This year's Oscars faves and fails...

WOW campers, I am in a HUGE sulk after last night's "Bachelor" finale. Like, "sitting at my desk still grumping and bitching with my coworkers" huge. I am fully aware this is dumb of me, but maybe thoughts to follow. At any rate, let's look at pretty dresses to feel better, shall we?

This is the first year in a very long time that I not only haven't seen a single nominated film, but also didn't actually watch any of the Oscars - we were in the car headed home from an absurdly wonderful weekend skiing Heavenly! I caught up on the red carpet as soon as I got home from work last night (while dipping chocolate-covered strawberries for the aforementioned "Bachelor" finale, BOOOO). Awards season is always so much fun, and I was excited to see what happened on the Oscars red carpet, especially in the wake of the all-black Globes and so many really daring fashion choices since then. A few wins and losses below: 

Faves

I found myself SO drawn to the bright, bold colors on the red carpet...possibly in reaction to the prevalence of black at shows this season...and I am HERE for Allison Janney killing it in this dress (with gorgeous jewels to boot!).

Also LOVE Leslie Mann's floaty red dream of a ballgown...it's just so deliciously excessive, but that ethereal pattern keeps it looking light instead of bloodbath-adjacent.

I also really went hard for metallics, specifically Gal Godot, whose dress seems like a dance-y, twirly dream (also, hi, that necklace). 

I also think this is maybe the best that Jennifer Lawrence has looked in years. Her hair below is making me wish I could pull off blonde (duh I can't, I know that)...but I would love to master that kind of wave. The deconstructed hair and the sexy simplicity of the dress's silhouette make me incredibly happy. 

And of course Lupita. HI, goddess. I've been obsessed with her red carpet fashion for years and this didn't let me down...it has a vaguely gladiatorial, warrior-esque vibe to it that seems perfect given her turn in "Black Panther," not to mention the wars being fought in the whole #MeToo #TimesUp arena. I'll never not want her luminous complexion, either. 

And finally, Jennifer Garner, who I have loved for years and who is giving some serious "Ben who?" vibes here. HOTTIE.

Fails

Maya Rudolph: The costume shop of "The Handmaid's Tale" called, they want their red sexual-repression shroud back. 

Andra Day: Marie Antoinette called, she wants her aggressively poufy-and-floral bedspread back. 

Salma Hayek: I'm so confused by this. The material looks like something that five-year-old me would've loved in a dress-up costume, and then there's all this cleavage with these HUGE dramatic jewel-y drapes over it? Pick a lane, people. 

My other gripe with a lot of the dresses this year is how fussy things seemed, especially on people who usually veer much more toward the streamlined end of the spectrum. I adore Emily Blunt and was not a fan of this high-necked, Swiss-dotted, chiffon-and-lace, Victorian-bodice-ripper-nightgown nightmare. Plus that color washes her out like whoa. 

AND FINALLY: LINDSEY VONN DID YOU SECRETLY CONCUSS YOURSELF IN PYEONGCHANG AND NOBODY KNEW? WHAT IS THIS MESS? NO GOLD MEDALS FOR YOU! 

A couple of quick things...

A few different friends have shared this on Facebook lately and every time I see it it makes me positively cackle: 

I love that I have joined the "LOL"s after so many years of life in the "FUCK FUCK FUCK IT'S COLD"s! 

On a less profane note, I actually skipped the Golden Globes this year - in getting over being sick, I honestly completely forgot they were on and spent my Sunday afternoon/evening at Costco and cleaning our bathtub because #glamorous. That said, I loved the #TimesUp movement to wear black dresses on the red carpet. Primarily because black is my go-to for all formal events...oops? 

Favorites of the night included: 

Jessica Chastain's fabulous sparkly back (I have such an affinity for that neckline, too)...

Allison Janney's intricately detailed sleeves - almost figure-skating adjacent, which seems appropriate given her win for "I, Tonya!"

The endlessly elegant Nicole Kidman, who absolutely knocked it out of the park - she is so statuesque and beautiful, and gave such a lovely speech upon her win. 

And I actually adored Elisabeth Moss's chic little 50s-esque number - I would wear that to death. Completely up my alley. Bonus points for fabulous shoes, too!

