Feb 28, 2009

Michelle O

How much do I love, love, love The Obamas? Portuguese Water dog? Universal health-care? A focus on college and training for all Americans? Diplomacy (Oh diplomacy, how I've missed you!)? Am I dreaming?

I feel complete and utter embarrassment over Obama having to mingle with Stephen Harper. Please America, understand that he's our Bush. We've trying to get rid of him, but our Texas, Alberta, can't let go.

Harper bashing aside, Michelle Obama is a class-act. Her official White House portrait was released and her sleevelessness is causing quite an uproar amongst idiots conservatives republicans idiots.

I think she looks superb, classic and sublime. Her black, sleeveless (!!!) dress is Micheal Kors and the portrait is shot by photographer Joyce N. Boghosian in the Blue Room of the White House. Thank God Oscar De La Renta's eight year reign over that wench also known as Laura Bush is over.

Generation, we have our own Jackie O.

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Reason #193719 that Madonna has the best publicist in the world

I'm sure some of you lot have heard about Guy Ritche calling Madonna "It," by the end of their marriage. As in: "Be careful, we don't want to make "It" mad..."

Well, I dismissed this as tabloid fodder that typically follows high-profile breakups. Today Liz Rosenberg responded to the story:
It hasn’t been in a bad mood since the divorce was finalized.”

Zing! Proof again that Liz Rosenberg works damn hard for each paycheck she earns.

Here's Madge at The Vanity Fair party post-Oscars. Like Benjamin Button, she seems to be aging in reverse- divorce does the body good? Maybe her newly-adopted son boyfriend, Jesus, must be doing something right. The Curious Case of Madonna Ciccone? Whatever, I think she owes it to herself. If Jack Nicholson can do it, why can't Madge? Get it girl!
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Gaga Style

Lady Gaga continues her mission to take over the world. Her she is on the cover of weekend fashion rag, Style. She looks like a white, blonde, future version of Alicia Keys no? Anyway, her style is a nice change from seeing the Jessica Britney What's-her-names of the world who typically don velour track bottoms tucked into Uggs- yuck. I want her and Kanye to collaborate.

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Feb 27, 2009

Oscars...delayed

I know I'm late on posting these, but I've been busy. To make up for this, I've included some candids from the Vanity Fair party.

Let's start off with the big trend of the evening: ivory. Everyone wore it and everyone that didn't- well, they just don't matter (sorry Angie, you did look lovely, witchy, but lovely). The second, statement jewellery or keeping it simple- everyone did one or two pieces and left the dazzle up to their dress. The third: trains, tails and mermaids- if you don't know what I'm talking about, why are you reading this blog?

The Gorgeous

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I thought Anne Hathaway did an amazing job in Rachel Getting Married. Although she lost to Kate (whose YSL gown haunts my life), her dress won my heart for the evening. It didn't photograph as well as it should but the beauty is in the details. The semi-transparent paillettes cascading towards the bottom of her Armani gown are romantic, intricate and everything Oscar fashion is supposed to be- glamorous.

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Marissa Tomei- for an actress nominated for a role that required little clothing, I think her dress is the definition of couture. This Versace number, pleated in all the right spots, really set the tone for her- whether she won or not- she's back in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

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Maria Elena wouldn't be caught dead in this outfit- but Penelope doesn't seem to mind. This vintage, elaborately laced gown by Balmain Haute Couture screamed winner the second she stepped onto that carpet. Perfection.

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Taraji P. Henson. Simplicity done correct. Simplicity is also hard to come by when it's designer Roberto Cavalli you're wearing. The clean lines and silhouette of this gown, the hair and statement necklace work so well.

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I love SJP. This dress stole the show from anyone else who wasn't nominated. This Vintage Couture Dior gown is a dream. Sweeping and magnificent. She should have worn this to marry Big. Yes?

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Evan Rachel Wood wearing Elie Saab. The colour, the pose, the hair, the look, the pout- great gown to end her fabulous reign during award season.

