Old guard reigns at Oscars bash

THESE were supposed to be the younger, hipper Academy Awards, the ones that shook up the ceremony’s conventions with popular, great-looking masters of ceremonies in actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway, who were unlike the middle-aged comedians and TV talk-show hosts of years past.

But the results couldn’t have been more traditional, with The King’s Speech — a prestigious, impeccably made historical film that cries out “Oscar” with every fibre in its being — winning best picture and three other prizes over more daring, contemporary contenders like The Social Network and Black Swan.

They also couldn’t have been more predictable. Front-runners in other major categories throughout this long and repetitive awards season also took home trophies from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on Sunday night: Best Actor, Colin Firth for The King’s Speech, Best Actress Natalie Portman for Black Swan, and Supporting Actors Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, both for The Fighter.