2015 Oscar Fashion

Neutral colors with embellishments dominated and bright colors punctuated the red carpet. There were also lots of trains and slits, sometimes both. My Best Dressed goes to Zoe Saldana. Saldana was beautiful in a blush pink, form-fitting, custom Atelier Versace with Neil Lane jewels and post baby curves she should keep. Over 30 looks are picture below and in alphabetical by first name order to be democratic. I also loved Laura Dern in an embellished black and silver Alberta Ferretti gown and a Bulgari turquoise ring, Anna Kendrick in a custom Thakooon coral silk georgette and chiffon gown, Keira Knightley in a floral Valentino Couture gown and Jennifer Aniston in a strapless, beaded, nude Versace gown. Jennifer Lopez's Elie Saab Haute Couture gown was beautiful but her poorly executed eye makeup distracted from the dress that featured intricate beading all over the bodice and a layered tulle skirt.

The colorful tuxes that were popular at last year's Oscars proved to be more than a trend this year. This year's new trend in men's fashion was the man brooch. On his way into the Vanity Fair party, Jared Leto revealed that Oscar night was his last with long hair.

 

The 87th Annual Academy Awards

While Neil Patrick Harris is a veteran host of many events, last night was his first time hosting the Oscars. Ellen DeGeneres did such an amazing job last year, she was effortless and the very definition of a tough act to follow. NPH did not meet or surpass Ellen's efforts this year as host. He did a solid job, it certainly was not like when James Franco and Anne Hathaway hosted. As expected, with his Broadway background and opening muscial number, his hosting style was most similar to Hugh Jackman in 2009. I hope Jimmy Fallon will finally host next year -- mark your calendars for Sunday, February 28th, 2016.

Eddie Redmayne was delightful in the joy he expressed at his win for Best Actor. Julianne Moore gave a lovely acceptance speech as well and spoke briefly but notably about Alzheimer's. JK Simmons gave the same speech he has been giving (those above average children of his must be sick of being described that way) though his closing sentiment to call, not text or email your living parents was a thoughtful surprise. Patricia Arquette wore her glasses and read from a list (nominees are encouraged at the Oscar nominee luncheon to be thoughtful and prepare for an acceptance speech and strongly recommended to not have something written down) but her call for equal pay for women at the end of her speech was very unexpected. Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez loved it. There are a billion people watching worldwide so if you have something to say, it is the moment to have a large, captive audience.

The best musical performances were the stirring "Glory" from Selma by Common and John Legend and the exuberant "Everything is Awesome" from The Lego Movie by the Lonely Island and Tegan and Sara. If I can not have a real Oscar, I'd love one of those Lego Oscars. Lady Gaga toned down her wardrobe to sing a Sound of Music medley for the 50th Anniversary of the film that touched Julie Andrews. Adam Levine and Tim McGraw gave solid performances of the songs nominated from Begin Again, "Lost Stars" (though I prefer the Keira Knightly version) and "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" from the documentary Glen Campbell...I'll Be Me.

The stage sets were fantastic, one a grand spectacle peppered with shining Oscar statues and another with a glamorous vintage movie theater entrance. The set for the performance of Glory generated strong emotions, incorporating the bridge from Selma and many extras appearing to cross the bridge.

It was an Oscar night when those that the orchestra tried to play off, kept talking and finished their acceptance speeches. Usually the music does not relent and it seemed like a victory when the music stopped and the winners were able to finish their speeches. I wait for the Oscars all year, I enjoy every minute of it and I do not mind if the show runs long -- all the more to enjoy.

It seemed as though John Travolta was redeeming himself for his horrible mispronunciation of Idina Menzel's name when he announced her performance of "Let It Go" during last year's show. Menzel showed grace and what a good sport she was by presenting with Travolta. Then he had to go and touch her face, way too much. Hopefully there will be no opportunity for reliving that moment next year.

Joan Rivers was not included in the in memoriam, a startling omission. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the red carpet at the Oscars and Joan Rivers invented the institution of the red carpet.

