By Open Book
Did you watch the Oscars last night? This year Billy Crystal did a wonderful job keeping audiences entertained. However, we want to hear from you? What did you think of this years Oscar winners, presenters and opening numbers?
To See Oscar Highlights from Sunday night Click Here
Who was your best dressed female on the red carpet?
The Oscar 2012 Winners
- Best Cinematography: Hugo
- Best Art Direction: Hugo
- Best Costume Design: The Artist
- Best Makeup: The Iron Lady
- Best Foreign Language: A Separation
- Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer
- Best Film Editing: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Best Sound Editing: Hugo
- Best Sound Mixing: Hugo
- Best Documentary: Undefeated
- Best Animated Feature Film: Rango
- Best Visual Effects: Hugo
- Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer
- Best Original Score: The Artist
- Best Original Song: Man or Muppet, The Muppets
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (The Descendants)
- Best Original Screenplay: Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)
- Best Live Action Short: The Shore
- Best Documentary Short Subject: Saving Face
- Best Animated Short Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
- Best Director: Michel Hazanavious (The Artist)
- Best Actor: Jean Dujardin
- Best Actress: Meryl Streep
- Best Picture: The Artist
Check out our live blogging Red Carpet event. Also other great articles on the Oscars include: Oscar Snubs: Best Picture and For Your Consideration: An Actor’s Campaign for an Oscar.
Please join us for a discussion Tuesday 2/28/2012 @7pmEST.
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
Well now that I am rested from my million happy dances last night, I would say the Oscars were good but as we stated lasted night, it was too long. Especially the parts with the presenters.
I’ll save the rest of my comments for the discussion. 🙂
Hi LB-
If u look up above I inserted a clip of Jean accepting his Oscar last night. I think his accpetance speech along with Meryl’s was my favorite.
Yes, terrific speeches!
Hi everyone!
OB, what was the theme of the Oscars this year? I just realized I have no idea!
Did you also think Crystal was holding back any this year or was he just as great as always?
Hi LB!!
The theme was Saluting Cinema past. Old HW!!
Ok…duh…:)
Welcome new and returning visitors to our discussion tonight. Please feel free to lurk, comment or ask questions.
LB-
I found given the short amount of time BC had to prepare for this years show. He did an excellent job. People always expect new innovative work from artist by saying o.k. u have five minutes to give me something new. Please!! I say to that. Where’s the nearest fast food joint? Where’s the left overs etc…?
I did too. I like that he stuck with what he knows and what he has done best. He’s become an Oscar Icon in my opinion. Considering he has done it 9 times and I’m sure this won’t be the last.
What did you enjoy most about the Oscars?
What did you enjoy least?
THis goes for you too CR. 🙂
I think I liked the show more than many years when I didn’t. I’m trying to speak without ruining Hollywood take two at the end of the week.
It’s not he shows fault but I hated that Berenice Bejo was placed in the Supporting Artist Category. There was nothing supporting about her role.
I liked it too. I felt it was classy. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the long gimmicks between presenters.
And the Cirque performance: Holy Moley! I applauded at the end and kept thinking, “What if they fall out of the swings!!??” I also thought the tribute to all the stars who had passed away was sweet. I always get teary at those.
I absolutely loved the Cirque performance. That was such a treat LOVED IT!!
Someone fell and made a mistake. Fortunately I was the only one who saw it. Still loved the performance.
ITA LB he was a welcome relief from the nail on the chalk board attempt to bring in young viewers with last years Oscars. IMO!! They needed a veteran like BC to make people remember why we love films. He has such passion for filmmaking it’s infectious.
Yes, I think he was right when he joked about the older generation being the ones to focus on. He was being very honest in my opinion.
LB and OB,
I think “retro Hollywood” was the theme. Which I believe was also echoed by the “Cirque du Soleil’ performance.
HI CR!
You’re here!!
Hi LB.
Hi CR!!
U are ALIVE!!! HAHAHAHA!!!
HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO
(in a corrective Merry Christmas sense). In contrast to your “Nightmare on Christmas” exclamation.
Hmmm!! The Grinch comes to mind with this comment…….LOL!! Big hugs!!!
Truce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will drop the Christmas humor if you drop Holloween. 🙂
sorry: “Halloween.”
Ahhh! Never try and spell when your angry. LOL!! O.k. Truce, Truce, Truce!!!! Really!!
o.k. truce for now!!
Before I start on the Best Dressed women. There were some men this year who got it right in the Tux department.
