Dreaming in Gold

The 88th Academy Award will go down in history as the year that Leonardo DiCaprio finally nabbed the once very elusive gold statuette, after 25 years in the industry and 5 previous nominations, our favorite guy trumped the competition & we all felt like we won alongside him, call it the DiCaprio Effect!

Fantastic Four: Big winners of the night!

Girl Talk: Brie Larson, Cate Blanchett & Kate Winslet gathered before the ceremony for a quick chat

Cookie Time: Girl Scouts brought out cookies to sell

Leo & Kate

What’s in the Label: Kate seemed ready to devour some cookie

Chris Rock: the host rocked the show with his quit witted humor

Spy: Mark Rylance surprise everyone as the triumphant Supporting Actor winner

Princesses: newly-minted Oscar winners had a surreal moment

88th Academy Awards winners list: 

Best Picture: “Spotlight”

Direction: “The Revenant,” Alejandro G. Ińarritu

Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Revenant”

Actress: Brie Larson, “Room”

Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, “Bridge of Spies”

Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, “The Danish Girl”

Adapted Screenplay: “The Big Short,” Charles Randolph and Adam McKay

Original Screenplay: “Spotlight,” Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy

Cinematography: “The Revenant,” Emmanuel Lubezki

Production Design: “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Colin Gibson and Lisa Thompson (set decoration)

Film Editing: “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Margaret Sixel

Visual Effects: “Ex Machina,” Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett

Costume Design: “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Jenny Beavan

Makeup: “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin

Sound Editing: “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Mark Mangini and David White

Sound Mixing: “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo

Score: “The Hateful Eight,” Ennio Morricone

Song: “Writing’s on the Wall,” from “Spectre,” Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith

Foreign Language Film: “Son of Saul” (Hungary)

Animated Feature: “Inside Out”

Documentary Feature: “Amy”

*For more updates, follow @thefword.co on Instagram

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Best Dressed: Academy Awards 2016

And it’s finally here! After months and months of press tours, movie premieres and award shows, the hottest ticket in town and the grand finale of the season, the Academy Awards is upon us and with it comes a parade of couture pieces fresh off the runway and some, even custom made just for the event. Many have dubbed the ceremony as the Superbowl, the World Series, the Olympics if you will of the film industry with the most genetically-gifted participants with the most glorious gowns! Now that’s one hell of an Olympics!

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior (a look I predicted she’ll wear btw 😉

Rooney Mara in custom Givenchy Haute Couture with Fred Leighton jewels

Julianne Moore in Chanel Couture with Chopard earrings

Brie Larson in Gucci

The stars always save their best looks for this event, pulling all the stops with their dresses, shoes and jewels and this year’s eminent trends are pastel-hued creations, with flowing silhouettes, dainty details adorned with dripping diamonds and sky high stilettos! This year’s red carpet was a big step-up from last year which was a little more subdued and classic in nature, this year is a little more fun, girly but still very old Hollywood.

Let’s kick things off with Star Wars heroine, Daisy Ridley who made quite the impression in a powdered blue Chanel couture dress which features a tea length and intricate beadwork that’s perfect for her because it’s fun, delicate and certainly a “rising star look”. 

 

Another young actress and nominee, Saoirse Ronan has been killing it lately with one fabulous gown to another but this one is surprisingly different from the other looks we’ve seen her in. She wore a custom Calvin Klein creation that is a bit risqué and features strategic cutouts  which she paired with mismatched Chopard accessories, a smokey make-up and finger-combed tresses (accdg to @hairbyadir who did her hair). 

Maternity fashion never looked so good! Emily Blunt debuted her baby bump in a pastel pink Prada number with crystal details and an empire waist silhouette that accentuated her bump well. You would think that Emily would keep it safe with a column gown but she wasn’t afraid to add a bit of a train in the mix,  now this is how you dress for the Oscars if you’re expecting! 

Emily’s costar in the upcoming The Hunstman, Charlize Theron also showed up in a major fashion moment with a daring Dior Haute Couture dress that fit her statuesque frame flawlessly. Did I mention that she’s dripping in a total of 3.75million worth of Harry Winston diamonds? Because she totally is! This is a showstopper, this is what a movie star looks like!  

Another jaw-dropping style moment and runner-up for my best dressed is courtesy of Cate Blanchett – I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again,  if there’s someone who can deliver drama to the red carpet it’s going to be Cate and she delivered! Elsa definitely would want to steal this seafoam-colored custom Armani Privé work of art that featured floral adornments and accessorised with Tiffany & Co. jewels. Wow! 

