But first... the Oscars!
Last night the 85th Academy Awards took place in Los Angeles. For me, it was a night of mixed emotion. I was happy for all of the winners... the awards seemed to be very evenly distributed among the top films. I was particularly happy for Life of Pi, which won so many awards (I was rooting for Life of Pi for best picture but was still happy that Argo won). Ang Lee is a class act and he deserved greatly to win for best director.
If you haven't seen Life of Pi yet try to see it in the cinema. It is the most visually stunning movie I have ever seen. The story, based on Yann Martel's bestselling novel, is fantastic and endearing as well. Mr. Connoisseur and I were both incredibly moved by this film (and he is a tough audience!).
My two best dressed picks for the night were Jessica Chastain, who looked gloriously Old Hollywood with her custom Armani gown and beautifully smooth tresses, and Octavia Spencer, who personified classiness in her lovely Tadashi Shoji gown.
My pick for best hair would be Jennifer Lawrence with her beautifully chic chignon and Reese Witherspoon with her fabulous Veronica Lake-esque waves.
Now for the controversial part. Call me humorless but I thought a lot of Seth MacFarlane's jokes were in poor taste. Sadly what is being deemed as 'edgy' humor is also low brow and tasteless. I agreed wholeheartedly with Marlow Stern of the Daily Beast, who said last night was the Juvenile Oscars.
Next year can we please have a classy Oscars ceremony? I love Billy Crystal's musical numbers and enchanting monologues. I would like less of the mean-spirited zingers and jokes meant to shock people. I know, there I go again sounding like a 95 year old woman but my favorite film stars of the golden age of Hollywood would be appalled. I'm secretly hoping that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host next year... fingers crossed!
Downton Abbey
SPOILER ALERT This next section contains Downton Abbey Season 3 spoilers. Please DO NOT read on if you don't want to know what happens in the season 3 finale.
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Still here?
OK then you've seen Downton Abbey and are ready to discuss!
(I am very careful with the spoiler alert because I read an article on the Daily Mail that did not issue a spoiler alert and the finale episode was ruined for me. I would not want to do that to you!)
So can we please discuss the Downton Abbey season 3 finale?
I was terribly upset that Matthew died at the end of the episode (even though I knew it was coming... thanks Daily Mail!). He and Lady Mary had just had their child and it felt so wrong... like a slap in the face! Especially coming off of Lady Sybil's shocking death. I mean, what does Downton Abbey have against new parents?!
I was instantly upset and took to the internet to find out why... Why would Julian Fellowes write Matthew off the show?
Ah, then I discovered Dan Stevens, the actor who plays Matthew, wanted out of his contract. Fellowes and the other writers had no other choice but to kill him off.
Boo.
I'm sure I will get over it and they'll probably write in a very exciting and dashing love interest for Lady Mary but until then... Boo.
All is not lost though. I really like the Branson storyline... a former chauffeur with radical political views living a new life upstairs in the House... brilliant. I also love Mrs. Patmore (please never leave). I am always rooting for Lady Edith. And, of course, Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess is beyond marvelous. Her witticisms warm my heart.
I still look forward to season 4 and hope they can steer this lovely show to a place of magnificence again...
Come back later this week for a lipstick review and giveaway!
Until next time, I would love to know... what did you think of the Oscars? Downton Abbey?
See you soon! x
Life of Pi image: AWN
Jessica Chastain, Reese Witherspoon image: Zimbio
Octavia Spencer image: Getty
Jennifer Lawrence image: Bella Sugar
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I had to quickly zoom past the Downtown Abbey part in order to comment, lol. (I'm still on the 2nd season.)
ReplyDeleteAbout the Oscars though, for me it wasn't just that Seth's jokes were tasteless (we all expect a little ruffling of feathers with hosts at shows like this), but that it was just SO dull. The skits, the singing, the award delivery, all so boring! I gave up after watching Adele. I did however like seeing what everyone was wearing, lots of sparkle and gorgeous dresses!
Matthew's death left me reeling. Seriously, Julian Fellowes, enough deaths already! And to Dan Stevens: the grass is always greener on the other side! Hehe....just kidding...I will miss his character, and I'm glad that his vision for Downton was shared and accepted by Lord G and that Branson is around to hopefully bring it to fruition.
ReplyDeleteCan hardly wait for series 4!
Matthew's death...I will be mourning him this summer only to have the wound reopened by the new season starting.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as you when it comes to Matthew, I wish they had just decided to replace him with a new actor. I'm tried of all the sadness at Downton! Who is going to properly run the estate since Matthew is gone? Even though Edith upset me so during the first season, I secretly root for her now.
