Seen and Heard and Won Around the Globes

Before I get into how predictable last night’s Golden Globes were, at least in the film categories, can I just say I thought Ricky Gervais killed – and got away with it – as the show’s host.

The guy delivered searing joke after searing joke and eviscerated everyone in the audience right in front of them (ouch, The Tourist), just like mommas everywhere say you shouldn’t. It was fun. And no, he didn’t go too far, considering how much further he could’ve taken it...although I would sleep with one eye open for a bit (you just don’t mess with the Scientologists).

Anyway, when it came to the winners, there were few surprises (The Social Network, Colin, Natalie, Christian, Melissa, and Annette all walked away with a Globe, while Paul Giamatti kinda stunned everyone when he bested Johnny Depp and Jake Gyllenhaal in the Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical category for the little-seen Barney’s Version).

On the TV side, Glee scored Best Comedy (really, over Modern Family!), while Katey Sagal finally earned FX’s Sons of Anarchy some awards lovin’. And The Good Wife walked away empty-handed yet again, although Julianna Margulies gets top marks for looking so frakkin’ beyond in vintage Yves Saint Laurent. And how touching was Chris Colfer’s reaction upon hearing his name when he won Best Supporting Actor for Glee? Only slightly less so than his moving speech I say.

My Twitter feed has my blow-by-blow impressions of the show, so if you’re at all interested, get!

And now, for the fashion.

I thought the best dressed of the evening was Emma Stone, who just dazzled in an elegant and simple peach Calvin Klein Collection dress. Girlfriend was a little too tanned, but she looked beautiful.

Anne Hathaway looked like a million bucks in her Armani Privé, and Olivia Wilde ever the princess in a Marchesa gown.

Sandra Bullock looked pretty, but those new bangs are a bit much, and she looked like she had left her hair brush at Ryan Reynolds’. Oh no, I did! Calm down, even though the two have been spending time together lately, she maintains they are just friends, so there.

As for the men, Chris Hemsworth was the most swoon-worthy, end o’ story.

Photo: EW.com.

Critical Consensus

The Social Network was the best picture of the year that was, per last night’s Critic’s Choice Awards. Its David Fincher took home the Best Director award.

The cast of The Fighter won Best Ensemble, while Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), Natalie Portman (Black Swan), and The Fighter’s Christian Bale and Melissa Leo walked away with acting accolades.

Click here for a complete list of winners.

Photo: Columbia Pictures (The Social Network).

A Night for Surprises?

I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to use this pretty image of this year’s Oscar poster, so I figured I’d handicap tonight’s race – but then someone else kinda beat me to it….

I’ll still say, though, that I think the biggest upset would be if the unstoppable Slumdog Millionaire did not win the Oscar for Best Picture. It’s really is the favorite of favorites if I ever saw one.

The Best Actor and Best Actress contests are two for the underdogs. The former is a toss-up between Milk’s Sean Penn and The Wrestler’s Mickey Rourke, while the latter pits Doubt’s Meryl Streep against The Reader’s Kate Winslet.

But you should keep your eyes open for The Visitor’s Richard Jenkins and Frozen River’s Melissa Leo. The indie darlings could very well sweep in and leave the four vets in the dust. My money’s on Winslet – but that’s a big bet I’m not too sure the Academy is willing to let me win.

Btw, I saw Doubt over the holidays, and actually liked Streep’s scenery-chewing stoic performance, especially when her scenes called for her to go head to head with fellow nominee Philip Seymour Hoffman.

I also saw Marley & Me and loved it! And I’m hearting that Jennifer Aniston is said to be scheduled to be a presenter at the ceremony tonight. Hearting it.

Best Supporting Actor is pretty much a lock. Congratulations, Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), and may you rest in peace.

As for Best Supporting Actress…. I think Penélope Cruz has grown so much in recent years, I’d say she’s earned it with Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It’s amazing what the right role can do. I would like to see Marisa Tomei win a second Oscar, just to stick it to those who think the first was a mistake, but I think her perkiness in The Wrestler did a good job of it already.

One thing is for sure: I’m bucking my staying-in-with-a-pizza annual tradition, and I’ll be watching Hugh Jackman do his thing at a fabulous party.

Photo: Oscar.com.

Update 1: And the winners are....

Update 2: And the best dressed winner was Penélope Cruz in vintage Balmain.

Update 3: The best dressed presenter was Sarah Jessica Parker in Dior Couture. Nope, it was Natalie Portman in pink Rodarte. Don’t make me pick one.

Update 4: And the best dressed after-party party-hopper was Madonna, who looked anything but basic in black. Natch.

Update 5: And the handsomest man of the night was Daniel Craig.

They Got Spirit

The 2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards were given out in Santa Monica, Calif., yesterday – and I desperately want to see Wendy and Lucy, starring nominee Michelle Williams.

The Wrestler was named Best Feature, while its star, Mickey Rourke, won Best Male Lead, and Frozen River’s Melissa Leo picked up Best Female Lead. Meanwhile, James Franco (Milk) and Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) were singled out in the supporting categories.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

Photo: IFC.com.

The Writers Say

Last weekend, at simultaneous ceremonies on both coasts, the Writers Guild of America announced the winners of the 2009 Writers Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in screen, television, radio, news, promotional and videogame writing.

The screen winners were Dustin Lance Black (pictured at right) for Milk’s original screenplay, and Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire’s adapted script.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

Photo: Focus Features (Milk).

The English Say

According to the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Kate Winslet (The Reader), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), and Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) did the best acting jobs of 2008.

Slumdog Millionaire was named Best Film at the weekend ceremony in London, while Man on Wire won Best British Film.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

Photo: Magnolia Pictures (Man on Wire).

The High Notes and the Low

“What happened with Chris Brown and Rihanna?”

That surely must have been the $1 million question at last night’s 51st Annual Grammy Awards, which saw Alison Krauss and Robert Plant win five trophies, including Album of the Year, while Coldplay followed closely with three (Song of the Year for “Viva La Vida,” Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, and their third Best Rock Album Grammy).

Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson received her first Grammy, for Best R&B Album, from Whitney Houston (who looked kinda too exciting to be there, didn’t she?), and Adele was named Best New Artist (and also picked up Best Female Pop Vocal Performance).

Madonna did not win a thing.

But back to the lowest point of the night, the Chris Brown-Rihanna situation and all the speculation it generated.

The two acts, and real-life couple, pulled out of the awards show after the LAPD launched an investigation into Brown’s behavior on Saturday night. As it turns out he thought it was alright for fighting.

As the Grammys were under way, Brown turned himself in to authorities over a felony domestic abuse charge against an unnamed victim who had suffered visible injuries and had identified him as her attacker in an incident that occurred after Clive Davis’ annual pre-party.

Although Rihanna’s rep said she was doing “well,” The Insider reported she was bruised in a car accident Sunday morning.

Hate to say it, but Mmmmm.

Photos: MTV.com; TheDailyBeast.com.

Update: TMZ.com has confirmed that Rihanna is the named alleged victim in the Chris Brown case, and the allegation is that she was assaulted with a deadly weapon.

DMFA.

It’s Raining / Ooh Baby It’s Raining

How much am I into Rihanna’s “Umbrella”?

I know radio’s going to like, overplay it to death, but I’m glad I’m already liking the song because I soon won’t for a while, but I then will again…eventually. Yeah, that’s how it works.

Because, “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together / Told you I'll be here forever / Said I'll always be a friend / Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end / Now that it's raining more than ever / Know that we'll still have each other / You can stand under my umbrella / You can stand under my umbrella / (Ella ella eh eh eh).”

MTV did the singer a service when they had her performed at its Movie Awards last night, a.k.a. the event that Paris Hilton attended before her early jail check-in. (Check out who took buckets of Golden Popcorn home here.)

Derivative Tina Landon choreography aside, the performance, which featured Jay-Z, was a get-up-on-your-feet highlight for the show. Just ask Hairspray’s Amanda Bynes – could she have been any cuter?

Of course, I loved Sarah Silverman’s hosting shtick. I mean, I ate it up. But I didn’t love how MTV didn’t even try to add a little more music to the show. They only had two performers, instead of the usual three. What the frak?

Which brings me to the night’s other performer – Amy Winehouse. Confession time: I’ve had her Back to Black for a couple of months now, and I was like, no, no, no. I have been resisting fully liking her, but this is changing for good: Get me a sweater because I am embracing this Hot Mess. Not doing so is futile.

Photo: E! Online.