WILL THE OSCAR GO TO WINSLET OR WHITAKER?

Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren took home best leading role Oscars.

There was no business like show business at the 79th Annual Academy Awards. First time host Ellen Degeneres fulfilled her childhood dream of hosting the Academy Awards celebrating 177 international and diverse nominees reminding everyone it was their make it or break it evening in her own relaxed comedic style.

Helen Mirren won the queen of all awards, best leading actress Oscar for portraying Elizabeth Windsor. Mirren, whose success didn’t peak until the ripe age of 40 shared her gold star with her fellow nominees and Her Majesty, The Queen of England.

“Now you know for 50 years and more Elizabeth Windsor has maintained her dignity, her sense of duty and her hairstyle. She’s had her feet planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head, her handbag on her arm and she’s weathered many, many storms. And I salute her courage and her consistency and I thank her because if it wasn’t for her I most certainly would not be here. Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Queen.”

Best leading actor Oscar went to Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland who came prepared with a moving acceptance speech reflecting on his humble beginnings.

“When I was a kid the only way I saw movies was from the back seat of my family’s car at the drive-in. It wasn’t my reality to think I would be acting in movies. So receiving this honor tonight tells me it’s possible. It is possible for a kid from East Texas raised in the South Central L.A. and Carson who believes in these dreams, commits himself to them with his heart; to touch them and to have them happen because when I first started acting it was because of my desire to connect to everyone.”

The Oscars went green as many celebrities arrived to the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles eco-friendly style driving hybrids instead of gas guzzling limos and global warming cheerleader Blood Diamond nominee for best actor Leonardo DiCaprio gave a special tribute to Al Gore.