academy awards review 2014

Ah!  Where does the time go?  How do I have literally dozens of ideas for blog posts in my brain (which, by the way, is apparently significantly smaller than it was prior to having a baby) and yet here I type, almost one MONTH since my last post?!  It's a good thing I don't have an actual blogging niche-no way would I make it in the "mommy-blogging" or "food-blogging" or "entertainment-blogging" world.

The annual Academy Awards, that favorite evening of mine, took place last Sunday (well, technically, last Sunday plus a few days), and I can think of no better way to hopefully end yet another blogging drought.  You should know that I first typed "draught" and had to change it.  Either I'm thinking too much about adult beverages or my "mommy" brain has struck again.

While the planning and execution of Academy Awards celebrations has become significantly more challenging since the birth of my little sweetheart, and the actual time I spend watching the awards is pitifully short, I still eagerly anticipate them.  This year was no different than the four years preceding-I devised an Academy Awards menu and put together costumes for our little family.  My extended family here is incredibly decent and supportive of my awards show love, and they all take part as well.  Perhaps some day, long into the future, I might actually be on top of things enough to have a proper party, where friends are invited too, but for now I am content with our more intimate family gatherings.

Without further adieu, I am going to include a little list here of the things I enjoyed about this year's party and show.  As I and many other bloggers before me have ruminated, a blog is something of a scrapbook-it will be fun to look back and remember the highlights.

best Oscar fashion: Guys, I can sum up the fashion of the year in two words: boring and safe.  The red carpet was a bummer.  These were my three favorite looks of the night, and while Lupita truly looked spectacular, the gowns on both Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett, while beautiful, were not what I wanted to see.

best Oscar moments: 

Pharrell Williams' performance of "Happy"-Of course I watched this and had to download the song and play it approximately 1 million times.  

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the acceptance speeches of both supporting actors, Lupita Nyong'o and Jared Leto-I was pleasantly surprised by Jared Leto's speech, because I had expected it to be either patronizing or weird.  And of course Lupita was touching and charming all at once.  

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and of course, the most popular selfie of all time (at the time of this posting): 

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I was able to watch the full show during the week after it aired (my toddler, still recovering from an ear infection, wasn't too keen on the Oscars), so I can attest to it being a good one.  Ellen is a great choice for a host, not too controversial or vain and definitely funny.  

Oscar films-inspired party menu: 

pizza (Her)

moon-shaped rosemary and gruyere crackers (Gravity)

Irish soda bread (Philomena)

Texas sheet cake (Dallas Buyers Club)

blackberry cobbler with drop cream biscuits (12 Years a Slave)

beer (Nebraska)

champagne (Wolf of Wall Street)

Sadly, we didn't get in a good representative dish for American Hustle or Captain Phillips. The crackers were a Smitten Kitchen recipe and were unsurprisingly delicious.  Both desserts were wonderful, and I will be making them again (Homesick Texan and Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen, respectively).  If I had had all the time in the world and perhaps a baby-sitter on the eve of the show, I would definitely have found out a way to incorporate lobster in the menu (inspired by Wolf of Wall Street).  

costumes: 

me: Philomena.  Literally.

SH: Theodore (Her). Complete with a mustache. 

A: outfitted in a long-sleeved t-shirt emblazoned with a Maersk logo (Captain Phillips).  

mother and father-in-law: completely decked out in American Hustle-inspired costumes.  As usual, they looked the best.  

sister-in-law: Magdalene girl, inspired by Philomena.  And so appropriate, since she will be giving birth any day now.

brother-in-law: Jordan Belfort (Wolf of Wall Street).  Striped suit, striped shirt. He looked the part.

BFF Rose: Kate Grant (June Squibb's character in Nebraska).  

personal favorite of all the movies this year: I should say Philomena, and I DID love it.  But I'm embarrassed to admit that it was The Wolf of Wall Street.  Don't judge me!  

mood lifter

I have yet to meet anyone who didn't get caught up in the blissfully satisfying experience of watching Pitch Perfect.  Even my husband succumbed to its charms.  I have the soundtrack, but sometimes I prefer to relive that last scene.  It's guaranteed to make even the staunchest enemy of acapella smile.  

P.S. This might be a good time to mention that I was something of an "aca groupie" in college.  

I'm obsessed

I'm racing through the second season and already eagerly anticipating the fall premiere.

fruitvale station

Notwithstanding the subject of this film, the horrifying true story of Oscar Grant, which I am glad will be depicted on film, I am excited to see Michael B. Jordan snag such a significant and weighty role.  Those of you familiar with The Wire and Friday Night Lights already know what Jordan is capable of (Where's Wallace?!) but it would be awesome to see him garner acclaim for a film role.  Side note: Those two shows I just mentioned are probably the best ever made. Just so you know.  

episode alert: the sopranos pilot (S01 E01)

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I've been looking for a few new theme ideas to help keep me up and posting on the old blog, and being a television addict aficionado, I thought it might be fun to highlight individual episodes that I, in my infinite and profound expertise, deem compelling and/or spectacular.  *It is difficult at times to convey deep sarcasm properly with the typed word, but please note its presence here.

These episodes won't always be current (this first one dates back to 1998), but I will try to stick to things that are easily accessible.  Most of the series that I adore are on Netflix, and should your interest be piqued by anything I write about that isn't, I can promise it will be worth the $2.99 charge on iTunes.  I'll also tell you that while almost every episode I choose to highlight will be from a series that I watch regularly and admire, there might be a few exceptions.

With no further adieu, I submit for your scrutiny the very first episode of The Sopranos.  It seems apropos this week, don't you think? I'm always telling people that it's important not to judge an entire series and its possibilities on the pilot.  There is a lot of pressure on them to deliver-especially these days, to an even greater degree than when The Sopranos first aired-and there is simply no way, even in an hour-long format, that a series can really give the viewer enough of the story to ensure that their interest will be sustained over an entire season.  The best that most pilots can do is introduce the primary characters in an organized fashion, begin to develop at least one plot line, and provide a few memorable cases that effectively convey the genre of the series (i.e. if a comedy, it needs to have a few good laughs; if a drama, a shocking or tears-inducing event would be nice).  Now, the ironic thing about everything I'm writing right now is that even though we probably shouldn't judge the pilot, it absolutely has to have that expectation.  Most often, the pilot is the only part of a series that ever sees the light of day.  While I might advise you to watch at least three to four episodes before determining whether or now you'll keep watching, the reality is that if the powers that be in the entertainment industry don't think a pilot is worth spending additional cash to bring to full production, it's not going to happen.

The entire long-winded paragraph I've just forced upon you is all for naught, as it turns out, when it comes to the pilot episode of The Sopranos.  It is truly excellent, containing all the hallmarks of what makes a good pilot and even more.  This is a great accomplishment, considering that the story of a mob boss and his inevitable network of henchmen, lieutenants, and goons is a confusing prospect, particularly as it's occasionally difficult to decipher the many inscrutable nicknames when spoken with a Jersey/Italian accent as thick as peanut butter.  None of that matters in the pilot, however, which is more about the troubled anti-hero as he begins to face changing responsibilities in the "regime", beautifully conveyed by a metaphor involving ducks, if you can believe it.  During the final scenes, which set the stage for the countless times Tony Soprano sits across from Dr. Malfi, we were hanging on every word.

I've actually only seen a handful of Sopranos episodes, and I'm sure there are plentiful examples of great ones.  For once, the pilot is a good start.

the butler

It's hard to think that Lee Daniels' latest project could be anything but good.  That is a packed cast, no? And a really amazing true story.  

choosing sides

Far into the future, in the days when I long to recall what trivial pleasures possessed my mind during my (relative) youth, I feel confident that I will have great pleasure (and a laugh, no doubt) when I look back here on my scrapbook-of-sorts and see my ridiculous obsession with Twilight and its star-crossed leads.  While I won't delve into the absurd lengths my interest led me (hint: I drove thirty miles once to see a poorly-acted indie starring Robert Pattinson), I feel that I simply can't let the latest personal scandal go by without weighing in.  Unless you've been living under a rock for many years, you must know about the crazy fandom surrounding Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and their real-life relationship.  And unless you've been living under a veritable pile of boulders, you probably know about the cheating scandal.  I won't go into further detail there-suffice to say, K-Stew became involved with her married director, was caught flagrantly canoodling with him in public, made an uncharacteristically revealing statement professing her love for Rob post-affair, and he took her back, up until about a month ago.  Just so you know I have a sense of humor and am not a psychotic fan, here is a little recap provided by Will Ferrell that brings me great joy.  