For my best dressed of them all and the night’s belle (pun intended) of the ball, Alicia Vikander stunned everyone with in her own words “a dusty yellow” custom Louis Vuitton high-low ball gown. This is a departure from her usually more structured and edgy looks from the last weeks, this time she embraced her inner Belle, had a princess moment and won the night! Beautiful! 

Stay tuned for more on the actual ceremony coming up next on the blog.

*For more updates, follow @thefword.co on Instagram

-F

 

 

Overlooked

The Oscars is in no less than 24hrs and although I agree that the crop of Best Picture nominees are all magnificent films in their own different ways, there’s still some that were left out for reasons I’m just not quite clear on. These films in my opinion, deserves the same recognition or even just the attention that the other films are receiving.

I’m confident that a lot of people would back me up when I say that Ex Machina was one of the past year’s most extraordinary film with performances from Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander who starred as a humanoid robot which I think should be garnering her the awards buzz instead of her role in The Danish Girl but that’s just me. Ex Machina which is directed and written by Alex Garland (Never Let Me Go, Dredd) opened on limited release which is a shame because it’s such a thrilling film and should be seen by more people.

Now, while I’m not suggesting that this Sundance film should be a Best Picture contender but It should at least be in consideration for the writing awards and maybe a Golden Globe Comedy mention instead of Trainwreck because Mistress America is just that good! It’s directed by Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, While We’re Young) and stars Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke as two young women exploring the world and finding who they are. The plot sounds all too familiar but what this film does is work from a familiar territory; the more you thought you know what’s gonna lead to what, the more the film will astonish you of where it could go.

Sicario was widely-received when it premiered in Cannes and even more so when it shattered the public on its wide release. The film was a display of what a crime film should be, searing and blistering with suspense and surrounded by such a high calibre cast lead by Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro both of whom baffles me that they didn’t get the recognitions they are due. Sicario was brilliant and powerful, Dennis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy) did it again!

Unlike Sicario, The Lobster is a quieter, a more offbeat and quite understandably overlooked for it’s a film that requires a certain imagination and a ready participation from the audience. Yorgos Lanthimos’ (Dogtooth) Cannes offering is a peculiar story about love in a dystopian setting and stars Colin Farrell & Rachel Weisz who were superb as they navigate their strange environment and try to fulfill societal expectations. This film is an acquired taste and not for everybody, but that doesn’t mean it should have been overlooked for the writing categories which is exactly what happened, it should have been recognised more for it revolutionized how storytelling should be.

On the morning of the Oscar nomination Carol was supposed to be up for 8 categories but alas it garnered only 6 – although that’s a pretty impressive number it certainly was robbed in the Best Director (for Todd Haynes) and Best Picture categories. Is it because it’s a film with two women at the center? Is it because it’s a lesbian love story? Cate Blanchett (plays the titular role) seem to think so. I was as bewildered as the rest of the public as to why it was left out in the Picture race when it’s a film that’s got it all right and quite frankly, was absolutely better than the other films nominated – it was masterfully crafted, exquisitely acted by Cate & Rooney Mara with extraordinary costumes (Sandy Powell), a nuanced screenplay (Phyllis Nagy), a mesmerizing cinematography (Ed Lachman) and a spellbinding score (Carter Burwell) which thankfully all of whom were recognized by the Academy.

Here’s hoping that with the #Oscarsowhite and #Oscarsostraight conversations, we’ll be looking at a lot more different and diversified Academy roster in the future.

-F

Runway to Red Carpet

It’s been a long road leading to the Oscars and on three days, the long wait will be over and all our questions will be answered – will Leonardo DiCaprio finally be able to snatch that elusive honor, will Alejandro G. Iñarritu pull a back-to-back win, what film will take home Best Picture and most importantly, what will our favorite stars be wearing? Lol let’s face it, we’re all excited to see how Chris Rock will do as a 2nd-time host and who the winners will be but with a roster of nominees as stylish as this year, I’m talking Blanchett! Lawrence! Mara! Vikander! etc. it’s always the most fun to see what glorious gowns these ladies will wear on the biggest night in Hollywood so… allow me to indulge and share which gowns from the different fashion weeks I’d like to see on the red carpet. *PLEASE BEAR WITH MY PHOTOSHOP SKILLS(?)*

ALICIA VIKANDER: This is her first awards season plus she’s the face of Louis Vuitton so  naturally, she’ll wear a gown by the brand but there’s no way of telling what it will look like as it will most likely be a custom one made especially for her for the occasion. Her style is very ladylike but always with a little bit of edge so I chose for her a red lacey Rodarte (left) number which is right up her alley and an off the shoulder Oscar Dela Renta (right) look which is a little vampy but she could totally pull it off and I totally could see her winning an Oscar in this look. I’m hoping Vuitton could make her something that’s close to either of this two!  

JENNIFER LAWRENCE: Like Alicia, JLaw’s dress would also be tricky to put together as she is the face of Dior and it’s almost 100% sure that she will wear something custom and something we’ve never seen on the runway but if their recent show is any indication, we could be looking at a sexier, more daring Jennifer on the red carpet come Oscar night. Just add the extra length and insert some linings and voila, both of these could be an Oscar-worthy look!

SAOIRSE RONAN: She isn’t new to the scene but this is her first season as a full fledged leading lady and it’s only fitting to look the part, Saoirse is young and a splash of color really suits her especially the canary cutout Valentino (left) gown which is also reminiscent of a greek goddess look, in a good way of course! She could also play up her ethereal good looks and embrace the nature theme with a Zuhair Murad (right) work of art. 

RACHEL MCADAMS: Another Supporting Actress nominee, Rachel often favors girly frocks with a free-flowing silhouette and she’s often seen wearing Elie Saab creations so for the Oscars, you would think that I’d want her to experiment more but no, I want her to stick to what she does best because If it ain’t broke, right? I can already imagine her wearing either the intricately beaded Elie Saab (left) or the floral and lace combination from Oscar Dela Renta (right).

CATE BLANCHETT: There’s nothing more fun for an avid onlooker like myself than to witness “brave fashion”, pushing the style envelope by experimenting and being unafraid to wear just about anything and pulling it off effortlessly. Cate is a designer’s dream because she wears clothes with ease but never boring and if anyone’s going to bring drama to the red carpet it would be her, that’s why I’d like to see her in a caped Chanel couture gown (left) or a fiery Marchesa (right) dress with a form-fitting silhouette. 

ROONEY MARA: It’s true that Rooney almost always sticks with black and white but she always keeps it interesting by donning silhouettes only she could get away with and looks that on someone else could look a bit costume-y , she makes it work. She has a long standing relationship with Alexander McQueen so it’s safe to bet that the fashion house could lend her this magical caped creation (left), just add a lining and this could instantly be an iconic Oscar moment. I could also see her going the romantic route with Marchesa (right) and it’d also be magical! 

BRIE LARSON: As the one to beat and the favorite to win, Brie will need a princess moment and I want her to have that so to her stylist, please put her in a full skirt or better yet a ball gown! Just a quick call to Mr. Valentino to make it floor length could make this look (left) a winner in its own right or if she wants to go the more subtle princess moment, I also can imagine her in this delicate blush Carolina Herrera (right) look.

*for more updates follow @thefword.co on Instagram

-F

 

 

Room

Room is directed by Lenny Abrahamson with a screenplay by Emma Donoghue, the same person who wrote the book this film was adapted from. Brie Larson (United States of Tara, Short Term Twelve) stars as Ma in a heart wrenching tale of love between mother and son.

The film follows the life of Ma and Jack (Jacob Tremblay) inside “Room” where they are being held captive by Old Nick (Sean Bridgers),  Jack’s father who abducted Ma seven years ago while she was still a teenager. She made her son believe that their life in the room they call home is all there is, that everything else exists only on television but when their captor revealed that he lost his job and might not be able to give them supply for long and they’ll soon be starved to death, she became desperate and came up with a plan and told Jack everything about the outside world then asking him that she would need him to pretend to be dead to be able to escape room successfully.

Abrahamson, the director is known in the Independent movie scene and Room catapulted him in the spotlight because the film is riveting as it is restrained and obscure as it is tender. It has a dark subject matter that has been heavily portrayed and discussed in different mediums but was given a new treatment because it was being told through the eyes of a child which can be both refreshing yet disturbing. Besides the direction, the most noteworthy aspect of Room was the chemistry between the two leads, played by Larson and Tremblay who audiences would root for in a heartbeat because you instantly believe that they are mother and son and you vie for them to be free. Larson gave the performance of her career, proving that we can no longer ignore her presence and that she’s here to stay. Being a fan of the book, I’m utterly satisfied by this adaptation and think that this is a faultless case of translating one art form to another.

