Posts Tagged ‘Reese Witherspoon’

Best surprise: With song/dance man Hugh Jackman as host, surprise presenters, and funny gag bits, the Oscar’s was one of the most entertaining it’s been in a long time. (Ratings were even up 6 percent from last year’s telecast.)

Worst surprise: Chances are you won your office pool because just about no surprise winners threw off our ballots. “Slumdog Millionaire” cleaned up winning 8 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay as predicted, and Kate Winslet, Heath Ledger, and Penélope Cruz won as expected. The biggest upset was Sean Penn winning Best Actor over Mickey Rourke, but really we all knew it was between the two anyway.

Worst use of presenting the Best Pictures:  Up until the last ten minutes of the show, you wouldn’t even know which films were nominated for Best Picture, and isn’t this what the night was really all about? Instead of showcasing clips throughout the night like usual, the clips were only shown right before the award was handed out. Even worse, they were intermingled with previous films that have similar themes making the clips confusing and taking attention away from the nominees.

Best presentation of movies: The montages of film genres recapping the best of 2008 were done so in great pop culture fashion. Coldplay’s “Lovers in Japan” played to the great romance flicks, Wall-E the adorable robot found a tape of the best animation movies, and the hilarious James Franco and Seth Rogen reprised their “Pineapple Express” roles as they watched DVDs of the funniest comedies.

Worst use of presenting the Best Songs: The song nominees, which are usually played in their entirety throughout the night, also weren’t given their full due. The two “Slumdog Millionaire” songs and “Wall-E” song were shortened and played one after the other. We all knew “Jai Ho” was going to win, but “Wall-E” should have been given it’s own set piece rather than making John Legend sing with “Slumdog’s” Indian back-up dancers and drummers.

Best use of presenting awards: Rather than randomly presenting awards, the telecast walked the audience through the making of a movie starting with the screenwriting process to art direction to editing. Stars associated with the category was also a nice touch like action hero Will Smith presenting Best Visual Effects and Sound Mixing and “Religious” filmmaker Bill Maher presenting Best Documentary.

Best presenters: Steve Martin and Tina Fey presented the screenplay awards humorously (“Don’t fall in love with me” Martin stoically told a googly eyed Fey) and controversially (poking fun at Hollywood-favorite Scientology). And don’t forget about Ben Stiller who delivered a dead-on impression of Joaquin Phoenix’s bizarre appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” while presenting with Natalie Portman. It would have been even funnier though if it wasn’t just parodied at the previous night’s Independent Spirit Awards.

Best use of presenters: Keeping most of the identities of the presenters top-secret beforehand made for a more exciting show because you never knew who was going to come out next. Hello Will Smith, hello Reese Witherspoon!

Worst use of presenters: While it was fun seeing past winners like Nicole Kidman, Robert De Niro, and Christopher Walken, presenting the nominees, it came off too self-congratulatory. Instead of comments like “You really nailed it” and Marion Cotillard clasping her hands together cooing “Thank you” to Winslet, let’s see some clips instead. Most viewers at home haven’t seen all the movies, so it’d be more interesting to see the performances for which they’re nominated. 

Best acceptance speech: Instead of the director or co-stars accepting on his behalf, the acceptance of Heath Ledger’s Oscar by his family was much more touching. “Tonight we are choosing to be happy and celebrate what he has achieved,” his mother, Sally Bell, said.

Funniest acceptance speeches: Where to begin? First there’s Phillipe Petit, the subject of the documentary, “Man on Wire,” who not only balanced the Oscar on his chin, he also made a coin disappear.  Then the Japanese director of the Best Animated Short, “Kunio Kato thanked Mr. Roboto.” Finally, Best Director, Danny Boyle, bounced up and down in homage of Tigger for his children.  

Worst camera shots: Awkward alert… Not only did Jennifer Aniston have to present an award mere feet away from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the camera cut away to Brangelina twice! At least Jolie and Pitt made nice and weren’t giving dirty looks.

Best use of teeny boppers: While baby faced stars like Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Robert Pattinson, and Amanda Seyfried presented and performed on stage to most likely draw in the younger audience, their presence was downplayed and didn’t make the Oscars feel like the Teen Choice Awards.