ReplyDeleteI hate that it's going to take so long for season 4 to hit the States.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what happened to my last comment, but here we go again.
ReplyDeleteI was very upset over Lady Syble's death. I almost called into work the next day. Matthew's death just made me angry. It did feel like a slap in the face. Why does it have to be death? Couldn't the characters move to America? There are other options. I love the show, but I am miffed.
The Oscars gave me a list of movies to catch up on - maybe over spring break.
Rosemary
I too was shocked at Matthew's death. It actually just made me angry. I had no idea the actor wanted out of his contract. Too bad because it spoiled the show for me. I hope the next season has less death and destruction and more happiness and beauty. I'm sick of death and destruction. I've been a huge fan of Downton Abbey and now I don't even know if I want to see the next season. What will they do next, kill of the babies? It's starting to feel a little too much like a soap opera.
ReplyDeleteKnew Dan Stevens wanted out of his contract - but mistakenly thought he had one more season to film & then Matthew would be gone.
ReplyDeleteI don't like how they ot rid of Matthew after the death of his newborn. After Sybil's shocking
death this seemed like the writers couldn't think of anything more creative than Matthews daydreaming & geting into a deadly car accident.
On another note, I did seen Dan Stevens (along with Jessica Chastain) in the Broadway play "The Heiress". Mr. Stevens was of course excellent., as was Ms. Chastain. And he has quite a stage presence. I guess he wants to go Hollywood & make some films.
I guess Rose will be the female lead that will replace Lady Sybil.
And of course she will be the wild flapper type.
Am getting Downtown withdrawal already.
I read that Dan Stevens' contract of three years was up. He did not sign on for more shows. I agree with those that think the writer could have found a better exit-temporary or permanent-for Matthew.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteWould you ever consider doing a post/video on how to choose an investment bag? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
Have a lovely week.
Lauren
I completely agree with you about the Oscars…I was thinking about them today. I don’t mind irreverent humor when it’s actually clever, but resorting to the lowest common vulgar denominator is unimaginative. When real wit is displaced for cheap laughs at boob jokes, I can’t help but feel like our society is collectively becoming dumber (I sound like a 95 year old too haha!).
ReplyDeleteI was so sad when I saw D.A. Although I knew it was coming (I had it spoiled for me too!). I have high hopes for the next season- they better make up for all the heartbreak this year!
I can't blame Dan Stevens for making a choice to leave the show and pursue other things so I couldn't be all that upset knowing it wasn't malicious intent by Julian Fellowes..
ReplyDeleteHe had to do it..
You know what I'd really like to see.. Branson and Mary get together. They seem to have a great chemistry and and now they both have babies. I think it could work!
I'm honestly tired of the promiscuous Ethel storyline. Hopefully that dies off since she's moved to be closer to the baby and she's out of Isobel Crawley's house...
I agree with you and Deirdre, who's assessment of a "lowest common vulgar denominator" is so spot on.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I found Jennifer Lawrence's speech charming - heartfelt, brief, and appropriate to her age and accomplishment (Anne Hathaway should be taking notes!). And like you, I adored her hair (and makeup...and dress...).
Hi Jennifer, I just recently found this blog and I have been reading it frequently. I am wondering if you would consider doing a blog entry or video on some of the books that you are reading, or past books that you have come across when you were at Madame Chic's?
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Adelaide.
You are so sweet with your spoiler alert. I love D.A. too and I was just as shocked by M.'s death. What a pity. At least we have Mrs. Patmore still. Also, I love the love story between Mr. Bates and the new Mrs. Bates. They are so sweet with each other. I didn't watch the Oscars but I read about J. Lawrence falling but she looked so graceful and glamorous falling!!
ReplyDeleteThe Oscars is my favorite award show to watch and I thought most of the stars did not disappoint with their glitzy glamour. I thought Jennifer Garner's purple and natural make-up was stunning. Jennifer Aniston's red gown and flowing locks was also beautiful. One lady who did not get near the attention I felt she deserved for her fashion choices was Daniel Day Lewis' wife, Rebecca Miller. Google them, and you will remember her right away!
ReplyDeleteAs far as Downton Abbey, as soon as I saw Matthew driving without a care in the world, I was reminded on my mother-in-law telling me before the season began that he and Sybil wanted out. It was like watching a train-wreck in slow motion: as the shock of what was to come set it, I knew why the writers had done it. I, too, had the talk with girlfriends about replacing him with another actor. My reply was, if they had replaced Matthew, we would all be just as upset (if not more) than them killing off his character. C'est la vie.
Love your Oscar picks!
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com