The pitiful

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You can take the girl outta the trailer, but you can't take the trailer outta the girl. I don't know what she thought she was attending, but Little Miss pageant this isn't.

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Jessica Biel looked as though she fought someone, had rough sex and a long night of binge drinking (in that order of course) before she showed up the show. The dress isn't terrible- but the hair, clutch, shoes (they were close-toed black abominations) and posture made me cringe with second-hand embarrassment. She couldn't walk in the dress. Miley has the "I'm young," excuse- what's yours? After another look, yes the dress is terrible. I digress.

Candids from the Vanity Fair after-party.

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Angelic and DVF talking shit (probably about Kate Winslett).


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Gwen: fresh, fab and forty. No Doubt tickets go on sale March 7th. Gavin's her best accessory.

One last thing: Hugh Jackman nailed it! I take back what I said about him earlier. He was fantastic and would love to see him next year and actually, maybe he should stop acting all together and just host award shows. Amazing.

Feb 26, 2009

Michelle Tanner x2

I love the Olsens. Here is Mary-Kate at The Spirit Awards a few weeks ago looking pretty chic and as usual, on trend.
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Oh hi Ghandi...

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Here are a few paparazzo shots. The bag in the latter pics is Alexander Wang and I kinda love it.

Normally I try not posting too many pap shots, but I really love their everyday style. I don't understand why people don't. I think they're better dressed than 99.99% of celebrities. Even when wearing classic black or simple white- they never play safe. Usually, they're ahead of the curve- maybe that's what throws people off.

Pick up their book, Influence. They know their stuff and have rubbed shoulders with people I can only dream about.

Also, their choice in footwear astounds me and yet, amazes me.

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Feb 24, 2009

Live-blogging ProRunCan2 - Ep5

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  • Kim described the last runway show as "super lame-town."
  • Iman looks like a black Cher Barbie- Gypsies, tramps and thieves!
  • Divorcees are this week's models- "Something New, Something Old"
  • Ex-wife of the Ottawa mayor is Kim's model
  • Jeff's model has a list! Oh my! She wants the dress black!? Debbie? Last name Downer?
  • Christian Amanpour + Mick Jagger = Sunny Wong's model
  • Baylor is doing a backless sari- WHAT? I smell trouble.
  • Adejoke's model also has a list...Festive? Happy? Is this Christmas party or a dress?
  • Have they been able to make any designs with new fabric yet? This is ridiculous. Everything is recycled - is ProRunCan going green or are the designers so dull they must rely on gimmick?
  • Jason is a one-trick pony, I agree Sunny, I agree.
  • Stained fabric - oh my, Ottawa mayor! You rascal!
  • "This feels like my grandmother; old and gross!" Thanks Kim.
  • I swear the designers said "Hi Tim Gunn," in unison
  • "Sexy ho?" Brian Bailey, you tool.
  • Is Jeff working with a bathroom mat?
  • "Bum detail," Thanks Biffi, sounds technical.
  • Is "cleav" short for cleavage? Really?
  • I normally don't give much leeway for boo-hoo-hoos on runway, but I kinda understand where Kim is coming from- I understand her quip about the fabric. This really is getting ridiculous because I have yet to see real, utter, true design from anyone.
  • So I predict either Jeff, Kim or Genvieve are going home
  • And I think Sunny, Jessica or Adejoke are going to come out on top
  • Sunny said "making it work" - I died a little bit inside.
  • I love that Adejoke's model used the word "embellished!"
  • Jeff's model seems kinda bitchy. So does Jeff. Passive-aggressiveness ruins lives.
  • Baylor really had it the easiest I think. The fabric is kinda fug though.
  • Uh-oh, all the divorcees are now rehashing past relationships
  • Jeff's laugh is obnoxious. Kenley's was more so.
  • Jessica's dress seems awful. I retract my earlier statement about her being in the top.
  • Jeff's model is MISERABLE.
  • With all this white, ivory, lace and creme-and one black sheep-this feels like this weekend's Oscars all over again (we even have our own Jolie!)
  • Runway!
  • Adejoke- Reitmans anyone? The bust doesn't fit properly.
  • Sunny- I like it, it's wearable and chic
  • Gen- kind of a mess- the styling is horrid
  • Baylor- the length of the skirt is all wrong- horrid.
  • Jessica- It's not terrible, but very Le Chateau.
  • Jeff- EVERY week someone does that stupid side-thigh slit- EVERY week. That is the trashiest and unflattering slit ever known to humankind.
  • Kim- WHAT? I have no words. The dress looks like something pulled from the Titanic wreckage.
  • Jason's lab-technician model looks like Kate plus Eight. That is not a compliment.
  • KIM! Speaking up! Oh my God! Whoa. She is right though. Oh, the fighting continues backstage!
  • Kim's right. She will cut you! She probably hides a shank in her hair!
  • Sunny does deserve to win. But I think Jason might take it.
  • "Who's sari now?" Oh, Iman! Your use of puns excites me!
  • Kim should go because her YSL was a mess. And Baylor has been consistently better. But Kim makes for better television. Longest elimination ever?
  • Sunny wins! Three in a row! Uh-oh, I know this narrative- what goes up must come down.
  • You just don't measure up: Baylor! Aww. I'm kinda sad. He was such a quiet, cool and composed guy. Did Brian suggest that hugging him brings good luck?

