The Oscars: Coverage Wrap Up

We take a look at the event that was the 75th Academy Awards, with loads of photos and two video clips of two particularly memorable speeches.

It's the biggest evening on the film calender! And Kikizo was placed in the most comfortable seat in the house... erm, a luxury sofa; with a bottle of champers to take us through the show.

Best Actor winner Adrien Brody (top), Catherine Zeta Jones and Queen Latifa (bottom) who both helped Chicago clean up.

In respect of the conflict in Iraq, Oscar night was met without the usual glitz, glamour or gossip this year as the annual film event took place in a sombre Hollywood. With the red carpet treatment scaled down to a minimum, both Academy host comedian, Steve Martin; and Oscar nominees and winners vocalised their feelings about the current war as the tightest of security was called in for the ceremony in case of terrorist attacks. The show went on however, with some surprises and upsets to the night's nominees.

Best Actor nominees: Jack Nicholson, Nicolas Cage,
Sir Michael Caine and Daniel Day-Lewis.

It was no surprise that Chicago stormed the event as 'Best Picture' despite being the only musical since Oliver to win the prestigious gong for over 35 years. The fab movie, which unravels around the stories of two femme fatales, also took home 'Best Supporting Actress', 'Best Costume', 'Best Sound', amongst others.

Best Actress winner Nicole Kidman, with nominees Renèe Zellweger, Julianne Moore and Salma Hayek.

Kikizo's other big predictions for The Pianist to steal the highly sought after 'Best Director' and 'Best Actor' Oscar came true as the awards went to the film's Roman Polanski and Adrien Brody. Although Polanski has been unable to attend the event due to past criminal accusations barring him to visit the states, Brody's heartfelt acceptance on his award was met with a standing ovation from the audience, who were clearly touched by his speech for a 'peaceful and swift resolution' to Iraq - see our video clip below.

Best Supporting Actor winner Chris Cooper, with fellow nominees Ed Harris, John C Reilly and Christopher Walken.

The recognition of Brody's portrayal of a Polish pianist during the holocaust meant that not only did he beat past Oscar nominees and winners in the actor category but it also marks him as the youngest actor ever to win the honour at 29.

Our tip for Nicole Kidman to win 'Best Actress' with her performance as Viginia Woolf in Stephen Daldry was dedicated to her mother and daughter as she beat fellow nominees Renee Zellwegger, Salma Hayek, Julianne Moore and Diane Lane. Dressed in a cross strapped black dress, Nicole was overjoyed and tearful at her achievement having been beaten at the Screen Actors Guild Awards; which are normally indicators of the Academy a week later.

There were plenty of beautiful celebs to keep things pretty, including Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts and J-Lo.

Other big winners for the night were Catherine Zeta Jones for 'Best Supporting Actress' in Chicago and Chris Cooper for his 'Best Supporting Actor' gong for Adaptation. Coming out on top on technicality achievements, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was winner of 'Best Visual Effects', Chicago won the award for 'Best Art Direction' and Road to Perdition stole the Oscar for 'Best Cinematography.'

Left: Steve Martin was the night's amusing host.
Right: Richard Gere listens to Brody's poignant speech.

Alarmingly, Frida took the award for best make up, thanks to Hayek's incredible unibrow. (Sarcasm off). With the only other film in that category being The Time Machine, and no sign at all of TTT, you have to question the Academy on that one, but then it's expected that next year's awards will be the year for Lord of the Rings.

Below you'll find two of the most entertaining acceptance speeches, along with the full list of the night's winners.

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THE OSCARS 2003: THE WINNERS

BEST DIRECTOR Roman Polanski (The Pianist) Also nominated: Stephen Daldry (The Hours) Rob Marshall (Chicago) Pedro Almodovar (Talk To Her) Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York) BEST PICTURE Chicago Also nominated: Gangs of New York The Hours The Pianist The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers BEST ACTOR Adrien Brody (The Pianist) Also nominated: Nicolas Cage (Adaptation) Sir Michael Caine (The Quiet American) Daniel Day-Lewis (Gangs of New York) Jack Nicholson (About Schmidt) BEST ACTRESS Nicole Kidman (The Hours) Also nominated: Salma Hayek (Frida) Diane Lane (Unfaithful) Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven) Renèe Zellweger (Chicago) BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Catherine Zeta Jones (Chicago) Also nominated: Kathy Bates (About Schmidt) Queen Latifah (Chicago) Julianne Moore (The Hours) Meryl Streep (Adaptation) BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Chris Cooper (Adaptation) Also nominated: Ed Harris (The Hours) Paul Newman (Road to Perdition) John C Reilly (Chicago) Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can) BEST MUSIC "Lose Yourself" by Eminem (8 Mile) Also nominated: Burn it Blue (Frida) Father and Daughter by Paul Simon (The Wild Thornberry's Movie) The Hands That Built America by U2 (Gangs of New York) I Move On (Chicago) BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The Pianist Also nominated: About a Boy Adaptation Chicago The Hours BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Pedro Almodovar - Talk to Her Also nominated: Far From Heaven Gangs of New York My Big Fat Greek Wedding Y tu Mama Tambien BEST ANIMATED FILM Spirited Away Also nominated: Ice Age Lilo & Stitch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Treasure Planet BEST VISUAL EFFECTS The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Also nominated: Spider-Man Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones BEST ART DIRECTION Chicago Also nominated: Frida Gangs of New York The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Road To Perdition

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM The Chubbchubbs! Also nominated: The Cathedral Das Rad Mike's New Car Mt Head BEST SHORT FILM This Charming Man (Der er en Yndig Mand) Also nominated: Fait D'Hiver I'll Wait for the Next One Inja (Dog) Johnny Flynton BEST COSTUME DESIGN Chicago Also nominated: Frida Gangs of New York The Hours The Pianist BEST MAKEUP Frida Also nominated: The Time Machine BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Frida (Elliot Goldenthal) Also nominated: Catch Me If You Can (John Williams) Far From Heaven (Elmer Bernstein) The Hours (Philip Glass) Road to Perdition (Thomas Newman) BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Nowhere in Africa (Germany) Also nominated: El Crimen del Padre Almaro (Mexico) Hero (China) The Man Without a Past (Finland) Zus & Zo (The Netherlands) BEST SOUND Chicago Also nominated: Gangs of New York The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Road to Perdition Spider-Man SOUND EDITING The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Also nominated: Minority Report Road to Perdition BEST DOCUMENTARY Bowling For Columbine Also nominated: Daughter From Danang Prisoner of Paradise Spellbound Winged Migration BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT Twin Towers Also nominated: The Collector of Bedford Street Mighty Times: The Legend of Rosa Parks Why Can't We Be a Family Again? BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Conrad L Hall for Road to Perdition Also nominated: Chicago Far From Heaven Gangs Of New York The Pianist Best editing Chicago Also nominated: Gangs of New York The Hours The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Pianist