Given the theme was Old HW. Jean’s tux was perfect for accepting his award. The only criticism was his shirt was a little too tight. Other than that I thought his suit was nicely tailored and suited for the event. From the black wide peak satin lapel, single breasted tux and the non-pleated, wing collar tuxedo shirt and black bow tie. Ahhh!! Perfection.
yes, very handsome. And gosh darn if he doesn’t have the Old HW matinee look. I kept seeing moments of Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. 🙂 Ok, I need to go hunt down some pictures so I know what I’m talking about…that is for the best and worst dressed that evening.
Seems like the fashion performance gets better each year.
“Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.”
Thanks LB,
Those names have been on the the tip of my tongue since the movie first came oput.
Especially with the swashbuckling moments!!! 🙂
Well so many men did the shawl collar tux or notch collar 3 piece suit and that’s fine but I found that to be too casual for this event given the theme. Also many of the tux’s silhouette was way too modern. No square shoulders or nipped waist to commemorate the period. I was very underwhelmed. I think the only one who managed to combine contemporary and period really well was Sean Combs. Anyway, I’m finished. I will get off my soap box now!!
Why do you think the men and their stylists didn’t pay much attention to the theme?
Well the older nominees I think their stylist were trying to accentuate their youth by going too contemporary. The young men tried to stand out by going too contemporary. Anyway, at the end of the night no one really stood out or got it right except Jean. IMO!!
Oh Jean….* sigh* (fluttering eye lashes)
Not a comprehensive dress list, but here goes:
http://www.stylelist.com/2012/02/26/oscars-2012-best-dressed-_n_1299263.html
Natalie Portman…No. Just, no.
Jessica Chastain…I’m still deciding. I feel like I was looking at the Pantages theater.
Penelope Cruz…It reminded me of something Grace Kelly would wear. Still deciding if I like it or not.
Milla and Berenice reminded me of Old HW…loved it, although Berenice’s dress would have shown up better a bit darker.
Octavia Spencer…very lovely. Loved the color and the way the dress design accentuated her curves.
Michelle Williams…I know I’m going to get tomatoes thrown at me, but I wasn’t a fan. * hides* Something about the ruffles along the waist.
Ok, now fill in the blanks for me please!! 🙂
Yes to Emma.
No to JLo’s cleavage, but yes to the dress.
No to Rooney Mara’s dress.
LB,
….but what do your really think? I can never really tell whether you care about fashion or not.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Sorry, inappropriate internet sarcasm. I think my post was hacked.
LOVE IT!! LB…..U are fine no worries. U don’t need to agree with me. I loved Emma Stone and LOVED Gwyneth Paltrow. This was so B&W Erte feel with a contemporary spin loved it.
Not to make excuses for CR but he hears about this stuff all the time from me. Sooo he’s a bit bored. LOL!!
OK that’s unfair.
TRUCE LIFTED!
Fashionwise, which leading lady did you like the very very very least?
Please be honest…..
(Under his breath) MoohooHaHa…
Angelina Jolie. I feel her dress swallowed her up. It made her look even thinner. Plus she had that ridiculous slit which made her look like she belonged on HW Blvd. She did not have the muscle or weight for that dress.
Yipe! Sorry I asked.
TRUCE reinstated.
…I’m going to return to my corner, my spot is getting cold.
haha! Well I’m not as articulate as OB ;), and I don’t really care about brand names. I care enough but don’t have much knowledge. You either pass or fail in my book! I think I have champagne taste on a beer budget outlook. haha! 🙂
Oh, I understood you. I think passion makes up for academic or professional clarity. Like I said seems like the fashion improves every year and you clearly underscore that.
Thanks CR 🙂
You’re very welcome.
LO!! No need to hide….Well the peplum look is really a 40’s silhouette. Given she played Marilyn Monroe this was a contemporary spin on a 40’s silhouette. The Red is what Marilyn was known for.
Peplum? That’s what it’s called? See I learned something new today. Ok, well now that I understand the style better, I can give it an 8 out of 10. 🙂
That’s o.k. LB. U have a great eye for details. I did not like Rooney Mara’s dress either because of the gill like breast details. Not very flattering to her figure IMO!!
Oh! BTW I Loved Mila dress very Erte 20’s. I think the B&W dresses in terms of the color was fitting given The Artist won best picture. I think the ladies who wore B&W was actually predicting the winner of Best Picture with the color of their dress. LOL!!
Hope this is useful ERTE wise
Oh my gosh OB. You and I could be here all night…:)
Yeah! This is why u and CR get a gold star for indulging me tonight. Like I said 20’s and 30’s are one of my favorite periods. LOL!! But I will stop and move onto the show.
