Hollywood Glamour: The 2016 Oscars

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Tonight Hollywood royalty gathers for the 88th annual Academy Awards, also known as The 2016 Oscars.

Each year I run through a fixed spiel in my head. It runs something like this.

*Prior to Oscar weekend*

“Nope. Not watching any part of the show this year. There’s no nominees I care THAT much about anyway.”

*Remembers it’s Oscar weekend*

“Oh, right! Sunday is the Oscars. I think I’ll tune in during the latter half of the show and watch a couple of hours.”

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Something to that affect is often my thought process when it comes to this over styled, overpriced, PC, and dare I say this, fixed show. But usually my latter reasoning wins out every year and as Sunday winds to a close, I gather my laptop and sit in front of the television to endure, ahem, I mean watch 2+ hours (in some years) of the glamorous show. Why I do is a mystery, but I think the primary reason is, it’s just way too fun to poke fun at the ludicrous nature of the show.

As is the usual case for the nominees, most are of films I have absolutely NO interest in seeing (for reasons I don’t want to get into). Though I still wish to see Inside Out, and am very much anticipating Brooklyn‘s arrival to DVD later this month – and of course, you all know my admiration for Disney’s Cinderella. Below I’m listing some of the “big award” nominees (best actor, best actress) and the role they are nominated for, and sharing one of the awards we period drama aficionados might be interested in.

Hollywood Glamour: The 2016 Oscars


Best Costume Design

Hollywood Glamour: The 2016 Oscars. Blogging about and sharing some thoughts on the 88th annual Academy Awards. All text © Rissi JC

+ Carol (Sandy Powell)
+ Cinderella (Sandy Powell)
+ The Danish Girl (Paco Delgado)
+ Mad Max: Fury Road (Jenny Beavan)
+ The Reverent (Jacqueline West)

Some say Cinderella is going to win this one, which I 100% support but find difficult to believe. Maybe that’s because above all else, I’d love to see this beauty of a film win an Oscar, but either way, it’s a golden winner in my book.

(One oversight would be the lack of seeing Far from the Madding Crowd on this list! Snub much!?)

Best Actor in a Leading Role

+ Bryan Cranston (Trumbo)
+ Matt Damon (The Martian)
+ Leonardo DiCaprio (The Reverent)
+ Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
+ Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)

I honestly have no opinion of who should win in this category. Aside from the fact that I don’t have any curiosity about any of the films these men are nominated for, with exception to Cranston, I’ve seen them all in different roles and they are each talented actors.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Hollywood Glamour: The 2016 Oscars. Blogging about and sharing some thoughts on the 88th annual Academy Awards. All text © Rissi JC

+ Cate Blanchett (Carol)
+ Brie Larson (Room)
+ Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)
+ Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
+ Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)

Another supremely talented group of ladies. The only one I don’t think I’ve seen in anything is Larson. The rest are the top of the top. Naturally, it’d be fun to see Ronan win (because more period drama epicness), but I’d wager that’s the longshot of the group. They say the honor will go to Larson, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Blanchett walked home with the title.

Best Picture

Hollywood Glamour: The 2016 Oscars. Blogging about and sharing some thoughts on the 88th annual Academy Awards. All text © Rissi JC

+ The Big Short
+ Bridge of Spies
+ Brooklyn
+ Mad Max: Fury Road
+ The Martian
+ The Revenant
+ Room
+ Spotlight

Much as I’d like to see Brooklyn win (whether or not it’s the “best” Oscar best picture nominee matters not, it’s a costume drama!), I know that won’t happen. Beyond that, I don’t feel like any of these are great films (from the reading I’ve done) although I will make one edit to that statement and say I have heard rave reviews on Bridge of Spies, most of which from people who’s opinions I do trust.

Tonight instead of posting this tomorrow, I thought as I watched the show, I’d do a bit of “live blogging.” It’s probably not likely to be overly frequent or well put together, but for something a little different, I thought this could be a fun exercise in Oscar blogging. Any updates I add while watching the show will appear below….

UPDATES

+ Oh, look! The Minions just showed up on the presenters stage. And now Buzz and Woody!? This might be the best part of the night.

+ Yay for Inside Out!

+ Here we go. Only been watching 2-3 minutes. PC speech-ing. Bad, bad, bad…(is it a good thing the applause was tepid?)

+ Spoiler reading: Bummed that Sandy Powell lost best costume design.

+ Spoiler reading: Congrats to the talented Alicia Vikander for her best supporting actress win.

+ Love Kate Winslet, but her dress…?

+ Yep… and now here’s more boring.

+ Haven’t seen Mark Rylance in anything (that comes to mind), but he seems a deserving talent.

+ Playing Sherlock and being BORED! This has inspired me to go take a peek at a “best,” “worst” dressed slideshow. What were some of your favorite looks?

+ And how much longer is this show going to last?!

+ Don’t know a one of these songs save for Bond. Yay for SPECTRE!

+ Nope, not going to say a single word.

+ Best director: what a surprise. *sarcasm*

+ Best actress: As expected, it’s Brie Larson.

+ What a shocker, it’s Leo winning best actor.

+ Awkward, and pathetic (read desperate) acceptance speech, Leo. Badly done.

+ Best picture goes to *awkward pause* Spotlight.

