Mob rule: Scorsese, ‘Departed’ seize Oscars

The global theme extended to the documentary win for “An Inconvenient Truth,” which chronicles Al Gore’s campaign to educate people on the dangers of global warming.

“This is not a political issue. It’s not a political movie. Some of the solutions will have to be worked out within the political sphere, but it really should be bipartisan, and it should be seen as a moral issue,” Gore said. “It is the overriding moral issue of our time.”

Earlier in the evening, Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio took the stage to unveil a series of initiatives by the motion picture academy to make the Oscars more environmentally friendly.

“An Inconvenient Truth” also won original song for Melissa Etheridge’s “I Need to Wake Up.” The openly gay Etheridge kissed her partner Tammy Lynn Michaels on the lips when her name was announced and onstage referred to Michaels as her wife. The couple held a commitment ceremony in 2003 and are the parents of twins.

“Maybe someone at home is going, ‘Did she say wife?”’ Etheridge said backstage. “I was kissing her because that’s what you do, you kiss your loved one when you win an Oscar, that’s what I grew up believing.”

Hudson won supporting actress for her first movie, playing a powerhouse vocalist who falls on hard times after she is booted from a 1960s girl group in “Dreamgirls.” The role came barely two years after she shot to celebrity as an “American Idol” finalist.

‘Departed’  isn't Scorsese’s best Vote: Rate the Oscars fashions Mirren to have tea with the Queen? WP: 'Last King' sparks pride in Uganda WP: Oscars a bore and a horror Scorsese, ‘Departed’ seize Oscars Gore, Whitaker give best Oscar speeches Best moments weren’t in the script

Hudson said she was inspired by her grandmother, a singer in the family’s church choir who chose not to become a professional performer.

“She really wanted to sing for the Lord,” Hudson said. “It was my goal and my dream to do this for her. She had a voice that should have been heard around the world.”

Along with Arkin’s supporting-actor win as a foul-mouthed but loving grandpa, “Little Miss Sunshine” took the prize for original screenplay for first-time screenwriter Michael Arndt.

Scorsese said he had a hint that he finally had won as his longtime friends and colleagues Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, who presented the directing prize, gave him a look just before announcing his name.

“I’ve just been used to not winning, so I just make the movies, guys,” said Scorsese, adding that he did not mind the long wait because an earlier Oscar might have changed the types of movies he was making. “I’m glad it’s taken this long. It’s been worth it.”

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‘Departed’  isn't Scorsese’s best

‘Departed’  isn't Scorsese’s best Vote: Rate the Oscars fashions Mirren to have tea with the Queen? WP: 'Last King' sparks pride in Uganda WP: Oscars a bore and a horror Scorsese, ‘Departed’ seize Oscars Gore, Whitaker give best Oscar speeches Best moments weren’t in the script At VF Oscar bash, stargazing gets old Stars don't play it safe on red carpet   Add 2007 Academy Awards headlines to your news reader: