Red Carpet Lineup: Lead Actresses & The Aussie Invasion
Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 12:00PM It's the final poll of the 87th Oscars and our last red carpet lineup for awhile *sniffle*. In addition to those things this is your daily reminder that Julianne Moore won an Oscar. Because it needs to be repeated often as healing balm for our beleaguered actressexuality.
Who was best dressed on Oscar night?
NATHANIEL: Please welcome back Anne Marie and Margaret to discuss these ladies (and five more, too).
ANNE MARIE: Best Actress! Obviously, we must start by repeating the best news, which is that JULIANNE MOORE IS NOW AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNER. I get tingles when I write it.
MARGARET: BLESSED BE.
NATHANIEL: Thank you. This will serve as our daily reminder (Hee! Are you sick of the daily reminders yet?) But I have to say that beyond Juli as the season ran on I came to love this lineup abundantly. It's the best possible lineup we could have gotten given the media's reticence to admit that there were intersting and worthwhile performances happening all year long in all kinds of films. I even grew to love Felicity Jones in a way (I think she gets an unfair wrap as a coattails nominee when a lot of that movie depends on her emotional fluidity and stubborness. But I hate this dress. It's so off color and pale as to make her fade away.
MARGARET: Felicity Jones' supportive-wife staple aside, how few 'types' there are! A really great array of characters, only improved by their great performances.
NATHANIEL: I even grew to love Felicity Jones in a way. Yes, it's a type. But I think she gets an unfair wrap as a coattails nominee when a lot of that movie depends on her emotional fluidity and romantic willfulness. But I hate this dress. It's burying her. It's so off color and pale as to make her fade away.
Reese & Rosamund & Aussie goddesses after the jump...
I think only someone that cheerful could pull off those big blocky stripes
ANNE MARIE: I love Reese in that dress, but ever since Election I've thought that the preppy/and/or/clean look was her best.
NATHANIEL: Yes. she really pulls off minimal fresh looks -- remember that deep yellow she did that one year? But let's talk Rosamund because - jawdropping.
MARGARET: Magnificent. Custom Givenchy, darling and she is wearing it like a queen, plus it makes me giggle to think it could serve as a nod to her bloodbath scene in Gone Girl that NPH and Anna Kendrick shouted-out in the opening number.
NATHANIEL: I stand by my fears (discussed earlier) that Rosamund will one day be revealed as a sleeper Terminator from the future and start knocking off actresses who will one day save the world.
ANNE MARIE: I could see that. This gown's dyed in the blood of her enemies. And I love it so goddamn much.
NATHANIEL: There's something about her that is SO not quite human but I actually really love her as sleeper Terminator pretending to be a human actress pretending to be various characters SO I mean this in the kindest possible way.
ANNE MARIE: You're just saying that so she doesn't add you to her hit list.
NATHANIEL: I think we can all agree that I have no plans on saving the world in the future so I'm safe.
ANNE MARIE: But what a way to go!
MARGARET: Some misogynist gossip or other is trying to spread rumors that she's "difficult" or whatever, and her glamorously disinterested deflection of those, or indeed the requirement that actresses be likeable at all, has made me a forever fan.
But we haven't said anything about the glamorous couture winebags on Mmes Cotillard and Jones!
ANNE MARIE: "Winebag?" Is that what you call the bunched cape on the back of Cotillard's dress? Honest question, no snark.
MARGARET: Well, both she and Jones are swathed in rather a lot of excess fabric.
NATHANIEL: I think the internet agreed that Cotillard was doing a tribute to sushi if I recall? But I took it it as protective layers in case she ran into Jennifer Aniston. But then we say Jen and she looked happy so no worries.
ANNE MARIE: Of course she looked happy. She's half of the sexiest couple at the Oscars and she knew it. Plus she's smart enough to make good use of her momentum-- I'd be very surprised if we don't see her back on the awards circuit in short order.
NATHANIEL: I just read that last sentence backwards 'short circuit' and I was thinking about Pike again. That dress is such a wow. It's going to be used in every article about famous Oscar dresses for years to come (at least I hope so). But i do have something to say other than "omgjuliannemooreisanOscar winner" about our Julie. I struggled and struggled about what to think of this dress but have finally succumbed to its brilliance. I have discovered its secret: It's a visual tribute to Still Alice and Alice Howland's standing order at Pinkberry for shredded coconut and blueberry yogurt. So it's very meta and it makes me love Julianne even Moore.
MARGARET: It goes well with a statue, too.
NATHANIEL: Okay. Final lineup.
Turquoise Jasmine, Mother Monster, Friend of Kidman, Kidman, Margot Robbie
I'm calling this one "The Aussie Invasion" but let me start by saying that I'm fully aware that Lady Gaga is not from Australia. But, see, I needed five for the lineup and since she's from another planet that's close enough. G'day, readers! Also: Glenn is going back to Australia soon and I'm totally sad about that so I keep thinking of Australia. Also: I needed to include those red gloves. Lady Gaga is ever meme ready, at our service.
ANNE MARIE: Every time I look at Lady Gaga in this picture I'm reminded that I need to break out the Lysol and scrub my bathtub.
