Last night’s Academy Awards festivity was the year’s most anticipated nights of the year. It celebrated the best cinema moments and it will be talked about for many weeks to come. From what we saw it was a total success not only because it awarded amazing movies but also that it was hosted by the talented, hilarious Ellen DeGeneres who managed to make it up for last year’s awkward Seth McFarlane’s jokes. Some of the predictions about 2014 Oscar winners we’ve made came true and we’re really glad. But there were also unexpected surprises. Let’s take a look at 10 important moments at the Oscars 2014.

1. Best Movie – 12 Years a Slave

This one was no surprise for anyone. Directed by Steve McQueen, the movie portrays the pre-Civil War American slavery and is based on Solomon Northup’s memoir about a free man who is sold as a slave in Louisiana. The movie won two other Oscars for best supporting actress, the talented new face Lupita Nyong’o and for best adapted screenplay. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, you should. It’s a powerful and humane story.

2. Best Actor – Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey is our new favorite actor. He is brilliant in True Detective and he did an amazing job portraying a homophobic rodeo lover who gets AIDS and ends up saving a lot of people suffering from the same disease by providing them the necessary drug treatments. It’s a deeply emotional story about the power of survival.

3. Best Actress – Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine

Some of us here at 10Awesome really hoped that Meryl Streep will win the Oscar for her great performance in August Osage County. It didn’t happen but we’re not bitter. Cate Blanchett was our second favorite and she was the winner. This was her second Oscar after the 2005 best supporting actress in The Aviator. Woody Allen must be very proud. We are too.

4. Best Director – Alfonso Cuarón for Gravity

Gravity was a true eye candy. Story-wise, is not unheard of but the way it was made really deserves an Oscar for direction. Alfonso Cuarón really knows his trade and managed to bring to the screen an amazing depiction of space. Sandra Bullock also shows her strong acting skills along with George Clooney.

5. Best Actress In A Supporting Role – Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years A Slave

Newcomer Lupita Nyong’o won over Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence this year. We love it when the Academy gives credit to new talents and this year’s new talent truly deserved her merits. Lupita Nyong’o has proved that she’s a powerful and passionate actress. We can’t wait to see her in new movies.

6. Best Actor In A Supporting Role – Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club

Jared Leto deserved the Oscar not only for his incredible transformation but also for his insightful performance as a transsexual prostitute infected with AIDS. We knew Jared is Oscar material ever since we saw him in “Requiem for a dream.”

7. Best Original Screenplay – Spike Jonze for Her

Her was the most unusual movie nominated at the Oscars in 2014. It’s a thought provoking story about a guy who falls in love with an operating system. You heard us.  Although it might sound strange, Spike Jonze managed to write a story that is very believable and deep. And he got an Oscar for it.

8. Best Animated Movie – Frozen

Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen story, Frozen is an epic animated movie about Anna and Kristoff who go on an adventure to find Anna’s sister, Elsa. Although this one is a true Disney classic winner, our personal favorite animation this year was The Croods. It’s hilarious.

9. 10 Important Moments At the Oscars 2014 – Best Foreign Movie – The Great Beauty

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, this Italian movie is an absurd tale about art and beauty in general. Some critics have associated “La grande bellezza” is reminiscent of the great Italian cinema, most notably the famous Italian director Fellini.

10. Best Costumes – The Great Gatsby

The extravagant production design and costumes for Baz Luhrman’s reinterpretation of the classic “The Great Gatsby” have earned it two Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards celebration.

Other important moments at the Oscars 2014 were:

Best Make Up – Dallas Buyers Club

Best Cinematography – Gravity

Best Editing – Gravity

Best Visual Effects – Gravity

This was our list of important moments at the Oscars 2014. Were the winners what you expected? Share your thoughts in the comment section.