Best Actress Natalie Portman. [Global Times]

Toy Story 3 was named Best Animated Movie for what director Lee Unkrich called "an animated movie that beat with a human heart" and Denmark's In a Better World was named Best Foreign Language Film.

Host-comedian Ricky Gervais got the show off to a controversial start by poking fun at movies like The Tourist and actor Charlie Sheen, who in recent weeks has been reported partying wildly, causing concern at the CBS television network that airs his comedy Two and a Half Men.

Gervais also referenced a scandal that has rocked the HFPA this year in which a former publicist sued the group, claiming its members received favors in exchange for nominations from movie studios.

Before the show, glamorous actresses in colorful dresses and shimmering jewels paraded down the red carpet. Natalie Portman wore a light pink Viktor and Rolf dress with a red flower across the front and Nicole Kidman donned a cream-colored, off-the-shoulder dress by Prada.