Anyway, after giving it a bit of thought and watching how it's played out so far, I have determined that it's time to choose sides.  

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That's right.  Team K-Stew.  Now, before you protest with perfectly reasonable questions about why I could defend a cheating, notoriously awkward and camera shy individual with occasionally questionable hygiene habits, allow me to explain.  

1)First-she is 23 years old.  A young twenty-three at that.  More like 18 or 19 considering she is a child star that has never attended public school for an extended period, lived her entire life in a strange Hollywood bubble, and undoubtedly has suffered a little socially because of those factors.  This isn't Lindsay Lohan, or Britney Spears, and definitely not Amanda Bynes.  She is undoubtedly naive, probably slightly immature, and made an egregious error in judgment that many with more stability in their lives have made before her, all in the midst of strife at her otherwise solid home. Her now ex-boyfriend is 27.  

2)Family problems.  Stewart's parents (both in the biz) had been married for over thirty years, and divorced shortly after the cheating scandal.  You should know that for the four years-plus of their relationship, KS and RP went to great lengths to avoid being photographed together in any kind of intimate fashion.  Fans salivated over the tiniest touch of a hand on an arm.  My Lainey affectionately referred to them as "dumpster-divers", literally willing to jump into a dumpster to avoid being photographed together. And yet, Stewart was caught with her director in broad daylight, near a city park, and not even far from her own home.  It's not hard to believe that she wasn't in the best frame of mind given her family drama, and might have been taken advantage of while she was vulnerable by her older, more experienced director. 

3)Talent.  Ok, so this is a superficial point to grant K-Stew, but let's face it.  She is vastly superior to R-Pattz when it comes to acting ability.  Nay-sayers, I point you to Into the Wild and The Cake Eaters.  She's solid, even though she has some tics that definitely need to go.  I wouldn't say that Rob is a terrible actor, but so far he hasn't shown us anything miraculous.  I think he's getting by with a pretty face, British charm, and general affability.  

4)Post-split behavior.  This is what really made up my mind.  Obviously, no one knows the real details surrounding the break-up, but the pair truly are in the public eye, whether they like it or not, and neither opted to stay at home after the split.  They've each been seen a few times, out with friends.  RP kept company with Katy Perry, a mark against him not so much because of the previously-established friendship but because of the obvious attention it draws towards him.  Also, Katy is still dealing with John Mayer.  So by association I'm already grossed out.  But, sadly, this isn't the worst part.  Rob decided to move out of the home he shared with Kristen in the middle of the day, driving a truck the opposite of nondescript and loading the back with luggage and belongings stuffed in trash bags.  It's very difficult to think this was anything but a calculated move.  He could have hired any number of professionals to do the moving for him, and even if he did want to do it himself, certainly knew that he's a primary target for the paparazzi that are undoubtedly stalking the neighborhood.  No, he telegraphed that move out for the "world" to see.  Stone cold.  

So there you have it.  My thoughts regarding the Twilight saga's true life saga.  Yes, I wrote an entire post about it.  I should be ashamed.  

Tomorrow I'll post about something useful, like a delicious dish for dinner or list of practical items for entertaining a rambunctious toddler.  

the odds are never in your favor and henry cavill gets his due (finally!)

I know that I am not only member of Team Peeta that was underwhelmed by the strange casting of Josh Hutcherson, but my overwhelming admiration for Jennifer Lawrence, a perfect Katniss, supersedes any concerns I have with the film versions of the trilogy.  She was perfect in The Hunger Games, and despite the presence of a different director, I am sure Catching Fire will not disappoint.  Any project that Phillip Seymour Hoffman takes seriously, even the funny ones (see: Along Came Polly, worth watching entirely for PSH's small scenes) is going to be more than decent. Side note: varying directors has not hurt franchises in the past-see Harry Potter. I'm actually quite excited to see the vision the Francis Lawrence brings to Catching Fire-I thoroughly enjoyed both I am Legend and Water for Elephants (NOT because of Robert Pattionson, mind you!)

