Hollywood Glamour: the 2017 Oscars

by 

Tonight Hollywood royalty gathers for the 89th annual Academy Awards, also known as The 2017 Oscars.

As I’ve said before, every year, my internal debate is a “repeat” of what it was the year prior. My common sense, realistic self tells my movie-loving self there’s no need to watch the show. Why?? Because every year, the show is a wash, rinse, repeat cycle of the same mantra. It’s a tired imitation of what an award show should be like. Make it about the entertainment, not a political statement.

(Although in and of itself the entertainment industry IS a political statement.)

Hollywood Glamour: the 2017 Oscars #FWarchives Click To Tweet
Hollywood Glamour: the 2017 Oscars. Sharing thoughts on the 89th Oscars Award show. All text is © Rissi JC and RissiWrites.com

Something to that affect is often my thought process when it comes to this over styled, overpriced, PC, overlong extravaganza. But usually that doesn’t stop me from turning on the TV. I gather my laptop and sit in front of the television to watch 2+ hours 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). The one I have seen is the fabulous La La Land. Though I am interested in Florence Foster Jenkins, Allied, Hidden Figures (because period dramas!), am marginally curious about Arrival (because Amy and Jeremy!), and Loving looks like a poignant, bittersweet drama. Below I’m listing some of the “big award” nominees (best actor, best actress) and the role they are nominated for, and sharing the nominees for an award we period drama aficionados might be interested in.

Best Costume Design  

– Allied 
– Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Florence Foster Jenkins
– Jackie
– La La Land

The powers that be say Jackie is set to win this one. I have no opinion either way, but it seems fitting that a period drama should walk away with the win.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

– Casey AffleckManchester by the Sea  

– Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

– Ryan Gosling, La La Land

– Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

– Denzel Washington, Fences

Hollywood Glamour: the 2017 Oscars. Sharing thoughts on the 89th Oscars Award show. All text is © Rissi JC and RissiWrites.com

I have a hard time believing anyone but Affleck or Washington will walk home with this time. Garfield is a still a relative newcomer (by comparison), and Gosling’s role simply doesn’t scream “Oscar win!” I’ll give Washington a slight edge (for reasons).

Best Actress in a Leading Role

– Isabelle Huppert, Elle

– Ruth Negga, Loving

– Natalie Portman, Jackie

– Emma StoneLa La Land

– Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Hollywood Glamour: the 2017 Oscars. Sharing thoughts on the 89th Oscars Award show. All text is © Rissi JC and RissiWrites.com

Considering I’ve only seen on one of these ladies in the role for which she’s nominated (Emma Stone for La La Land), two in other roles, and two I have no clue who they are, I don’t know who to pick for this. Saying this without knowing anything of Huppert, I’ll give the edge to Ruth Negga. Predictions say it’ll be Stone (or a slight chance for Huppert), but I’m not 100% sure though I would be thrilled if it were Emma!

Best Picture

 Arrival

– Fences

 Hacksaw Ridge

– Hell or High Water

– Hidden Figures

– La La Land

– Lion- Manchester by the Sea

– Moonlight

FILM REVIEW | La La Land (2016): A Contemporary Musical Dancing Through Hollywood

Everyone seems to predict La La Land will win. I’m not convinced. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t argue against its win, but with films it was nominated against (films that were clearly made to fuel agendas), I’m not confident it’ll make the cut. That said, purely from an entertainment standpoint, I think La La Land does have everything else beat.

Also expected (from predictions) to take home the golden statue are:   

Suicide Squad (Best Make-up / Styling)

Zootopia (Best Animated Film)

La La Land (Best Original Score / Song / Director)

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

– Ok. Let’s get some random thoughts, updates in.

– Not even five minutes in (for me), and the PC speeches begin. *sigh*

– YAY (and thank goodness) for the shift to Best Animated Film. Go Zootopia!

– Congrats, Zootopia and Disney.

– Production Design winner is… La La Land 

– Visual Effects winner is… The Jungle Book 
– Film Editing winner is… Hacksaw Ridge 

– More political jokes. *goes back to project aka writing*

– Cinematography winner is… La La Land

– Original Score winner is… La La Land

– Best Original Song winner is… La La Land (‘City of Stars’)

– Best Original Screenplay winner is… Manchester by the Sea

– Best Adapted Screenplay winner is… Moonlight 

– Best Director winner is… La La Land

– Best Actor winner is… Casey Affleck(Manchester by the Sea)

– Best Actress winner is…Emma Stone (La La Land)

– Best Picture winner is… La La Land

– Awkward… Best Picture winner (actually) is Moonlight

*Awkward mistake via the Academy Awards*


Check back during the latter portion of the show when I’ll be “live blogging” (using the term loosely) 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.

Hollywood Glamour: the 2017 Oscars. Sharing thoughts on the 89th Oscars Award show. All text is © Rissi JC and RissiWrites.com

About Rissi JC

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

4 comments

  1. I never watch but I do find myself eagerly looking at the results – I have to admit that I thought La La Land would win but then everyone was saying that so I guess I didn't know enough to form my own opinion haha.
    Fun post Rissi!

    1. I would have been happy for La La Land to win, but given what it was up against, I just didn't see it happening. Despite the fact that those in the know said it'd take home the prestigious award. :D Thanks for reading, Kara.

  2. I haven't watched any of the awards shows in sooo long, but I do love looking at the results (and outfits) the next day. Looks like La La Land cleaned house! I still haven't gotten to see that one. I think I'll love it but my mom said it was "meh". lol!

    1. I think you either love La La Land or you have so-so feelings. I get where people who didn't care for it are coming from, but I did (surprisingly) love it. It's unique to most musicals and that's what makes it shine. Hope you enjoy if/when you see it, Julie. Let me know what you think when you do. :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

Optimized by Optimole