Oscar Night: Ultimate happy place

As I have mentioned before, Oscar Night is my supreme happy place. It can only be made happier by the presence of champagne and copious amounts of cheese.Sadly, the latter two were not present last night, but that did not dampen my Oscar spirits.

THE HOSTS

Overall, I thought Anne Hathaway and James Franco did a good job. The goal this year was to make Hollywood and the Oscars seem younger and hipper, which is understandable. Far too often the Oscars can come off as pretentious and slow, so I think having two young co-hosts was a move in the right diection. BUT I will say that after years of older male comedians hosting, something didn't feel quite right. At any rate, Anne's dresses were FABULOUS to the infinite degree, and James looked stoned out of his mind sleepy. There were some stand-out comedic moments, such as the opening montage where they traveled through the nominated Best Picture films [Anne as "The Brown Duck" and James' awkward dancing had me hyperventilating], Anne's angry song to Hugh Jackman, James in a dress, and the autotuned Harry Potter scene. What I did not appreciate was Anne's constant hollering of "WOOOOOOOOO" every time a presenter was announced. I mean, I know she must have been excited, but this is the Oscars- not a football game. Nevertheless, it turns out she is quite funny, and I wouldn't mind seeing her do something like this again. James Franco, while a talented actor, probably shouldn't host too many events unless said events are herbally related.

Overall Grade: A-

THE WINNERS

One word can sum this up: Predictable. Not that this is a bad thing. I do like a shake up every now and then, but I feel like the right actors and films won. One surprise for me was Best Director. With all the awards and hype around The Social Network, I was surprised David Fincher didn't win. Though I still haven't seen The King's Speech, I was fine with that director winning. In my fantasy land Inception would have won Best Picture, but once again I'm fine with The King's Speech. I do wish Inception would have won every other award it was nominated for [especially best original score...I'm a Hans fan, what can I say] since it was snubbed in so many other ways. Speaking of Original Score, was anyone else surprised to see Trent Reznor looking like an actual human being? I can't help but only picture him from the NIN video for Closer, so a tux was a FAR cry from that.
Overall Grade: A

THE FASHION

First of all, I would like to say that Kelly Osbourne and Skeletor [I don't remember her name because I was too distracted by the bones poking out of her body] should never be allowed to cover Oscar fashion again. I wanted to push them off the balcony they were standing on. Anyway.

Here are some of my faves:

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS DRESS. I don't care if a 14 year old is wearing it. She looks age appropriate [so I don't know that that says about me liking it so much] and beautiful. It reminds me of something you would wear to a ball in the 1950s. I want it NOW.



She is so damn hot and can wear whatever she wants. I just love this color and how delicate it looks. I hate/love her.

I gasped when I saw Mandy Moore in this. Also, I was mesmerized by how it seemed to stay around her shoulders [the whole top part is mesh that you can't see. What an excellent illusion!]. It is so sparkly and chic. Love love.

Natalie can do no wrong. Love the color, love the cut, love her hair, love her.

I'm not usually a huge fan of Scarlett, but I love this look on her. My favorite part is the keyhole cut back. I'm a sucker for anything lace with a back like that. Plus, I love her new hair.

 And some not-so-faves:

Cate, I love you, but you look like an alien Easter egg.

No comment necessary.

Girlfriend, you are too pale to be wearing a dress that light. Plus, her interview with Ryan Secrest was uber weird. I think she had taken a few Valium.

Overall Grade [excluding the wackfests up there]: A+

Until next year, Oscar.

The Oscars [like mimosas] take me to my happy place

I love the Oscars.

LOVE.

I used to fantasize about winning one. Maybe sometimes I still do. It would have to be for producing [Best Picture] though because as I've complained about over and over again on here, I am sans creativity.

The nominations came out this morning, and I must say that overall I am pleased. I'm especially pleased because the Best Picture nominees are actually movies that people went out and saw! [for the most part] The past few years there have been films in the running that I had either never heard of, or knew for a fact that their box office numbers were less than stellar. A lot of this can be credited to the public just not being into art house films or appreciating fine work, but I feel the Oscars should represent the balance between superb film making and popularity.

So the nominees are...

1. The Kings Speech- haven't seen it, but I hear great things about it. This focuses on history AND royals, so I really should get on it. Plus, Colin Firth is pretty much spectacular in anything he does.

2. True Grit- fantastic. I am NOT a fan of Westerns, but this one was in a league of its own. The Cohen brothers are so very talented, and they did not disappoint me. I'm also excited that Hailee Steinfeld is nominated for best supporting actress. She's only 14, but that kid is going places.

3. Inception- since it was robbed at the Globes, I'm glad it has earned its rightful spot as a Oscar nominee. This film was so cerebral, and I left confused as hell as to what I had just seen. Christopher Nolan is a genius, Leo is a genius, and it is a shame that neither of theme were nominated. I'm going to have to start a "Give Leo an Oscar" campaign soon.

4. The Social Network- thanks to Aaron Sorkin, this was a great movie. The man writes an impeccable script. I was suspicious when I heard they were making a Facebook movie, but I will give this one a "like." [get it?? A little Facebook humor for you]

5. The Fighter- haven't seen this one either, but plan to in the near future. The cast is excellent, so I have high hopes.

6. Black Swan- I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this movie. It was dark, twisted, and shocking, and I enjoyed every second of it. Natalie Portman, you are a fantastical human being, and if you don't win an Oscar for this I might start a riot.

7. The Kids Are All Right-broke my heart. The acting was superb and the script gut-wrenching. While it certainly has its comedic moments, there is so much more to it. Annette Benning and Julianne Moore played their roles to perfection. If Natalie Portman wasn't nominated as well, I'd want the Oscar to go to Annette [but she has enough!].

8. 127 Hours- also haven't seen. But I love James Franco and how dedicated he is to his craft. I hear the arm scene is quite uncomfortable, but I am very much looking forward to seeing this.

9. Toy Story 3- I meannnn....really? I guess this satisfies "popularity" criteria that I mentioned, but I just have a problem with animated films in this category. They have their own category, and I do think this should win in that area.

10. Winter's Bone- I have honestly never heard of this movie. Have you? If so, please enlighten me because I have no idea what the hell it's about and am too lazy to google it.

Can't wait to see what happens in February. My guess is The Kings Speech or The Social Network, but I'd love to see Inception or Black Swan win.