It all worked out. Pretty much.

Jeff Bridges finally won an Oscar. “The Hurt Locker” beat “Avatar” for Best Picture. And Sandra Bullock actually made me want to see her performance in “The Blind Side.”

All in all, this year’s Academy Awards was one of the most satisfying Oscar ceremonies ever. The right people won (mostly) and the producers found interesting ways to present the less-than-star-studded categories (the video packages for the sound and short film categories were the most compelling B-roll of the night).

If only hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin  had brought the funny. I can’t really blame them completely; the material they were forced to present was some of the worst second-rate awards banter on record. I couldn’t believe the live audience was giving them so many pity laughs.

Too bad opening act Neil Patrick Harris couldn’t have stuck around for the entire ceremony. He was, as always, legendary.

Now the Best and Worst:

Best Speech: Sandra Bullock. Her Best Actress speech was humble and heartfelt. She’s quite something.

Worst Speech: Christoph Waltz. Dude, I loved you in “Inglourious Basterds,” but that was some cheesy acceptance speech.

Best Presenters: Tina Fey and Robert Downey Jr. Their banter was hilarious. Why couldn’t Tina sneak some material over to her “30 Rock” bud Alec Baldwin?

Worst Presenters: Taylor Lutner and Kristen Stewart. Terrible “Twilight” actors even stumbled through their canned teleprompter banter.

Most satisfying win (other than Jeff Bridges): Michael Giacchino for his magnificent orchestral work in “Up.” The composer was way overdue for this accolade.

Least deserved win: “Precious” for adapted screenplay. While I liked the performances in “Precious,” I didn’t think the script was all that special. I’d have preferred to see “Up in the Air” take home something.

Best montage: Tribute to John Hughes. Killer stuff. Close second: In Memoriam accompanied by beautiful rendition of “In My Life” from James Taylor.

Worst Montage: Tribute to horror films. Not that the clips were bad, but because it proved once again how limp the genre has now become. Half of the montage was comprised of scenes from “The Shining,” and almost nothing from the last 10 years… and no, “Twilight” doesn’t count.

Grumpiest attendee: Tie: James Cameron and George Clooney.

Most awkward moment: Sean Penn presenting the Best Actress category. Dude, what were you talking about?

Coolest attendee: Samuel L. Jackson, obviously. Runner-up: Colin Farrell’s accent.

For more thoughts on the Academy Awards visit MyHappyLists.com