2022 Oscars Recap

Let me start off by saying that the Oscars are my Superbowl! The fashion, the jewels, the plastic surgery, the politics, and THE DRAMA.... In my previous blog, I predicted the winners of 6 categories. And I am amazed to announce that I guessed all of them correctly! And now, for the recap. Let's start with the fashion. BEST DRESSED Penelope Cruz-My choice for best dressed! I loved the taffeta Chanel black gown, the fit, the open back and the metallic tweed neckline. Her hair and earrings completed the look. She was magnificent! Zoe Kravitz-Donning an iconic Audrey Hepurn look, her pale pink Saint Laurent Dress and the pink and white 36 carat oval diamond necklace from Kwiat were perfection. Zendaya-This is my girl! Pure beauty and elegance. Her Valentino shirt and sparkling skirt were exquisite. She paired her outfit with stacks of Bulgari viper bracelets and necklace. I loved the total look. Rachel Zegler-Great haircut and a fabulous sheer Dior black dress. Her vintage Tiffany choker completed the outfit. She looked amazing. WORST DRESSED Jada Pinkett Smith-I know it's couture by John Paul Gautier, but I hated it. Sue me. She looked like a peacock with her tiny head and never ending green feather-like train. Didn't like the earrings either. Tracy Ellis Ross-Usually, she is one of the best dressed at these award shows. But, not last night.The Carolina Herrera red dress with its plunging sweetheart necklace revealed too much sagging boob. No one was interested in seeing that...EVER. Kristen Stewart-The custom Chanel Satin shorts and blazer didn't do it for me. But I must admit I did like the Chanel necklace that took the place of a tie. Serena and Venus Williams-I really didn't care for either of their dresses. Serena in pink and black Gucci with a low wide neckline did not look her best, and the black platform shoes were clunkers. Venus wore a white Elie Saab gown and experienced a nip slip during the evening! Way too much boobage. Billie Eilish- Traditionally, she holds the award for worst dressed. Never gets it right. This Gucci number was horrid! She looked as if she was wearing one enormous black ruffled curtain-an elephant could have lived under that dress. I also thought the song she won the Oscar for, was terrible. She is no Shirley Bassey! FACES-GOOD AND BAD Rosie Perez-She looks more beautiful now than she did thirty years ago. Whoever did her facelift and makeup knocked it out of the ballpark. She looks the best ever! Reba Mcentire-There's not a wrinkle on her face. Lots of plastic surgery and botox. Not sure I dig the look though. Too artificial. Nicole Kidman-Beautiful skin. Porcelain white. However, there is way too much botox injected in that face. But I loved her red lip, her red nails, and the color of the gown. (I didn't like the gown though). THE DRAMA Finally, the interesting part of the evening. I have to say that after Will slapped Chris I couldn't wait to read the synopsis. Waking up this morning was like waking up on Christmas Morning! First, I think I know a lot about pop culture and I am very aware of Jada Pinkett Smith's extramarital affairs, of her drug and alcohol addiction, and their open marriage. However, I did not know she suffered with alopetia. Nor do I think Chris Rock did! Next point-You are sitting in the front row and you have been in show business for years. You clearly know that comics are paid to joke about the stars in the audience. So, Suck it up. You even laughed at the joke, Will! But suddenly seconds later it was offensive to you and your wife? FYI-Calling someone GI Jane is a complement in my book. Who wouldn't want to look like Demi Moore? Her body and face (with no hair) looked beyond amazing in that movie. And, if you were that unhappy with the joke, you could have used words (and not cursed) to let Chris Rock know of your dissatisfaction: either during the segment or at the end of the evening. It wasn't just the slap that was inapproapriate. Equally offensive was Will cursing at Chris Rock. In no way is assault and violence an appropriate response- EVER. If this had been Amy Schumer telling the joke, would Will Smith have walked on stage and slapped her? I sincerely doubt it. If this had been a random guest in the audience, attempting to walk onto the stage and hit Chris Rock, they would have been removed and apprehended instantly. Why does he get preferential treatment? Supposedly, the producers of the show were in a quandry as to how to proceed. ANYONE else would have been physicallt removed from the venue. But, they allowed Will Smith to go up on stage and accept his Oscar. And when he got up there to accept his award, he gave the performance of his lifetime. It was an insane speech and verging on bipolar....A VESSEL OF LOVE? A protector to people he cares about? He was unhinged. In fact, He claimed he was defending his wife. Well guess what? He never even mentioned her or thanked her in his speech! First and foremost, as soon as he walked onto the stage, he should have apologized to Chris Rock, the academy, and his fellow actors. He NEVER apologized to Chris Rock. Did you see Venus and Serena? They were horrified by his behavior. Or how about Lupita Nyongo? or Nicole Kidman? Everyone was aghast. But they sat quietly and did not call him out for his rude behavior. Appalling.... I bet you didn't know that Chris Rock was bullied as a kid. Will Smith is the epitome of a bully. That must have been a daunting moment for Chris Rock. He will need years of therapy! Will Smith wrote in his book was that his biggest failure was not defending his mother against his physically abusive father. Why then does he find it now acceptable to foster physical abuse on anyone? Why do you suppose he used an open hand and not a fist? Was it premeditated? In that brief moment, Will Smith succeeded in continuing the false stereotype that Black Men cannot control their anger. Shame on him. Zack Bornstein on Apple News Printed last night: BREAKING: Will Smith Being Sent to Live with Aunt and Uncle in Bel-Air! Kudos to Chris Rock who handled the situation with dignity and grace (which is more than I can say for the silent audience). I truly feel sorry for the people who won awards following this incident. Will Smith ruined the night for them-a night they waited a lifetime for. Poor Quest Love and Jane Campion. As far as the trio of comediennes who hosted. I thought Amy Schumer crushed it. Wanda and Regina-not so much. Let's talk about the doo wop gospel musical number during the memoriam of people we lost this year. Was this a bit odd or is it just me? Wasn't it supposed to be a somber moment? Or what about Jamie Lee Curtis coming out on the stage holding a dog in memory of Betty White? It was cray cray. Enough of my venting. Here's what I'm reading next, watching next, or have watched recently. Books on my Nightstand: ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Kruger THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Amor Towles CROSSROADS by Franzen THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennet THE SENTENCE by Louise Erdrich What I've Watched: Bridgerton-finished the new season. ho hum boring... Life and Beth-if you like Amy Schumer, then you'll like this. The Girl Before-psychological thriller. I liked this! Bad Vegan-very good. About the restaurant Pure Food and Wine in NYC. What I'll watch next: Candy-Hulu The Flight Attendant-season 2 HBO MAX 4/21 Drive my Car-HBO MAX We Crashed-Apple Tv+ The Dropout-Hulu The Adam Project-Netflix The Offer-Paramount Plus 4/28 The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent-new Nicolas Cage Movie in theaters 4/22 (100% on Rotten Tomatoes)

