The Academy Awards

The bragging rights from the 79th annual Academy Awards went to "The Departed," the bloody saga of Boston cops and gangsters that won best picture, director, adapted screenplay and editing. But the top half-dozen awards -- picture, director, and the four actors -- were split five ways, and 16 films took home at least one prize.

As predicted, 64-year-old director Martin Scorsese won his first prize in eight tries for "The Departed." Helen Mirren, 61, and Forest Whitaker, 45, were top actors for "The Queen" and "The Last King of Scotland." Alan Arkin of "Little Miss Sunshine," who'll turn 73 in March, surprised Eddie Murphy to win supporting actor. The lone youngster was 25-year-old Jennifer Hudson of "Dreamgirls," the supporting actress. (Her jaw-dropped surprise at winning was one of the few spontaneous moments, along with Whitaker's comments about ancestors who inspired him.)

Seeing the world pass by onstage was the only satisfying thing about this show, which was the dullest Oscar night in years.

The 79th annual ceremony opened with an unfunny montage of unidentified people explaining why they'd been nominated or telling pointless things about themselves. Host Ellen DeGeneres followed with a rambling monologue about her girlhood dream of hosting the Oscars. Eventually, she sent a gospel choir dancing through the audience, celebrating the nominees.

Will Ferrell turned up in an Afro-ish wig to croon, "A comedian at the Oscars -- it's the saddest thing around," then joined Jack Black and John C. Reilly in a clunky trio, vowing to make serious, award-grabbing films. Jerry Seinfeld, perhaps angling for his own stint as host, turned his best documentary presentation into a stand-up routine about garbage (the literal kind) in theaters.

Modern dancers from Pilobolus rolled into formations to identify nominees, including the penguins of "Happy Feet" and a trident-heeled shoe for "The Devil Wears Prada." The only clever set-up came when Al Gore, whose "An Inconvenient Truth" won best documentary, was "played off" by the orchestra as he pretended to announce his 2008 presidential candidacy.

The night held fewer foregone conclusions than expected. Mexico's "Pan's Labyrinth" won cinematography, art direction and makeup, but it was upset for foreign film by Germany's "The Lives of Others". The dancing penguins of "Happy Feet" tapped over the bodies of "Cars" to win animated film.

Both music awards were startling: Melissa Etheridge won best song for "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth," shutting out three front-runners from "Dreamgirls." And Argentinian composer Gustavo Santaolalla became a back-to-back winner with "Babel," following "Brokeback Mountain."

And the Winners Are ...

Some Oscar winners from Sunday night.

Best Picture: "The Departed"

Best Actor: Forrest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"

Best Actress: Helen Mirren, "The Queen"

Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"

Best Director: Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"

Adapted Screenplay: William Monahan, "The Departed"

Original Screenplay: Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Original Song: "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth," Melissa Etheridge

Documentary Feature: "An Inconvenient Truth"