'Slumdog' sweeps Critics Choice

That sure is a lot of love for "Slumdog" -- will it become the "Crash" of the Oscars? -- but the glorious, romantic Mumbai-set drama's five awards weren't the only surprises during last night's "Critics' Choice Awards."

How about that complete and utter shutout of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"?

That tie between Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married" and Meryl Streep for "Doubt"? Didn't see that coming, though that's really a base-coverer that we're not likely to see again. Hope there's no redo here: Kate Winslet for "The Reader." Since the Broadcast Film Critics Assn. didn't nominate Winslet in the lead category, this felt like a makeup.

Glad we didn't see again: What might've been set up as a steady, painful stream of backstage "banter" got cut off quickly after the notoriously tight-lipped Emile Hirsch and the loose cannon Josh Brolin prattled on for a few disjointed and awkward minutes after picking up the award for best ensemble cast for "Milk." Whew! That would've been the thorn in the side of what turned out to be a relatively painless show.

Here's the tally for "Slumdog" -- best director and our Oscar pick, Danny Boyle; best screenplay, Simon Beaufoy (also a lock for Oscar, we believe); A. R. Rahman for the incredible music; Dev Patel for young actor; and the biggest "get" of the night, best picture.

Random things we learned during the VH1 telecast: Clint Eastwood is secure enough to actually eat at an awards dinner, Anne Hathaway needs to work on her sound bites, the charming Viola Davis does not, and Disney and Pixar have "intestinal fortitude," or so says Andrew Stanton. Yay, "WALL-E!"

And, also, "Waltz With Bashir" is on fire, and Jason Alexander's mom sounds like a fairly astute film critic. Is there a spot open for another Reel Geezer?

Probably will see again on Feb. 22: Sean Penn using his advantage in the beauty contest that is the best actor race; Bruce Springsteen honored for the original song for "The Wrestler," and mesmerizing documentary "Man on Wire" taking a trophy. And, potentially, Heath Ledger named best supporting actor ("The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan accepted last night, to a standing ovation, on behalf of the late, great Ledger.)

More details on the awards here.