Oscar Talk....
~"The naked girl from “Love and Other Drugs” and the guy from “General Hospital”. Okay, that was funny. I thought the audience was very indulgent with them, but it was very cute how it was addressed that they are the “kids” and so having the opening centered around that was smart. I think Anne’s sweet good-natured ways jibed nicely with James ‘dude from the street corner’ take.
~According to Salon, it was a banner night for hos. How could that be? Justin Timberlake didn’t win anything.
~Helena’s looking like “This heifer here.” during Melissa Leo's speech. In the run-up to the Oscars, the Hollywood Reporter has been running theories on who will win or won’t win and why. The scuttlebutt was that the voters were frowning upon Melissa Leo’s campaign tactic in which she promoted herself as much as the studio did. That appeared to be too gauche in many eyes. Not only did she give an interview where she jokingly talked smack about her fellow nominees (you’re supposed to act like you don’t want it that much. “It’s nice to be nominated” and all that jazz.), but the campaigning she did looked like glamour shots. That’s something actors do when they’re trying to get agents to come to your play or one-man show, not when you’re in the running for the Oscars. Either the studio backs you or you do all the interviews and Q&As to sell yourself (the reason some people say Christopher Nolan wasn’t nominated is because he hasn’t partaken in any of those things.).
~You would think I had lost the Oscar so great was my disappointment over Christopher Nolan not getting the Oscar for Best Screenplay. It’s mindboggling. I don’t know what the Academy wants. I’ve seen both “Inception” and “The King’s Speech” and while “The King’s Speech” is a great piece of work, it’s more of the acting that carries it versus the writing. There are times in movies and TV shows where something is spoken and it’s so perfectly phrased that I reflexively say “Wow” or the annoying to people with me, “Um”; the words are so powerful that I react. I had that (numerous times) during “The Social Network” and with “Inception’, but not with “The King’s Speech”. I think the concepts that Nolan brought to the screen were tremendous and not without its challenges to be sure, but to me he pieced together amazingly high concepts and tethered it an easier recognizable concept of loss and acceptance. I DON'T GET YOU, ACADEMY!.
It killed in nearly every technical realm, yet the man’s whose vision created the universe is not nominated for direction and his script did not win.
Thrilled for Tom Hooper because he was miles away more deserving than Fincher and O’Russell.
~Aaron Sorkin thanked Armie Hammer twice (hardy har har) and forgot to thank Josh Pence who was Armie’s stand-in as the other Winklevi. That’s just terrible. He was on set along with Armie. He remembered to thank Rooney who had two scenes yet forgot to thank Josh who already was ignored because we don’t see his face in the film. But now that I look at it again, he also forgot to thank Max Minghella! Is he back on the ‘shrooms?
~I liked it better two or three years ago when they had five actors and five female actors introducing the Best Actor/Female Actor category versus having one person do the introductions.
~How incredible is it that the man who introduced “I want to fuck you like an animal” to the lexicon of a generation is now an Oscar winner.
My favorite Nine Inch Nails video
Perfect Drug. Directed by Mark Romanek
Click to viewJude Law did a joke about RDJ’s bad boy past, yet he got butthurt over Chris Rock’s joke about him years ago.
~Before the Oscars would have amazing full-blown musical performances and now it’s so bland. Zachary Levi who I know has a great voice, voice was too weak. It’s like Maxwell Caufield in “Grease 2” all over again.
My favorite performance was this one.
Full disclosure: I was in love with Brad Kane at the time. It probably doesn’t hold up.
~I wish they had asked other actors what their favorite Oscar songs were than the Man on the Street style way. LOVED when they had President Obama describe his.
~I loved the speech of the man who won for Best Shorts, Luke Methany. Such a refreshing attitude for the night.
~I wonder how the autotuned music montage went over in the room. It sounded like a morgue until the “Eclipse” portion. And it was painfully useless and unnecessary. I think it was done at the last minute to replace a “Grease” skit that Anne and James was going to do. The rehearsal pics were leaked a few days ago.
~I could’ve sworn I heard the collective gasp in the room when Christian Bale promoted Dicky’s website. I thought it was a great moment. I love that Christian and James have managed to let the air out of the awards. Yes, it should have the grandeur, but it tends to be too stuffy.
~I can’t believe they did the spooky hologram of Bob Hope considering one of the big issues that the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA had in previous negotiations was the issue of use of actors images in commercials and other bastardizations (such as that Oscar moment) without payment.
~I still don’t like the use of a live singer over the death montage.
Nice seeing the older generation: Kirk Douglas and Eli Wallach
~If they had done the end performance minus the children, everyone would be talking about how saccharine and cheesy “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” playing with all of the Oscar winners on stage. I did find it really saccharine and corny, but kids are cute so it played well.
~On to the fashion.
Loved
Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein
*My word. Gwyneth “watercress sandwich and tap water” Paltrow finally goes beyond drab, safe fashion. I love everything about this dress.