Side note: Brian Bailey can totally kick Philip Seymour Hoffman's ass if he went for an open audition for the priest's part in Doubt. Am I right or am I right?

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Feb 22, 2009

O!

Finally. I just finished watch The Wrestler. I can now say I've seen each film (some twice). Yes, even The Visitor. I don't believe in making uninformed critiques.

Male actor in a leading role:

Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor" (Overture Films)
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
Sean Penn in "Milk" (Focus Features)
Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" (Fox Searchlight)


Sean Penn should win. His acting in Milk was remarkable and astounding. He carried the weight of the film. I worry that the Academy will give the statue to Micky Rourke. His performance was great, but Marisa Tomei and himself both made the movie.

In any other year, I think Brad Pitt would have won. His portrayal of Benjamin by an lesser actor would make the film laughable.

Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon looked...Hispanic and this minor detail kinda ruined the movie- is that bad? Also, the annoying trailers for F/N made me dislike the film before even sitting down to watch it. His actual performance was really enigmatic though.

Side note: Leo wasn't snubbed in the male category, his acting was simply sub-par. In fact, I would even argue that Haaz Sleiman was the one who was actually snubbed from a great performance as Tarek in The Visitor.

Male actor in a supporting role:

Josh Brolin in "Milk" (Focus Features)
Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder" (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt" (Miramax)
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.) [There isn't any contest here, and if there is, it's coming from Philip Seymour Hoffman]
Michael Shannon in "Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Heath Ledger deserves to win this. His portrayal of The Joker is something greater than any summer blockbuster. I personally do not understand the Josh Brolin nomination- James Franco delivered a better performance than Brolin in Milk. If not anyone else, then Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance in Doubt was riveting and convincing. If anyone but these two win the award, I think I might not carry on watching the rest.

Female actor in a leading role:

Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Angelina Jolie in "Changeling" (Universal)
Melissa Leo in "Frozen River" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Meryl Streep in "Doubt" (Miramax)
Kate Winslet in "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)

Meryl FTW! Meryl in Doubt was amazing. Absolutely amazing. I think I've watched doubt about three times now and each time I watch it, I get something different from her performance. Anne Hathaway, who doesn't play Rachel from Rachel Getting Married, put on a performance that was realistically broody and filled with grounded contempt. Even Melissa Leo, playing Ray Eddy in Frozen River, delivers a better performance than Kate.

Sorry Kate, but I've jumped ship after watching Revolutionary Road. I think Revolutionary Road was one of the worst films of the year. Stage acting with a strained American accent does not merit an Oscar nod. Similarly, Meryl is capable of playing a character and making it her own. The real shame is that Kate's younger lover from The Reader wasn't nominated.

