The 9 women who made the Oscars (somewhat) watchable

Anna Kendrick

In what could have easily been a replay of Rob Lowe and Snow White’s 1989 Oscar debacle, Anna Kendrick, dressed in full princess regalia, joined Neil Patrick Harris onstage during his opening musical number. But when she spoiled the ending of Gone Girl and whipped her Cinderella shoe at Jack Black she stole our hearts. As did her tweet from backstage: “We did it!!! Now it’s time for some brown liquor.”

Photo, Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images.

Patricia Arquette

For her Best Actress in a Supporting Role acceptance speech, Patricia Arquette donned on her reading glasses, thanked her kids, her exes who gave her said kids and her favourite painter Eric White (who is also her boyfriend). She also used the words “ecological sanitation” on the Oscar stage. All this before she brought the house down with her call to “wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America.” Meryl Streep led the rousing ovation.

 Photo, Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Laura Poitras

While she didn't bring Meryl Streep to her feet, best documentary winner Laura Poitras (Citizenfour) made one of the most poignant political speeches of the night. "When the most important decisions being made affecting all of us are made in secret, we lose our ability to check the powers that control. Thank you to Edward Snowden for his courage and for the many other whistleblowers.” 

Photo, Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Tegan and Sara

Bringing goth and menswear to the red carpet, Canadian twin rockers Tegan and Sara impressed style web site Refinery 29, who asked whether they were the evening’s best-dressed duo. They certainly were responsible for the night’s one true party moment, performing “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie, alongside Lonley Island, Questlove, Will Arnett as Batman and other awesome Lego stuff. Even Oprah loved it. 

Photo, Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer had the hardest job of the night — playing along with a boring and bordering-on-offensive stunt by Neil Patrick Harris. The host asked The Help actress to watch a locked box on the stage, and told her not to get up, even to the go the bathroom. She remained good-natured during the many awkward exchanges. But comedian Samantha Bee took to Twitter on her behalf: "OCTAVIA SPENCER DOES NOT WANT TO WATCH YOUR BOX."

Photo, Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images.

Julianne Moore

After four nominations, it was Julianne Moore's turn. Her husband Bart Freundlich gallantly escorted her to the stage, where she spoke with grace about her fellow Best Actress nominees and was able to shine a light on both ALS and Alzheimer's disease during her speech. When she left the stage tête-à-tête with Matthew McConaughey, we were left wanting more.

Photo, Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images.

Lady Gaga

Gone was the meat dress and the avant-garde performance art. At this year's Oscars, a very lady-like Lady Gaga channelled Julie Andrews and did a pretty wicked job of it. Singing a medley from the 50-year-old Sound of Music, the she proved she's got the chops to make it without any gimmicks.

Photo, Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Joan Rivers

No, you didn't miss the tribute to Joan Rivers during the "In Memoriam" section of the show. There wasn't one. Despit a film career and over 20 years on the Academy Awards red carpet, the legendary comedian didn't make cut. Oscar, can we talk?  

Joan Rivers attending the 79th Annual Academy Awards. Photo, Steve Granitz/WireImage.

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