And my misses...

Yikes, Caitriona Balfe - she's so pretty and this Chanel monstrosity looks like a weird combination of a harness and a garland on a barmaid in the Wild Wild West. 

Margot Robbie's dress, in my opinion, did nothing for her and the embellishment combined with the shoulder poufs and that massive deep V was kind of weird. Not that she isn't gorgeous, it's just way out there and weird for my taste.

And poor lovely Emma Watson - that Havisham-wannabe thing is swallowing her whole. Ancillary thought - are her shoes formal TOMs?

Anyway, I loved all the black because I am a fiend for black dresses and black clothing in general (as I type this, I'm wearing black pants with a white shell and a black sweater/scarf/earrings...eek!). And I thought the dialogue on the red carpet was interesting, although I'm not one to discount the meaningfulness of asking what designers celebs are wearing - those looks are spectacular, whether good or bad, and I think the designers deserve their moment in the spotlight too! 

Of course, couldn't talk about the Globes without a little love for America's apparent 2020 president-elect, Oprah...I'm kicking myself that I missed her speech live, but Youtubing it and reading the full transcript was almost as good. I have such an appreciation for truly eloquent orators - there's something to be said for a speaker, male or female, on any given topic, who truly knows how to work the room and to give a speech, not just to speak. Her delivery was impeccable, and the energy in the room listening to her looked electric. 

Looks like I need to get cracking on watching movies...Oscars are right around the corner, hooray!

watch this/see this

Two new obsessions lately: 

Of course I'm utterly fixated on "Beauty and the Beast." When I was little, in my mind, I was Belle. No ifs, ands, or buts. She had brown hair in a ponytail, just like me. She loved to read, just like me. She fell in love with a guy when he gave her a library, even though he was kinda hairy and had bad manners. I mean...what's not to love?

It's actually a secret fantasy of mine that someday, someone will love me enough to give me a library...one of the reasons I fell hard for my ex is that he bought me books instead of flowers. UM HI. 

Needless to say, I've already seen Disney's new live-action "Beauty and the Beast" twice in theaters, with a possible third in the works if I can't stop looping the soundtrack constantly. It's a visual masterpiece the likes of which I haven't seen forever...the special effects and digital work are both unbelievable, the costumes are stunning, and the sets couldn't be prettier. The subtle nods to rococo French culture and the original "La belle et la bete" were tiny delights the whole way through. Even the cast hit it home for me...while nobody will go on to win Tonys for their vocal work, they do a completely decent job with some of my favorite music ever, and the new songs, penned by Alan Menken, enhance the score. 

After I saw it Saturday, I downloaded the animated classic via iTunes, and it came with some fantastic extras - including a 20-minute short documentary featuring my future bestie Lin-Manuel Miranda, the writing team behind "Frozen," and Stephen Schwartz of "Wicked" fame. They all group up around a piano and chat with Alan Menken about how awesome Disney music is, and it killed me dead. So enlightening to hear luminaries completely freaking out like children over how amazing it is to work with Disney...I loved it. 

Completely hooked...won't you be my guest and join me so I have an excuse to see it again?! 

On TV, I'm newly hooked on HBO's mini-series adaptation of Liane Moriarty's "Big Little Lies." Starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley as moms in Monterey, CA, struggling with marriage drama and children starting school, it's a riveting take on a book I've read several times and enjoyed. The show opens with a murder, but the audience has no idea who is dead or who is the perpetrator...and each hour ticks closer to unraveling what actually happened at the school benefit. 

While Reese is and will always be my fave, Nicole Kidman steals the show as a wealthy, beautiful wife dealing with a dark and twisty marriage. Her performance is subtle and moving, and is tempered by Reese's more bubbly, Tracy Flick-esque take on modern motherhood. 

Add to that the fact that the show is just gorgeous (THOSE HOUSES AHHH), and I'm hooked. It airs Sundays at 8 Central, and there are two episodes left...anyone else watching? 

Speaking of things I'm watching, I need book recommendations...in a total rut lately. Send a few my way!

my Golden Globes best and worst

I love awards season. Something about the combination of everyone getting really dressed up, actors giving heartfelt or humorous speeches, and an excuse to watch ALL THE MOVIES really gets me going. Last night kicked off the big awards season for 2017, and I (of course) spent an obscene amount of time today picking out my best and worst of the red carpet. 

