Oscars 2010

Last night while watching the Oscars I felt like I was beginning to sound like a crochety overbearing grandma: "Stand up straight!" "Comb your hair!" "She's been eating too much salt!" (directed at Miley Cyrus, Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz, respectively) Though I am a bit of a purist when it comes to my Oscar fashion, I was happy to see that some people took some risks.

The award for best in show goes to the ravishing Meryl Streep who wowed in white and managed to make shoulder pads look good. Who knew? Her hair and makeup was so fab that it seemed she had her own personal lighting designer following her around at all times. While the tasteful silhouette was not a huge risk, the designer was: Chris March, castoff from Project Runway! The big guy that got his start designing drag queen costumes.

I also really liked Maggie Gyllenhall in Dries Van Noten and Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab. I love to see prints done well in evening wear and I love that they stood out, looked feminine and didn't fall prey to the crazy ruffles and stiff bodices that were attacking the likes of JLo, Vera Farmiga and Amanda Seyfried.

While were on the subject of crazy ruffles, this one gets points in my book because it was a huge risk and I couldn't stop looking at it. The volume and sparkles were a lot of look, but I thought that Zoe Saldana carried it off with grace and thoughtful accessories. I still don't know if I love it per se, I could have done without the high slit, but it was interesting and kept the night from being a yawn fest (well the preshow at least).

 I missed Nicole Ritchie in the pre show, but I came across this pic online and I have to say that I am really into her Reem Acra dress. She looks so elegant and tasteful. I guess she's so preoccupied with her own look she doesn't have time to take her husbands pants to the tailor or go shoe shopping with him. Shame.

A couple who did complement each other beautifully was Robert Downing Jr and Susan Downey. He never takes himself too seriously and while he got flack for his oversized bow tie, blue shades and sneakers, I loved it. I thought it was just the right measure of quirk while still staying designer. I mean, it was friggen' Lanvin people! And his wife's dress was so flattering and age appropriate.

Some risks went unrewarded in my book: SJP, Charlize Theron and sadly, Diane Kruger. Diane! what happened? I was right there with you at the Globes and I thought you would really bring it on home with another bold color choice... instead you show up in this shredded thing?! I know it is Chanel but come on. Also I'm not down with this hair trend.

As far as the actual show goes, I thought Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin did a bang up job. The Neil Patrick Harris number at the beginning kinda eclipsed everything else. Feathers and old Hollywood costumes?! Adore! The rest was all downhill, production value wise.

The dancers doing the robot to the Best Score Nominees had me thoroughly annoyed and confused. It felt like an episode of So You Think You Can Dance. As it turns out, Adam Shankman (a SYTYCD judge) was the show'sproducer last night, so subliminal plug methinks?

Say what you will about Sandra Bullock but I thought she had the look of a winner. Nice dress, good makeup, beautifully groomed hair.. Plus she won a Razzie and an Oscar in the same year, ha! To me she seems very down to earth and when she dedicated her Oscar to "the moms that take care of the babies and the children, no matter where they came from" I must admit I shed a little teardrop. 

  A good night for ladies in general. I mean to be the first woman to win best director and defeat your ex husband (who was sitting behind you with his skeletal new wife) in the same night? Well played, Kathryn Bigelow! 

All in all, I got ten of my predictions right and won the Oscar shaped candle that I bought as a prize for the winning ballot. Nothing ventured nothing gained!