LB,
Wish I did not follow your Link. It’s amazing the photographs are better than the video from the TV. That’s a sobbery WOW, I’m trying to keep down.
CR and OB,
Why do you think presenters/the producers always feel they have to be witty and have some elaborate dialogue?
Aren’t actors always obsessed with having th best dialogue?????
touche *bows*
ITA! CR….. Sometimes though it boils down to who has the bigger one or who can out perform etc… Anyway, I think it takes great resolve to not let ego get in the way of any performance. The reality is their is healthy competitions then their are nasty, claw and teeth growling competitions. All of which exist during high profile shows like GG or the Oscars.
Just have the presenters greet each other nicely, and then present the dang award…NO need to go on for 5 minutes…
LOL!! Then how will they pay for the show? The reason these shows are so long because of advertising.
Talk about a long show…
Suprisingly, I thought the Ferrell/Galifianakis gag dragged a little and was a little unfocused.
Yeah! Sometimes these acts are also being told to stretch a skit. So that can be equally unnerving for those in the audience and who are watching.
LB,
You said you liked that a French Actor could win the Academy Award, do you think this happened because the production focused on Hollywood and Southern California. Had it focused on the French film industry do you think it would have placed as well?
And by the way why do you think we need best foreign film Oscar if “French” films can win the main award?
I’m worried this might be an Ozzie question.
Great question! Honestly, it wasn’t about a French actor winning or not. He did an outstanding job in a role that was very challenging. yes I realized there is “silent” dialogue, but he still had to use his expressions so much more than usual without coming across as absurdly corny. And yay for the French! If anyone in HW is sore about that, well take a lesson and move on. hahaha!
Also, I think Hollywood back then was THE place to be for entertainment. I’m not huge on European entertainment history, but we have so much more information and footage of US Old HW. I don’t know what Europe was putting out at that time, but I would like to think that HW was huge EVERYWHERE. I think when the film was set brings back a lot of nostalgia for all audiences. Yes? No???
To your next question, no I don’t. I think all films should be eligible but unfortunately the US has the upperhand. If we can educate our audiences more and get people to be more open-minded, then no we don’t need a separate category. However, I think there are still those who want “Made in the USA”. Not that that’s a bad thing, but….ya know…
If anything, maybe it will make HW step up it’s game. As I was telling OB the other day, my husband loved The Artist and has become a big fan of indie and foreign films. He thinks most of today’s films are boring and stupid.
LB,
As expected I fully agree with your first paragraph. As for everything else I hope the populace is as enlightedned as you are.
ITA LB! If i may also add. That’s what makes the US great because of our diversity. I think when HW can stop being so territorial it might bring people back to theaters because diverse thoughts, ideas and concepts are breathing life back into peoples spirits. Does that make sense?
Absolutely and it goes back to everything we have discussed before OB about truth, knowledge…;)
I actually had friends who were very disappointed The Artist won because it was foreign. My only thought was, “Seriously?”
Really? That’s sad about your friends. It’s that kind of thinking that keeps people from evolving. IMO!! The truth is if it speaks to u, moves u, get u to think critically. Does it matter what nationality u are? Come on!!
Hey, those special honorees: do they always do that? I don’t remember having seen that before.
Can you remind us who was a “special honoree?”
yeah! They do…. Sometimes they are given out at the at the un- televised Oscars that happens before the red carpet.
oh.
Actually, CR & LB there are a ton of awards given out before the un-televised show. They have determined the categories that will be most popular like acting, directing, best film etc… TBH if they just televised these categories than LB and Paris would get their one hour Oscar show. LOL!!
Gotcha!
James Earl Jones, Oprah, and…Oh my gosh! Who was the other one OB???
Thank you now I remember it. I was sure I saw it.
I can’t rememebr the other either.
Lady and Gent,
I need to go for the evening. My house has been ransacked by a 4 (niece), 3, and 2 year old. Must. do. damage control. hahahahahaha!!! 🙂
Thank you for a wonderful discussion! have a good night. 🙂
Goodnight LB!! Great discussion and questions u and CR kept me on my toes and put up with my guilty pleasure. LOL!!
See you LB. Good luck with the repair and reconstruction detail.
I’m going to take off too.
See you, OB.
Take Care! CR…..
I will come back later and respond if their are more questions or comments. Goodnight everyone.
Did you feel any of the nominees got snubbed this year? How many times has Pitt been nominated now? He has played some great roles but keeps getting passed. And what about Leo? I’m trying to figure out why but I can’t put my finger on it…