DESIGN:
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.
Thoughts: A great winner, the costumes in this film are fantastic, even in B&W, congrats.
MAKEUP:
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
The Iron Lady
FILM EDITING:
The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Thoughts: Surprise win for Dragon Tattoo, but it does have great editing. Same guys won for The Social Network last year.
SOUND MIXING:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Moneyball
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
SOUND EDITING:
Drive
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Thoughts: Damn, the one category we were hoping Drive would win something in. Too bad, oh well!
ORIGINAL SCORE:
John Williams - The Adventures of Tintin
Ludovic Bource - The Artist
Howard Shore - Hugo
Alberto Iglesias - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
John Williams - War Horse
Thoughts: Expected win, but I like it, I'm a big fan of this score, it's whimsical and wonderful. Though I also really loved War Horse and honestly wanted that to win, so who knows.
ORIGINAL SONG:
"Man or Muppet" from The Muppets
"Real in Rio" from Rio
Thoughts: Congratulations to The Muppets, finally winning this Oscar, hooray, and I'm SO happy this song won. "Am I a man… or am I a Muppet?!" Congrats songwriter Bret McKenzie!
HONORARY OSCARS:
Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones, Dick Smith
Final Thoughts: And here we are at the end of another Academy Awards. How was it? Overall, I honestly have to say that pretty much everything was expected, except for Hugo taking so many technical awards early on. This year's show wasn't that impressive and for the most part, once everything won that I expected, it was just time to move on to the next category. However, I will go down defending The Artist to the end, as I love that film (and love most of the other nominees), but I know it's going to get so much crap for winning. But since Drive wasn't nominated, it was my top choice, I'm satisfied. Onwards into the 2012 movie season!
Chime in below as we continue to update this 2012 Oscars winners list live throughout the night and let us know if you're satisfied with this year's results (so far) and what your thoughts are on the actual Oscar ceremony with our host Billy Crystal, a bit on the classier side. Plus, of course, a big congratulations to all of this year's winners, and to all nominees as well! Thoughts on the 2012 Academy Awards winners?
49 Comments
1
Looking forward to it. Although I have the distinct feeling the winners are relatively predictable this year, but I'm hoping for some surprises!
Quanah on Feb 26, 2012
2
Apparently Hugo is going to win every single Oscar that its nominated for, I hate that, the other films deserve more credit, I found Hugo an okay film, but apparently the Academy thinks its the greatest film ever
andrew on Feb 26, 2012
3
Lol, exactly my thoughts. And am i the only one to hate that artist dog? :p
Ricardo_PT on Feb 26, 2012
4
What an amazing speech by Cristopher Plummer, such a brilliant act...and well deserved. I hate it when the academy goes all out, giving every single award to the same movie, i would prefer if these first awards were more evenly distributed. So sad for drive 🙁 but happily surprised with the dragon tatoo
Ricardo_PT on Feb 26, 2012
5
i'm with you on that - you can argue all day about whether any particular film should have won any particular award or not. but when a few films win so many, often in the face of very stiff competition, it does make you wonder if the Academy's members have actually *seen* all of the films nominated. and yes, while i would have been happy for Nolte to win, Christopher Plummer rules.
son_et_lumiere on Feb 27, 2012
6
Tired of Hugo winning.
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
8
I'll rent it to see what the hoopla is all about...but its like the Hurt Locker...good but didn't deserve half of the awards it got.
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
9
Have you seen Hugo or not?
Mscofield on Feb 26, 2012
10
No, not yet...will rent as soon as possible, regardless if I was a fan or not its getting old.
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
11
I think Hugo is a solid, classic, family movie. It's entertaining and good fun, but not a best picture winner. The 3D is superb, and Scorsese could have perfectly won best director.
Ricardo_PT on Feb 26, 2012
12
With the exception of "New York, New York" (and having not seen anything before Mean Streets), I've really liked everything Scorsese has made. That being said, I really think Rise of the Planet of the Apes should've won for VFX and The Tree of Life for DP.
Andrew DiDonato on Feb 26, 2012
13
I'll see it for sure.
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
14
Crystal was been good thus far, but Hugh Jackman was one of the best hosts ever. Loved Jason Segels face when the Mupphets won...he was sooooooo happy.
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
15
16
Indeed!
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
17
aw hell yea Lily!
real talk on Feb 26, 2012
18
Midnight in Paris is deserving of best picture and more oscars.
Ramhax on Feb 26, 2012
19
Every single film that has won an Oscar, I haven't seen, and the ones that I have seen and root for to win an Oscar don't, it just proves that the conspiracy continues. Lets give Oscars to Hugo and The Artist and no one else
andrew on Feb 26, 2012
20
it doesn't prove a thing. What are you talking about? How can your root for movies you've seen against ones you haven't seen? This is foolish.
Ramhax on Feb 26, 2012
21
really meryl streep you're BORING
stfugtfo on Feb 26, 2012
22
Meryl streep is in a class by herself. If you think she's boring then you are boring.
Ramhax on Feb 26, 2012
23
Agreed.
Xerxexx on Feb 26, 2012
24
The Artist was crap
Dkellenbox on Feb 26, 2012
25
The Weinsteins once again grab a best picture Oscar with a low budget period piece. No surprises this year save for Hugo sweeping the effects categories.
Ben Bonanza Cartwright on Feb 26, 2012
26
I was expecting the Artist to win, but i wish it didnt. it was an omage to the old not the inovation of film making that has been introduced in the other films nominated.