Best secret talent: Anne Hathaway showed off her really good voice in her pretend-impromptu song and dance number with Jackman. Look out Beyoncé. Maybe you won’t be needed next year.

Here are the winners of the major categories:

Best Picture: “Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Actor: Sean Penn, “Milk”

Best Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”

Best Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Best Director: Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”

With 2009 here – what a better time to reminisce over 2008’s big celeb trends?

These are not your mother’s pearls. Double Strand Pearls made a statement in 2008, adding a classic piece to edgy looks like Ashlee Simpson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow.

She’s all legs. Though some of us might run screaming in the other direction from wearing skin tight leggings- Not Rihanna, Heidi Klum and Ashley Olson. These fashionistas show off their good fortune in shiny, latex leggings that leave hardly anything to the imagination.

Navy Dresses. Always sleek and sophisticated, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon and Claire Danes sparkle in these sapphire dresses.

I love scarves, pashminas and this trend! Heidi Montag, Jennifer Aniston, Eva Longoria Parker amped up the basic tote with fun and useful patterned scarves. Take note 2009-this trend is to stay!

Gladiator heels were a big 2008 trend.  Ashley Olsen, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Heidi Klum wear a stylish of the strappy heel.

Blazers over dresses offered a chic and stylish way to cover up flirty dresses.  Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Whitney Port still look cool and fashionable in their fitted blazers.

Angelina Jolie wielded a gun in this summer’s action flick, “Wanted,” but the role also helped her get the most bang out of her buck. In The Hollywood Reporter’s list of highest-earning actresses released on Friday, Jolie came in at No. 1.

The Oscar winner, who was No. 2 last year, reportedly made $15 million for her assassin role in “Wanted” and could make $20 for the sequel.

 It’s been almost 20 years since she burst onto the scene in “Pretty Woman,” but Julia Roberts proved she can still garner big money. She made the list at No. 2 for making $15 million for her upcoming film, “Duplicity.”

Other big movie stars of Robert’s caliber, however, didn’t make the cut this year. Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry are both Oscar winners like Jolie and Roberts but failed to garner a $10 million salary from any of their movies. 

Last year’s highest-earning actress, Reese Witherspoon, slipped to No. 3 for earning $14 million for “Four Christmases,” which has been No. 1 at the box office for the past two weeks.

Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl (who made her debut on the list), Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Aniston, who made $8 million for the upcoming “Marley and Me,” rounded out the list.

Despite the power wattage from these actresses, the Y chromosome still helps to make the big bucks. Will Smith can make up to $25 million per movie and Brad Pitt can get up to $20 million. 

Nevertheless, Shiloh et. al have some rich movie star parents.

The leaves have fallen, the snow’s on its way and so are the season’s Oscar-worthy movies and holiday fare to take you through that long, delicious Thanksgiving dinner and those countless Christmas songs on the radio.

Slumdog Millionaire (Nov. 12) The newest film from genre-shifting Danny Boyle is about a man (Dev Patel) participates on the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Pieces of his life – including the story of his love with a childhood soulmate- are depicted throughout the film as the super smart contestant is questioned on how he knows all the answers. Critics are already calling it a possibility for Best Picture.

Quantum of Solace (Nov. 14) The latest in the 007 franchise picks up right after last year’s “Casino Royale” left off when Bond and Mr. White came face to face. On his mission to find out who blackmailed his deceased love, Vesper, into betraying him, Bond will travel to Austria, Italy and South America while, of course, meeting some new Bond girls.

Twilight (Nov. 21) Step aside, “Harry Potter,” the first installment in the almost-equally popular “Twilight” book series is on its way. Instead of “Harry’s” witches, warlocks and muggles, “Twilight” brings us the story of a typical teenage girls who happens to fall in love with a devastatingly handsome vampire.

Four Christmases (Nov. 26) Unless you have to attend four Christmases as well, you’ll have time to see this romantic comedy in which Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn have to split up Christmas between each of their divorced parents after their tropical getaway flight gets cancelled. An all-star cast includes Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall and Jon Voight.

