BEAUTIFUL IN BLUSH

The haute couture Elie Saab dress worn by Anna Kendrick was fresh off the recent runways. She certainly looked pretty in pink.

RED ALERT

The red carpet didn't clash at all with Penelope Cruz's elegant bordeaux pleated draped gown by Donna Karan Couture.

AVATAR BLUE

It's hard to say whether the Na'vi inspired the flashes of blue on the red carpet, but stars such as Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa looked regal in the flattering hue.

BEST BLACK

Carey Mulligan's whimsical black dress by Prada was literally cutting edge: The bodice was embellished with charms in the shapes of flowers, knives, forks and scissors. Her pixie cut was a sweet contrast to the dark frock.

TWILIGHT TO MIDNIGHT

Killer but not vampish, Kristen Stewart looked elegant in a navy satin gown by Monique Lhuillier. We just wished she hadn't fidgeted so much.

Train wrecks

1. ZOE SALDANA

The sparkling bodice on this Givenchy dress looked great on television until they panned down to what looked like giant purple pompoms.

2. VERA FARMIGA

It looked like the ruffled Marchesa gown swallowed up the nominee.

3. MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL

This strapless dress by Dries Van Noten was a tie-dyed disaster. It's the Oscars, not a Grateful Dead concert.

4. CHARLIZE THERON

Floral rosettes were not Charlize Theron's bosom buddies in this Dior by John Galliano dress.

A HAIRY SITUATION

There must have been a memo to the men in Hollywood to grow facial hair. But most of the beards were more hairy than handsome. Here's our take:

Tom Ford: Was that a beard or a giant face tattoo?

Keanu Reeves: What a patchy, splotchy mess. Shave!

Jake Gyllenhaal: He wore the scruffy look well.

Jeff Bridges: Was that a goatee or beard? Either way, not a good look.

Antonio Banderas: We thought Taylor Lautner was the werewolf.

Christoph Waltz: Too much salt in the pepper. Trim.

George Clooney: He was smooth in every way.

Robert Downey Jr.: His signature 5 o'clock shadow was still working for him.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177