A Most Glamorous Night in Hollywood is Always One To Remember

The Oscars is Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. Actors, celebrities, producers, editors, writers and families from around the globe come to celebrate the many accomplishments of the year’s film industry. Running an hour and eight minutes over last night, I was not disappointed. And though viewership was down, this might be the first telecast of The Academy Awards that I truly enjoyed (Eddie Redmayne may have helped a bit in that). These are some of my most memorable moments.

1. Anna Kendrick continued to remind us why the world adores her.

Kendrick stepped on stage with host Neil Patrick Harris to remind us that she indeed has a set of pipes and a Tony nomination back it up. Both Harris and Kendrick were getting along swimmingly, when Jack Black interrupted from the audience and jumped on stage to do his bit. In the end, Kendrick threw her beloved Jimmy Choo and Black hustled of stage, allowing us to get back to the show.

2. Neil Patrick Harris/Barney Stinson kept things moving.

Though not everything he said or did was drop dead hilarious, I think Neil Patrick Harris did a great job hosting the 87th Academy Awards. He was both charming and sassy, which in turn reminded me so much as to why people love to hate/adore Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother. He dropped some classic lines including “Tonight we honor some of Hollywood’s best and whitest…sorry, I mean brightest” and then dropping the “Oh, now you love him” after he introduced David Oyelowo in the audience. People have been noticeable upset over the past month, noting that this is the least diverse group of nominated actors they have seen in two decades (well it has happened once more in twenty years). And though I have my own personal opinions about it, I do appreciate NPH being ballsy enough to address it. Of course there were the not so funny gags (the briefcase and Octavia Spencer…), I think he did a great job and I certainly enjoyed how he kept the show flowing.

3. Lady Gaga and Julie Andrews shared a moment that touched all hearts.

Lady Gaga came to the stage paying tribute to one of the greatest, if not the greatest musical of all time, The Sound of Music. The epic film of romance and family set in war-torn Austria is in my top ten favorite movies and is celebrating its 50th anniversary since winning Best Picture at the Oscars in 1966. Of course we all know Gaga for her outrageous outfits and poppy-techno music, but Gaga toned it down, dressing in a flowing princess ballgown and belting out in perfect tune the hits that Julie Andrews brought to life in 1965. The entire performance sent shivers down my spine and catapulted me back to my childhood and the countless Saturday nights I spent watching The Sound of Music on ABC, admiring the ever-captivating Julie Andrews. The true tears came when Lady Gaga and Julie Andrews embraced at the end of her performance. Andrews looked like she truly enjoyed the medley and was thankful for the walk down memory lane.

4. The Lego Movie got its recognition with the coolest statue ever.

Not only did Tegan & Sara with The Lonely Island kill their performance of “Everything is Awesome,” which looked like the most epic dance party to ever happen on stage, but the Oscar shaped Lego Statue helped remind viewers that The Lego Movie refuses to be forgotten. Not only that, but that statue was flippin’ awesome. Nominees that were not able to take home the actual thing, were given a Lego Oscar as a consolation prize.

5. Whiplash was snubbed the top prize, but J.K. Simmons reminded us to love the people who matter most…our parents.

Though I have been on my own personally crusade for The Theory of Everything because of Eddie Redmayne’s tour-de-force performance as Stephen Hawking, Whiplash is certainly the most overlooked movie of 2014. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons deliver fast-paced, passionate, and anxiety-provoking performances surrounded by a wonderful and hauntingly real story. I am so happy that Simmons is getting the recognition he deserves, and wish that Teller had received more. Simmons speech was heartwarming, recognizing his wife and their “extraordinary children.” But what stood out was Simmons telling the world to “Call your mom. Call your dad. If you’re lucky enough to have a parent or two alive on this planet, call ‘em. Don’t text. Don’t email. Call them on the phone. Tell ‘em you love them.” It definitely made me scramble to my phone this evening and make sure I called the people that have supported me most throughout my life. Thanks Mom and Dad, and J.K. Simmons I guess.

