Oscar pool results: I got 13 correct this year, good enough to win, or at least tie for the win, in three different pools. The key to my success: The Chubbchubbs! Remember, always vote for the animated short with the funniest name. It's not a foolproof method, but it works more often than not.

I was surprised by the strong showing by The Pianist, but also a bit baffled. How can a movie have the best director, best screenplay and best actor and not also be the best picture? I guess Polanski regrets cutting those musical numbers now.

Other Oscar notes: Steve Martin was funny for the most part. Funnier than Peter Jennings anyway. Those war cutaways were a bad idea, a half-assed compromise that only served to make the proceedings look even tackier than they already did. As for Michael Moore's speech, well, it went over better when he made it almost exactly word-for-word the day before at the Independent Spirit Awards. I'm sure George W. was properly chastened.