Here in our little Z-List Hollywood family, we have an additional holiday season every year. Awards Season. Which is kicked off every January by the Golden Globes, the loosest and most unpredictable of the shows - I mean, they're all half-crocked before the show even starts. We always try to join into the fun from right here in our living room with our own champagne and I'll make a special dinner - course after course of appetizers. Fun. I'm afraid that since I'm still mending from the stupid strep throat incident, all of last nights treats came straight from the frozen foods section at Trader Joe's. To those of you who don't have Trader Joe's where you live, you have my sympathies. Because everything from the Trader Joe's frozen foods section is fab. Scallops on the Half Shell with a Garlic Parsley Pesto Sauce, Vegetable Shu Mai, Three Cheese Flatbread. Yum.
Okay, maybe not quite as glamorous as actually ATTENDING the Golden Globes. But come on, this year with all the rain and...Haiti...who really wants to get all dolled up and spend an evening in the same room as Robert Downey, Jr., Jon Hamm AND Sir Paul McCartney. And I guarantee that my red cashmere fuzzy socks were much more comfortable than a pair of Jimmy Choos.
I used to be one of those people who zealously saw EVERY Oscar-nominated movie. Well, I probably missed things like the Best Documentary Shorts category, but I really did see pretty much everything.However, since Jude's birth, the only nominated movies I see are in the Best Animated Feature category (I'm totally rooting for The Fantastic Mr. Fox this year, though I'm okay with Up winning). I still, however, enthusiastically watch the awards shows, and don't seem to let the fact that I've seen NONE of the movies keep me from spouting snooty opinions about them.
James Cameron gives me the willies. Everything about the man just makes me go "ick". This feeling may be colored by the fact that a friend of mine worked for him once many years ago, and had pretty much nothing good to say about the man. I won't tell you who she is because I don't want to get her in trouble. And I have also never been a fan of his work. Well, I loved Aliens. Other than that? Not so much. I know, I know, I'm probably the only human being on the planet who just "sorta liked' Titanic. I don't know, despite my love of sci-fi, special effects never really "touch" me, you know? I may be "blown away" by them, but I'm always aware that they are effects. Not real. I understand that Avatar is all about social justice and indigenous peoples, topics that the bleeding-heart liberal part of me is always moved by, so...we'll see. I may love it. In the meantime, I just want to say to James Cameron..."CUT YOUR HAIR!"Jeff Bridges can pull off the "old dude with shaggy hair" look because he's HOT. You just look silly.
Speaking of Jeff Bridges...don't you ADORE him? And yes, underrated. Another very dear friend of mine did her first movie with him back in the late '70's, and she has raved about him ever since. Not just his acting skills, but that he's an incredibly nice man, with a tremendous amount of integrity. Her first scene of her first movie? A sex scene with Bridges. And she said he made her feel very safe and relaxed, not an easy thing, believe me. I remember watching the movie for the first time and suddenly, there is my friend, naked and moaning. My first thought - "Oh my!" My second thought - "Damn, she looks pretty good!" My third thought - "I wish Jeff Bridges was pretending to have sex with me!"
I so desperately want to be Meryl Streep's BFF. Anyone have any ideas about how I could facilitate this? Stalking might not be the most effective method. I think we'd really hit it off. She'd totally get my sense of humor. And I think we have so much in common. Me and Meryl. Best buds. Really. Could happen. Wasn't her acceptance speech the best thing of the evening? She's just so...honest and...humble. I love her. There, I said it. I love Meryl Streep. And I don't care if the whole world hears me.
And speaking of same-sex love...I am so happy that Neil Patrick Harris brought his boyfriend to the Globes. First, I'm happy that he's out, and still working in Hollywood. Second, it's refreshing to see a gay man actually bring his boyfriend, and not his mother. Not that mom wouldn't love the opportunity to go out on the town with her boy, but it's a pretty strong sign that if an actor brings his mom to an awards show...he's gay. Keep that in mind. And Neil and his beau were so cute together...
Take a look here at this best and worst dressed thing. I just never agree with these things. Well, sometimes I do. And I consider myself to have pretty good taste, and a critical eye. But come one. Sometimes I think the people who put these things together are just looking for something to write about, you know?
- Sandra Bullock - A D? Really? Chintzy-looking? Really? I can't imagine anything Bottega Veneta being chintzy-looking. Maybe it's not my favorite dress of the evening, but it fit her beautifully, and the color was lovely. Her hair on the other hand...
- Halle Berry - HOT.
- Sigourney Weaver - See, I desperately want to agree about the "put other women half her age to shame" part, but I'm afraid that, despite the fabulous jewels and lovely hair, I thought the dress was unflattering. And sort of emphasized the "middle-aged" qualities of her figure.
- Mariah Carey - Well yeah. That's just tacky.
- I can't decide if that tousled (read: messy) hair thing (Jennifer Aniston, Fergie) is "the look" or a biproduct of the torrential rain.
- I think they're right about Nicole Kidman, who is normally totally flawless looking. The dress photographs as the exact same color as her skin. Weird.
- Glenn Close does look wonderful. All that Botox seems to have worn off, and that dried up corpse look she had during Damages Season One has disappeared. God I'm a bitch.
