By Chris Cosci

There was something missing from this year's Academy Awards ceremony. Suspense. Interest. Surprise. Okay, so maybe there was a lot missing from this year's ceremony.

By the time the Lord of the Rings won its sixth or seventh award, it was clear that nothing else was going to be allowed to win. Even jokes by Billy Crystal, Charlize Theron, and the Best Foreign Film winner (who wittily remarked that she was glad Lord of the Rings didn't qualify for her category) couldn't prevent the movie's dominance from casting a predictable, tedious cloud over the event.

Don't get me wrong; I think the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy certainly deserved a lot of recognition. But giving it every single award it was up for felt like overkill. It just seemed like the Academy checked off Lord of the Rings for everything without even thinking. I'm sure there are people who could tell you how other films were equally deserving, or even more deserving, of winning such awards as Best Costume Design or Best Film Editing.

Personally, I think Best Song was its most gratuitous award. The song was one of three languid nominees that were performed back to back during the show -- a sure cure for insomnia. While the song certainly has a sense of beauty, there were two other nominees that were overshadowed by the Lord of the Rings storm.

First was the sweet folk ballad from A Mighty Wind (brilliantly performed in character by Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara). And second was the lively, vaudeville-style number from a French film called "The Triplets of Belleville." This performance was easily the most ebullient, vibrant moment of the whole show. With a kicky horn section, bright outfits, and even a man playing a bicycle, it was impossible not to enjoy.

Still, all five Best Song nominees continued a growing trend with the Academy. Who has ever heard these songs? Early winners have become standards today, such as "Mona Lisa," and "Moon River." The 70s and 80s gave us popular hits like "Last Dance" and "I Just Called to Say I Love You." And Disney has provided us with classics going back to "When You Wish Upon a Star." But will anybody remember any of this year's nominees by even next year? I doubt it.

Overall, the show's three and a half hour length felt dragged out due to the pure lack of genuine excitement. Still, including the two aforementioned musical numbers, there were many highlights that kept the show from being too mind-numbing.

Billy Crystal's return as host is always welcome. Crystal is a seasoned veteran who shows up with his usual bag of tricks. Again, he inserted himself digitally into the nominated films. Again, he did his song-and-dance routine for the nominated films. Again, he used his "what are the stars thinking" routine, where he provides voice-over thoughts for members of the audience. And you know what? It all still works.

Some of the presenters also offered up a few memorable moments. Adrian Brody played up last year's infamous kiss with Halle Berry by spritzing some breath spray before announcing the Best Actress winner. This year he was awarded with a kiss from winner Charlize Theron. How does he do it?

Jack Black and Will Ferrell easily had the funniest moment of the night with a laugh-out-loud ode to long-winded acceptance speeches, sung to the tune of the orchestra cue for lengthy speakers. And Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller were amusing, with a tuxedo-clad Wilson breaking his pact with Stiller, who presented in his "Starsky and Hutch" outfit. Is it me, or did Owen Wilson's spot-on delivery make you wonder if the wrong half of that duo is receiving the greater attention?

And of course, what Oscar night goes by without talking about fashion? This year, people brought color back to the red carpet. Jennifer Garner looked incredible in orange. Shoreh Aghdashloo was beautiful in red. And Scarlett Johansson looked very classy in blue. They finally made it feel like a party again.

At the end of the evening, still riffing on the thanks given to all New Zealanders, Billy Crystal gave thanks to everyone on Long Island. And this Long Islander, after enduring the entire show, says thank you Billy, for doing your best to make the show bearable.