An incredible performance in an unusually strong category, Tilda Swinton's interpretation of a corporate lawyer on the verge of total emotional collapse in "Michael Clayton" was devastating. At the same time, had Cate Blanchett or Amy Ryan walked away with the award it would have been equally deserved.

Art direction: "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

The stunning art direction was the best thing about "Sweeney Todd"; moody, atmospheric and gorgeous.

Supporting actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"

Nobody is scarier than Bardem in a pageboy. And the chilling deadpan was impressive too. At the same time the character of Anton Chigurh was as opaque and inscrutable as they come. How the performance stacked up to Tom Wilkinson's operatic meltdown in "Michael Clayton" or Philip Seymour Hoffman's righteous diplomat in "Charlie Wilson's War" is open to discussion.

Makeup: "La Vie en Rose"

Anyone who could make the lovely Marion Cotillard look like a mummified monkey absolutely deserved to win.

Best costume design: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

Considering that "Elizabeth" felt like an excuse to put amazing costumes on display, Alexandra Byrne's win makes perfect sense and is well deserved. As fetching as Keira Knightly was in wringing wet gossamer, nothing compared to the sight of the Virgin Queen slowly spinning on a Lazy Susan wearing about a hundred pounds of silk with twin butterfly nets rising from her shoulders.

Animated feature: "Ratatouille"

If it had been up for best picture, it would have given the other nominees a run for their money. Beautiful visuals and some of the best writing of the year, "Ratatouille" was in a class by itself.