I accurately predicted 19/24 categories this year. Last year was my personal best with 22/24 and I knew then it would be difficult to replicate for possibly several years. In previous years the best that I had been able to predict was always maxed out at 18/24. Birdman took home the Best Picture statue and tied with The Grand Budapest Hotel with the most wins, four each. Whiplash won three Oscars.

BEST PICTURE Birdman
BEST DIRECTOR Alejandro G Iñárritu, Birdman
BEST ACTOR Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
BEST ACTRESS Julianne Moore, Still Alice
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR JK Simmons, Whiplash
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Birdman
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Ida, Poland
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The Imitation Game
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Birdman
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING The Grand Budapest Hotel
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE The Grand Budapest Hotel
BEST ORIGINAL SONG “Glory” from Selma
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Big Hero 6
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
BEST FILM EDITING Whiplash
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel
BEST ANIMATED SHORT Feast
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT The Phone Call
BEST SOUND EDITING American Sniper
BEST SOUND MIXING Whiplash
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Interstellar
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Citizenfour
BEST COSTUME DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel

Which Chris?

As inspired during a discussion while watching the Oscars, which is your favorite superhero/movie franchise Chris -- Pine, Hemsworth, Evans or Pratt?

My Official 2015 Oscar Predictions

The three closest races are for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Sound Mixing of all things. Boyhood and Birdman are in a close race for Best Picture this year but it looks like Boyhood, a film that took twelve years to film, will take home the statue. Michael Keaton for his performance in Birdman and Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking in the Theory of Everything is the tightest race of the year. Odds are in Redmayne's favor but Keaton could sneak past him. It will come down to whether the Academy will honor a new star or a Hollywood veteran. I can see it going either way. I would not be surprised if voters back Keaton but Redmayne has the momentum to win.

It would seem that this year the honor is being shared with multiple films and that there will be no winner take all sweep for any one feature, I predict that The Grand Budapest Hotel will win the most statues with four, then Boyhood with three and Birdman, The Theory of Everything and Whiplash with two each.

2015 BAFTAs

This year's BAFTAs mark the last major event before Oscar weekend. The Independent Spirit Awards as they historically do, take place the night before the Oscars but are two weeks away. Stephen Fry hosted for the tenth time and seamlessly has his very British way of hosting down pat, no surprises. His one blunder was calling Patricia Arquette by her sister Rosanna's name in his opening monologue. The first award, Outstanding British Film, was presented by David Beckham and The Theory of Everything won. Special Visual Effects for Interstellar, the second award of the evening, was presented by the star of The Theory of Everything, Felicity Jones, and Stephen Hawking himself. Beautiful in purple, Reese Witherspoon presented Best Supporting Actor to JK Simmons for Whiplash. Simmons, Arquette and Moore seem locked to win the Oscars in their categories. Moore has also been flawless thus far on the red carpet. Redmayne has the edge over Michael Keaton for the Oscar for Best Actor, though it is still quite close. Best Film went to Boyhood. Birdman and Boyhood remain in an almost too close to call race for the Best Picture Oscar statue. The full list of BAFTA winners follows.

BEST FILM Boyhood
LEADING ACTRESS Julianne Moore, Still Alice
LEADING ACTOR Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
DIRECTOR, Richard Linklater, Boyhood
EE RISING STAR Jack O’Connell
COSTUME DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The Theory of Everything
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Ida
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER Stephen Beresford (Writer), David Livingstone (Producer) Pride
CINEMATOGRAPHY Birdman 
SUPPORTING ACTRESS Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
SUPPORTING ACTOR JK Simmons, Whiplash
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS Interstellar
ANIMATED FILM The Lego Movie
SOUND Whiplash
EDITING Whiplash
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION The Bigger Picture
BRITISH SHORT FILM Boogaloo and Graham
PRODUCTION DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel
MAKE UP AND HAIR The Grand Budapest Hotel
DOCUMENTARY Citizenfour
ORIGINAL MUSIC The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alexandre Desplat
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM The Theory of Everything
BAFTA FELLOWSHIP Mike Leigh