For Your Consideration: The 2014 Academy Awards (Part 2)

 

I must say, this year's Academy Awards ceremony was seriously one of the best shows in years! And really, that all has to do with Ellen hosting again. She kept it light, entertaining, and fun, despite the show going on for so long (which, let's face it, happens every year, folks, so why is no one used to it by now?). None of her jokes fell flat, and her dry humor was perfect for the night (especially her joke about Liza Minnelli being the best impersonator she's seen... "Well done, Sir."). Plus there was no awkward, chemistry-less co-hosting (like with James Franco and Anne Hathaway), or songs about boobs (Seth MacFarlane).

 

As far as winners, there weren't really any upsets or shockers, although I wasn't completely expecting Matthew McConaughey's win (I was rooting for Bruce Dern, and almost expecting Leo, actually).

 

Also. Gravity! Wow! It took so many more than I was expecting, including winning best director over 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen, who was my pick.

But I was so glad Lupita Nyong'o won. Her performance in 12 Years a Slave was just heart wrenching and raw and so, so great.

Lupita Nyong'o... she's so darn adorable!

The Winners: Best Actor Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Best Actress Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Best Supporting Actress Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave), Best Supporting Actor Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club).

 

 

 This photo (that just so happened to break Twitter!!) is seriously my favorite of the whole night. Everyone just looks so happy to be there. You can tell everyone was having fun, unlike past years, where everyone just seems so uptight. And how cute is Lupita Nyong'o's brother, who wasn't afraid of being right up in there with all these celebrities?!



Best selfie of the night!

Selfies were definitely the biggest trend of the evening...

JGL and Emma Watson...


One of the best highlights: Ellen ordered pizza for the crowd. I bet the delivery guy (who owns the pizza shop with his brother) had no idea he would be serving all these A-Listers when he woke up that morning. Lucky guy. And what a boost for his business! (Plus, the $1000 tip was probably nice!)

Nothing like A-Listers passing out pizza and paper plates at the Oscars!



Harrison Ford, who, according to Jared Leto who was sitting nearby, dropped his pizza all own his shirt while eating it...

Jennifer Lawrence enjoying her slice. I love that she loves food.

 

Pizza-eating movie stars. Very glamorous indeed.

The night's photobombs were awesome indeed. I love that this is a thing right now, like what famous person will try to upstage another famous person at some fancy event.

Benedict Cumberbatch was my favorite. He was in at least four of the nominated films of the night, yet he doesn't take himself too seriously at all. I just love him. So. Much.




Benedict Cumberbombing U2. Seriously my favorite photobomb of the night!

Jessica Biel Being photobombed by Anne Hathaway

Lupita Nyong'o photobombing Jared Leto.

The 75th anniversary tribute to The Wizard of OZ was also very well done. Having Judy Garlands three children (Lorna Luft , Joey Luft, and the great diva herself Liza Minnelli) in the audience was a sweet touch, and Pink did a fantastic job with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Plus, Ellen as Glinda. For the win.

Ellen as Glinda the Good Witch for the 75th anniversary tribute to "The Wizard of Oz".

  The musical performances were so well done this year. Pharrell Williams' "Happy" was just that. Such a fun, dance-inducing performance.



Pharrell singing "Happy", and dancing with Lupita Nyong'o and Meryl Streep.

But seriously John Travolta. The least he could have done is learn how to say Idina Menzel's name. Really with the Adele Dazeem??!! Just wow!

John Travolta. Completely flubbing Idina Menzel's name as “Adele Dazeem"... really buddy?! Maybe his hair plugs are affecting his thought process?

The In Memoriam was very touching, though they did leave out Johnathan Winters, Dennis Farina and Corey Monteith, among others.

But Bette Midler's performance was just beautiful. And can I say, I REALLY hope I look as good as her at her age. Heck, I don't look as good as her now!

Divine Miss M

 All in all it was a great, entertaining show. Can't wait until next year! And maybe 2015 will finally be Leo's year?







Movie Review: Swingers

 

 

 Many people tell me I'm a film buff, though I don't consider myself one, simply because there are way too many amazing films I have never seen. Films that you must see in order to be labeled a "film buff". Films like Scarface and The African Queen. I'm a failure in that sense...

My all time favorite movie, though, is a little low-budget indie flick from 1996 called Swingers, directed by Doug Liman.

 

I have no idea why I love this movie so much. But I do. It's not a blockbuster, it's only somewhat original, and not overly artistic. But there's just something so honest and funny about the writing and acting. Plus it has some of the best quotes and one-liners. Ever.

 

"You're so money and you don't even know it."

 

"Vegas Baby! VEGAS!!"

 

"I'll have a scotch on the rocks, please. Any scotch will do, as long as it's not a blend, of course. Single malt, Glen Livet, Glen Galley, perhaps, any Glen."

 

"Like F-in' House of Pain was gonna do anything?"

 

"I'm gonna make his head bleed for super fan number 99 over here." 

 

Just to throw out a few...

 

I think Jon Favreau's main character, Mikey, is the epitome of what it was like to be a recently-single struggling actor in L.A. in the '90's. Also, this is one of Vince Vaughn's first major movie roles, and the chemistry between him and Jon Favreau, who also wrote (and almost directed) the film, is just fantastic.

 

And don't even get me started on the soundtrack.

 

Dean Martin.

George Jones.

Heart.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Tony Bennett.

Roger Miller.

Bobby Darin.

 

I'm pretty sure most of this films tiny budget (which was only something, like $200K... crazy low-budget!) was spent on music. And it was worth every penny that I'm sure those actors and production assistants didn't get paid. Without this selection of music, I just don't think Swingers would have been what it was, and still is, to it's biggest fans.

 

Rated R for strong language and sexual situations, I suggest Swingers for early high-school and up.

 

 

If you're as big a fan as I am, then I highly suggest this article on the making of Swingers.