(Edith Head was one of the top Hollywood costume designers. I just wanted to have a picture from film here. The sketch was for Sweet Charity.)The 88 Academy Awards took place last night- Let’s start from the beginning… So, your husband didn’t get an Oscar nomination and you make a split decision to cause some friction. It’s time to boycott.
Of course the point could be valid, but you have to look at all of the films being made. Just because a film makes a lot of money at the box office doesn’t mean its good enough to be nominated.
If you know me, you know movies have always been a big part of my life. There are a lot of great movies that never see the light of day. Having been a part of several film festivals I’ve gotten to see some of them. Now with the Internet films pop up from time to time that didn’t get theatrical releases. It's a good thing and I aplaude the film makers no matter what it is, especially when its done right.
I used to dream of winning an Oscar. Although that dream hasn’t faded, I probably won’t win it for acting.
As I had written in another entry, I didn’t feel it was right to boycott the Oscars. There was a black man hosting and a black man was producing the show. I’m sure there are many black people that feel the way I do, but it’s not easy going against the grain. People have to learn to think for themselves.
No one who is getting paid would walk away from a paying gig. It’s always the people who aren’t capable of doing what is required that want to tell you to step back.
Kerry Washington spoke so eloquently, making a statement as why she chose to attend the Oscars. Some people make a bigger statement then they come to the table. The important thing to understand about the Oscars is that it’s political. There is campaigning involved and if you’re not willing to do the work… It’s a process.
I couldn’t believe Charlotte Rampling had never been nominated for an Oscar. I saw a few black faces, including Common who won for the song Glory from the film Selma. I’m still trying to catch up on the films from last year. Hollywood is a world of make believe and though some progress has been made, like everything else it takes time.
Lou Gossett, Jr. who I’ve always admired, also spoke well on the red carpet. Kevin Hart came to support Chris Rock and he was a presenter wearing a Dolce and Gabbana tux. Quincy Jones was in attendance, John Legend and his wife.
I made a note on Facebook that Straight Outta Compton was the only film I had seen, but I had also seen Ex Machina which I really enjoyed. So SOC was the only film I saw in the theater last year.
My Top best dressed - Lady Gaga, Brie Larson, Charlize Theron. AliciaVakander, Jennifer Garner, Sophia Vagara and I’m not sure who designed Kerry Washington’s dress, but it reminded me of the alien from the film The 5th Element.
In case you didn’t watch the Oscars and haven’t had a chance to search the Internet, The Oscar went too Spotlight for best screenplay. The Big Short won for best adaptation.
Whenever I see Sam Smith I think of Boy George. He had an interesting acceptance speech.
I had hoped that Jennifer Jason Leigh would get best supporting actress, it went to Alicia Vikander, it was her first nomination for The Danish Girl.
Best costume, hair and makeup, film editing- Margaret Sixel, sound editing and sound mixing went to Mad Max Fury Road which I must add to my collection. I didn’t see the film because I thought it was a remake.
Cinematography went to The Revenant Emmanuel Lubrezki.
Visual Effects went to Ex Machina
The Oscars were very long, but I miss those days when there were these great musical numbers and someone hosted that made you laugh constantly. The Weekend performed ‘Worth It‘ from the film 50 Shades of Grey which was nominated for best song. Lady Gaga performed a powerful song from the film Spotlight. Sam Smith was quite entertaining with his song from the James Bond film, Spectre. I think Sam may be the first male to ever sing a bond song. I’ll have to look it up.
Chris Rock’s opening was not what I expected, but he spoke the truth. For a lot of people it was, do I laugh or what? There were jabs at Will Smith and at Jada, after all she started it all.
Animated short went to Bear, the story was by Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala. Inside and Out won best Animated feature, Pete Docter and James Rivera. It’s a film I’ll have to see.
I loved the line in his acceptance speech where he said, “Make stuff, draw, write, it’ll make a difference.”
The Oscar for supporting actor went to Mark Rylance in Bridge of Spies. Documentary short winner A Girl in the River- The Price of Forgiveness (Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy)
Documentary feature went to Amy ( About the late singer Amy Winehouse) I want to see the film Whatever happened to Nina Simone.
I’m surprised Spike Lee would join the boycott since he won an honoree Oscar as did Debbie Reynolds and Gena Rowlands.
The memoriam allows me to see who passed away. Some people we don’t see and we think they have already passed away. I didn’t know Wes Craven had passed away. Christopher Lee, Jerry Weintraub, Jerry L. White, Robert Loggia, Maureen O’Hara, Omar Sharif, Dean Jones, Alan Rickman, Cinematographer - Haskell Wexler, Alex Rocco, Holly Woodland, David Bowie and Leonard Nimoy. I’ll have to watch Lawrence of Arabia, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and Madly, Truly, Deeply to honor Omar Sharif, David Bowie and Alan Rickman and some horror film that Wes Craven has done.
Live action short went to Stutter, Foreign language film from Hungary, went to Laszlo Nemes for Son of Saul. Pharrel Williams and Quincy Jones were presenters for original score which went to Ennio Marricone for The Hateful 8.
Common and John Legend who won Oscars for their song Glory from the film Selma were presenters for original song Writings on the Wall which went to Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith from the film Spectre.
The award for best director went to Alejandro G. Inarritu for The Revenant.
The best Actress award went to Brie Larson for the film Room.
The best Actor award went to Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant.
I am really happy that he won the award. It’s long over due. He also had a great speech.
The best picture award went to the film Spotlight.
There are a few films I’ll hope to add to my collection.
Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.
The rating system - (d) it’s okay, if you like the stars (D) worth a look, especially if you are a fan of the stars (DD) Great cinematography and costumes (DDD) good script, cinematography, (DDDD) Not to be missed (DDDDD) I highly recommend this film
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