Goddess with regular person. But at least he's in a brand new expensive suit.Did you want the Critics Choice Movie Awards last night? That accounts for my radio silence. I had the extreme good fortune of sitting at Jessica Chastain's table. No, I couldn't believe it either for which I must thank A24 profusely. It's true The Film Experience has been kinda nuts about their movies here from Spring Breakers to Under the Skin to the already weirdly underappreciated A Most Violent Year (opening in late late December is so hard for movies that are small and aren't directed by Clint Eastwood) but it was still an unbelievably kind gesture.
It turns out though that sitting at a table with some of the honored stars (Jenny Slate, also at the table, took home Best Comedy Actress) that is smack dab in the center (Wild table to the left, Theory of Everything and Unbroken to the right, Selma tables --plural, that's a big cast behind you) is rather terrifying and chaotic. Because I had the back to stage seat, the cameramen were running up to squat or stand hovering over me carrying loads of equipment to point the camera at Jessica and Jenny for reaction shots and for their wins. [More...]
The back to stage seat also results in neck and shoulder pain the following day (Hi - Right now!) from the quick cranks around but it's the price of showbiz from a good seat.
In short: had a great time but you maybe saw the actual show better on TV. Except for the Magic Mike themed opening. That was surely better from inside the house. Our table was loving it.
the theme of this awards season is "Ginger Beauty"
The most surprising revelation, being up close, is how much more personal the acceptance speeches feel. At home when you're watching and stars rattle on with names you haven't heard, their behind the scenes machinery, it can be numbing but it's not like that in the room; those very people are often sitting there feeling the love and tearing up.
Another revelation is the "Stars. They're just like us" (*gag* I'm so sorry) factor. Noticing that stars also want personal photos with other stars -- it isn't just the civilians rushing up to celebrities during commercial breaks -- is very humanizing / adorable. Jessica is very popular as you might imagine and quite social. We talked very briefly about The Babadook (since we both suddenly cheered loudly when it's nomination came up onscreen) and about her speech - she was rehearsing it at the table and nervous. And since I had the best view of Michael Keaton falling off the stage rather dramatically (I'm not sure if the cameras caught it!) I assured the table he was okay. He landed on his feet but Ethan Hawke, who he was waving to when he fell, jumped up to break the otherwise inevitable tumble: Man hugs!
Scenes from the after party. My plus one Lauren (she's a young rising movie producer. We met and became friends at the Nashville Film Festival some years ago) with Tony Revolori who was very sweet and me looking dumb with Vera Farmiga who wore the best gown of the night I think.
But enough about all that. The winners, in case you didn't watch, were:
Best Picture – “Boyhood”
Best Actor – Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Best Actress – Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
There were so many tables in the house that I didn't even realize Julianne Moore was there until she won. I never saw her except on stage.
Best Supporting Actor – J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Best Supporting Actress – Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Patty, before you win the Oscar please memorize your speech. No more with the reading from cheat sheets!
Best Young Actor/Actress – Ellar Coltrane, “Boyhood”
Mackenzie Foy, who played the young "Murph" (i.e. Chastain as a child) in Interstellar was in the house and after this prize, Jessica jumped up to give her a hug. So thoughtful.
Best Acting Ensemble – “Birdman”
Best Director – Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Best Original Screenplay – Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Armando Bo, “Birdman”
Best Adapted Screenplay – Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl”
Absolutely loved her speech, didn't you?
Best Cinematography – Emmanuel Lubezki, “Birdman”
Best Art Direction – Adam Stockhausen (Production Designer), Anna Pinnock (Set Decorator), “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Editing – Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione, “Birdman”
Best Costume Design – Milena Canonero, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Hair & Makeup – “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Visual Effects – “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
Best Animated Feature – “The Lego Movie”
Best Action Movie – “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Actor in an Action Movie – Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Best Actress in an Action Movie – Emily Blunt, “Edge of Tomorrow”
I don't know how well the cameras caught her husband bounding out from backstage to kiss her but it was tremendously fun live. It was also a thrill to hear Blunt talk about this movie and be so happy to claim the name 'Full Metal Bitch'. Sometimes people mock the plentiful awards as naked ploy to hand more celebrities trophies -- I've done it myself -- but where else could Emily Blunt be honored for that killer performance?
P.S. Jessica loved her speech.
Best Comedy – “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Actor in a Comedy – Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Keaton was up on stage three times that night. Maybe I was wrong about the Oscar being Redmayne's?
Best Actress in a Comedy – Jenny Slate, “Obvious Child”
Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie – “Interstellar”
Best Foreign Language Film – “Force Majeure”
I talked to the two male actors from the cast because I loved the movie and they admitted they'd had a disorienting day. They had their personal cameras prepped to do their happy Oscar nominee selfies for social media that morning and "well, you wouldn't want to see what happened next!" Because of course they were not actually nominated despite all the foreign film wins along the way, I believe they're running second to Ida with prizes but out of the running for Oscar now.
Best Documentary Feature – “Life Itself”
Best Song – “Glory”, Common and John Legend, “Selma”
Best Score – Antonio Sanchez, “Birdman”