2011 Oscars

“The King’s Speech” tops “The Social Network” to win Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards. The British historical drama led the field with 12 nominations and was considered the frontrunner after winning the majority of the pre-Oscar accolades, including the Producers Guild Award and the Directors Guild Award.

Colin Firth wins Best Actor for his role in “The King’s Speech.” Firth who was nominated last year for his role in “A Single Man” also won a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award, and a BAFTA award for his performance as King George VI.

Natalie Portman who has won nearly every major award leading up to the Oscars -- triumphs over Annette Bening (“The Kids Are All Right”), Nicole Kidman (“Rabbit Hole”), Jennifer Lawrence (“Winter’s Bone”), and Michelle Williams (“Blue Valentine”), to win the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Nina Sayers in “Black Swan.” Portman was previously nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 2005 for her role in “Closer” but lost to Cate Blanchett (“The Aviator”).

Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”) wins Best Director. Previous to this, the British director was best known for his work on the HBO miniseries “John Adams.” This is his first Oscar.

Canadian diva Celine Dion sang “Shine,” honoring stars including Lena Horne, Dennis Hopper, Tony Curtis, Blake Edwards, Leslie Nielsen and many others who recently passed away.  May all rest in peace.

 “Inside Job” a film about the global financial crisis of 2008 -- edges out “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” “Gasland,” “Restrepo,” and “Waste Land” to win Best Documentary Feature.

Christian Bale who played a down-and-out boxer in “The Fighter” tops Geoffrey Rush (“The King’s Speech”), Jeremy Renner (“The Town”), Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are All Right”), and John Hawkes (“Winter’s Bone”) to win Best Supporting Actor. Bale will next be seen on the big screen in 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises.”

 Original screenplay: British-American playwright David Seidler wins for “The King’s Speech” by beating out “Another Year,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” and “The Kids Are All Right.”

 Adapted screenplay: Aaron Sorkin wins for “The Social Network" over “127 Hours,” “Toy Story 3,” “True Grit,” and “Winter’s Bone.” The movie was based on the book “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich.

Toy Story 3” triumphs over “How to Train Your Dragon” and “The Illusionist” to win Best Animated Feature, giving Disney/Pixar its fourth consecutive (and sixth overall) win in the category.

Melissa Leo, who was previously nominated for her performance in the 2008 movie “Frozen River,” edges out 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld and fellow “Fighter” star Amy Adams to win Best Supporting Actress, the night’s most competitive category.