The "Superbowl" of Hollywood

*UPDATED: This story has been updated with new or revised information.

And so another Oscar show has come to pass and we are left feeling much better than we did last year. Billy Crystal returned and brought back all the oldies that are still goodies. The night was really a tribute to the Oscar tradition and Old Hollywood, although many are grumbling about the Academy being a bit too old and out of touch.

One curious observation, why does a notoriously long awards show start a half hour later than all the other awards shows at 8:30?

At least the fashion was a mixed bag last night so let's recap!

As it has been on the runways, white was the big staple of the night. The labor day rule is definitely no more. Milla Jovovich was gorgeous in a sleek and structured one shoulder white Elie Saab couture with Jacob & Co jewelry. It looked as if it could have stood up on its own. Octavia Spencer was picture perfect in her trusty go to designer, Tadashi Shoji. At first glance it looked like a light lavender, but it must have been the heavy beading on the white gown that threw us off. Another white hot stand out was Li Bingbing in George Chakra Couture and Cindy Chao. Gwyneth Paltrow arrived in a simple Tom Ford dress with stiff cap sleeves that supported an awesome (yet unnecessary) cape. The cape dress has been a popular look lately and Paltrow took it literally this time. The look was solely for her to pull off, so please do not attempt at home. She accessorized with a Hearts of Winter cuff bracelet made of 2,368 rose-cut, round brilliant diamonds weighing 163 carats and valued at $1 million; and the double hoop Duchess Hibiscus Ring made of rose cut and round diamonds with purple sapphires set in 18-karat white gold and valued at $160,000. All by Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie.

Not all the white choices were a slam dunk. Shailene Woodley was ready for her flower power wedding in vintage Valentino. It was a love it or hate it dress and we can certainly appreciate it, but she needs to be a bit older for that look to work. Rooney Mara in droopy Givenchy. The dress is undoubtedly beautiful, but it seems to be the general consensus over the Internet that she could and should have found a last minute tailor for her last minute dress choice. She's been wearing Givenchy a lot on the red carpet so it seems they should have had a dress that was already fit to her.

Red and its associated shades were abundant as well. Emma Stone wore a fuchsia Giambattista Valli that looked very comfortable on her yet was nothing new. This particular design has already been seen on the red carpet so it didn't really wow. The color was great, although on camera it looked more tomato red. Natalie Portman was glamorous and cute at the same time in a strapless vintage Christian Dior Courture from 1954. It had polka dots people. She was one of the few that wore a necklace. Michelle Williams was also very cute, as only she can be, in a bright coral Louie Vuitton that was tiered with ruffles and a full skirted peplum design. The peplum look has usually been poofy and short like Tina Fey's Carolina Herrara, but William's peplum was its own dress last night and the dress fit was impeccable. Thankfully she left her headband at home. Jane Seymour was bright and shiny in a fire engine red Pamela Rolland reminiscent of Penelope Cruz at last year's Oscar. Best Supporting Actress nominee Janet McTeer was safe in a solid red dress. Colin Firth's wife Livia Giuggoli, who is known for her environmentally conscious fashion choices via the Green Carpet Challenge, was all in red with a dress we will assume was made from recycled diet coke cans. *Livia Giuggoli's dress was another Green Carpet Challenge dress made by the team from Valentino. Her GCC also helped Meryl Streep and three leading men in dressing in eco friendly materials.

When in doubt, be shiny. Meryl Streep was consistent to her style in a wrap style dress by Lanvin in a very foreshadowing color of gold. *Her dress was made from Eco Certified Fabric with help from the GCC. Stacy Keibler matched the old Hollywood style that her boyfriend George Clooney is known for in a bronze Marchesa gown with rusching at the hip that turned into a rose. Very classy with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Rose Byrne was sleek and elegant in an one shouldered black sequined Vivienne Westwood with Chanel jewelry. This girl really likes sequins. She and Taylor Swift should hang out. Her fellow bridesmaid, Ellie Kempner was a surprise knockout in a sparkly sandstone colored strapless Armani Prive with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. It does remind us of the pink beaded Armani Prive Claire Danes wore to the 2010 Emmys. Both stunning dresses. Jennifer Lopez was guiding the Three Wise Men with her star burst lined Zuhair Murad. The dress could have done without the sleeves. Apparently she had a partial nip slip while on stage, but it's so speculative that it doesn't matter.