6. Eddie Redmayne reminded the world what it looks and feels like to be genuinely happy.

The best actors race was the closest race The Academy has seen in years. There were some phenomenal roles, with some challenging and inspiring performances given by all five actors nominated. The sheer joy that Redmayne’s entire body emitted when his name was announced was enough to have the entire world grinning ear to ear. He was giddy, boyish, and charmingly eloquent on stage thanking his wonderful team, Felicity Jones, James Marsh, the Hawking family and, of course, his beautiful wife Hannah. He reminded the world that hard work and dedication pays off and that it is important to live in these moments, but not let them dictate you and where you go. So much humble swag, so much to admire.

7. Boy…what?

Though I think Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is a test to film-making and everything it can be, I was happy to see something other than this film take home the top prize of the evening. A directorial challenge being filmed over 12 years, the movie lacked the depth I was longing for as I watched a boy grow-up in almost three hours. The dialogue felt clunky and forced, and overall the movie felt pointless, which is that what we are to expect from life? Though Birdman was not my favorite film of the year, it definitely made me think, and I mean really think about life and what one wants to be. A cinematic beauty when it came to editing and directing, Birdman really did combine everything into one to make an magnificent and alluring film. Many people may think Boyhood was snubbed, but for me the film was easily forgotten in a group of epic stories.

8. I am happy to “Stay Weird” for Graham Moore.

Graham Moore was brutally honest in his speech, admitting to his suicide attempt at 16 when he just felt like he didn’t belong. Now, he is an Academy Award Winning Screenwriter. Moore encouraged anyone who has ever felt weird, or different, to “stay weird, and stay different.” I would say out of anyone in the night, he made the best use of his 60 seconds on stage.

9. John Legend and Common give a performance to remember for the ages.

The powerfully moving song featured in the film Selma was the musical performance of the night, bringing audience members to tears and reminding what a linguist Common is, not only as a rapper, but as a human being. Though Selma was overlooked this awards season (some blame the late release, some blame the "white" Academy, to each their own) I am glad that Legend and Common had the opportunity to show of their musical genius, while raising awareness to the fact that Selma is now. The performance was a showstopper, and along with Gaga's, I recommend everyone to watch it now.

Academy Award Winning Actor....Eddie Redmayne!

Three months ago, a friend and I walked into our busy neighborhood theatre on a foggy Saturday night to witness a film that would change my life. As I watched The Theory of Everything, I cried with profound sadness, but also with pure joy. The story of Jane and Stephen Hawking was intriguing, touching, and heartbreakingly real. As tears ran down my face and breath was taken from my lungs, I took in two astonishing performances that made my heart swell with emotion that nearly caused it to burst.

I left the theatre, my mind clouded and occupied by what I had just seen, fascinated by the story of Jane and Stephen Hawking and distracted by the visceral performances that had graced the screen. Recognizing Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones from other independent films, I was taken aback by the tenacity and ferociousness that these two people had while fulfilling such career altering roles. There are no words to describe their performances other than embodiment. I would go on to see the film twice more in theaters, trying desperately to have my friends see the genius that I had seen.

For three months now I have been on a quest to find a performance quite as moving as Redmayne’s, and tonight solidified why I had not. Eddie Redmayne accepted his Oscar with the same happiness and passion that he emitted while playing Stephen Hawking. His beaming smile, shaky hands, and eloquent words poured out to the billions watching The Academy Awards and the euphoria he must have felt resonates with me while I type this.

Many of my friends over the past couple of months have listened to me drone on about the talent that is Eddie Redmayne. They have put up with endless Facebook and Tumblr posts and countless tweets about my love for Redmayne and his astonishing performance. And his win tonight only shows that everything I have said is true. He is a rare talent. When you watch him on screen you can truly feel his drive and his deep appreciation for his craft. The man is a gifted actor that brings so much life to any role he plays and he should be recognized for that. That is what acting is all about.