Michelle Williams in Chanel Haute Couture
*Overall she’s played it too safe and it’s a bit plain, but she looks wonderful with the look. When they showed her in the audience she looked stunning. Just a vision of 60s inspired loveliness.
Jennifer Hudson in Versace
*This makes up to the fashion fiasco that was her Oscar winning dress. She looks glorious and the color is sensational.
Helena Bonham Carter in Colleen Atwood (costume designer for “Alice in Wonderland”
*She could’ve came wearing dirty sheets and I would’ve put her in this category. She can do no wrong.
Oprah Winfrey in Zac Posen
*Just classy. Loved the silver and black.
Hilary Swank in Gucci Premiere
Cate Blanchette in Givency Couture
*She looks like a Fabrege Egg and I don’t know why I love it, but I do. I could live without the splash of yellow though.
Reese Witherspoon in Giorgio Armani Privé
*Vintage look, yet very youthful. It’s a throwback to Old Hollywood.
Natalie Portman in Rodarte (the design house who is locked in battle with the costume designer of “Black Swan” because Rodarte continues to take credit when they didn’t do as much work as they’re letting on.)
Natalie and fiance Benjamin Millepied
*If these two actually get married or even last until their child first birthday, I’ll be shocked. I think for him it was a set romance gone wrong. Maybe it’s a French thing, but he never seems enthused around her. At the Golden Globes he looked mortified during her speech instead of proud or lovingly.
Natalie at the Independent Spirit Awards
Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa
*Perfectly age appropriate. She looks like a princess. It’s the perfect ensemble.
Carmila Alves (in Kaufman Franco)and Matthew McCougnahey
*Gorgeous woman, gorgeous gown. That’s how you do an Oscar dress.
Penelope Cruz in L’Wren Scott
*Colorful and fun. A big change from the rest of the fashion tonight.
Helen Mirren in Vivienne Westwood
*A knockout as usual.
Jacki Weaver
Hated
Nicole Kidman in Dior
*Normally Nikki reigns at this, but I don’t like what’s going on around the middle.
When Aussies Attract: Hugh, wife Debora,
Nicole and Keith Urban
Halle Berry in Marchesa
*I hate to do this to Halle what with all the Gabriel Aubrey drama she has going on , but that tulle is tu-tu much (get it?)
Anne Hathaway in Valentino
With Valentino
*What’s with the poof on the side (and I'm not talking about Valentino. I’m not homophobic) but the red bunch that looks like liver is hanging outside her body.)
Scarlett Johnannson in Dolce & Gabbana
There’s tons of pictures of her with Jeremy Renner, but she came with another dude.
*The dress is more colorful than her acting, but equally as bad.
Florence Welch in Valentino Couture
*Amazing voice, terrible fashion sense.
See? At Elton John’s party
Amy Adams in L’Wren Scott
*Everyone played it so safe and Amy was no different with that neckline. I hate high necklines!
Mila Kunis in Elie Saab Haute Couture
*I think I didn’t like it because it brought back memories of the awful Marchesa outfit Leighton Meester wore someplace last year.
Annette Bening (in Naeem Khan) and Warren Beatty
*Shapeless.
Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier
*That lipstick is the wrong shade and the top design goes too low unto the bottom.
The Rest
Melissa Leo in Marc Brower (the was encrusted with mirror pieces
*I had it on my Hated list but it’s not that bad, I just don’t think it’s Oscar wear.
Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein
*Did someone forget to tell her she was going to the Oscars and not just some shindig. It’s too plain! It’s the Oscars, you’re supposed to do it up.
Marissa Tomei in a vintage Charles James
Sharon Stone
*Someone’s cat is missing and they are going to be pissed when they find out it’s on Sharon’s shoulder.
*I loved seeing Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem again. Their bromance is terrific (old pic, but I bet they still get on like this when they’re together.)
Armie Hammer and wife, Elizabeth Chambers
I don’t know why she’s wearing a trash bag either.
Louis Gosset Jr.
Colin Firth and wife
Colin and Geoffrey Rush
John Hawkes and his wife
Mark Ruffalo
Celine Dion Giorgio Armani Privé
Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang
Russell Brand and his mum
Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale
How did these people get invited?
Virginia Madsen
Mario Van Peebles
*Two weeks ago on my way to lunch I saw Mario Van Peebles leaving the barbershop next door to where I work. We did the acknowledgement headbob as he ran to his car. My coworkers got to where we were having lunch and I asked, “Did you see Mario Van Peebles.” And one of my coworkers said she recognized him but didn’t know his name. She said “He looks different. And his…”
“His hair?” I knew what she was getting at. It was windy that day and his hair was blowing and you can see the bald patches in his hair. There’s no hiding them with hair like his, so he either has to finally just shave it off or keep it slicked back,
“Cougar Town”s Busy Philips
Daphne Zuniga
“Curb Your Enthusiasm”s Cheryl Hines
~Tom Hardy wasn't nominated for an Oscar (but he will someday I'm sure), but he was the Orange Award winner in the UK, chosen by the people don't you know. Tom was on holiday with his fiance and son, so he accepts it on this chat show and talks about Bane, his fears, etc, etc.