One b's Oscar picks 2022

BEST PICTURE Belfast, Coda, Don't Look up, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of The Dog, Tick,Tick...Boom!,and West Side Story are the nominees. I have seen most of these. I have not seen Dune, and I shut off Nightmare Alley, because it was very dark. I watched a portion of the new West Side Story but I loved the original, so I wasn't into the new one. Anyhow, I believe the WINNER will be CODA. However, I think the Oscar should go to The Power of The Dog. Don't miss Belfast and King Richard. Both are very good. BEST DIRECTOR The nominees: Paul Thomas Anderson-Licorice Pizza Kenneth Branagh-Belfast Jane Campion-The Power of The Dog Hamaguchi-Drive My Car Denis Villeneuve-Dune My pick here is JANE CAMPION for The Power of The Dog. BEST ACTOR Benedict Cumberbatch-The Power of The Dog Peter Dinklage-Cyrano Andrew Garfield-Tick,Tick...Boom! Will Smith-King Richard Denzel Washington-The Tragedy of Macbeth. WILL SMITH will win the Oscar for Best Actor. But I have to say, Cumberbatch and Garfield were amazing to watch. BEST ACTRESS Nominees: Jessica Chastain-The Eyes of Tammy Faye Olivia Colman-The Lost Daughter Kristen Stewart-Spencer Nicole Kidman-Being the Ricardos Penelope Cruz-Parallel Mothers I didn't see Parallel Mothers. Kidman was horrible in Being the Ricardos. Stewart was worse in Spencer. Coleman was amazing in The Lost Daughter(she is always amazing), but it was a dark, weird flick. That leaves JESSICA CHASTAIN for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. She did a terrific job. In my humble opinion, it is very disappointing that Lady Gaga wasn't nominated for House of Gucci. For me, she is the clear winner and deserves the Oscar for Best Actress. Gaga is the real deal-she was fabulous! BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Nominees: Kirsten Dunst-The Power of The Dog Ariana DeBose-West Side Story Jessica Buckley-The Lost Daughter Aunjanue Ellis-King Richard Judi Dench-Belfast I think it's a toss up between Ellis in King Richard and Judi Dench in Belfast. Ellis should win but guess what? The Oscar will go to ARIANA DEBOSE for West Side Story! BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Nominees: Ciaran Hinds-Belfast Troy Kotsur-Coda Kodi Smit-McPhee-The Power of The Dog Jesse Plemons-The Power of The Dog J.K. Simmons-Being The Ricardos Who do I think should win? Actually, Jared Leto is the most deserving for House of Gucci. Leto, was snubbed in this category. He was beyond magnificent. That being said, Kodi Smit-McPhee in The Power of The Dog or Ciaran Hinds in Belfast are next on my list. Neither will get the Oscar. It will go to TROY KOTSUR for Coda. And he too, was extraordinary. Okay everyone, Order your pizza or Chinese food for dinner this Sunday! You must be home in time for the Red Carpet! You can either tune into ABC or E at 6:30. The jewels and fashion on The Red Carpet are the best part of the evening. I'll get back to you on my favorites after the Oscars air. I'm looking forward to Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hill hosting-they should be hysterical. Before I sign off, I want to give a major shout out to mis tres amigas who connect with me in the morning and often through out the day. Your texts have brought happiness and a smile to my face each morning (even when you perform better than me in Wordle). I kmow you have my back, as I do, yours. "The way I loved them felt like it was from long ago." (Jenny Slate) And as the beloved Madeleine Albright (may she rest in peace) said: "There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." Thank you ladies-you bring sunshine into my life! Peace Out-One B