Well, I hate to say I told you so; BUT, I did.... When I posted "Diving In," I shared my concerns about James Franco and Anne Hathaway hosting the Oscars; and well; let's just say that James Franco proved that I had every reason to doubt him. I'll gladly give credit where credit's due and say that the opening montage was entertaining; although it was mostly in part to Anne Hathaway and the guest stars in the piece. AND, kudos to Anne for her singing. I had no idea that she had such a nice voice and I'd be happy to see her in a musical. I could totally see her as Ms. Anna in a revival of "The King and I." I was amused when Mr. Franco came out in drag; but apparently so was he; because he was more interested in tweeting it to is followers; than he was in hosting the show. It appeared that Franco just wasn't invested in the production; and he left poor Annie to carry the show; which she was clearly anxious about. Unfortunately her beautiful wardrobe changes (accept for that Royal blue cat woman dress;) weren't enough to pull off a win. Truth be told; I think that Ms. Hathaway could have done a much better job, had she hosted the show ALONE.
I could go on and on about what a let down James Franco was; but honestly, my expectations were so low, that he didn't let me down; he just proved that I was right to doubt him to begin with. I dunno, I just find him creepy and disturbing. Yes I know, he speaks so highly of me; but that's not the point. I find him to be an enigma. He reminds me very much of the character that he's playing on "General Hospital;" whose name just also happens to be Franco; because I suppose there was no other name that the staff of writers could think of. He's playing a multi-media artist; who just so happens to be a serial killer, and if you know anything about the "real" James Franco, then you know that he too is somewhat of a multi-media artist. He's written both novels and children books. He's earned several educational degrees and is still in the process of acquiring more. He's an award winning actor, and Oscar nominated actor; and yet he's chosen to have a recurring role on "GH," with his real life mom playing his mom; FREAKY! But enough about him. I won't go as far as to say that Ms. Hathaway won't ever be asked to host the Oscar's again; but as for Mr. Franco's chances, let's just say; another one bit the dust.
Now, if anyone happened to be keeping track of my Oscar predictions, you'd know that I had 16 out of 24 correct; BUT, that wasn't enough to win my pool. The winner had 17 picks and got 2 points for tie breakers. The next person had 17 picks with one tie breaker; and then Michelle M and I each had a respectable 16; while the remaining 5 people had between 15 and 9 correct. I know, I know. Had I listened to my own reason regarding the best director; I too would have tied with 17; but I didn't want to go with my own judgement. Oh why, oh why, I didn't follow that rule when it came to best song, is any one's guess; but I'll know better next year. I hope.
As for the fashion, I only want to talk about what I liked; because there are plenty of others out there, who have a lot to say about the not so well dressed and I don't feel like putting any negativity out there today. With that being said; at the very top of my list is Mandy Moore. Not the dress that she wore to sing her nominated song; but the one that she wore on the red carpet. Glitter, Glitter, POW! She looked like a princess. So elegant, so perfect. It was the pinnacle of Oscar fashion in my opinion. I also enjoyed Mila Kunis in her lavender gown; and I liked the lace, back and color of Scarlett Johanson's gown as well; although it was absolutely NOT amethyst as one reporter stated. It was crimson, or cranberry or dare I say SCARLETT; but it certainly wasn't amethyst. I thought Jennifer Lawrence looked sensational. She wore a very simple, red, Calvin Klein gown; proving that less truly is more. Michelle M suggested that she'd like to see her as young Carrie in the "Carrie Diaries," and I concur; although we hear that Blake Lively has already been tapped for the role. I thought that Hailee Steinfeld was ideal. So sweet, so age appropriate; just lovely. I'm gonna leave well enough alone in the Best dressed category and conclude with a comment about last night's Best Actress winner, Natalie Portman. I adored the Aubergine color of Natalie Portman's gown. I would have preferred her hair in an up do; and maybe some tasteful, bling on her ears; but all and all I thought that she looked beautiful; the gracious Oscar winner that she was.
OK, so I talked about the hosts, I gave my opinion on the best dressed; so that leaves the highlights; and if you know me at all, then you know that the BEST part of the show for me was when the BEST OSCAR HOST EVER, made his appearance. I am SO hopeful that the fact that Billy Crystal got a standing ovation just for walking out on the stage, signaled to the Academy that it's time for him to take his rightful place, back on that Oscar stage, as the host extraordinaire that he is. I think that the standing O showed the Academy that the stars are clamoring for Billy's return; just as much as the public is. So here's my prediction. I expect that Billy Crystal will return to host the Academy Awards no later than 2013. You heard it here first! I'm optimistic that the Academy will realize that there's no time like the present, and they should plan for his return sooner rather than later. BUT, if they really feel the need to try and hit the younger demographic one more time; then perhaps the 85th Academy Awards will be enough of a milestone to warrant their reinstatement of the King of The Oscars.
You get the point. I love me some Billy Crystal. I also loved Colin Firth's acceptance speech. The award presentation by future Academy Award Winner, Robert Downey jr. and Jude Law. Sandra Bullock's presentation of the Best Actor Oscar and Kirk Douglas presentation of the Best Supporting Actress award. It was slightly uncomfortable to watch; but that could be said for the hosts as well. Good for you Kirk Douglas!
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
When I wrote "Oscar On My Mind," I told you that I was on the fence about hosting another Oscar pool; BUT, in the long run, I had decided that I would go ahead and do it. At first I'd planned to email the previous participants prior to The Golden Globes; but alas, that didn't happen. I then changed my game plan, and was going to send an email after The Awkward Awards, (aka the Golden Globes;) and I went so far as to take my notebook to Kelsie's soccer practice, so that I could draft the letter. I started writing the email, but got sidetracked and I was unable to finish. Fast forward to today, and much to my dismay, the email had still not been sent.
