honored to be here

Well, that's it. Hope everyone had a great night. Weigh in with your comments Monday.
I'd like to thank the blogosphere, the friend who's letting me use his computer and, of course, God.

fashionistas

OK, I'm just about to bounce, but let me leave you with my final takes on the night's best and worst dressed.

Best dressed:
1. J-Lo
2. Rinko from "Babel"
3. Beyonce
4. Emily Blunt
5. Cate Blanchett

Worst dressed:
1. Kirsten Dunst
2. Penelope Cruz
3. Meryl Streep
4. Gwyneth Paltrow
5. Jada Pinkett Smith

take that, ryan

Addition to best-dressed list...Reese Witherspoon. OK, maybe she's not in the top 5, but still, she always looks very sleek and together. And tonight is no exception. Good job.

will smith = old

I think I'm still high off the diva fumes from the "Dreamgirls" performance. Do you think Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce like each other in real life? And what about that unknown third girl?
Also...is anyone else surprised by how old Will Smith looks? Seriously...what's with the gray hair? Wasn't he just the Fresh Prince like yesterday?

MIA

Something else I was thinking about...has anyone seen Brad Pitt tonight? Where IS that guy? He and Jay-Z are so far the top recipients of my missing in action award.
Any other unexcused absences of note?

help!

We're compiling our best- and w0rst-dressed lists, and I'd like your input. Any must-haves for either list? We're having a particularly difficult time finding the night's horrendous dressers. Suggestions?

haha?

In response to a recent comment about Steve Carell and Greg Kinear's presentation of the sound editing award, I think the silent mic was part of what was supposed to be a joke.
The question raises a good point, though. Do you guys think the Oscars are ever funny? Like not in the "I can't believe I just watched Clint Eastwood translate Italian" kind of way, but really, really genuinely funny?
How does tonight rank in terms of the show's comedic value? What did you think of the Will Smith/Jack Black sequence?
Write back with your comments. I won't laugh. Seriously.

lovin' celine

I'm so happy that Celine Dion is back on the radar. I think she looked absolutely gorgeous while performing, although I still don't know why exactly she was singing. But really, when you're Celine Dion, you can pretty much sing whenever you want without being questioned.
More importantly...is it just me, or does this year's show seem way slower than Oscars of years past? I'm not an awards show addict or anything, but I never remember the show dragging this long. It nearly 11:15, and we still have plenty more awards to go.
Hang in there.

checking in...

It's nearly 10:45, and the show is suffering from a serious lapse in activity. I'd imagine the thing that's keeping most viewers going is the happy shadow somersault people.
SPOILER ALERT...I'm happy for Jennifer Hudson's win, but as one of my viewing partners put it, she definitely left the stage with an expectation for future greatness. Basically I think she has to make a stellar second win or tonight's Oscar is pretty much going to be considered a fluke.
No pressure or anything.

worst commercial ever

Somebody gave me a good time earlier about not blogging about Oscar commercials -- like it's the Super Bowl or something -- so I'm going to devote this post to complaining about an American Express commercial that stars director Wes Anderson.
This is pretty much the longest commercial in the world and I have no idea what it's really about. I'm sorry for anyone who chose not to take a bathroom break during this commercial segment.
Now back to the show.

the odd couple

Probably the most random thing that's happened in recent minutes is Al Gore and Leonardo Dicaprio approaching the podium together to announce that the the Oscars have officially "gone green." Which doesn't really explain why Leo is wearing so much aerosol hairspray...or polluting the atmosphere with neon orange mystic tan fumes.
And you've gotta love Al's attempt to poke fun of any presidential candidacy rumors by saying he was about to make a big announcement...just as he got cut off by the obligatory theme music.
Oh, Al...that was even funnier than your attempts to do the Macarena.

sounds like fun

How weird is it that I actually enjoyed watching tonight's sound awards? First, we were treated to a choir performance devoted entirely to movie sound effects. It was pretty awesome, aside from the fact that some people at my viewing party had a slight suspicion that some of the performers were lip synching. No comment.
Another good part. While presenting the award sound editing, Steve Carell described the category as much like sex -- often performed alone, late at night and with electronic gadgets. Then co-presenter Greg Kinear added that it works best when you "pay top dollar for a true professional."
Awesome.