Female actor in a supporting role:

Amy Adams in "Doubt" (Miramax)
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (The Weinstein Company)
Viola Davis in "Doubt" (Miramax)
Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler" (Fox Searchlight)


This, to me, is one of the toughest categories to choose from. My top favourites are Penny, Taraji and Marisa. Viola did a great job in Doubt, but was only on screen for a few minutes- does that mean that she deserves the award on that merit or that it's undeserved for the same reason? That's really up to you.

I personally do no like Amy Adams but found her character endearing in Doubt. So this is tough. I fell in love with Penny's Maria Elena; like, head over heels. Marisa really made sure that she made her mark when on screen, arguably, stealing the show. But Taraji, like the other women of Benjamin Button, really carried the movie. I have no decision in this, but I would love to see Penny win. Also, why was Blanchett not nominated? Or Tilda? Shame.

Best animated feature film of the year

"Bolt" (Walt Disney) Chris Williams and Byron Howard
"Kung Fu Panda" (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount) John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
"WALL-E" (Walt Disney) Andrew Stanton


Really? If WALL-E doesn't win then...I don't know.

Achievement in cinematography

"Changeling" (Universal) Tom Stern
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.) Claudio Miranda
"The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.) Wally Pfister
"The Reader" (The Weinstein Company) Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight) Anthony Dod Mantle


This award belongs to Benjamin Button. No one else comes close.

Achievement in costume design:

"Australia" (20th Century Fox) Catherine Martin
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.) Jacqueline West
"The Duchess" (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films) Michael O'Connor
"Milk" (Focus Features) Danny Glicker
"Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage) Albert Wolsky


Okay, I lied. I haven't seen all the nominated films- I didn't watch Australia. I did take a four hour nap though- does that count?

Think this award deserves to go to Benjamin Button for Tilda's wardrobe alone.

Achievement in directing

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.) David Fincher
"Frost/Nixon" (Universal) Ron Howard
"Milk" (Focus Features) Gus Van Sant
"The Reader" (The Weinstein Company) Stephen Daldry
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight) Danny Boyle


I would really love to see Benjamin Button take this. The directing was flawless- the same can't be said about Slumdog, Milk or Frost/Nixon. The Reader also might deserve this if it were a better film.

Best motion picture of the year

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)A Kennedy/Marshall Production
Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
"Frost/Nixon" (Universal)A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production
Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
"Milk" (Focus Features)A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production
Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
"The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production
Nominees to be determined
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)A Celador Films Production
Christian Colson, Producer

I do not think that Slumdog Millionaire deserves the best picture of the year- it was a good movie, but it isn't what everyone is making it out to be. I just don't buy the whole 'it was written' thing. And besides, it's a little odd to give best picture to a film that has no acting nominations- but then again, stranger things have happened.

My favourite film of the year was Doubt (and The House Bunny, don't judge me) but I really do think Milk or Benjamin Button deserve the award. Milk, unless you're a homophobe, is inspired and manages to tell a true story without being overtly self-important. On the other hand, Benjamin Button has Oscar stamped all over it- it is fantastical, larger than life and layered. The acting in both films is superb.

I wonder if the Academy will go for either of these two or if they too are caught up in the Slumdog hysteria?

Also, Hugh Jackman? Bring back Billy or Whoopie. Thanks.

Feb 21, 2009

Vintage Fashion Bazaar

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Favorite NYFW Collection #1: Marc Jacobs

No surprise here. Anyone who knows me, knows I fawn over Marc.

Electric Avenue?

Although I wasn't crazy over the Marc by Marc Jacobs for F/W 2009, the Marc Jacobs collection totally won me over. The 80s are back! (Did they ever leave?)

We shunned anything 80s for a while during the latter-part of the 90s when flat-front pants, neat silhouettes and somber (complacent?) colouring dominated the runway and sale rack.

Now, strong shoulders, pleats, narrow legs and coloured metallics have made their way back into our lives. Don't believe me? Motorcycle jackets, acid-wash denim and big hair don't seem dated anymore. In fact, Alexander Wang's acid-wash blue leather motorcycle vest has been seen on Hollywood's fashion elite during New York Fashion Week.

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