Helen Mirren is one sexy, classy dame

There were a lot of fashionably dressed women at last night's 83rd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony, but one of the most fashionable -- and elegant -- had to be Dame Helen Mirren.

I hope I look half as good at 65. Heck, I wish I looked that good now!

And not only is Helen Mirren a knockout on the red carpet (as well as in a bikini), she's a darn fine Academy Award presenter and actress too. (I just loved her in Red and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. And I heard she does a mean Queen Elizabeth -- I and II.)

Btw, I know I am in the minority here (big time), but I thought James Franco and Anne Hathaway (loved her outfits -- but EIGHT changes?! Geez) did OK last night, though I agree with my friend, M., that Billy Crystal stole the show. Here's hoping Billy Crystal will consider hosting again next year. Otherwise, I say give Alec Baldwin another chance.

Oscar Preview (Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin to host!)

For those who haven't yet heard, the producers of this year's Academy Awards (aka the Oscars) have tapped actor/comedians Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin (who co-star in the upcoming flick It's Complicated) to co-host the 82nd Academy Awards, which air on March 7, 2010.

I think the Martin-Baldwin pairing is inspired, and has great comedic potential. Though I have to admit, I'm a little bit worried that Alec Baldwin is an alien and is just using the Academy Awards, which will be beamed to millions of homes around the world, as a way to further soften our brains.



And what better way to further soften our brains than with banjo music? Even better, Steve Martin playing all of this year's Academy Award-nominated songs on the banjo (preferably with Muppets).



GENIUS. Evil genius. But still genius.

UPDATED: H/T to friend of the blog AVW for reminding me of this classic Steve Martin SNL sketch. I am actually not a big fan of the Oscars, but I would watch -- even pay money to watch -- the Academy Awards just to see Martin and Baldwin (filling in for Dan Aykroyd) as those two wild and crazy guys, the Festrunk Brothers: