THE GLORIOUS OSCARS

THE GLORIOUS OSCARS

By:  Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

Photographer:  George Whylie

Videographer:  Maxine Nolan

 

The 84th Annual Academy Awards swept us eagerly away to the Golden Age of the Cinema on Sunday evening, February 26th as each of the winners were presented with their statuesque Oscar.

This was an evening of a different sort, not only because it didn’t seem like just your traditional award ceremony, but because I was part of “Oscar Night America” in Boca Raton, Florida, only one of the 49 sanctioned hosts of this very special evening.  This event in Palm Beach County was the best and brightest way to honor the film industry presented by Palm Beach International Film Festival and The City of Boca Raton.

“Oscar Night America” benefits PBIFF(Palm Beach International Film Festival) with a commitment to support emerging filmmakers of today and tomorrow.  The festival strives to recognize new and original voices throughout the world and channel the excitement of film into Palm Beach County local schools.  The 17th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival will take place April 11-19th, 2012.  With a slight breeze and mild temperatures for the evening, we couldn’t have asked for better.  Guests arrived, socialized and feasted on “The Greatest Show on Earth” buffet while they watched the spectacular Academy Awards on the huge screen (courtesy of WPBF TV-Channel 25-ABC TV) in the spacious Mizner Park Amphitheater.  A silent auction and raffle took place and local celebrities such as Timolin and Casey Cole, Nat King Cole’s daughters, were excited to be a part of the festivities to support such a gratifying cause.  Also on hand was local TV anchor personality, Tiffany Kenney.

The night began on the Red Carpet at The Hollywood and Highland Theatre formerly known as The Kodak Theatre.  Each of the celebrated women seemed to choose a gown that truly represented their personality, their style, their elegance.  Each of the celebrated gentlemen came off as debonair, handsome and hailed.

The most lovely ladies of the evening caught the eye of the crowds.  Angelina Jolie once again came out on top in a lovely strapless black velvet Atelier Versace gown with a sultry revealing slit up the leg.  It has been the buzz of the internet ever since she stepped on the Red Carpet.

With bright red lips and devilish eyes, Milla Jovovich was a model of magic in a white sparkling Elie Saab Couture one-shouldered gown.

Vivacious Emma Stone wore a red high-necked Giambattista Valli Couture gown with a bow as beaming as her bubbly personality.

The Oscar of evening gowns went to Michelle Williams.  Her strapless coral chiffon Louis Vuitton gown was ruffled and had a sense of innocence as she walked the Red Carpet.

One of the classiest of ladies was Sandra Bullock, a star who is no stranger to the Oscars.  She was dressed in a white-and-black crepe Marchesa gown with gold embellishment on the waist and shoulders.  The back of the gown was dramatically draped.

A winner in every sense of the word was Octavia Spencer brimming with anticipation and anxiety in an off-white jeweled Tadashi Shoji gathered gown, Jimmy Choo shoes and Judith Leiber jewelry.

Of course the talk of the evening was all about Jennifer Lopez in her long-sleeved slightly revealing Zuhair Murad gown glistening as everyone gazed in her direction.

Some of the other captivating beauties of the evening included Cameron Diaz in a peach-colored strapless silk Gucci Premiere gown with a magnetic smile to match, dark-haired beauty Penelope Cruz in a bluish-purple organza Giorgio Armani gown, Jessica Chastain who looked like royalty in a strapless black and gold Alexander McQueen gown, Stacy Keibler and Meryl Streep in striking gold lame, Glenn Close in a dark green Zac Posen mermaid-shaped gown complimenting her light-colored hair, Tina Fey, Judy Greer, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rooney Mara who looked dramatically beautiful, Melanie Griffith and the list goes on and on.

Looking marvelous on the men’s side was the host of the evening, Billy Crystal, who always keeps up his appeal along with the divine Christian Bale, Jean Dujardin, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper (one of my favorites), Nate Berkus, just to name a few.

Throughout the evening, we were treated to memories of the cinema as leaps in technology leave the fate of the movies as we are accustomed to, up in the air.  Our host, Billy Crystal, took us through a medley of the movie nominees for Best Picture.  One of the most emotional moments was when Octavia Spencer’s name was called as the winner for ‘Actress in a Supporting Role’.  She received a standing ovation and was almost speechless with happiness and shear surprise. Her gratitude was evident as she tried to make her ‘thank-you’ speech.

The Cirque du Soleil troupe gave the audience a definite uniquely different experience, an outstanding acrobatic performance, with a movie theme as oohs and aahs were heard from the crowd.

Popcorn was handed out during commercial breaks by attendants in 60’s costumes going up and down the aisles like a blast from the past.

Two great comedians of all time, Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, added their own special touch of humor in white tuxedos and clashing symbols clinging and clacking over the stage.

Award presenters gave us many illustrious moments that made us laugh, made us smile, made us frown and made us appreciative of the wondrous talent that the world has given us in 2011 and past.  We remembered those that we lost and those that continue to amaze us time and time again in the movie industry.

Ironically, taking us back in time, “The Artist” took Best Picture along with 5 other awards making this the first silent film to exult at Hollywood’s highest honors since the very first Oscar ceremony which took place 83 years ago.  Christopher Plummer, hitting the ripe age of 82, was the oldest actor to win the Oscar, showing us that age is simply just a number.  His award was for ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role for ‘The Beginners’.’

The evening went at a perfect pace and unfortunately another jubilant evening of glory came to an end.  All the wonderful work of the Academy of Arts and Sciences continues on all during the year.  We celebrate the winners of the evening:

1. Best Picture: “The Artist.”

2. Actor: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.”

3. Actress: Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady.”

4. Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”

5. Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”

6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist.”

7. Foreign Language Film: “A Separation,” Iran.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, “The Descendants.”

9. Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.”

10. Animated Feature Film: “Rango.”

11. Art Direction: “Hugo.”

12. Cinematography: “Hugo.”

13. Sound Mixing: “Hugo.”

14. Sound Editing: “Hugo.”

15. Original Score: “The Artist.”

16. Original Song: “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.”

17. Costume Design: “The Artist.”

18. Documentary Feature: “Undefeated.”

19. Documentary Short: “Saving Face.”

20. Film Editing: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”

21. Makeup: “The Iron Lady.”

22. Animated Short Film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.”

23. Live Action Short Film: “The Shore.”

24. Visual Effects: “Hugo.”