Without further ado: 

1. Brie Larson

This, in my eyes, is just about perfect. She looks so incredibly polished and glamorous, and it just screams "Old Hollywood" to me. Plus, the fit is perfect - no unfortunate boob issues (ahem, Anna Kendrick in Vionnet, no THANK you). So gorgeous and classic. 

Other faves: 

Lily Collins in Zuhair Murad

While I hate the hair (HATE IT), what a stunning princess dress this is. The detailing and close-ups shown during the pre-show all blew me away...the applique, the neckline...it's sheer princess and I think it's utterly perfect. 

Emma Stone in Valentino

Again, hi, it's so on-the-nose and I completely love it. For her to be as fair-skinned as she is and pull off this color is unbelievable too. Looking forward to seeing what she pulls out for the rest of the season!

Simone Biles

My obsession with the Final Five has, if anything, grown more intense since the close of Rio 2016, and Simone is fueling the fire. She wore gold, which is SO appropriate given, duh, Golden Globes, not to mention her myriad gold medals. Also of note: She's 4'8" and brought hot swimmer Conor Dwyer as her date. There are darling photos online...it makes my life. She knocked this one out of the park - 10/10. 

One of my utter favorite trends of the night was all the yellow dresses - there were so many, and I didn't even include them all here! I've long loved yellow (I blame Belle) and wore a (hideous) yellow gown to my senior prom - these ladies elevated it so much. 

Reese Witherspoon in Versace was one of my favorites...

...while Natalie Portman looked so flawless and just the right amount of vintage for her "Jackie" nomination. Oh my god, she's just so effortlessly radiant. 

Favorite yellow dress, though? The inimitable Viola Davis in shimmery Michael Kors. 

The cut, the color, the embellishment...it's all flawless. This might actually be my favorite of the night (sorry Brie). Her speech, too, was so heartfelt and lovely. What a class act. You win, Viola. 

Onto the worst...

1. Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen

Miss Havisham called, she wants her nightgown back. I understand wanting to go high fashion/couture for an event like this, but the Globes, I think, are not quite this edgy. Also, I'm sorry, it's just a sad, tattered, ragged unfortunate nightmare. Go back to Grey Gardens and hide this in the VERY far back of the closet, Nicole. 

Other notable misses: 

Janelle Monae in Armani Prive

Whoa, wow, ow, just way too much going on here. As a chronic lover of black-and-white, I usually adore that it's all she wears, but this is like a crazy drug dream. If like two elements had been taken out, between the bubble hem and the high-low and the polka dots and the netting and the sequins and the hair, I could totally have gotten behind this. 

Jessica Chastain in Prada

This is just kind of meh to me, and it's doing sad weird things to her boobs. I've seen her on some of the best-dressed lists and I really disagree...plus what is with her hair being slicked SO tightly to her skull? Not a fan. 

Speaking of dresses doing sad things to boobs...

Mandy Moore in Naeem Khan

Mandy Moore. When you are nominated for a Golden Globe, your boobs should not look like sad flat pancakes flopping around in navy blue tulle. Jamie in "A Walk To Remember" would NOT approve. 

Sarah Jessica Parker in Vera Wang

Stop letting Maria Von Trapp do your hair and give you fashion advice, SJP. Even Carrie Bradshaw would side-eye this one. 

Carrie Underwood in Iris Serban

This could have been so, so chic with like 30% fewer ruffles, and in black. But I'm of the opinion that everything is better in black. As it stands, it looks like she got attacked by a cotton-candy machine. 

And, sadly, Claire Foy in Erdem.

While Lily Collins's princess moment won me over, Claire (who plays Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown") did NOT look like a princess. That said, her makeup and hair were phenomenal (see the article here, I'm obsessed) and her speech was my favorite of the night, particularly this quote: 

"I really, really, really wouldn't be here if it wasn't for some extraordinary women, and I'm going to thank them. One of them is Queen Elizabeth II. She has been at the center of the world for the past 63 years, and I think the world could do with a few more women at the center of it, if you ask me."

LOVE. JUST LOVE. 