Viola Davis was luminous in green. Those big green emerald drop earrings were amazing. The color just looks great on her, but her fitted Vera Wang dress was lacking. The skirt was one part ruffles and one part pleated. The dress was not worthy of such a deserving best actress. Another great pair of green emerald drops were worn by Berenice Bejo in a light mint beaded dress by Elie Saab. The tricky issue with sleeves is that you risk looking dowdy. Bejo certainly wasn't dowdy, but she could have picked a better dress. Glenn Close wore dark green Zac Posen, customized right down to her favorite blazer look.

There were lots of nude tones last night. Nude can work on a red carpet as long as it sparkles. Kristen Wiig in J. Mendel was wearing nude again and again it was very bland. Melissa McCarthy wore pink custom made Marina Rinaldi with Brian Atwood shoes and accessories because they are high school besties. Who knew? She matched it all with pink diamonds and pink tourmaline from Chopard. Cameron Diaz in Gucci with a shredded train. Is it just us or did it seem a bit tight? None of that really matters with that million dollar Tiffany necklace. Who is this Louis Roe? Whoever she is, her nude Black Halo dress looked great on her and was an interesting choice.

Jessica Chastain, the hardest working woman in show business, was a winner in black and gold embellished Alexander McQueen with Harry Winston jewels. We're always happy when someone wears McQueen on the red carpet.

Who would have thought Angelina Jolie and her right leg, in a black velvet strapless structured Atelier Versace gown, would get laughs?

Everyone was raving about Busy Phillips' Irene Neuwirth earrings. They were certainly the largest of the bunch.

Honorable Color Mentions:

Maya Rudolph in purple Johanna Johnson over lots of shape wear.

Amy Mumolo completely outshining friend and co-nominee Kristen Wiig in a blue Pamela Rolland.
Missi Pyle looking lovely in a light blue gown and Leslie Mann in dark blue Roberto Cavalli.

Sandra Bullock looked very comfortable in black and white Marchesa, although the loose top seemed like a wrong choice to most.

Penelope Cruz in a gray blue Armani Prive that had a full princess skirt. It was old school but almost in a bad way.

Notable MENtions:

Christopher Plummer is timeless in a navy velvet jacket.

Zach Galifiniakis looking rather dapper with his beard mostly gone.

Bradley Cooper grew a creepy mustache, hopefully it was grown for a role.

*Kenneth Branagh and Demian Bichir were both wearing tuxedos by Ermenegildo Zegna made from eco-friendly fabrics. Both with help from the GCC. Colin Firth was also contributing to the Green Carpet Challenge by wearing the same Tom Ford tux he wore to last years Oscars.

Why?

Judy Greer in a racer track Monique Lhullier dress. Just odd.

Melissa Leo. This was much better than last year, but still bizarre.

Show highlights:

-The show was introduced by Morgan Freeman. There's nothing that man can't make look important.

-Billy Crystal as Tin Tin. Just the sight is laughable.

-Carl the seat filler with that powder blue tux that he must have been wearing since 1959.

-Classic Movie Montage:
Wow Brad Pitt was really good looking in Legend of the Falls. Of course his name is synonymous with handsomeness, but it's been awhile since we've seen him as 'Mm mmm' good looking.

-Nick Nolte claps like Frankenstein.

-Sheila E. is playing at the Oscars with Pharell in a theater box. Interesting choice.

-Robert Downey Jr. tebowing in the wings. His and Gwyneth Paltrow's presenting bit actually worked really well. So many presenting banter bits fall flat, but they both committed appropriately.

-Emma Stone, also refreshingly funny as a presenter. Let's be friends.

-Music segment - Wow, what a backdrop. Thankfully its just a projection. And why are there only 2 nominees?

-Angelina Jolie presenting. All I can see is a leg and a pair of really skinny arms.

-Best Adapted Screenplay winner Jim Rash! Dean Pelton is an Oscar winner!

-Scorsese! (drink)

-Good to see Michael Douglas back presenting Best Director.

-In memoriam section quite late in the show. Oooh so this is why Esperanza Spalding is there. Lovely voice but we need to stop having singers accompany a montage of the deceased.

-Silent Clap for Jean Dujardin and his tap dance.

-Meryl Streep, it's been awhile. But Viola Davis, really deserves one too. (who's that guy screaming "Yeah!"?)

-The Artist wins Best Picture, but please Hollywood, do not ever remake it with some young American teeny bopper cast.

This was by far a better Oscars than in recent years, since Hugh Jackman successfully translated his Tony's hosting gig into Oscar gold in 2009.

Who were your favorites last night?