 

for more updates follow @thefword.co on Instagram

-F

Joy

“Don’t think that the world owes you anything.. because it doesn’t.”

Jennifer Lawrence and constant collaborator David O. Russell are at it again with Joy, their third after two critically-acclaimed collaborations on Silver Linings Playbook & American Hustle. The film which is a comedy-drama also features other constant collaborators like Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper, based on the true story of Joy Mangano, a divorced mother of two who works as a clerk at an airlines company and who’s struggling to make ends meet. Her father (De Niro), being divorced from Joy’s mother started dating a wealthy Italian divorcee (Isabella Rosellini) who invited the whole family on her boat and while on board, Joy drops a glass of red wine, attempts to mop up the mess, and cuts her hands on the broken glass while wringing the mop. Upon returning home, she decided to create a blueprint and eventually making a prototype for her self-wringing mop which we now know as the “Miracle Mop”. And the rest, as they say is history.

The film has a very specific style of storytelling, it’s almost nothing like watching a film but being in a dream – Russell told the story in a nonlinear manner with occasional flashbacks and sometimes adapting a soap opera style of sequence. The screenplay, also by Russell was sharp, witty and was given justice by the actors, led of course by Lawrence who was undeniably astonishing as the title character, she proves in every film that she’s one of the most remarkable actors working today and I wouldn’t be surprised if Russell and Lawrence keep on making films together like they promised.

Joy is a film that inspires how dreams can come true, no matter how big or small it is but it also shows you how life will beat you up and the reality of sometimes putting your dreams on hold because it isn’t your time yet and that’s what I really enjoyed about it because it teaches the viewers that  it doesn’t just end by dreaming it, a dream for it to come true must be combined with hard work and a strong will to succeed.

for more updates follow @thefword.co on Instagram

-F

Fashion Spotlight: Alicia Vikander

I’ve mentioned Vikanderssaince a few times in some of my posts already and you might be asking, is it just me favouring Alicia Vikander so much or is it really a thing. Well, she did have five films (Man From U.N.C.L.E., Ex Machina, Seventh Son, Burnt and The Danish Girl) released last year, she was named as the new face of Louis Vuitton, she’s dating hot Irish actor Michael Fassbender and she could possibly win an Academy Award at the end of this month so… It’s pretty apparent that she’s having a moment.

Her best Louis Vuitton looks to date during the many premiere events of The Danish Girl

While last month’s fashion spotlight, Rooney follows a black and white uniform on the red carpet, Alicia also has a uniform – Louis Vuitton, of course! As the brand’s ambassador, she has full access to everything it has to offer; from her shoes, bags and gowns, she’s seen rocking them all. Though we see her from time to time in other brands like Marc Jacobs and Erdem, she always goes back to Louis Vuitton, after all her style has become synonymous to the brand’s feminine yet edgy and soft but structured aesthetic.

Runway: her best looks while attending the brand’s runway shows

LVD: forget LBD, Alicia has Louis Vuitton Dresses!

Print: never shy to experiment on the red carpet

Buckle up: the girl could rock the entire collection!

The Oscars is coming and I hope Louis Vuitton creates her something magical because as of now, her best red carpet moment yet was in Valentino during last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

In Valentino Couture

*She can be seen next on The Light Between Oceans, The Untitled Bourne Film and Tulip Fever. 

for more updates follow @thefword.co on Instagram

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Best Dressed: Grammy Awards 2016

When it comes to award shows, you can count on the Grammy Awards to have the most outrageous gowns and over-the-top looks. While this year is no different, I have to say that it’s a bit tamer this time because the ones we always count on to deliver are sadly, absent from the ceremony – Rihanna, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj etc.

But worry not because Mother Monster is in the house, Lady Gaga paid tribute to David Bowie by channeling the late artist in a custom Marc Jacobs ensemble, platform heels and this is Gaga we’re talking about so of course she didn’t just stopped there, she also dyed her hair a bright orange a la the Starman and put on a bedazzled eye shadow to complete her look. 

Leave it to Adele to bring the class to the red carpet, the “Hello” singer was decked in a chic black frock by Givenchy which featured split shoulders and embellished details. She also debuted a stylish bob that she complimented with her signature smokey eye makeup. 

Also making a statement in black, Carrie Underwood wore a creation by an upcoming Lebanese designer called Nicolas Jebran which featured a sweetheart neckline and a thigh high slit – making the look both sexy and sweet!