NATHANIEL: Oh my god I just did that or had it done rather. And my bathroom looks beautiful. (I recommend the service "Handy" - affordable and so convenient and I honestly wish I had been using it for years. And if any of you sign up I get credits towards cleanings. #shameless.) Ahem. Ladies. Gowns.
MARGARET: On the great scale of Lady Gaga's red carpet invasion outfits, this is downright conservative.
ANNE MARIE: These are downright conservative for pretty much all of our Aussie ladies.
MARGARET: But to a one, they look fabulous. And so well accessorized! That pop of turquoise on Cate Blanchett is giving me life.
NATHANIEL: Turquoise is the best. Let's give credit where it's due, though. Naomi Watts didn't go conservative. This is a divisive dress what with its black tube top cutout and that print, like a brick wall or a street. The Boyfriend thought it was the worst of the night, but I love its neurotic cobblestone flirtatious "come here baby, walk all over me!"
MARGARET: I like it, too! Plus in this picture she looks more than a little bit like my beloved Patty Clarkson, and that gets a gal serious points.
ANNE MARIE: Patty Clarkson would also rock that dress. I'm in favor of it.
NATHANIEL: She was at the after party! But dressed in white.
ANNE MARIE: I just adjusted my screen brightness a bit and discovered that Nicole Kidman's dress is actually pale yellow, not cream like I originally thought. It has improved in my estimation.
NATHANIEL: I like the sort of sheen covering of Nic's dress. It's like a piece of furniture people pretend is new by never removing the plastic. And also I love the color because it looks great with her strawberry blonde.
MARGARET: And it's not quite like anything I've seen worn before! She always brings it to the red carpet.
NATHANIEL: Did you guys notice the deconstructed unfinished shoulders on Cate's dress? It's like someone tore off the sleeves right before she walked the red carpet.
ANNE MARIE: Maybe she got into another fight with Judi Dench?
NATHANIEL: HEEEEEERRE I AMMMMMM
Reader Comments (29)
Of the Best Actress group, Julianne stands out for me, with Marion second. But best of all for me was Jessica Chastain. BOOM BOOM POW.
PS. Also loved Zoe Saldana and Jennifer Hudson.
Hey Nathaniel, you should do a post on the chosen acting Oscar clips...I have to say, I was really impressed with Felicity's "I am a strong woman" clip...it really worked as an edited standalone moment. Wish they had shown Rosamund 's Amy in the hospital as her clip.
Jennifer Hudson had the most gorgeous earrings to go with her gown.
Rosamund takes the win out of all the other nominees which was surprising because she really had an awful awards season run. Yay for blood-red lace Givenchy.
Also, Julianne was kind of a flop for me. I mean, if you know you have that shit in the bag, you dress like you came to collect your Oscar. That Chanel? Meh. I guess it does the job.
I still think that Nicole was an immense disappointment.
Rosamund's was the best for me hands down but I did like Reese's very much. Julianne's I'm guessing she chose over her more signature greens so it would stand out but the accent around the hips I don't get. What woman accents her hips? I suppose if you don't have them it's not a problem but it's a distracting addition to the dress. Felicity looks pretty and the dress probably made more of an impression in person but it washes her out. I hate to say it because I love her but Marion's dress looks like a baggie.
Oh Marion and Reese... just, no. Bored to tears, ladies! I will say, Margot Robbie kills it for me.
Red is a WOW-colour, but not a winners one.
(except for Julianne's wonderful hair obviously!)
Only Halle Berry won in a partly red dress.
That said, I voted for Pike's dress. Reese is 2nd and Moore's third, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it much. In fact I like it more than Blanchett's winner dress last year.
Felicity is fourth, quite elegant though a bit too much on some parts.
The less said about the back of Marion's dress, the better. It simply ruins it.
None of the dresses of Cate, Nicole or Naomi are impressive. They all have worn better dresses.
Marion was the best-dressed of the night. Sorry not sorry, but Pike is boring.
I think Julianne's Chanel dress isn't jaw dropping, but it is timeless and classy. Whenever they run this photo she will look her elegant self. That's a better choice than she is being given credit for.
I wish Lady Gaga didn't try so hard, (Veterinarian gloves!) on the other hand it's up there with Celine Dion's backwards tux for the whimsy factor.
And my favourite is Rosamund Pike, great dress and she wears it well.
From Jane Bennett to Terminator? To me Rosamund Pike projects a very Helena Bonham Carter/ Kristen Scott Thomas vibe. She is the perfect English rose with a bit of reserve when it comes to the tsunami of publicity that she has been caught up in.
I would love a roundtable that included those 3 actresses. Funny how a bit of reserve throws Hollywood and the media.
my Best Dressed were Rosamund and Margot Robbie (loved her Michelle Pfieffer Scarface look)a
I was at a small Oscar party of 6 people and when Naomi Watts showed up on the red carpet 5 people yelled "Gross!" while I yelled "Love it!" They all stared at me expecting me to have been being sarcastic... but even now, having days to possibly reconsider it, I would still pick it as my favourite look of the night. The dress, the hair & makeup just worked for me. Grade A+ :)
1. Rosamund
2. Felicity
3. Julianne
4. Marion
5. Reese
Lady Gaga looks like she's singing Don't Clean For Me, Argentina.
