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Showing posts with label The Oscars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Oscars. Show all posts

Monday, February 28, 2011

Oscars...Starlets & Studs stumble on fashion circuit @ Kodak Theatre! Swank surprisingly feminine!



Horizontal line at flubber waist a no-no
(Virginia Madsen)








Quite a few of the fair sex alighted from sleek black limos purring at the curb on Hollywood Boulevard last night in dazzling cocktail frocks fashioned in blood-red, as their macho counterparts abandoned the peacock "look" in favor of chic black finely-cut silhouettes, and a daring fashionista-or-two took a gamble on stylish adventures which more-often-than-not came apart at the seams when the prying eyes of the paparazzi zeroed in.

In sum, the little Gold Statuette has - for the most part - taken a back seat to the fashion circuit as a rule, as savvy social-climbing starlets (and enterprising studs on their bejewelled pearly-white arms) turn out to best one-another in outfits that amount to a handful of misguided silken threads tossed over bodacious - sometimes bimbo-inspired - half-naked bods.

A chic understated look is preferable to moi, but some - like hefty Queen Latifa, for example - have tossed caution (and their considerable weight) to the wind with disastrous results.

Uh-huh!

The God-awful trend - riddled with one glaring faux pas after another - persisted on the red carpet at the 83rd Annual Oscar Award at the Kodak Theatre last evening.

Although one of the beaming hosts (Anne Hathaway) snapped up nods of approval for her pretty frothy frock - over-sized mamma's like Virginia Madsen - caused style icons to twitter on the sidelines:

"Gosh, if only the fat lady would sing! This fashion fiasco could call it a night!"

A gaggle of par-tay stalwarts sashayed down the gauntlet in get-ups - Michelle Williams and Reese Witherspoon, for starters - that flip-flopped.

Nicole Kidman was beaded, padded, and fit to be tried - by the fashion police - by golly!

Meanwhile, Helena Bonham Carter was strapping - and strapless - with scraggly "do" crowning the unsightly mixed-up mash.

On-the-other-hand, Marissa Tomei's virginal spring special was overly-designed with matronly fashion flourishes, that bogged her youthfulness down.

Gwyneth Paltrow was a sexy bombshell, alright - which left a nasty aftertaste, though - metallic as hell.

And - sigh - Melissa Leo was obviously sleep-walking in her poorly-fitting gown which appeared to be fashioned out of a bath-room curtain or two.

Annette Bening's slinky cocktail nightmare was inside-out with unsightly seams showing.
Ouch!

Halle Berry - known as "scary Berry" in divorce circles - was sparkly, however.

The town was a-buz in respect to sultry Mila Kunis, who tripped-the-light-fantastic in a showy-gown splashed up with nubile flesh, which hinted at naivety.

Hailee Steinfeld - in Royal Blue (wrinkled) fabric - was too darn matronly (if 'ya ask me!).

As to the dudes, well, James Franco couldn't hold a candle to Marilyn (or any dummy female impersonator stupid enough to try to capture her dazzling star persona on-stage-or-off).

Billy Crystal?

If the lapels on that tux were any wider, he'd take flight when the next gust of wind fluttered in, unexpectedly.

Nope not even the zesty vigor (or sexy appeal) of the great white hope - James Franco - was capable of  boosting up the boot-straps of a posse of fops, fellas!

For instance, Russell Brand's purply-hued suit - teamed with a clashing striped shirt and lifeless black tie - screamed out the obvious:

"Big bucks can't buy 'ya taste (or love, for that matter, either)."

If Billy Crystal's lapels were any wider, he would have blown away in the stratosphere next big gust of wind!

Christian Bale (winner of best supporting actor for The Fighter) was in the right corner when he elected to sport a chic black designer suit and dark tie.

But, poor grooming - and bold-faced efforts to attain a wild he-man persona - nixed the otherwise fashionably-attired effort.

Colin Firth, Zachary Levi, Justin Timberlake, Mark Buffalo, andGeoffrey Rush sported sporting black or dark grey tuxedos from popular designers such as Tom Ford or Gucci.
No wonder folks mentioned above either ended up on my Best or Worst Dressed list for 2010.

Need a reminder about "Who's Who" on the fashion victim list?