Selena Gomez is just killing it lately, this custom Calvin Klein creation’s flawless on her! It’s backless, it has tiny straps, it’s navy, it fits her perfectly plus the way she wore her hair down and her accessories, everything just works. S.L.A.Y.

Well, having said all those.. Selena was definitely my best dressed but what about Sam Hunt though? When a man makes an effort to veer away from the predictable you have to take notice and this dusty rose Dolce and Gabbana suit did it for me!

 

for more updates follow @thefword.co on Instagram

-F

BAFTA Bits ‘n Bobs

The Revenant reigned supreme during the annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) held at the Royal Opera House in London. While The Revenant, taking home the top prize of the night wasn’t a big surprise, there were lots of bits ‘n bobs (which means “various things” in British slang btw) to make the night a night that broke the internet.

Double nominee: Vikanderssaince is still very much in motion thanks to Alicia’s double nomination

Brooklyn: The film won Outstanding British picture

Carol: Rooney Mara & Cate Blanchett had a little chat amidst the proceedings

Veteran: Steven Spielberg accepted a BAFTA for his film

Dapper Duo: Bryan Cranston & Michael Fassbender chatted on the red carpet

Mission Possible: Tom Cruise presented The Revenant with the top prize

Rising Star: John Boyega took home the Rising Star Award

Titanic: Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio had another reunion

FUMBLE: While we’re on the topic of breaking the internet, Stephen Fry who has been hosting the show since 2001 came under fire when he made a remark about the Costume Design winner looking like a “bag lady” and naturally, twitter was quick to point out the “uncalled for remark”.  This statement was just one of the many that garnered negative comments from people, there was the introduction to Eddie Redmayne and the host’s twitter rant which concluded to his decision to just delete his account.

HIGHLIGHT: We can all agree that when it comes to Leonardo DiCaprio winning awards, it’s always a highlight.. but what if on the same night, Leo reunited once again with Titanic costar Kate Winslet, now that makes it all the more special. BUT! As if that wasn’t enough, Leo also had the most charming encounter with Dame Maggie Smith and how? Thanks to the BAFTA Kiss Cam! That’s three winning moments Leo, some people just have all the luck in the world!

Here’s the whole segment for you because we all know, you’re going to wanna watch it!

Best director

Alejandro González Iñárritu – The Revenant

Best actress

Brie Larson – Room

Best actor

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant

Best film

The Revenant

Outstanding British Film

Brooklyn

Best supporting actor

Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies

Best animated film

Inside Out

Best supporting actress

Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs

Best makeup and hair

Mad Max: Fury Road

Best cinematography

The Revenant

Best editing

Mad Max: Fury Road

Best special visual effects

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

EE Rising Star (voted for by the public)

John Boyega

Best costume design

Mad Max: Fury Road

Best adapted screenplay

The Big Short

Best original screenplay

Spotlight

Best production design

Mad Max: Fury Road

for more updates follow @thefword.co on Instagram

-F

Best Dressed: BAFTA Awards 2016

Movie stars travelled across the pond for the British Academy Awards (BAFTA), known as the well, British counterpart of the Oscars, the stars pulled all the stops on the red carpet for a glorious night of movies, fashion and glamour!

The award show took place during Valentine’s Day so some stars showed up in the festive hue and understandably so, like Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) who’s at the event as a Rising Star nominee but lost out to Star Wars’ John Boyega. No worries though, Dakota still won the night in a silk Dior number, a crimson pout and a no-fuss hair. 

After being a no-show from several award shows these past weeks, Cate Blanchett (Carol) is back with another sartorial hit in a custom Alexander McQueen creation which was both floral and feathered! Not that’s something we didn’t see coming!

Who says black can’t be romantic? The face of Louis Vuitton and double nominee, Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, The Danish Girl) strikes another style points in the brand’s chic leather dress that weighs 35lbs! Wait, what? 

Another star who’s feeling the festive air was the Mother of Dragons, Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) who stunned in a Victoria Beckham body-hugging number that’s both sexy and classy. 

Runner-up for best dressed at the BAFTA is Rooney Mara (Carol) who continues her winning style streak in a Givenchy eyelet cut-out shoulder number which almost matches her alabaster skin. She kept it simple, just adding a thick statement headband to accessorize the entire look. 

The best look of the night was courtesy of the fresh and talented, Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn) who always shows up in something always interesting but never inappropriate. This custom Burberry column gown which features an intricate amount of beadwork suited her perfectly for it reflected her youthful elegance. 

-F