Felicity because she looked great in that dress, and Julianne less because of the dress but more overall radiancy.
Best dressed were Aniston and Hudson.
I'm not sure why the designer of Julianne's dress decided to place that embellishment on her hips, rather than above her waist. It would have made her seem much taller, and probably would have placed her on the best dressed.
I love Margot for working sleeves. When did it get decided that all dresses must have bare shoulders?
Notice that all of their dresses are white, except for Rosamond's. Apparently her dress WAS white, but it got covered in blood.
1.Marion (This is how Haute Couture is done)
2.Rosamun (I'm not a big Red Dress fan, but if you go there, that's how it should be done)
3.Julianne (It seems to me it's probably a dress that look's better live, the texture & details)
4.Felicity ( I REALLY don't like this but see # 5 & you'll know why it's #4)
5.Reese (I Hate, hate, HAATTTEEE that dress. It's so Blah! So Booring!! So: "I bought it at Macy's in the High School Graduation Clearance Section". Im very desapointed in you Reese!)
Love Rosamund, she looks amazing. I imagined that in reality her personality would be much like her character in Made in Dagenham (what a great cast in that film btw!). Quite posh but very warm and slightly rebellious underneath - a younger, less sloppy Emma Thompson (not hating, love Emma T, too!) . Margot Robbie is a long way from Ramsay St and it suits her. Not a huge fan of Naomi's dress oscar night but find her clumsiness this awards season quite endearing (sag stumble and oscar trip and mike bump).
1. Marion (as stjean said, This is how Haute Couture is done and Jones is the only other nominee who could come close to carrying this off. Its not a dress for photos, needs to be seen moving.)
2. JMoore (She doesn't have curves (no butt, waist or bust) but this dress gives her some without being obvious. It will also look more classic in 20 years than just about everyone else in the line up. She also looks very much at ease.)
3. Pike (After the Frederic's of Hollywood lingerie she wore to the GGs this is a surprising and welcome change. She looks like a star, she looks hot.........but uncomfortable. The dress is wearing her a bit.)
4. Jones (If it were a different color it would rank higher, but of all the nominees, she had the most individual style through the entire season (Cotillard not being included for all the events.))
5. Reese (This is a silhouette she has favored the past several years. Makes her look taller, but I don't think it pops and the color didn't read (it is an ice blue).)
Cate still rules. Everyone else is pulling out the stops and she shows up in what looks like a long version of the little black dress accessorized with a simple necklace, not even precious stones and looks like the queen she is.
I don't know what y'all are smoking but Naomi looks fabulous! She wore one of the few truly risky dresses with a stunning pattern and pulled it off. She looked hot as hell! And Margot too...she was totally owning that dress.
Cate looked like a queen with that stunning turquoise necklace.
I'm sorry to say that Nicole Kidman looks the most blah to me. She's done so much better.
Out of the best actresses, Rosamund takes it hands. That red Givenchy will be one of the most memorable Oscar dresses ever. I actually loved Marion's dress too, but the others I felt had worn much more interesting and beautiful gowns this award season.
Lupita's dress was stolen from her hotel in LA. $150,000 worth of pearls which aren't marked so the dress will probably be dismantled (if it hasn't been already) and sold.
Are Cate's shoulders deconstructed or is the whole dress made of a feathery material? I had been assuming the latter!
Rosamund hands down! She's like the perfect Hitchcock Fire/Ice Blonde. If there's ever another remake of Grace Kelly...She wld've been perfect!
She look like a cross between Grace Kelly + Sarah Connors in this bloody gorgeous gown! FEROSH!!
ROSAMUND PIKE! nuff said
Well I think the sexiest couple at the oscars was Julianne and her hubby Bart. Good god is that man attractive. I totally get why she's super happy with him as her younger, quasi-stay-at-home-hubby whose career is not on her level. Such a dreamboat. And he didn't exactly get short shrift in that arrangement either.
And I say Pike 100% should've been Emma Frost in X-Men: First Class. January Jones over her was kind of on the level of Halle a berry over Angela Bassett as Storm. Not AS bad, but similarly off in my opinion.
And would've Pike also have been interesting in Scarlett's alien man eater role? Oh, the possibilities...
Nathaniel & Adam K: Ok you guys are bringing me around on this - Rosamund as Emma Frost would have been perfection. She does remind me a little of Jeri Ryan (Borg - 7 of 9) on Star Trek Voyager. "Resistance is Futile, you will be assimilated".
She would fit in nicely on a Star Trek movie. She's friends with Simon Pegg, so you never know. But would the internet be able to handle Pike & Chris Pine together?
people who said how boring Nicole's dress was should look into the details of the dress close up
margot robbie's look reminds me of julia roberts when she was nominated for pretty woman. she was the hottest name in town and she could have gone ultra sexy but instead, she chopped her hair off into a blonde bob and wore a severe black gown which covered her arms. this robbie girl has promise.