+ Note to self: the 2016 Oscars were not merely overlong, they were sad. Tactless. And all that business.

+ That’s a wrap on my Oscar ramblings. Your thoughts?

Check back during the later portion of the show when I’ll be “live blogging” (using the term loosely) the 2016 Oscars in the above section of the post about the good, bad and ugly. In the interim, I’d love to have you share any thoughts YOU have about the show thus far. The comment section is yours.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

8 comments

  1. First of all, I have to mention Rissi – your blog looks incredible!!! I *adore* the new name and tagline!! It's just stunning!!! *applause* You go girl.

    Secondly, love this post! I feel quite similarly to you about the Oscars…it's one of those things where you want to hate it but at the same time want to watch. This year, I was not happy (as usual) with a lot of things (mainly Chris Rock…just too much) but at the same time I'm glad I tuned in for a couple reasons. I was SO happy to see the Bridge of Spies guy win supporting actor (he was amazing) and Brie Larson win best actress (Room was so powerful) though I loved JLaw in Joy as well. Wish Cinderella would've won best costume design!! At first, I wanted Leo to *finally* win an Oscar, but then he opened his mouth…lol. Anyhoo, before I go on and on (*wink wink*) I better stop. THANKS for the fun post, Rissi!! :)

    1. Thanks so much, Bekah. The change was kind of spur of the moment, but I was having trouble with a new design under the old name so I randomly began playing with a new name. This is the result. I hope it'll stick and be better suited to the blog content. :) (I'm always nervous when I make changes because a big part of my blogging journey is about the community.)

      I know, right!? Each year I turn the TV off and wonder why I sat through as much as I did. But in the end, I suppose it's curiosity and well, I let it get the best of me. Chris Rock was TOO much. I'm sorry he was the host because he didn't do ANYONE any favors save for fueling more controversy (right, like we need more of that). It's sad that so many people feel the need to single people out – everyone matters, period.

      Cool! You liked Room then!? I've not read much about it so its nominations didn't mean anything to me. But it was nice to see an unknown actress take home the award. (Jennifer is SUPER talented, and I'm anxious to see Joy.)

      Boo to Sandy losing for Cinderella. Her costumes were SO pretty.

      LOL, yes to Leo's win. His speech was WAY out there. Um, Leo, this is a show about ENTERTAINMENT! Not a platform to further your political stance.

      Thanks so much for sharing some of your thoughts! I enjoyed reading your comments. :)

  2. I actually tried to watch them this year, but didn't know any of the nominated movies! I should just remind myself that the best part is the red carpet

    1. I don't know many of the nominated films either, Alyssa. But then to be honest, I rarely know any of them anyway. It's all of the artsy serious movies, and I'm a happy movie kind of girl. At least MOST of the time. I watched the Red Carpet once, and the show, but decided I just couldn't take THAT much of the Oscars. ;)

      Hope you spotted some pretty fashion. :)

  3. I actually really love watching the Oscars! I try to see as many of the movies as possible, and am always surprised by how much I like some of the ones I thought I'd hate. Brooklyn is really wonderful, and probably my favorite of all the best picture nominees–though I thought Spotlight told an important story very well, so I was happy with its win. I'm with you on Cinderella! I'm sure the costumes in Mad Max were good, but Cinderella's dress actually made me cry, so. I didn't necessarily expect Sandy Powell to win, though, because she was competing against herself, which I don't know if I've ever seen come out successfully.

    I do wish there were a year or two where I didn't roll my eyes at all, though.

    1. I'm weird in that I don't want to NOT watch them, but I'm constantly wondering WHY I am. Yeah, like I said, weird. ;)

      Oooh, I'm SO pleased you liked Brooklyn! I'm *dying* to see that one and will in a couple of weeks when it arrives on DVD. Some of the best picture nominees might be of interest to me but being such a happy-movie kind of girl, I tend to skip over them or think "I'll watch them later." Normally, I never do.

      Sandy really did deserve to win. But… well, she didn't and what're we to do, right!?

      Thanks so much for sharing some of your thoughts, Rachel! I enjoyed reading this comment! :)

  4. I actually really enjoy watching all the award shows. I like looking at the fashion and, even if it is "rigged", I still like it and it pushes me to watch some movies that may be out of my "comfort zone". There were actually some really great movies nominated. Bridge of Spies is great, I loved Brooklyn, The Martian, Room made me cry, Steve Jobs and Joy – They're all worth checking out (to me). I didn't like Spotlight, so I was a bit disappointed it won Best Picture. And I'm super happy Leo finally won! It's his first Oscar! They didn't even cut his speech off, so I'm glad.

    Molly @ Molly's Book Nook

    1. I'm glad, Molly! I've heard Bridge of Spies is an excellent film and of course, knowing it's a period film, I'm *dying* to see Brooklyn. I plan on (maybe) snagging the DVD because I've heart really good things. Bekah (above comment) mentioned Room in addition to you so perhaps I'll give that one a shot and of course, I'm curious about Joy because Jennifer Lawrence. She's always great. :)

      Bummer about not liking the best picture win – I know about rooting for something else, but yay for Leo. At least you got to see him win and enjoy it as a fan! :)

      Glad you shared your thoughts, Molly. :)

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