'Million Dollar Baby' Dominates Oscars

Clint Eastwood wins the best director award, while Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman also pick up Oscars for the movie.

Feb 28 2005

'Million Dollar Baby' floored 'The Aviator' at last night's Oscars, winning four of the major awards, including best picture, best actress (Hilary Swank) and best supporting actor (Morgan Freeman).

Clint Eastwood's victory in the best director category also dealt a knock-out blow to Martin Scorsese's hopes of winning the award, meaning that yet again Marty comes away from the ceremony empty-handed.

It was also a bad year for the Brits, with acting nominees Imelda Staunton, Kate Winslet, Sophie Okonedo and Clive Owen all failing to win awards.

Indeed it was left to Sandy Powell and Andrea Arnold to keep the British end up with wins in the best costume design ('The Aviator') and best short film ('Wasp') respectively.

As for the other major awards, Jamie Foxx won best actor as expected for his amazing performance in 'Ray' while Cate Blanchett was named best supporting actress for 'The Aviator'.

Best original screenplay went to Charlie Kaufman for his phenomenal 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' script while Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor won best adapted screenplay for 'Sideways'.

Elsewhere 'Spider-Man 2', 'Finding Neverland', 'The Motorcycle Diaries', 'The Incredibles' and 'The Sea Inside' all won awards.

And, in Chris Rock, it seems that the Academy may just have found a host capable of taking over Billy Crystal's mantle - his mix of controversial gags and witty asides proving a hit throughout the night.

Full list of winners:

Best Picture: 'Million Dollar Baby'

Best Director: Clint Eastwood ('Million Dollar Baby')

Best Actor: Jamie Foxx ('Ray')

Best Actress: Hilary Swank ('Million Dollar Baby')

Best Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman ('Million Dollar Baby')

Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett ('The Aviator')

Best Original Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind')

Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor ('Sideways')

Best Animated Film: 'The Incredibles'

Best Foreign Language Film: 'The Sea Inside'

Best Documentary Feature: 'Born Into Brothels'

Best Cinematography: 'The Aviator'

Best Editing: 'The Aviator'

Best Art Direction: 'The Aviator'

Best Costume Design: 'The Aviator'

Best Makeup: 'Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events'

Best Visual Effects: 'Spider-Man 2'

Best Sound Mixing: 'Ray'

Best Sound Editing: 'The Incredibles'

Best Original Score: 'Finding Neverland'

Best Song: 'Al Otro Lado Del Rio' 'The Motorcycle Diaries'

Best Live Action Short: 'Wasp'

Best Animated Short: 'Ryan'

Best Documentary Short: 'Mighty Times: The Children's March'

Honorary Oscar: Sidney Lumet

• 
•