Many may think I am insane. Maybe I am, but I cannot help but be beaming with delight. Congratulations Eddie, you have inspired and empowered many and to know that you will continue to stun the world with your charming brilliance is a gift to all. Cheers.

And the Best Dressed Goes To...My Fave (and not so favorite looks) from the SAG Awards 2015

It has been a week since actors came together to celebrate their craft and each other for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The evening was star studded and filled with gorgeous gowns and fitted tuxedos. Some stars really outdid themselves, while other’s struggled to hit the mark. Here are my picks for Best/Worst Dressed last Sunday.

My Star Stunners:

Keira Knightley

This women hit the nail on the head after her disastrous “porcelain doll” look from the Golden Globes earlier this year. She by far was my favorite dressed for the evening, and even though she didn’t take away an award for her portrayal of Joan Clarke (which is phenomenal by the way), she for sure hit the red carpet turning heads in her plum lace covered gown by Erdem. She looked absolutely stunning in the flowy gown, perfect for the mom-to-be.

Lupita N’Yongo

Anything Lupita wears is breathtaking, and she did it again with this gorgeous floral-patterned gown with bold black stripes from Elie Saab. Some could argue that it was too loud, but I thought this was exactly the statement piece I love to see Lupita wear. She herself is quiet, but so eloquent and extraordinary that it was like this dress was made just for her.

Julia Roberts

Combined with her million watt smile and signature red locks, her simple black pantsuit from Givenchy was all she needed to impress the crowd. Elegant and poised, Julia sure knows how to win the crowd and she doesn’t need bold statement pieces to do so. Her pantsuit reminded me what a classic Hollywood legend she has become and I appreciate her keeping it simple, letting just her talent shine.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese has been rocking the white this award season and I have no complaints about it. Wearing a form fitting, one-shouldered dress from Giorgio Armani, Reese paired her SAG outfit with some statement red lips and a simple pulled back hairdo. She looked as if she herself just went through a life-changing journey, like her character Cheryl Strayed in Wild, in less of a “sweetheart look” and more of a “I’m a grown women look.” Either way, I love this more grown up version of Reese.

Felicity Jones

Springing onto the red carpet this year rocking some pretty fantastic ensembles, Felicity Jones stunned in a pastel pink off-the shoulder crossover gown from Balenciaga last Sunday. Felicity has splashed onto the Hollywood scene after her breathtaking performance as Jane Wilde in The Theory of Everything. Always eloquent, Felicity stayed sophisticated in her choice for the evening, and even though it didn’t turn heads, it certainly caught my attention.

The Maybe Next Timers…:

Rosamund Pike

After her captivating performance in Gone Girl, I have been slightly disappointed in this women’s choice of outfits on the red carpet. Wearing white to both the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, Rosamund went for a complete opposite look in a black frumpy, moo-moo like dress by Christian Dior. The dress looked heavy and too hot to be wearing on the Hollywood Red Carpet. I wanted to get the girl a fan.

Uzo Aduba

I have never been a fan of yellow on anyone, and even though I think Uzo could have pulled off this statement better than others, I still was not a fan. Made of an odd mesh material, the dress from Angel Sanchez just was a huge turn off for me. Though I am extremely happy for her win, I do hope in the future she will stick to something a little less…yellow.

Julianne Moore

Ask anyone, I think Julianne Moore is a showstopper in anything she does, but her green sparkly dressed pair with a fur jacket from Givenchy Haute Couture made me feel like a mermaid sprung itself out of the ocean to find a green bear. Green and red-heads is usually a winning combo, but the tank straps are what turned me away from the gown (plus the fur). Better luck at the Oscars.

Emma Stone

I am usually applauding Emma Stone for bold statement choices not only in life, and choice of words (she literally dropped the F-Bomb where she heard she was nominated for an Oscar), but in outfit ensembles. Wearing a black blazer with a sheer bottom from Dior, I was left asking where was the rest of it? Of course she was stunning with bright red lips and a simple pulled back hairdo, similar to Reese, she failed to captivate me with her tuxedo dress.

