Oscars 2008 - Favorite Color, Favorite People
Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 9:13PM 
The "gorgeous couple with a bun in the oven" award goes to...Jessica Alba and Cash Warren...wearing Marchesa & FerragamoAh! Oscar night... I started to pick up the phone yesterday to find some friends to watch the Oscars with, when, mid-dial, I realized that this is one night of television that I really enjoy all by myself. Enjoy, peruse, clap, take notes, write a post...and the opinion is wholly your own.
I must say that I was overwhelmingly happy with the entire Oscar production this year. Jon Stewart was dapper, sardonic yet lighthearted, funny and classy, delivering a show that was a fully seven minute SHORT of its four hour time allotment. I *heart* Jon Stewart. Also, this was one of the only years where I've actually seen my personal favorites WIN in their nominated categories. When I saw Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf last year in La Vie en Rose, I left the movie utterly speechless. Eith Piaf's sad story was so heartbreaking, but it was the fact that a gorgeous French girl of my own age was so transformed into an ugly old woman, that really left me shaking. So, Marion Cotillard's Best Actress win moved me to tears, especially given the incredible company in the category...
Hal Holbrook and Dixie CarterDid you know that Hal Holbrook lived in Memphis, Tennessee? I did. I was on a business trip to Memphis once and sat a few rows behind Mr. Holbrook on the plane. As we waited for our luggage, he held my coat for me like a true gentleman. I was so happy that he was nominated for his role in Into the Wild. I loved his part on the final episodes of The Sopranos as well, so this nomination was only appropriate. Tonight he looked classically handsome, pairing his tuxedo with a great formal scarf, like a matinee idol from yesterday.
Miley Cyrus in Valentino
Julie Christie in her own design
Anne Hathaway in Marchesa
Katherine Heigl in Escada
Ruby Dee in Kevan Hall
Helen Mirren in Georges Shakra with Swarovsky sleevesSartorially, there was a lot to love about this year's awards, though the overall trend of playing-it-safe seems to continue at the Oscars. The men were classically handsome, especially Javier Bardem and Patrick Dempsey, and the ladies were understated glamour incarnate. However, this year's uniform seems to have been created by Project (Red) - not that there's anything wrong with that, but let's mix it up a bit, shall we? Last year's all-white, seems to have gone all-red...
Other than all-red (my favorite color, in life and in a great dress) the black choices were fantastic. Highlights included Jennifer Garner, Nicole Kidman (although the necklace made a sloppy look overall) and Hillary Swank.
Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta
Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga with L'Wren Scott necklace
Hilary Swank in Versace
I must also mention another win that made me jump out of my chair: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's win for Best Original Song, "Falling Slowly" from Once. A gorgeous little romance filmed in Dublin for practically no money at all. I LOVED this movie, I love the soundtrack, and I love that the underdogs won so completely against Disney who had three songs in the category. I think Glen Hansard's "Make Art, Make Art" speech was wonderful, as was Marketa Irglova's special-invitation-from-Jon Stewart "artists: have hope" speech - both were elegant, concise and beautiful - just like their film. Since I cannot find a segment of their speeches, I leave you with their performance on tonight's ceremony of "Falling Slowly"...
Reader Comments (5)
I must say though, I didn't forget Penelope Cruz's dress - I didn't mention it because I didn't think it was worth mentioning.
Every time she appears on the red carpet, between the big hair and gigantic dresses in bad colors...ugh! I just can never pick her as a best-dressed. This year was no exception.
Someone with her frame, build and beauty should be dressed down in the simplest, chic-est gowns. Her big dresses just seem to gild the lily - never in good taste!