Zade on Feb 26, 2012
27
I was actually surprised that Hugo didn't win best movie. After all it was basically Scorsese's love letter to films and the movie industry. You'd think the academy would eat that stuff up.
SuicidalOptimist on Feb 26, 2012
28
Perfect recap after the show, thanks for the article. I enjoyed your thoughts, even though I guess you simply haven't seen all the movies in the categories where you keep silent 😉 but then again, who has...
littleup on Feb 26, 2012
29
My disappointment over Nick Nolte and Gary Oldman not winning in their respective categories is indescribable. Well, grab all the awards you can, people. Next year Peter Jackson is back to set things right with The Hobbit.
SuicidalOptimist on Feb 26, 2012
30
My favorite part of the show was Sasha Baron Cohen saying that he makes movies that he would like to see and right now he'd like to see some pretty sick stuff!
Rob on Feb 26, 2012
31
bunch a bull shit, i disagreed with most of the nominations when the list was released. and refused to watch, now that ive seen the winners im only happy for Rango
DoomCanoe on Feb 26, 2012
32
most ridiculous win of the night: Hugo over Tree of Life in best cinematography. Laughable is the correct term, I believe...
Josh on Feb 26, 2012
33
Biggest upset was Rise of the Planet of the Apes not winning best VFX
Jurassic_Max on Feb 26, 2012
34
So the descendants had a bad script but u loved avatar (which must have the corniest script of all time) was as awesome as anything u have ever seen?!? Ur a joke sir.
Jkrickeck on Feb 26, 2012
35
all of the top awards were so predictable i mean theirs no surprise factor at all anymore in the Oscars. Also i thought billy crystal was just alright as the host tonight, they still need to find someone new thats young and fresh
Jalts4 on Feb 26, 2012
36
Poor Martin Scorsese
Mo3z on Feb 26, 2012
37
Trying to say Hugo has "better" photography then The Tree of Life is just laughable. But then again i think its all kinda laughable...
happy camper on Feb 26, 2012
38
with Hugo winning so many, it's obvious to me that these awards are a complete sham. Have they even watched this movie? It's such a trivial mess of a story that was poorly cast and has a tremendous amount of pacing issues. Scorsese's worst film of all time and probably the biggest let down of the year for me.
syntaxterror on Feb 26, 2012
39
The oscars... what did you expect?
Isildur_of_Numenor on Feb 26, 2012
40
I'm gonna start my comment by saying that I watched the Artist about a month ago and I'd been dying to see. I was really excited about the prospect of a silent film finding success in today's world. However after seeing it, I just couldn't bring myself to love. Its a perfectly fine film with plenty of entertainment value, but I hardly think its best picture worthy. The script is pretty thin and sloppy in places and the story is merely a retread of a few other films (Singin' in the Rain and A Star is Born). You said under the directing win that you are happy for because he was able to make a silent film entertaining. Should that really be a reason to reward him the Oscar? Because he made an entertaining film. No, but its an entertaining Silent, black and white film, and thus it is incredible and should be rewarded. No, there were plenty of incredibly entertaining silent films created more than 80 years ago. We need to judge it on the same level as other films just as we might older silent films on an all time list. While he did a fine job directing the film, he didn't tread any new ground for the genre and for the most part copied the style of the period shot for shot. Maybe my expectations were too high for this picture, hoping it might not only bring back silent film, but reinvigorate it into something new and different entirely. I won't say that I consider it Oscar Bait like many others say, because with so many crowd pleasing moments written into the script (to the point that it loses cohesiveness) that it is exactly the opposite. It was meant to be a film to show others just what the filmmakers loved so much about the silent era, and it does accomplish that. That being said I do think that the fact it is a silent film has greatly benefitted how it was looked upon at awards shows. Sorry for writing this short novel, but I thought you should know there are plenty of people who give it its fair chance and still find it lacking.
Jordan Scott on Feb 27, 2012
41
No vfx award for rise of apes?
Tir na nog on Feb 27, 2012
42
Artist was great
Frank on Feb 27, 2012
43
I can't help but feel that the Academy gave the award to Meryl Streep in an attempt to keep the awards relevant and unpredictable after all the other award shows that preceded it. While I love Meryl Streep to pieces, they really did a major disservice to Viola Davis, movie fans and their own credibility by doing so.
Hattori Hanzo on Feb 27, 2012
44
certains critiquent un film français sur le cinéma muet hollywoodien il préférent un film américain sur le cinéma muet français bizzarre!
F. on Feb 27, 2012
45
Does Jean Dujardin from the Artist always have that stupid look on his face? Is that in his contract somewhere?
Jeff Metzger on Feb 27, 2012
46
lol I was thinking that exact same thing myself. Every picture has that dumb smile. I'm not sure if he's being condesending or if he's trying to immitate Jean Chretian, who for those that don't know was one of our recent Prime Ministers in Canada.
Dkom7 on Feb 27, 2012
47
Tx for great sum up and commentary. I was on a plane during the show and sadly missed it. Now I have a feel for the outcomes.
Zirah on Feb 27, 2012
48
Just an overly predictable outcome. Honestly, the Artist, just because it's going to back to classic film-making doesn't make it the best. And Meryl Streep? Come on, give it to someone else please.
Matt on Feb 27, 2012
49
Yes, Hugo was just wonderful, and the Artist. I love Meryl, but Viola Davis should have got it, she won't have another and Meryl will. Hugo should have won.
Thomas on Mar 27, 2012
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH