BAFTA Winners & Red Carpet

The British Academy have long since finished handing out their prizes and we're still waiting for BBC America to begin the Broadcast. It's so delayed we may just wait till tomorrow morning to watch it and check out the Grammys instead tonight. Who knows? It's so strange to be denied *live* events on the telly.  If you don't want to know the winners before you see the taped broadcast, skip this post.
The Harry Potter Gang

You already knew that it would be a big night for the Harry Potter crowd, since they were getting a special tribute but it was an even bigger night for Bellatrix LeStrange, our Lady Helena, as she took home Best Supporting Actress for her very popular film The King's Speech. It occurred to me today that HBC, for all the ups and downs of her career, noone but her husband has really been casting her for some time, she's really  sealed her place in history, not once, not twice, but three times over. Other actresses should be so lucky. She's an irreplaceable part of 80s era cinema as a major Merchant/Ivory rep player. She's an irreplaceable part of Tim Burton's filmography (and despite his rocky past decade in terms of quality, that means something). AND she's an irreplaceable part of the Harry Potter franchise which dominated the past decade of film. So, well done HBC.

It was sort of a stealth approach to screen immortality but however you get there...

BAFTA WINNERS
Academy Fellowship: Christopher Lee
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: the Harry Potter films
Film: The King's Speech
British Film: The King's Speech
Outstanding Debut: Four Lions, Chris Morris
Director: David Fincher, The Social Network
Screenplay: The King's Speech
Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network
Foreign Film: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Animated Film: Toy Story 3
Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech
Supporting Actress: Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech

a major night for the Royal family with both Best Film awards

Music: Alexandre Desplat, The King's Speech
Cinematography: Roger Deakins, True Grit (read the Film Experience interview)
Editing: Angus Wall & Kirk Baxter, The Social Network (read the Film Experience interview)
Production Design Guy Dyas, Inception
Costume Design: Colleen Atwood, Alice in Wonderland
Sound: Inception
Visual Effects: Inception
Makeup and Hair: Alice in Wonderland
Short Animation: The Eagleman Stag
Short Film: Until the River Runs Red
Rising Star Award: Tom Hardy

More dresses? Who do you think is best dressed? (UPDATE: More pictures are coming in so this is just a teensy peak of the fashion)

poll by twiigs.com

I'm glad that Julianne Moore got one more big event this year as a nominee. She looks great. She didn't get to cheer on Annette Bening, though. Aside from the supporting categories -- which were part of the very dominant King's Speech (though strangely technicals like production design & costumes were not) -- the BAFTAs gave us the same crop of winners as virtually everywhere else in one of the most samey-samey years in awards history. It's unlikely that Oscar night will hold any surprises. Hopefully there will be major fashion risks to give us plenty to talk about other than "Which of Colin Firth's major speeches did you like best?" 

How are you feeling about the BAFTA choices? Disappointed? Happy? Empty Inside?

Oscar Nominee Luncheon

Oopsie. Misremembered the date on this.

Thought it was tomorrow. Guess I should have checked my own calendar right here.

Here are my favorite bits from the live stream televised portion

• James Franco at the end of his interview "Is that it? WHAT? all right". Ha. the interviews were super super short.
• Learning that Jeff Bridges is recording an album with T Bone Burnett. Interesting.
• Michelle Williams being sad that Ryan Gosling wasn't nominated but then a quick "but there are lots of other friendly faces" and she was off without even saying thank you or bye to the room.
• Hailee Steinfeld admitting she mostly only watched the Oscars for the red carpet to see what they were wearing. Well, she picked up the gift quickly (see red carpet lineups)

• That Jacki Weaver was practically invisible under the microphone. Actually that wasn't HAPPY but it was interesting. couldn't they have had one of those moving stand that goes up and down.
• Nicole Kidman was asked about other Australians nominated. Re: Jacki Weaver: "its so wonderful to see to see Jacki Weaver who I grew up watching to have this chance it says to so many actors it doesn't matter what age you are you can have a huge break."
• Nicole Kidman also said that this nomination,her third, is the one that made her happiest. Partially because of the movie but also because of how long it's been since she was last honored. "10 years?"
• HAPPIEST MOMENT Hearing that Jacki Weaver has had several offers for new movies. Yes! She says "I've never had grand ambitions to work elsewhere and suddenly i'm thrust into this milieu of excitement. i must say it's become addictive quickly. I've been saying it's the twilight of career but it appears to be the midafternoon."
• One more Jacki Weaver quote: "How do I feel? If I were a bell I'd be ringing."
• John Hawkes was very nonchalant "It's a wonderful time in my life but I'm nervous that my cover is blown" Jeff Bridges also spoke about anonymity being a gift for actors.

• Amy Adams walking out to scattered quiet journalist applause. "That was tepid" she joked. "I'm just playing" She seemed very relaxed.
• Amy when asked about Christian Bale said 'all that matters to me about working with an actor is what happens between action and cut' Interestingly vague. She then said that he stays in character between takes.
• Annette Bening telling the truth about how to combat homophobia and other such issues. " if you can open people's hearts first then maybe people's minds get opened after that."

• Colin Firth on whether people have been treating him differently: "I do get the odd bow which I put down to confusion or facetiousness."
• Helena Bonham-Carter was hilarious throughout in one of the longer interviews. Second happiest moment for me, a long time fan, was her admitting that The King's Speech has born fruit and people are interesting in casting her again. YES.
• HBC on the offer for The King's Speech "When they first approached me I wanted to play George cause that's the best part. I didn't look in the mirror and think I was a dead ringer for the Queen Mum."
• HBC on what she'll wear to the Oscars "I have no idea really. it's probably going to be a catastrophe. "

SAG Live-Blog. Less Painful Than Oral Surgery?

 6:10 Here we are again. Another weekend, another awards show. Three more to go: SAG (tonight), BAFTA, and then the big Kahuna, Oscar Oscar Oscar. I warn you all up front that I am live blogging tonight with a terrible toothache. I fear I need a root canal. I've heard they're very painful but having lived through so many Oscar races, I figure I've had so much psychic pain -- Crash anyone? -- that my nerve endings are probably shot anyway. Hi Tom Hooper! So, what's a little oral surgery?

Armie Hammer is a dork, an adorable dork.

What's the word for someone who is just genius at something without trying to be, an idiot savant? That doesn't sound flattering. Soooo the flattering version of that. Whatever the term is. That's what Hailee Steinfled is. Hailee is home schooled and Mean Girls taught us that that makes for smart girls, Mathletes even. Every single time she's worn something amazing and she's not repeating looks either. She looks even better tonight in a bright colorful stripey thing that only a 14 year old could pull off at a big deal Hollywood event and still make it look glam. Who are her acting heroes?

Besides Jodie Foster, Natalie Portman is somebody I've always looked up to. Diane Lane I love. I don't know I just love the fact that they love what they do. They bring such joy to their work.

The Diane Lane answer totally surprised me. She gleeks out over blonde himbo Chord Overstreet from Glee who Guiliana (from E!) then grills about his hair. He claims "I just get out of the shower and shake it." That's what I do, too!

6:20 Guilina interviews Jesse Eisenberg. Asks him 'how did you get here?'

On a airplane. It's very efficient.

Ha. Love it. He just can't play the 'I love this inane IQ free banter.' game.

READ THE WHOLE LIVE BLOG

Click to read more ...

Truth in Advertising. FYC Ads

I had a hankering for some truth-telling. Sometimes I wish all advertising would just tell it like it is. Wrap a golden lasso 'round all marketing departments and see what bursts forth. Herewith my (photoshopped) reinterpretation of two recent FYC ads: Roger Deakins who has yet to win and Oscar and Dame Helena Bonham Carter Burton:

What fun!

If only I had time to do this for every FYC ad. How do you think this year's nominees should be advertised?

P.S. This post was inspired by The Shiznit's  amusing slideshow of truth-in-advertising posters for this year's Best Picture nominees currently hosted by The Wrap since The Shiznit is down. Here are my two favorites from their photoshop fun: 127 Hours and Winter's Bone.

Though their takes on Toy Story 3 and Black Swan are also keepers.

Red Carpet Globes: Crazy Helena, Peachy Stone, Powerful Fonda

You thought I forgot about the Red Carpet Lineup for the Golden Globes didn't you? No... I'm just moving a bit slowly after that March of the Handsome Penguins. Why do I punish myself to make things pretty? "Do you even care about the pretty?" he screams into the virtual abyss, clawing at the heavy comment door.

Oh... and, uh, Merry Christmas?

CZJ, Sweet Lips, Globe Hopper, "Peggy"

Maybe that's why Tilda wished everyone Happy New Year from the stage. So many holiday gowns staring up at her.

What was with all the green? Is that what they call "on trend"? Green is my favorite color, give or take purple (The Joker is my color wheel) but that's a lot of green even for me. What to make of Elisabeth Moss's sculpted butterfly wing bosom? Meanwhile Angelina Jolie looks very Dynasty (that's a compliment) and Mila "Sweet Lips" Kunis finally steps up the glamour. Here's hoping she really breaks out on Oscar's red carpet, whether or not she's nominated. You know she's the kind of high profile young draw that they'll invite to present if people feel she's been snubbed.

And now we come to a category called Trying Too Hard.

Lea Michele, Jennifer Lawrence, Olivia Wilde, January JonesLea Michele is weirdly exactly like Rachel, her Glee character, on the red carpet. She obviously NEEDS the attention ( I feel you, Lea!) and she is always always "posing" and wearing yards and yards and yards of fabric. In fact, sometimes I wonder if it's elaborate performance art because her poses are exactly like the kind one makes in one's mirror whilst dreaming of becoming a celebrity and walking the red carpet: Here's Sexy, Silly -gotcha! (I'm so versatile), now Sultry and goddess walk... Strut!; Jennifer Lawrence is going to be an exciting red carpet fixture (if her career goes well) but she seems a bit young for this look -- wouldn't you love to see Julianne Moore in that?; Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy) was obviously going for the "wow" but there's something about it that's too obvious. And the hair with that dress? Doesn't work; Finally I really admire January Jones perpetual riskiness on the red carpet but this one is just crazy: boobs in bondage, bold red dress, black shoes, half dress underneath fringe???

But believe it or not I actually mean "trying too hard" as a compliment. At least they're trying! (I'm typing this while wearing purple longjohns, bright blue socks and a burgundy sweater. I look hateful color blind or maybe homeless. But it's laundry day. I never try.)

Do any of you feel Helena Bonham Carter was trying too hard?

poll by twiigs.com

I think she's one of the best dressed personally because it's out there and she kept posing with her feet crossed as to draw attention to her color clash shoes. In this way it's her own swan dress... albeit less avant garde rock genius and more eccentric cat lady down the street.

And now, a category that really requires your input.

The 'I'm Not Sure What To Think Of This' Bunch.

Julianne, Michelle, Natalie and EmmaJulianne Moore is one of the most beautiful women in the world and as the least color cautious redhead in the world one must always look forward to what she wears. But I think this color maybe is an error for her. What say you?; When I first saw this gown on Michelle Williams whilst live blogging I made a dumb joke about her wearing a shower curtain and then I laughed heartily at Wesley Morris's tweet

Michelle Williams is playing Carey Mulligan in 'The Mia Farrow Story'

But the more I look at it the more I am weirdly in love with it. I also hated Natalie Portman's ensemble at first but aside from the nightmarishly large and way too red applique to end all appliques the color of the gown is beautiful and both hair are makeup is perfect. Maybe it's nitpicky to hate the rose but the rose is really trying to be the whole look; Emma Stone's dress has an insanely beautiful line and it makes her look so serene in her new blazing stardom. But the color with her skintone and her new hair? Not sure.

What's your verdict?

Okay on to Unbest Dressed

don't understand any of these choices.

I complained about Sandra B's bangs, Halle's Demi-Moore inspired skirt and Megan Fox's slit up to her crotch during the live blog . Regarding the latter, this picture is too flattering -- it went way up there. Not classy. It's not like the guys walk around with their shirts open down below their belly button). The color is also all wrong;. Julia Stiles looks like a saloon girl in mourning; Jacki Weaver who I love love love (don't forget) seems to just be heading out to some special work dinner rather than a glamorous event. Although to be fair I guess this is a special work dinner for celebrities. Maybe if the dress had been longer?

Now there were far worse looks than this but I was trying to restrict myself to movie celebrities.

BEST DRESSED
Here are my choices. I think the key word is "effortless".

Hathaway, Kidman, Jolie, Steinfeld, Fonda

If you've seen Love & Other Drugs or, have eyeballs, you know that Anne Hathaway has a killer body. This year, especially, she seems to be loving it. I thought this dress was made of shiny buttons at first and then I heard CDs but even if it's only garden variety sequins supersized, I just love it; Nicole Kidman IS the glamour. The dress is but accessory; Between Angelina Jolie and legendary Jane Fonda I guess shoulder pads are back. Both of them look like the divas they are but I especially love that Fonda's is a bit sci-fi. Barbarella, bitches. Or as Claire Danes might say "HOLLA" ; And finally, consider me mortified that Hailee Steinfeld is already an old pro at dressing for the red carpet. She has not yet put a foot wrong, nor has she repeated herself. And she's a novice! What the hell is going on?

poll by twiigs.com

Agree or Disagree, tell in the comments. Who was your single best and worst dressed?

I know you're wearing your fashion police badge.