Wendy and Lucy (Dec. 10) No, Wendy and Lucy aren’t two best girlfriends – at least in the human sense. Michelle Williams of “Brokeback Mountain” and “Dawson’s Creek” fame is Wendy and Lucy is her dog and traveling companion on her trip to a new job in Alaska. She already only has about $600 to her name but it gets worse when her car breaks down and she loses Lucy. Williams could possibly get an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Nothing Like the Holidays (Dec. 12) John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez and Debra Messing star in this holiday-themed family drama movie. The Rodriguez family gathers in Chicago to celebrate Christmas and the return of their son from Iraq. Expect secrets to be revealed and family drama to ensue. If you liked Jodi Foster’s “Home for the Holidays,” this one may be for you.

Yes Man (Dec. 19) Jim Carrey used to say “no, no ,no,” but now he’s saying “yes, yes, yes.” Throughout the course of a year, Carrey pledges to say “yes” to everything as part of a self-help program he signs up for. Of course its Jim Carrey, so expect silly hilarity to ensue and look for costar Zooey Deschanel whose shone brightly in small roles in “Elf” and “Failure to Launch.”

Bedtime Stories (Dec. 25) Another not so little-known funnyman by the name of Adam Sandler stars in this family holiday comedy. Sandler is an uncle who tells crazy bedtime stories; but instead of reading a normal book with ordinary pictures, his stories come to life with crazy CGI effects to keep the little ones both in the movie and in the theater entertained this Christmas.

With “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” setting a box office record opening for a musical with $42 million last weekend, it doesn’t look like movie musicals are dead.

The all-time best movie musicals like “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Grease,” and “West Side Story,” thrived in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s; but, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any movies worth singing about lately. Read on for the best movie musicals to be made within the last decade.

5. Sweeney Todd (2007) Sure most musicals are uplifting, but Sweeney Todd does not lack in musical quality. Based on the Broadway musical, Tim Burton’s dark drama set in Victorian England about a murderous barber out to revenge the man who exiled him and stole away his wife and daughter boasts soaring, melodramatic songs sung by Johnny Depp whose singing is as good as his acting.

4. Walk the Line (2005) Not only does this biography of Johnny Cash tell a moving story, it has the music to match it. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon – as Johnny and June Cash – not only portray the country duo to a hilt; they perfectly capture their singing styles. All together this makes great storytelling and a great soundtrack. Witherspoon won an Oscar for Best Actress.

3. Once (2006) This low-budget film starring real life performers, rather than professional actors, wasn’t a hit at the box office, but the Academy noticed it. Earlier this year, Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard were awarded with Best Song with the titular “Once.” It’s a simple film that tells the love story of two characters who aren’t even given names through the songs they write, rehearse and record in the course of a week.

2. Moulin Rouge! (2001) Unlike “Once,” this movie musical is stylish, glitzy, and over-the-top, which is what makes it so much fun. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor play star-crossed lovers in 1899 Paris. Kidman is Satine, a prostitute at the underworld night club (the titular Moulin Rouge) and McGregor is the idealistic, romantic poet who sings beautifully heartbreaking songs to his beloved Satine in a film reminiscent of “Romeo & Juliet.”

1. Chicago (2002) One of a handful of movie musicals to win Best Picture, “Chicago” boasts an all-star cast of Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah; spectacular, jazzy songs and dance numbers, and an intricate, tantalizing story of love and murder set in 1920s Chicago. Zeta-Jones won Best Supporting Actress.

Sure we’ve all seen or at least heard of “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Jailhouse Rock”, and “Don’t Look Back” – all legendary movies about legendary musicians, but what about movies about the music itself? Here’s your accumulative top five:

1) Hustle and Flow – Terrence Howard stars in this great movie about breaking barriers in the music business.

2) The Blues Brothers Movies – Oh yeah. That’s all that can be said about these music, fun, and comedy filled movies that make you want to sing, dance, and laugh at the same time. Memorable characters and memorable guest stars make for some memorable movies.

3) School of Rock – Well, you’re not hardcore (like Jack Black) unless you live hardcore – or maybe that’s unless you can teach a whole bunch of fifth graders what it means to really feel the wonderful music that is rock and roll.

4) Once – This movie didn’t get the largest amount of buzz when it came out around a year ago but since winning that Oscar for the song “Falling Slowly”, it certainly got more notice. A moving, exciting, and inspiring movie.

