79th Annual Academy Awards

Beyoncé Knowles waves as she makes her way down the red carpet.  (Beatrice de Gea / LAT)

Fans lucky enough to get the coveted seats in the bleachers next to the Kodak Theatre, document their day close to the stars.  (Damon Winter / LAT)

Jennifer Lopez, with husband Marc Anthony, goes for the classic look - as in Greek classic.  (Beatrice de Gea / LAT)

Playing to the cameras is Doug Jones, who played two key roles in “Pan’s Labyrinth.”  (Bryan Chan / LAT)

Portia de Rossi strike a pose on the red carpet.  (Damon Winter / LAT)

Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in the 2006 musical “Dreamgirls, “ blows a kiss to photographers.  (Damon Winter / LAT)

79th Annual Academy Awards host Ellen DeGeneres kept the evening’s focus on Hollywood and away from the easy Britney/Anna Nicole type of tabloid targets.  (Al Seib / LAT)

Steven Spielberg snaps a photo of Clint Eastwood with DeGeneres, who said drolly that she wanted it to post on MySpace. Beyoncé Knowles turns to watch.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

“Dreamgirls” cast members Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, and Anika Noni Rose perform during the show.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Oscar statues get a last minute rub down backstage before being handed out to winners.  (Al Seib / LAT)

An Oscar handler waits for her queue while holding on to two of the coveted awards.  (Al Seib / LAT)

Ex-Vice President Al Gore holds the Oscar awarded to “An Inconvenient Truth” for best documentary feature.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Jack Black, John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell perform a comedy skit during the show.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

AMONG FILM GIANTS: Martin Scorsese, center, gets a congratulatory hug from Jack Nicholson backstage at the Kodak Theatre, in the company of Francis Ford Coppola, left, and Steven Spielberg.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

George Clooney with an Oscar Ballot backstage at the 79th Annual Academy Awards.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Martin Scorsese views the audience after his big win for best director at the 79th Annual Academy Awards.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Martin Scorsese, is hugged by Jack Nicholson, as Francis Ford Coppola, left, and Steven Spielberg, right, look on back stage during the 79th Annual Academy Awards.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

ROYAL TRIBUTE: In her acceptance speech, Helen Mirren saluted the queen.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Helen Mirren accepts the Oscar for Best Actress in her role in “The Queen,” during the 79th Annual Academy Awards.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

another view as the helimg quartet of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola celbrate Scorses’s win.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola backstage at the Oscars.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Helen Mirren on stage after receiving her best actress Oscar for her role in “The Queen.”  (Al Seib / LAT)

A smiling Martin Scorsese backstage after winning in the Best Director category for “The Departed.”  (Al Seib / LAT)

Helen Mirren, who won best actress for her role in “The Queen,” is congratulated by Leonardo DiCaprio, a star of “The Departed,” shortly after the conclusion of the 79th Annual Academy Awards show.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Clive Owen chat backstage at the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / LAT)

Al Gore and Melissa Etheridge who won an Oscar for Best Original Song, “I Need to Wake Up,” for “An Inconvenient Truth” mingle during the Governors Ball following the Oscars.  (Myung Chin / LAT)

Helen Mirren poses with her best actress Oscar at the Governors Ball.  (Myung Chin / LAT)