i love kids

Don't you guys think Abigail Breslin from "Little Miss Sunshine" is soooo cute? For those of you who aren't watching at home, she's wearing this really cute pink dress with flower embellishments at the top. Basically that's something I would wear.
I liked when she presented with Will Smith's son...although he was totally weighing her down. His flub-up prior to announcing the second of their two awards was evidence enough. I was so not getting jiggy with that.

mmm...gymnastics

Well, the show has officially started...with no major news to report. I really liked Ellen's monologue, but by far the coolest thing so far were the people whose shadows somersaulted to make a big Oscar statue. Sure, it looked like it was marking the start of something bigger, but I still really liked it.

old chicks rule

I can't believe I forgot to mention this before, but Helen Mirren looks absolutely fantastic. She's wearing a light shade of gold, long and covered in sparkles. Very impressive. She's pretty hot.

classy cate

New arrival...Cate Blanchett, who's wearing a black/gold sparkly one-shouldered gown. I think she looks really classy. She always does, though.
Also...on another note...this show is taking way too long to get started. I'm so ready to party right now.

why are they hanging out?

It's so weird that Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts came to the Oscars together. It's like a classy version of "Girls Gone Wild." Hot.
Let me emphasize again how much Jennifer Hudson's shrug/jacket thing bothers me. It really is very astronaut-inspired, and in the power sequence showing how she picked out her outfit, I wish her fashion consultant would have shut her down.
Another possible trend...dresses with pockets. Jennifer Hudson's dress has them, and I'm interested to see if pockets stand on the list of overall trends.

mirror, mirror

Have you guys seen Eddie Murphy's date? Ten bonus points to anyone who tells me who she is. ASAP. Until then, I'm just musing over her dress. It's silver, and clad in these silver-type things that are basically mini mirrors. So beautiful people can remind themselves how beautiful they are.

more on beyonce

I finally got a full glimpse of Beyonce's gown, which I like much better than her Golden Globes choice. It's white and straight...and is within the one-shouldered genre. Here's the uniqueness...the shoulder strap is lined in pearl-clad fabric flowers. Beautiful as usual. In fact, I think Beyonce could land on a best-dressed list via her hair alone. It's just down, but it really does look stunning.
Just one question: Where's Jigga?

kate & nicole

New arrival...Kate Winslet, who's wearing a long green pastel one-shouldered gown. Hair, again, is slicked back in a classic Hollywood bun. That seems to be a trend for tonight.
But have you SEEN Nicole Kidman? She's wearing a long red gown -- which makes her look INSANELY thin. She has her hair long, straight and to the side, but she loses fashion points with the huge bow that's tied at her neck. It's oversized and, from a distance, makes us assume she has a parrot on her shoulder.
Which could be true.

bootylicious?

News flash...we just got the first shot of Beyonce, but unfortunately I can't do much to weigh in either way.
I can, however, speak to Gwenyth Paltrow, who's sporting a sheer orange getup that really doesn't do much for me. The dress is pretty, but you have to be pretty amazing to pull off orange, and I don't think Paltrow can do it. Plus, the red lips aren't really doing much to help the situation. And she needs a haircut.

downgrade, upgrade

You know who I think looks really bad? Kirsten Dunst. She just showed up in this white/blue pastel gown that I don't see as doing wonders for anybody. It just drowns her out entirely, and the bright red lipstick isn't doing anything to help. I'm just waiting for Spiderman to rescue her from her fashion prison.
Also of note? Anne Hathaway, who looks great in black and white. You can't go wrong with a classic. Well...sometimes you can. Keep reading.

guys in glam?

No new big-name arrivals to report...other than Celine Dion, who arrived out of hibernation in a really nice green gown. I love Celine, and I think her sheer gorgeousness is enough to justify the many road trips I've devoted to easy listening radio stations.
Beyond Celine...I'm wondering if it's possible to really compose best- and worst-dressed lists for the night's men. Yes, Leo has received rave reviews so far, but I think that's due to his innate hotness and sex appeal rather than the fact that he's wearing a suit. Also, just seconds ago, I was tempted to devote an entire post to Steve Carell, but only because I have a huge crush on him (yes, I know)...not because he's in formal wear.
The exception? Borat. He is so, so, so hot in real life.

cruz control

Penelope Cruz just arrived, sporting a long light pink gown with a feathered bottom. It garnered rave reviews at my viewing party, but I'm somewhat reluctant to praise her immediately. Here's the thing...Cameron Diaz wore a similar getup (in black, I think) at the Golden Globes and landed on many critics' worst-dressed list. It'll be interesting to see where Penelope ends up.

