I loved how he half-way attempted to give thanks in character. Kind of. I mean, he referred to people by character names. Kinda funny.

I disagree. When an actor is nominated for a role where they have shown they not only excel at their craft, but possess other talents as well, I think they should win the award. And yes, I thought Joaquin Phoenix should have won over Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Nicole Kidman over Halle Berry. These actors performed using their own vocals for the parts they were nominated for, ( Phoenix learned guitar as well) and did so extremely well. They stepped outside what was comfortable to them, and went beyond what was expected of them as actors. They should be recognized accordingly.

I disagree. When an actor is nominated for a role where they have shown they not only excel at their craft, but possess other talents as well, I think they should win the award. And yes, I thought Joaquin Phoenix should have won over Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Nicole Kidman over Halle Berry. These actors performed using their own vocals for the parts they were nominated for, ( Phoenix learned guitar as well) and did so extremely well. They stepped outside what was comfortable to them, and went beyond what was expected of them as actors. They should be recognized accordingly.

I say Viggo should have won the award.

I don't understand why everyone thinks Daniel Day Lewis' performance was the best. I like him, don't get me wrong. He's a great actor, but I felt like Daniel Plainview was basically a repeat of Bill the Butcher, just in a different time and place. I even felt it was a bit over the top at times. Viggo Mortensen's performance in "Eastern Promises" was like nothing he'd ever done before, as most of his roles are, and he nailed it. Viggo brought Nikolai vividly to life and he didn't even have to raise his voice. He conveyed it all through facial expressions, body language, posture, and a low, even tone of voice that brimmed with intensity. He was mesmerizing, chilling, charismatic, and dangerous. You didn't know whether to be drawn to him or run in the opposite direction. His performance was sheer brilliance: masterful, subtle, understated and powerful. He consistently turns in stellar performance after stellar performance and is one of the most versatile actors in the business. He has an emotional range almost unheard of among his peers. He constantly challenges himself and so completely immerses himself in his characters that Viggo disappears. And when you watch him, you never say, "Hey, didn't he play that same basic role in some other movie?" That is the mark of a truly excellent actor. One that should be rewarded for his talent.

i saw agree latter post,wih all due respect to Daniel D lewis, i think the oscar should have gone to Viggo Mortensen whose powerful performance was terribly overlooked at last night's academy awards. Daniel D LEWIS, i mean great actor bu Viggo deserved to win more than any actor in this category, and what the hell is johnny depp and tommy lee jones doing in this caegory ??? i just thought Johnny 's performance in ST was laughable especially the oscar clip of his performance the " i will have vengeance" sequence, and Tommy lee jones looked tired and bitter in "in the valley of ellah". George clooney was good but no as great as Viggo. in the other acting caegories, i just couldn't agree more with the academy : Marion cotillard is the most deserving actress this year and thank God old witch Julie Christie didn't win because she was too overrated !! Javier Bardem : great performance Tilda Swinton : my favourite and she totally deserves it . Diablo Cody : good for you No country for old men : no comment from a young man

Daniel Day Lewis has always been a powerful actor. He is the kind that can play roles from dramatic novels adapted into films, single character study, an exalted obsessive characterisation like in My Left Foot as well as heroes and villains with equal aplomb. Of all the actors that are nominated this year, Viggo Mortenson's performance although great, I find too stylized. This may work in the past decades right up to early 70's as in Marlon Brando's acting in the Godfather, but it is out of fashion now. Only Al Pacino managed to pull it off in the 90's by winning because of his loss of the Oscar in the 70's.

I have always liked Daniel Day Lewis' talent as an actor, but I just thaught that Johnny Depp deserves his win finally, he has been nominated several times, but never won, except for a Golden Globe, that is a great achievement, but it is just better to have that Oscar under your belt, I will always like Daniel Day Lewis as an actor he is still one of my favorites, but I just like Johnny Depp better, but you can't win them all I guess, I'm sure his turn will come at the 2009 Oscars, that is my prediction, Johnny Depp 2009 Oscar Winner for best Actor.

That wasn't funny goldenboymannie. Your past comedy bits have been funny but not this one! I especially like the routine you did last week claiming to be the buffoon with the countries lowest intelligence quotient. Now that was good material!

Who's with you? No one - except the requisite yahoos. Contact that Reverend Sheldon dude in Kansas, your spiritual leader. I'm sure DDL is heartsick that you've lost respect for him ... your respect is undoubtedly a treasure.