Other faves for the night: this little squad of cuties: 

Apparently the "Stranger Things" squad won the red carpet hands-down, and they, along with the little honeybun from "Lion," were my faves. Much like darling Jacob Tremblay from "Room" spotting the Star Wars droids last year, the part when Dev Patel lifted up the little guy to the microphone utterly melted my heart. 

On to the next show! If you need me, I'll be swanning around in a couture gown and diamonds to practice. 

watch this, and see this.

Friends. I've got your next movie and Netflix binge all figured out for you. You can thank me later ;) 

Wait until you have six uninterrupted hours to go nuts on "Last Chance U," a new documentary series Netflix released at the end of July. I started it on the treadmill on my iPad, but quickly realized that the show actually demanded uninterrupted focus and pounded through it in about two days. 

The series chronicles the adventures (and misadventures) of the East Mississippi Community College "JUCO" football team, which, as of filming, had won four straight junior college national football championships. EMCC serves as a stopping place for students facing disciplinary suspensions from D1 schools, or those with grades too poor to qualify for NCAA play. Under the leadership of coach Buddy Stephens, EMCC's team has become the stuff of legend for putting up massive point margins on their opponents...and for getting their alums into D1 starter positions and, eventually the NFL. 

The series immediately captured me with its stunning camera work - the filming of the football practices and games feels almost cinematic or scripted with the genuine gorgeousness of its shots and pacing, all overlaid with a dramatically varied gospel-and-rap soundtrack. I fell hard, however, once I really got into the stories the show portrayed with such restraint and poignancy...academic counselor Brittany Wagner, for example, who guides her struggling students so passionately through a semester of school and football despite the thanklessness of the task.

Or Ronald Ollie, an EMCC defensive tackle with a traumatic past and fear of rejection. Egotistical quarterback John Franklin III, who dropped out of FSU in a fit of pique after not enough playing time and battled patient workhorse and local boy Wyatt Roberts for the starting QB spot. It's hard not to get emotionally invested in a show that handles so many storylines so well...I dare you not to marathon the last two episodes (I did, as did Hal). Best of all? It's already been renewed for a second season. 

If committing to the six-hour, six-episode series is too much, take in "Don't Think Twice" at your closest indie cinema instead...you won't regret it. Hal and I had a movie night date at the Uptown Lagoon theater last Saturday night - we split a large popcorn and way too much Diet Coke, the whole nine yards, total roommate adorableness. Though he had wanted to see the movie, it took us both by surprise with how sheerly delightful it was. 

A riff on Second City and Saturday Night Live, "Don't Think Twice" follows six improv actors trying to make it in New York City. Their nightly standup act, "The Commune," has launched the careers of numerous stars on "Weekend Live," the SNL parallel. When "Weekend Live" producers come calling, their change to make their break arrives and watching them simultaneously unravel and turn on each other becomes the heart of a comedic drama that left me both laughing and holding my breath. 

The cast is fantastic - starring Mike Birbiglia and Keegan-Michael Key of Key and Peele, among others, their collective comedic chops continuously brought laughs. The script, however, which was written in part by Ira Glass, contains moments of shocking pathos and heartbreak. It doesn't feel overwrought or too try-hard, but at the same time the actors deliver such tight, focused performances that what's meant to hit home, does...and then some. 

One line in particular punched both Hal and me in the gut: "Your 20s are all about hope. And your 30s are all about how dumb it was to hope." We left the theater in awe and still laughing, but both commented on how that line resonated with us. It...the entire movie, really...became the springboard for a fantastic discussion on our own lives, hopes, and doubts that carried us all the way home and into our living room. 

Between "Disgraced" last Thursday, "Last Chance U," and "Don't Think Twice," Hal and I have had more than a few of those great, deep conversations lately. The more I think about it, the more I like to think that there's a difference between watching and seeing. While it's so easy to be all "Netflix and chill" or to passively observe something, it's an entirely different experience to let a show, play, or movie get in under the skin a little bit...or a lot. It's even more different to share those watching experiences with someone who's also really willing to engage with the subject matter and actually dig into it together afterward. I'm getting so much out of what I'm watching, and taking the time to really see and think about all of it has been rewarding and galvanizing and inspiring.