By: Tessa L. Adams

Billy Crystal, hosting the show for the ninth time, opened the evening with an entertaining dance and singing medley that introduced all of the Best Picture nominees.

The evening was full of great moments, including when Octavia Spencer won the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting role for her portrayal in “The Help.” Spencer cried tears of joy the entire time she was giving her acceptance speech.

University of Akron senior Shaina Pearlman wanted to see “Bridesmaids” actress Melissa McCarthy win.

“I thought McCarthy transformed herself so much and was so hilarious that it should’ve gone to her,” Pearlman said.

Actor Christopher Plummer won the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting role for the film “Beginners.” In response to winning his first Oscar, the 82-year-old said, “You’re only two years older than me, darling. Where have you been all my life?”

The competition for Actress in a Leading Role was a stiff one between Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady” and Viola Davis in “The Help.” As a 17-time nominee, Streep won the competition, going home with her third career Oscar.

There were also talks of there being another stiff competition between George Clooney (“The Descendants”) and Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”) for the Oscar of Actor in a Leading Role.

“Brad Pitt gave a wonderful performance as Billy Beane in ‘Moneyball,” Colla said.

Neither of the two household names won. Frenchman Jean Dujardin won for “The Artist.”

Martin Scorsese’s film “Hugo” took home five Oscars, including Achievement in Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects. Woody Allen’s Romantic Comedy, “Midnight in Paris,” was nominated for four Oscars but won only one, the award for Writing (Original Screenplay).

Other notable wins included Best Makeup for the film “The Iron Lady,” Best Foreign Language Film in “A Separation,” Best Animated Feature Film “Rango,” Best Documentary Feature “Undefeated” and Achievement in Film Editing for the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

There was a beautiful performance by Cirque du Soleil. They brought to the stage through their performance the experience of going to the movies.

There was also a special segment of the Oscars where Hollywood stars shared what their favorite films are and their feelings about working in film. Some of stars were Hilary Swank, Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman.

Michael Hazanavicius won the Directing award for the much talked about film “The Artist.”

“I’m the happiest director in the world right now,” Hazanavicus said.

School teacher Paige Boughton does not believe a silent film should have been in the running for Best Motion Picture.

“Best Picture should be given out for something extraordinary and never seen before,” Boughton said.

Despite Boughton’s feelings, the film won the top Oscar, Best Motion Picture, as well as three other Oscars, including Costume Design and Music (Original Song).

University of Akron graduate student Gabor Smith liked the concept of “The Artist.”

“It’s really gutsy to go retro like that,” Smith said.

A silent film has not won an Academy Award since the film “Wings” in 1929.