Big Gay Al's Big Gay Oscar Recap

Another Oscar night is behind us, and I'm glad I have a year to recover until the next one! Although Ellen DeGeneres was cute and fun, the ceremony itself was DREADFUL. Sound Effects Choir? And how many film montages did they have this year? I stopped counting after #3. The only thing worth watching was the Dreamgirls performance which took place somewhere after the 3 hour mark, when I was already asleep… Thank God for TiVo.

Here’s my take on the actual awards: Martin Scorsese deserved to win Best Director, but I don’t think Departed should have won Best Picture. It was a good movie but 1) it was extremely violent; 2) Some of the Boston accents were comical; and 3) Matt Damon’s clothes never came off. My vote goes to Babel.

How did Little Miss Sunshine get Best Original Screenplay? It was a good movie, but if any of you had seen National Lampoon’s Vacation in the early 80’s, you’d know that a lot of the material has been used before. Not original. But I understand it was a "feel good" movie, and everyone knows we need to feel good about something in these difficult times.

As much as I liked Allan Arkin, I think Eddie Murphy was robbed for Best Supporting Actor. Blame it on the poorly timed release of Norbit which ruined his perception as a serious actor. I’m very happy for Helen Mirren and Forrest Whitaker. And, of course, I’m thrilled for Jennifer Hudson.

But now the important stuff: How the stars looked.

My votes for Best Dressed go to: Reese Witherspoon, Portia DiRossi, Rinko Kikuchi, and Emily Blunt. All flawless! Special mention for Cate Blanchett who wore a silver one-shoulder Giorgio Armani Swarovski crystal mesh gown with tulle overlay. Stunning!

 Worst Dressed: Kirsten Dunst, Faye Dunaway, Clive Owen and Meryl Streep. Poor Meryl! Does she have a stylist? Or does she just not care? Special mention for Gwyneth Paltrow who consistently looks terrible every year at the Oscars. 

On the fence:Nicole Kidman (I liked the Balenciaga red dress, but hated that giant bow), Jennifer Hudson (I liked the brown Oscar de la Renta gown, but hated the aluminum foil Judy Jetson jacket. Who let her wear that?), Kate Winslet (I thought the dress was flattering, but didn’t like the mint green color).

For full red carpet gallery, check out http://oscar.com/oscarnight/redcarpet/

P.S. Jennifer Hudson wore a much better dress for her musical performance. And yet a third dress to the Vanity Fair Oscar party. It was smashing and I wish she wore this on the red carpet instead…What did you think about the evening?