Red carpet brings out regalia, reflection.(THE 83rd ACADEMY AWARDS)

Oscar's red carpet is literally the last mile of an arduous trek that seems to get a little longer every year. But who's complaining?

Not Armie Hammer, one of the social butterflies of "The Social Network," who has enthusiastically appeared at just about every event, awards fete, reception and photo op that Sony Pictures could muster.

"We've been doing this since September. I'm ready for it to be over," Hammer said as he made the first of many stops on his way into the Kodak Theater. "But for this to be the culmination of it, it's also kind of sad."

And yet, for a rising thesp, life definitely goes on. He's spent the past few weeks lensing Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hoover biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

"I spent all day Thursday shooting a machine gun," Hammer said gleefully. "It was great."

John Lasseter, who just might be the warmest, most sincere person in showbiz, and his wife Nancy were feeling a little sentimental as they walked into the Kodak.

Nancy recalled the premiere of "Toy Story" in November 1995 across the street at the El Capitan Theater when their sons were very young. "They were all in tiny suits," Nancy recalled, …