Shame on me! I'm falling short. So much so, that I wouldn't have even known that the Oscar nominations were announced today, had my cousin, Jackie not mentioned it to me. Right after I heard; I went directly to Oscar.com and sure enough, there were the nominations. I wasn't happy to see that the Academy is persisting with an excessive ten nominations in the Best Picture category. I think the only thing that wasn't nominated was "Sex & The City 2." I've had mixed feelings about James Franco as an Oscar co-host; and the fact that he's garnered himself a Best Actor nomination to boot; just makes the situation even that much more curious to me. It's not that I have anything against James Franco; but to me, there's something unsettling about him. It seems that he is a multi-talented man, acting, writing, obtaining multiple graduate degrees from various Universities in a multitude of disciplines. He's making Oscar nominated films AND, he's currently playing a serial killer on "General Hospital;" I don't get it. And now to top it off he's co-hosting the Oscars?? I dunno, there's just something a little too peculiar about this to me; and I just can't put my finger on it; but you know me - I will. As for Anne Hathaway; the other co-host; I enjoy her as an actress, I do; but again I'm not sure that she's Oscar co-host material. Let's face it; just because she was in Hugh Jackman's opening number for a hot minute, two Academy Awards ago; doesn't mean that she's ready to co-host an entire show; especially with someone else who has no hosting experience. Hmmm, maybe this is my hesitation about The Oscars; ya think?
Without having seen any of the nominated films other than "Toy Story 3" thus far; I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Natalie Portman will win for Best Actress in "Black Swan." Colin Firth will win for Best Actor in "The King's Speech," and Toy Story 3" will win for Best Animated Feature Film. I may recant these predictions after I actually do some research; but hey, I have to start somewhere. AND, if I really want to have an Oscar pool this year; then I need to get that email out to my swimmers once and for all. I'm diving in. Let me know if you care to join me.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
If it weren't for the Oscar pool that I started in 1998, "The Bumpy Ride" probably wouldn't exist. I've written about my $10 Oscar pool in a number of posts, starting with my very first, entitled; "The Queen of EVERYTHING and The Bumpy Ride (or Vice Versa.)" It was the newsletters that I wrote for the pool participants, that actually inspired me to attempt writing something on a more regular basis; and as The Golden Globes are rapidly approaching (January 16th;) I've got Oscar on my mind.
The thing that I like best about my Oscar pool, (other than the actual show;) is the fact that I don't know most of the people in the pool personally. OK, no need to read that line again. You saw it correctly. I said I DON'T know most of the people. How is that possible you ask? Well of course I'll explain. When I began the pool in 1998, it consisted only of me and a couple of friends. Some of the friends were local, but moved away and others were longtime friends who lived elsewhere. Over the course of time, the friends who lived elsewhere recruited their other friends and co-workers; and the pool grew and grew, to the point where each year I contact my "swimmers," even though we're virtual strangers. I LOVE that!
Now, let me explain "briefly," YES, "briefly!" We use the official Oscar ballot on Oscar.com and we vote on every category (even the crazy, hard ones that no one knows anything about.) It costs $10 to participate in the pool and , the pot is divided between 1st and 2nd place as well as $10 being sent back to the person who gets the least amount correct. Don't ask me why; it's just the way I've always done it. Now let me say this. EVERY year I have to remind everyone that it doesn't matter if you haven't seen any of the movies. In 1999 when I was pregnant with Nicky, I saw EVERY movie that was nominated, and that was the year that I did my worst in the pool; BUT, the following year when I saw NO movies; I tied for first place. So with that being said, I can honestly tell you that in terms of the pool, you're better off looking up critics picks online and reading articles, than you are seeing the movies. Of course if you enjoy seeing the movies, you should certainly do so. I was merely trying to explain that not seeing any of the movies, shouldn't be a deterrent from joining the pool; if you thought it might be fun.
Whew; OK; now. Over the past few years, the Academy awards date has moved up, so that it's no longer in April; but now in February. February 27 this year, to be exact. And I don't know about you, but I barely saw any movies last year; so other than hearing the buzz about Natalie Portman and "Black Swan," or Colin Firth and the cast of "The King's Speech;" I have no clue what will be nominated; and I'm hesitant to say this, but for the sake of honesty, I will... I'm not sure if I care. (One eye closed and waiting for the room to cave in;) nope nothing happened, it's OK. I can say that I'm not sure if I care about the Oscars and life will go on. (BIG SIGH;) Of relief; I'm not sure. You see the thing is, the Oscar pool doesn't take up SO much of my time; BUT, it is another thing that I will have to commit time (that I really don't have) to; and being that I'm not even excited about the movies; it would be relatively easy for me to say that I'm not going to do it this year. BUT, I will watch the show, because I'm a total Oscar fan, and I'm SO curious to see how James Franco and Anne Hathaway are going to do as hosts; AND I fear that while I'm watching, I'll be kicking myself and thinking "I should have done the pool." Yup; I know me; and that's what I'll do. So in order to prevent myself from any unnecessary bruising, and because; if it weren't for the Oscar pool that I started in 1998, "The Bumpy Ride" probably wouldn't exist; I think that I just got my answer. I need to put my Oscar Mistress hat (yes, hat;) on and start amping up for The Oscars. Anybody want to join me?
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