leo, leo, leo

Remember Emily Blunt's role as a fashion-crazed assistant in "The Devil Wears Prada"? Maybe it wasn't too far from the truth after all, as she so far is one of my top fashion picks. She's wearing a long strapless dark blue gown, and I believe she's here with Michael Buble. Also, I'm glad Emily opted not to go with any bling. As far as jewelry goes...less is more. Always.
Oh! You know who else just arrived? Leonardo Dicaprio. This reminds me of why I devoted all of middle school and most of high school to salvating over magazines like Bop and Tiger Beat. Sure, he's wearing the classic suit, but he looks very suave with his hair slicked back and a fresh mystic tan. Mmmm...I'll be his Gisele rebound any day.

seventh heaven

Jessica Biel just arrived with mixed fashion reactions. She's flaunting a long neon pink gown with a low back and loose sides. It's anchored by a black belt. Her hair? Curly and volumized at top, and tied into a bun at back. Sure, I was a bit hesitant to embrace this getup immediately, but I give her props from deviating from the traditional black and white hues. And she has a super rockin' bod.
Also of note? Jada Pinkett Smith, who arrived in a gold/yellow strapless gown that at my party garnered a comparison to a prom dress.
And does animal print ever go out of style? Maybe. Kelly Preston, John Travolta's wife, just arrived in a giraffe-print halter gown. I like it...for a more informal occasion. Is there ever a place for animals -- other than whatever dead creature Joan Rivers is wearing -- at the Oscars?

j-lo and cameron

First and foremost, J-Lo has come a long way from her days of The Dress. She and hubby Marc Anthony look stunning. J-Lo is without a doubt working the red carpet in a long, peach-colored gown that's anchored by silver jewels at the top and back. Add to that hair that's delicately curled. Very impressive.
We've also gotten a glimpse of Cameron Diaz, who is one again flaunting brown hair and a long white gown. Its uniqueness lies in a fabric flap near the bust area, which I think earned accolades from Joan and Melissa, but it really doesn't do much for me.
I'm just getting tired of seeing Cameron Diaz in an outfit that flops or just a classic white gown. Let's just say that when you lose Justin Timberlake as a fashion accessory, you have to choose your wardrobe carefully.

astronauts and aces

I just got a glimpse of Jennifer Hudson, who looks radiant as usual in what looks like a low-cut brown gown. I'm a little critical of the silver astronaut-inspired shrug piece she's wearing over it, though. I think in this kind of setting, it's perfectly acceptable to go sans cover-up.
You know who looks amazing, though? Rinko Kikuchi, the supporting actress nominee from "Babel." Again...another throwback to old-school glam, with a low bun, with her bangs curled to the side. Her dress? A long strapless black sequined getup that's once again flattering without being too showy.
Good job, Rinko. Jennifer...you're kind of giving us the impression you're wearing a diaper and getting ready to stalk your ex-boyfriend.

fashionable foster

Jodi Foster has received an "A+" from fashion critic Melissa Rivers, for whatever that's worth. She appeared in an indigo-ish long gown that Rivers applauded for its flattering cleavage. I like this dress because it's not pretentious or over-the-top in the way it fits Foster's body.
That's why I'd imagine it's difficult to gauge the level of risk-taking you'd like to apply to your Oscar wardrobe selection. It's great to be all fashionably innovative...but watch, the majority of tonight's well-remembered stars will boast a throwback to fashion trends of the past.
Stay tuned.

better than joan

So here I am, smelly and unshowered after a weekend of partying, and perfectly poised to weigh in on your Oscar fashion dos and don'ts.
What puts me a notch above Joan Rivers? At least I'm not trying to blend in with the red carpet. Seriously...I have the TV guide channel on right now, and Joan is musing incoherently about the hokey pokey while wearing some red furry getup, paired with red sunglasses.
It's too early to predict fashion trends, obviously, but the early arrivals seem to be an extension of the classic black and white looks we saw at the Golden Globes. Maggie Gyllenhaal just showed up wearing a long black one-shoulder gown, with her hair pulled back in a classic low bun.
Very old-fashioned Hollywood...it'll be interesting to see how many stars opt for classic glamour over newer, more cutting-edge trends.
I'll be blogging live throughout the show...keep in touch with you fashionably loud insights.