Post:  01/01/2011

http://forgusbeylan.blogspot.com/2011/01/julian-ayrs-ten-worst-dressed-best.html

Post: 12/29/2010

http://forgusbeylan.blogspot.com/2010/12/julian-ayrs-3rd-annual-worst-dressed.html

By the way, there were quite a few humorous moments during the CBS Broadcast, too.

Off-the-cuff humor - on the heels of live! stage disasters - included Hathaway's quick ad-lib about "folks needing a drink at home" - after she tripped over a best-actress-winner intro.

Meanwhile, critics compared James Franco's low-key style to that of a laid-back monologue for flicks like drug-themed comedies such as "Pineapple Express".

Did he ever actually say the word - "Dude" on air?

At times, Anne and James also poked fun at each other and the Network for their ratings-inspired folly.

"Anne, I must say you look so beautiful and so hip," Franco gushed at one point on stage.

"Thank you, James," Hathaway giggled,

"You look very appealing to a younger demographic, as well."

I expect that due to the overall dismal reaction to the Oscar extravaganza (yawn!) last night, that hosting duties will return to the predictable old farts next year.

See 'ya there!






Hillary Swank surprisingly feminine
(instead of so butch!)


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The King's Speech...dazzling high-brow Art! Stellar acting by Colin Firth & Geoffrey Rush!









The King's Speech is a remarkable film!

Consequently, I was not surprised when the stellar Weinstein production rustled up a-dozen-or-so Oscar nominations on these shores at the crack-of-dawn this morning!

In addition, the Colin Firth vehicle nabbed a Producer's Guild Award, at the Producers' swanky annual Black Tie Soiree over the weekend.

The Darryl F. Zannick Award - which equates to a "Best Picture" nod in Oscar-speak - usually signals voting trends in the rarefied air over at the Academy of Arts & Motion Picture Sciences.

Critical acclaim aside, the high-brow offering is also being hailed by theatre-goers as a Masterpiece.

I whole-heartedly agree!

Indeed, English loyalists (and others) are just now tracking down the film for screening purposes around the country in anticipation of the upcoming 83rd Annual Oscar celebrations in Hollywood.

When the first scene flickers to life on the silver screen - even the most critical filmgoer can't help but be swept up into the lush period piece - which focuses on a little-known drama that unfolded behind-the-scenes when a Playboy Prince - the Duke Of Windsor - announced his intention to relinquish the English Throne in order to pursue an American divorcee he'd prefer to live in "sin" with (if necessary).

By now, many of the intriguing details of the run-a-way hit have leaked out - thanks to a dotting press - leaving little mystery about the plot line surrounding this passionate true-life-tale about a love that dared speak its name (and suffered dire consequences as a result).

According to the filmmakers, once King George V's eldest son begged off on his official role as the King of England, his younger brother - the Duke of York - was forced to step up to the Royal plate to take the reins with some reluctance.

Although Historians and Englishmen (in general) are familiar with the tawdry details of the "Simpson" affair, few were aware of ffrenzied behind-the-scenes maneuverings to force a stiff upper lip among handlers and politicians alike when the issue of King George VI's stammering came to light.

The King's inability to effectively communicate with leaders on the World Stage - and his peoples - must be kept under wraps at all cost for obvious reasons!

In a nutshell - "The King's Speech" is a dramatization of the Monarch's struggle to come to grips with the troubling speech impediment - and an awkward relationship which develops unexpectedly with a commoner who offers up helpful counselling capable of rectifying the problem.

For the greater part of the flick (which flies by, so engrossing is the footage) the drama zeroes in on the King's dreaded fear of being unable to effectively interact with his subjects - and thus - the unusual steps he undertakes to overcome a dilemma which threatens to topple the Empire shortly after he is forced into the limelight when war was declared with Germany.

Because the richly-textured project takes a departure from the norm - the material is elevated - and succeeds in conquering new narrative ground.

This especially rings true when "The King's Speech" explores - with great agility (and a lot of levity) - the issue of class distinction.

The touchy relationship between King and subject is turned on its ear at one point - then respectfully righted in a delightful inspiring way - that ends up resonating to the core.

Although the glossy flick is basically a drama - there is a lot of comic relief and side-splitting fun - that breaks the ice now and then during the course of the two-and-a-half-hour production.