I share the opinion of  Cinesnark's Sarah, frequent contributor to my beloved Lainey Gossip, that Superman is something of a "mild" superhero, especially when compared to Christian Bale's Batman or any one of Marvel's Avengers.  I should tell you that Sarah is fully immersed in the comic book world, and is thus fluent in their mythologies and story lines.  I'm not a huge fan of the superhero genre, and I certainly didn't appreciate it until Batman became a legitimately dark, interesting character (via Bale's brilliance) and Robert Downey Jr. became Tony Stark.  Then, it was the proverbial new ball game, and I began to actually look forward to each new blockbuster.  However, had RDJ never donned the suit or the Joker's maniacal laugh never sent chills up my spine, I would have undoubtedly been excited for Henry Cavill's big debut.  Long familiar with his role as Charles Brandon in the steamy, but remarkably historically accurate The Tudors (seriously-Hilary Mantel's Bringing up the Bodies, the continuing story of Thomas Cromwell, minister to Henry VIII, which won the Man Booker Prize, and all kinds of acclaim and prestige cannot quite hold my interest because I LEARNED ALL ABOUT THOMAS CROMWELL ALREADY, in a Showtime television show), I always had a sense that Cavill could be a star.  He's attractive, compelling, British... Anyway, it looks as though Man of Steel just might make that happen.  It looks quite good, and it certainly doesn't hurt to be a part of a cast that includes Russell Crowe, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon.

the end of an era

I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit that after putting my little A to bed on Sunday night, I snuck out alone for an early evening showing of the Twilight finale.  I hope my loyal few won't think me ridiculous when I say it was bittersweet.  Oh, the many hours I have spent reading those delicious, poorly written books, talking with my mom (who was a rather inexplicable, but utterly devoted fan) about Edward's princely qualities, and mocking the altogether satisfying movies.

I'm really going to miss this.

P.S. True love triumphs!

P.P.S. I was thisclose to putting Nikki Reed's duet with Paul McDonald in the post instead of Green Day.  Better clips from the movies in that one.  And ok, I like the song.  Oh, the self-loathing! 

Is it wrong that I STILL get excited?

the african queen

Design Sponge is certainly one of my favorite blogs, but I can't say that I visit it every day.  Perhaps I feel intimidated by the designing that I'll never be creative enough to recreate?  The "living in" feature, however, always reels me in, and today's selection, The African Queen, is one of the best so far. The African Queen was one of the few mom-approved movies that we were able to watch as children, and I've probably seen it hundreds of times.  I didn't read the novel until I was older (one of those times when seeing the movie first killed my motivation, a shame really), but I loved it as well.  My sister often says that Katherine Hepburn's laugh is just like our grandmother's, who we loved more than you can imagine.

I heartily encourage you to visit "living in: The African Queen"-yes, I've linked it up not once, but twice.  The Edwardian silk camisole!  The antique gin bottle!  I can imagine Rose Sayer pouring every last drop of gin into the murky swamp waters now.

Side note 1: How embarrassed am I that I have never seen Casablanca (GASP!) yet am utterly familiar with Bogart as the crusty sailor escorting the missionary Katherine Hepburn out of Africa?

Side note 2: The movie holds such fond memories for me that when the special edition Blu Ray came out, I purchased it immediately.

Here's the mildly inappropriate trailer, in all its Technicolor low quality glory:


Perhaps I'll watch it tonight.

awkward, adorable, awesome

So the MTV Movie Awards, my fave, were on last night. For the record, I've always loved 'em, as most people who enjoy movies of all sorts do. It has not a single thing in the world to do with my unhealthily lingering Twilight addiction. Admit it-it's loads of fun watching clever skits, funny riffs on popular movies of the year, and cool awards like "Best Villain", "Best Kiss", and my personal new fave, "Best Scared as S*** Moment" (Hey, we all know I love a good scary movie). Even if said skits are sometimes lame.

Predictably, the Twilight crew handily breezed through the show, collecting every award possible. And no, I did NOT vote for them. I have not stooped to that level, people! I'm not that kind of fan! My SH was a total gem for sitting through the awards with me, a real prince. He even laughed a bit-which he SHOULD have-at Tom Cruise's hilarious return as lewd Les Grossman. Of course, I'm sure he was laughing inwardly at my pathetic when the Eclipse clip finally aired.

Still. So. Excited.

Revolution

Oh my gosh. I'm obsessed. LOVE him, love what he's doing. I suggest you watch immediately.

P.S. Check out the lids on the milk-ALL strawberry. Admit it, it's appalling.