Watching movies has always been my way to relax and I try to see all the latest ones, usually over the course of a few nights because I can’t stay awake from start to finish, so I adore red carpet events. I love the Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, SAG Awards and the coup de grace…the Oscars, my favorite of all the awards shows!
I have always been the girl captivated in front of the TV, ballot in hand, watching the arrivals to see what everyone is wearing, who’s with whom, the extravagant and eye popping jewels, the hair, the makeup, all of it!
Whether it’s rude and ridiculous (Bridesmaids), dark humor amidst family drama (The Descendants), or the utterly sublime (The Artist), Oscar night is a celebration of cinema and all the reasons we love Hollywood.ÂÂ
Last night’s 84th Academy Awards ceremony did not disappoint. With Billy Crystal at the helm for his ninth hosting gig, I felt the show was a unique blend of old and new, in other words, a lot of names I hadn’t heard of before but I know are going to be household names soon.
Disappointments and Successes
I was sad to see Drive ignored while lesser films such as War Horse and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, get nominated. Similarly, how breathtaking performances from Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Albert Brooks in Drive, Kirsten Dunst in Melancholia, Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt in Young Adult and Michael Fassbender in Shame could get no Academy love is beyond me.
On the other hand, I was pleased to see Moneyball, one of my favorite movies of the year not only nominated for Best Picture, but Brad Pitt was nominated for Best Actor and Jonah Hill was recognized for his best supporting role. I’ve never been a big Brad Pitt fan but there is no denying he can do frustrated, funny and ironic all in the same scene like no one else.
The last book that I actually cried when I finished because I loved it so much, aside from the Stieg Larsson trilogy, was The Help and I was thrilled with Octavia Spencer’s Best Supporting Actress win. Her portrayal of Minny was just as I imagined her in my mind. The standing ovation she received was well deserved.
As an interesting side note: Spencer was the original inspiration for the character of Minny, who voiced the character’s section in the audio-book. She was clearly made to play this role. She does a lot more for this movie, than just adding comic relief, however, she does play the comedic side the best. The “terrible awful” that her character does in the book, is made into the funniest thing in the whole movie.
So happy The Iron Lady, Meryl Streep won Best Actress ending her 14 year losing streak! I haven’t seen her play Margaret Thacher, but have to do a double take every time I see her in the Prime Minister’s full make-up.
Fashion
I adored Gweneth Paltrow’s simple elegant Tom Ford dress, the coral pop of Michelle Williams’ Louis Vuitton and Sandra Bullock’s 80’s prom queen look with her black-and-white Marchesa backless number.
Tight pulled back hair dos and the side swept look seemed to be the trend this year and it was refreshing to see Viola Davis, another star of The Help shed her wig for the big night. Her gorgeous, strapless emerald green Vera Wang gown was the perfect companion.
Oscar Fun Facts
Did you know that Oscar, the statue given to the winner of each category, hails from Chicago? And that each 13.5 inch statuette weights 8.5 p0unds and is hand polished after being dipped in copper, nickle, silver and finally 24 karat gold?
Just like Hollywood, Oscar is not without a little controversy: Margaret Herrick, the Executive Secretary of the Academy, is widely attributed for coining the term “Oscar” in 1931. She claimed the statuettes looked like her Uncle Oscar. Actress Bette Davis made a competing claim for naming the Oscar. She maintained that she named it after her first husband, Oscar Nelson.
Many of the drool worthy jewels are provided by Harry Winston, who has been lending their dazzling earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets to the stars since 1944.
For more fun facts, Oscar trivia and a recap of all the nominations and winners, please visit oscar.com
What did you think of the show?
Photo credit: chickpokipsie
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