'Hurt Locker' Sweeps Oscars

The Hurt Locker scored an amazing upset against the heavily favored Avatar at Sunday’s 82nd annual Academy Awards. The Hurt Locker, the gritty Iraq War drama about an Army bomb disposal squad, won best picture and its director Kathryn Bigelow, 53, pictured, became the first woman ever to win the best director honor. Bigelow’s ex husband Avatar director James Cameron was shut out in all the major categories but Avatar managed to win three of the smaller awards. Though Avatar, which has earned nearly $2.6 billion worldwide to date, is the highest-grossing film ever, Hurt Locker has brought in a mere $21.3 million to date.

Jeff Bridges won best actor for his portrayal of an alcoholic country crooner in Crazy Heart. Sandra Bullock won best actress for portraying a nurturing mom in the football drama The Blind Side. "Did I really earn this or did I really just wear you down?" Bullock joked to the audience of millions. Comedian Mo’Nique won the best-supporting-actress Oscar for her dramatic role in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for his work in Quentin Tarantino‘s Inglourious Basterds.