Lorelei Linklater

I don’t want to put the young star on blast, but her black dress with large bell sleeves from NYC Label Honor personally brought me back to the Salem Witch Trials. I am not sure I have words for this ensemble, other then it was atrocious.

A Candid, Poignant Recall of Love, Passion, and Courage, Jane Hawking Shares Her Side in “Travelling to Infinity”

Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen is a touching and realistic tale of love, passion, and the will to live and keep living. Jane Hawking portrays life with her ex-husband in extreme honesty and with such recall that it leaves your body aching.

Before seeing The Theory of Everything, I knew very little of Stephen Hawking, including the fact that he had been married, twice. He married his nurse, Elaine Mason in 1995, later to divorce in 2006. But before Elaine, there was the tour de force Jane Wilde, who’s heart was captured by Stephen’s charm, wit, and brilliance in 1963.

Married for 26 years, Jane and Stephen built a life together in Cambridge, England. They have three children, Robert, Lucy, and Timothy, and as we know, Stephen is a highly acclaimed Professor of Physics at Cambridge University in England. But Traveling to Infinity brings us to a time before children, before wheelchairs, before professorship, before depression, and before marriage. She allows us to see from courtship to proposal, from marriage to family, from new homes to professorship, to heartache and separation. Jane describes in haunting detail the crushing tole that Motor Neuron Disease (more commonly known as ALS in the United States) not only took on her husband, but on their family.

Through a majority of the book I am writhing in pain. Jane works with tremendous strength and determination to keep her family from shattering into a million pieces. From having Stephen on one arm and Robert in the other, she would move with grace across campus to make sure that Stephen could fulfill his duties for his Fellowship at Gonville and Caius College. She cooked, cleaned, redecorated, shopped for and fed her loved ones. Often times penning her exhaustion and longing to complete her degree, Jane persevered against all odds. She knew Stephen had little time and she wanted to guarantee the best with what little time he had.

In many ways you could say that she sacrificed much of her life for Stephen, but as I read, I never got the slightest feeling of anger or regret. Even as Stephen had less and less mobility and used fewer and fewer words to communicate, she trudged through the disease and family life, despite often being overlooked for her enormous efforts. That was the toughest for me. Stephen and Jane had genuinely warm and caring friends, but there were also the individuals who did not feel for Jane and her difficult situation. They would remind her that some have it much worse and she should be thankful for what she has. Even Stephen came off as ungrateful at times, and that drove me mad.

But even though the book is riddled with tough moments and sometimes tragic events, Jane offers us smiles and laughter when she can. Her warmth shines through most in moments shared about her family. One moment I particularly enjoyed is when her and Stephen are traveling with newly-born Robert to Seattle. Jane quickly runs off for food, leaving Stephen holding Robert in his lap. She returns to a horrified look on Stephen’s face only to look down to see that Robert had indeed peed in his lap. Dropping the food, she quickly whisks the boy off his lap and to change him, only to worry about what to do with Stephen’s pants. Needless to say, he sat in soaked pants for the flight. This trip eventually led to a daunting fear of flying, but again offers a lighter side to her family life.

Jane’s spirit is awe-inspiring. Truly a remarkably kind and gentle woman, she uses Travelling to Infinity to share her journey. Never is there a hint of cruelty against Stephen or friends of the family, she just wants an opportunity to share her side and I am glad she did. Her passion for not only Stephen, but family, music, language, and travel never failed to shine through the prose. She was a dedicated wife, but she did all of this out of love, not obligation. Though their story is a remarkable one, with Stephen living well past his timelime, raising three children, and fighting Motor Neuron Disease with messy finesse, it is Jane’s story that will leave you breathless. The pain will wreak havoc on your body, but the love is what ultimately heals you.