For example, when the speech therapist observes that the King doesn't stutter when he swears, George VI erupts into a chorus of guttural curses that not only end up loosening the tongue - but also sending a torrent of words trilling trippingly off the tongue with eloquent ease.

A string of - sh**s, fu**s, - and what-have-you - never sounded so sweet before in my humble opinion.

Understandably, the house falls down in the aisles laughing uproariously.

In this version of the "Simpson" scandal, the Duke of Windsor's lover has been painted in an unlfattering light.

Normally, the uppercrust (and Historical biographers) have referred to Mrs. Simpson as a classy dame - the eptiome of style - who won the Prince's heart by virtue of her dazzling persona.

Here, the producers have depicted the interloper as a scarlet woman out to scoff up Palace spoils.

In some respects, the material reminds me of the hatchet job that was recently performed on Queen Elizabeth a scant couple of years ago in another feature film.

If anything, I expect the writers on both occasion, took a lot of poetic license.

Personally, in respect to the issue of Mrs. Simpson, I find it highly doubtful that the Duke of Windsor would be so easily hood-winked by a classless golddigger!

One fly in the ointment, as they say!

As to the performances, well, they're all stand out characterizations.

In recent years Colin Firth has been hailed for his fine performances in a handful of films (mostly produced overseas) under Iindependent banners.

In "The King's Speech" the talented actor is a tour de force to reckon with.

Indeed - his fleshed-out characterization of George VI - is literally spellbinding.

The Envelope, please!

Likewise, Geoffrey Rush once again establishes that he, too, possesses a remarkable gift for acting that appears to be bottomless.

The two in concert together make wonderful music!

A must-see 5 star feature!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Envelope...screening series! James Franco, Winona Ryder & Natalie Portman to appear!






Once again, the much-anticipated film screening series - The Envelope - is slated to kick-off at the Landmark Theatre in West Los Angeles (CA).

The high-profile red-carpet-style event - sponsored by the Los Angeles Times - is scheduled to run November thru December.

At press time it was announced that - James Franco (127 Hours), Winona Ryder (Black Swan) & Natalie Portman (Black Swan) - have committed to appear at the popular Q & A sessions to follow the screenings (which I expect will play to packed houses).

Director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy are expected to put in appearances as well much to the delight of theatre-going fans.

Last year, I attended the thought-provoking film presentation, and was fortunate to sneak peak a handful of top-notch flicks (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Hurt Locker, Crazy Heart, District 9, and Young Victoria)  before their wide release later in the year.

Entertaining interviews with Jeff Bridges, T-Bone Burnett, Kathryn Bigelowr, and Jeremy Renner were thoroughly enriching moments which I captured in posts in the days that followed.

Post: 12/04/09  (Young Victoria)

http://forgusbeylan.blogspot.com/2009/12/young-victoria-duchess-of-york-julian.html

Post:  12/02/09 (Crazy Heart)

http://forgusbeylan.blogspot.com/2009/12/jeff-bridgesrobert-duvall-maggie.html

Post:  11/19/09 (Hurt Locker)

http://forgusbeylan.blogspot.com/2009/11/hurt-lockerintense-flawed-film-director.html

Post:  11/09/09 (District 9)

http://forgusbeylan.blogspot.com/2009/11/hurt-lockerintense-flawed-film-director.html

The feature film line-up this year is just as dynamic and exciting as last year's phenomenal success.

The Envelope
Feature Film Screenings
Q & A

Toy Story  3 (Pixar)
November 3
7:30 pm
Q & A
Director Lee Unkrich
Producer Darla K. Anderson
Writer Michael Arndt
Actor Jeff Garlin

Moderator John Horn
Los Angeles Times
127 Hours (Fox Searchlight)
November 4
7:30pm
Q & A
Actor James Franco
Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy.

Moderator John Horn
Los Angeles Times

Another Year (Sony Pictures Classic)
November 15
7:30 pm
Q & A
Actors Lesley Manville & Jim Broadbent

Moderator Mark Olsen
Los Angeles Times

Black Swan (Fox Searchlight)
November 16
 7:30 pm
Q & A
Director Darren Aronofsky
Producer Scott Franklin
Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey &  Winona Ryder.

Moderated by Steve Zeitchik
Los Angeles Times

Ticket Info:

http://www.latimes.com/extras/events/envelopescreeningseries/

http://www.thetattler.biz