Faith and begorrah, he's a delight
Guests at Elton John’s annual Oscars Party/ AIDS Charity
Elton and boyfriend David Furnish
Claire Danes
Jane Lynch
Seal and Heidi Klum. I hate the top, but love everything else.
Emma Roberts looking like Tuesday Addams
Dave Annabel and wife, Odette Yustman. Great dress.
Hayden Pantierre. I’d love it more if it was a pantsuit.
Eric McCormack for no reason other than he’s looking good.
Serena Williams suffering a makeup malfunction
My princess Kelly Osbourne.
Malin Akerman. The length doesn’t suit her.
Cee Lo Green. Love the color.
Ryan Kwanten begs the question, “Why were Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem in white tuxes?”
Chris Colfer
Basic Chace Crawford
John Waters and his pencil mustache.
Guests at Graydon Carter’s Vanity Fair party
The smashing Emma Stone
Diane Von Furstenberg should know better than to dress like this.
As should Joan Collins. Well, I guess this is classic Joan.
Sidney Poitier
L’Wren Scott and Mick Jagger
Donna Karan
Fran Leibowitz. When I first saw her I thought she was Gene Simmons
Jennifer Westfeldt and a messy Jon Hamm
Jessica Biel. I love the color and design, but the draping is wrong.
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber
*The second mistake he’s made at an awards show. The first one was
Petting Esperanza Spalding’s hair. Idiot.
Leslie Mann. I love the dress.
Anna Paquin. Noooo.
Another noooo. Rita Wilson. Although I do love the color and the sixties style of it.
Idris Elba looking dapper at a Vanity Fair party earlier in the week
Armie Hammer and Elizabaeth Chambers at the same party. I hate red pants. It’s just one of my peccadilos.
Two JLA-ers were at the Rolling Stones party this weekend. Sweet Serinda and Kyle.
I’ve been watching a few clips of BBC’s “Merlin” on Youtube and that boy, Colin Morgan looks like James Marsden to me.
A movie I don’t see being nominated for an Oscar is the upcoming “The Adjustment Bureau”. Really good movie, but just very basic. Coming off of a really bad box office, Universal needs a hit, but this isn’t the one, but I hope it finds an audience because it’s good, it’s just not all quite there.
Directed by George Nolfi (writer of “The Bourne Ultimatum” and one of the writers for “Ocean’s Twelve” -the worst of the “Ocean’s” film IMO ) who also adapted the screenplay from a short story by Philip K. Dick (whose works have been adapted many times into film “Blade Runner”, “Minority Report”, “Total Recall”).
“The Adjustment Bureau” stars Matt Damon as David Norris, a young politician shooting for Congress. The night he loses he meets Elisa (Emily Blunt), a spirited woman who he hits it off with right away. The two are separated before he has a chance to get her number and doesn’t expect to see her again except that they have another chance meeting the next day.
The problem is that they weren’t supposed to meet again. This deviation from David’s planned out life has the Adjustment team jumping into action. After a chance encounter David comes face to face with the Adjustment workers, his personal worker Harry (Anthony Mackie) who is more sympathetic to David’s quest to see Elise again and Richardson (John Slattery), the by-the-book Eliot Ness type of the Bureau who is standing in David’s way and finds out that true Free Will is a lie and that the Bureau’s job is to make sure people follow their destined path already written out for them. Determined to be reunited with Elise, David fights to find a way to outsmart the Bureau.
When it comes to film or even TV you either have a great script, a great cast or a great director and I think this films has a great cast and the rest is just okay. Matt is incredible as a optimistic, inspired politician in the vein of the Kennedys who has to struggle with the awful truth of politics. And Anthony Mackie is wonderful as Harry who is conflicted by his role in shaping David’s life.
I loved looking at Anthony in great suits.
Looking at Anthony in general. He’s so dreamy!
And there’s really good performances out of John Slattery and Terence Stamp who plays Thompson, the one who has to finally step in to stop David.
But it is the chemistry between Emily Blunt and Matt Damon that drives this film. This entire film focus is how he is fighting to be with her and if you didn’t have such believable and natural chemistry between the two it wouldn’t work. These two are outstanding together.
When the movie ended I saw that it was produced by Eric Kripke and it was surprising, but not surprising because there were elements in this film that reminded me of the S5 finale of SPN and that’s not good. It just seems that this movie props up a lot of ideas and then they don’t quite come together well enough.
Critics are saying the film reminds them of 'Fringe', but I see it more as a very sweet "Twilight Zone" episode.
~I
Someone who should be at Vanity Fair parties