5) Walk the Line – Joaquin Phoenix shows off some serious acting skills in his portrayal of Johnny Cash, alongside Reese Witherspoon who won a best actress Oscar for her performance. A great movie about the ‘highs’ and lows of making it big in the industry.

Writer’s suggestion: Idlewild – Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast team up together again for a great film about mixing the music of the past with the music of the future. Artistically mastered in all parts of production and a real memorable piece.

A lot of women (and people in general) in real life wear glasses.  So it’s only natural for our favorite movie characters to be sporting such a common and fun accessory. 

If Harry Potter can make 8 movies wearing glasses, then any woman can too.  Here’s a list of some of the greatest leading ladies who have already worked the specs!

Scarlett Johansson: Sondra Pransky in Scoop

Julia Roberts: Kiki Harrison in America’s Sweethearts

Nia Vardalos: Toula Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Meg Ryan: Sally Albright in When Harry Met Sally

Nicole Kidman:  Silvia Broome in The Interpreter

Meryl Streep: Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada

Uma Thurman: Jenny Johnson in My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Daryl Hannah: Annelle Dupuy Desoto in Steel Magnolias

Tina Fey: Kate Holbrook in Baby Mama

Reese Witherspoon: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

Jennifer Garner: Sandra in Pearl Harbor

Tara Reid: Aline Cedrac in Alone in the Dark

Lacey Chabert: Jenny in Daddy Day Care

Kristin Davis: Charlotte York in Sex and the City

Christine Taylor: Matilda Jeffries in Zoolander

Amy Adams: Susan in Talladega Nights

Hope Davis: Joyce Brabner in American Splendor

Michelle Pfeiffer: Claire Spencer in What Lies Beneath

Queen Latifah: Nina Brewster in Mad Money

Natalie Portman kept her summer sizzle at the Venice Film Festival, People Magazine reports. She looked perfectly chic in a sashed, navy Miu Miu dress with soft curls framing her face.

Drama, drama, drama. Keira Knightley looked anything but calm in her blue, tulle-topped, strapless Alexis Mabeel dress, pulled back hair and square-toe Maschino pumps. A huge fall trend, ladies.

Moving on to sexy Charlize Theron, also in Venice. The girl commanded attention in her sleek, fuchsia Versace dress. It was expertly shaped and paired with little accessories, to keep the attention where it belonged. Beautiful and simple Roger Vivier heels finished the look.

Anne Hathaway left me breathless premiering her new flick, “Rachel Getting Married.” She totally dazzled in an elegant and glamorous, Atelier Versace gown.  The detailed skirt and green compliment her shape and skin tone. 

Sweetheart Reese Witherspoon looked flawless at the Avon event in Brazil. Nothing says well put together like her Navy, Sari Gueron dress with matching shoes and accessories that added a gold sparkle.

We all know about today’s modern super heroes – they’re not the kind with the capes, the masks, and the flying capabilities, but the actors and celebrities who play them on screen. Here’s a list of three actors who have made a point of giving back and using their resources to help others (and yes, this list goes beyond the beautiful work of Brangelina and Bono) :

1) Reese Witherspoon – This seasoned, though still perfectly young-looking A-list actress has very recently signed on to represent the Avon Foundation. She’s been chosen as their very first global ambassador as well as the honorary chairman of the foundation itself. The foundation, under her lead, has been making plans to make an effective stand against breast cancer and domestic violence, and for enhancing emergency relief.

2) Leonardo DiCaprio – Leo’s charity project is one that concentrates on the environment and global warming. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has in fact worked with other organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and Global Green USA to protect mother earth and raise awareness about hazards to her health. His foundation also headed the production of a documentary on such subjects, called The 11th Hour.

3) George Clooney – Last on the list but not last in our hearts, George takes a very active role in world affairs. He is a UN Messenger of Peace and also co-founder of a foundation call ‘Not on Our Watch’, one which uses the voices of artists and public figures to bring attention to violations of human rights in times of trouble so that such atrocities can more effectively be squashed, and so that people in the peril of dangerous situations can receive lifesaving assistance. Its supporters include not only Clooney, but at least three other members of the Ocean’s 11 cast: Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Don Cheadle.