- Kate Hudson a C? I think she looks amazing. It's an...odd dress. But it's so pristine and special. I love that, while she looks just like her mother, she never plays the "ditzy" thing that Goldie had to at that age. She comes across as strong and poised. And that dress took some confidence to wear.
- Patricia Arquette. Sigh. Poor thing couldn't have looked worse if she'd tried. And you know that no one is trying to look bad. Does she just have bad taste? Or has she hired a bad stylist? Her transsexual sister has better taste.
- And I totally disagree about Julia Roberts wearing the Yves St. Laurent cocktail dress. Yes, it was a bit informal, but of all the women there, she's one of the only ones who could pull it off. And it was gorgeous. That tousled hair thing again.
- I think Tina Fey looked great! I mean, she is who she is, she's the funny, smart, geek girl. And the vintagy prom frock worked. You know, if Meryl won't go for it, I think I want Tina Fey for my new BFF.
And I think that Ricky Gervais was great. He actually made me laugh. He wasn't pandering. He didn't sing. He drank a beer.
Okay I'll stop whining. For more Random Tuesday Thoughts, visit Keely at The Unmom and take a look around.
Ack, we totally missed most of the show (saw the last two awards). This is our first Awards Season on the West Coast; we're used to them starting at 8pm. Oopsie.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your thoughts on James Cameron & Titanic. That's just one of the most depressing movies ever. I don't find renditions of true-life tragedy "entertaining." Enlightening, maybe. Awe-inspiring, maybe. But so many people "loved" that movie for very different reasons than I felt appropriate.
(Err, opinionated much, Aimee?)
Posted by: Aimee | 01/18/2010 at 10:24 PM
This has to be one of the best reviews I've ever read. I don't know why but I have never watched the Golden Globes until I saw the last part the other night. Anyway I agree with everything you said. Except for Tina Fey. (didn't like her look).
Now excuse me while I go back and read every word you wrote on Jeff Bridges. Saw Crazy Heart Sat night with my man. He was great--it was all "I'm an older, older man and I'm not covering it up" look. And to think he grew up in Holmby Hills. And is married to the same woman for 33 years. Sigh. Have loved his voice always. Did not like Maggie G. in her role though.
Posted by: Michele Renee | 01/19/2010 at 04:57 AM
First off: I have a bad case of Trader Joe envy right now.
I have a pair of Jimmy Choos and you are right; the fuzzy sock would be so much more comfortable.
Never saw Titanic. (whoops, I almost typed tantric) I must be the only one on the planet. Don't know why. It just didn't look interesting. Poor ship design, ship sinks, people die. meh
Jeff....growl
Meryl = can I tag along as your lonely village idiot friend?
Neil probably was the cutest one on the red carpet. And what was up with Micki Rourke and his date? How much do you think he had to pay her to go with him. Not that I know him personally but .....really.
Posted by: Michele | 01/19/2010 at 05:11 AM
The awards season is always big around here too. It gets even more fun when your kids are old enough to enjoy it. We actually write our Oscar picks down and everyone throws in a dollar or two. Whoever gets the most of the major categories right, wins.Now that they're older, we have to take some votes by phone.
I agree with just about everything you said.
And I want to be in a sex scene with Jeff Bridges too! Your lucky friend!
Posted by: Maureen@IslandRoar | 01/19/2010 at 05:52 AM
I'm totally with you. I loved Ricky Gervais. And I thought Kate Hudson looked great. I just loved the crisp look of it. I didn't LOVE Tina Fey's dress, but I sure didn't think it was awful. Not even bad. And based on the Golden Globes, I'm not sure if I'd like Cloe Sevigny as a person. She seems pretty snobbish. I don't know.
I have zero desire to see Avatar. Zero. And possibly less, after McDonald's put Avatar (a PG-13 movie) toys in the happy meals. Seriously?
Posted by: Sarah at themommylogues | 01/19/2010 at 06:52 AM
I was never a huge Titanic fan either - I enjoyed the movie, but didn't think it was all THAT.
I always love looking at the red carpet pics - & I rarely agree with the commenters - but I am NOT the person you want fashion advice from! I wear things I like even if they went out of style 10 years ago. I just don't care.
Posted by: The Bug | 01/19/2010 at 08:09 AM
Mmmmm...Jeff Bridges. *rawr*
I LOVED Up - absolutely adored it. I'd squeal like a five-year-old if it was nominated for Best Picture.
I'm kinda "meh" about James Cameron these days. As for the plot of Avatar, my oldest says it can be summed up in four words: Dances with Space Wolves.
Posted by: Jan | 01/19/2010 at 08:09 AM
luv me some Trader Joe's; ours is not yet a year old. Just went two hours ago and loaded up on yes, the freezer section, especially the yummy Indian veggie Samosas, chimichuri rice, asparagus risotto, etc.
How bout Martin Scorese's speech? Now there is a director...
Posted by: Lynn Hornsby | 01/19/2010 at 01:03 PM
I totes agree about Jeff Bridges.
Also Titanic! I was just meh on it. It felt like a giant machine that could crush us all with its BIG EMOTIONAL MOMENTS.
I am pro tousled hair.
Great post!!!
Posted by: becky | 01/19/2010 at 01:18 PM