Wow a year has gone by so quickly!
The countdown begins for the 90th Academy Awards. The Oscars will air LIVE on ABC on Sunday, March 4, 2018.
Here is the official list of nominees for 2018 Best Picture:
NOMINEES
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
DUNKIRK
GET OUT
LADY BIRD
PHANTOM THREAD
THE POST
THE SHAPE OF WATER
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
The 2017 Oscars had many memorable moments. The energy on the red carpet was electrifying. Various press outlets and fans from around the globe showed up in droves, all to celebrate the love of movies. Here are 13 highlights from the biggest night in Hollywood.
- The Fashion was very reminiscent of “Classic Hollywood.” Gold, silver, and metallics were a big hit on the red carpet. I was blown away when I saw these jaw-dropping dresses up close. These gowns were by far the most elaborate and stunning masterpieces I have seen in my lifetime. (no exaggeration here). The accessory of the night was a blue American Civil Liberties Union ribbon.
Taraji P. Henson looked ravishing in Alberta Ferretti on the red Carpet. I really loved this simple chic dress.
Hailee Steinfeld looked whimsical in this Ralph and Russo dress.. It was one of my favorite dresses of the night. It appeared as if Hailee just popped out of a storybook fairytale.
Ruth Negga arrived in Valentino wearing a blue ribbon in support of the ACLU at the Oscars.
2. My heart palpated when Justin Timberlake opened the show singing “Can’t Stop the Feeling” from Trolls. He pumped the audience up with this unforgettable performance and set the tone for a fun night.
3. Jimmy Kimmel was politically charged and without hesitation took jabs at President Trump, Matt Damon, and sarcastically talked about Meryl Streep being, per Trump, an “overrated actress.” Jimmy brought out his “Mean Tweets.” He tweeted,“Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?”
He was hilarious and entertaining as the host of the night! Love him…
4. Gael Garcia Bernal is one of my all-time favorite actors and directors. The Mexican actor was unapologetically political at 2017 Oscars ceremony. He made reference to President Trump’s planned border wall between the United States and Mexico. He openly talked about being a Mexican immigrant and farm worker. He said, “As a Mexican, as a Latin-American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I am against any form of wall.” He’s just amazing and I admire his outspokenness!
5. Candy Crush! Twizzlers and Red Vines randomly floated down on the audience from the ceiling. It was strange, dreamy, and very unexpected. Oh and tasty, might I add!
6. Anousheh Ansari accepted the Oscar for best foreign language film, “The Salesman.” Its director, ceiling. Asghar Farhadi of Iran, boycotted the ceremony because of President Trump’s travel ban on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries. “It’s a great honor to be receiving this valuable award for the second time…” Ansari said on behalf of Farhadi. “…My absence is out of respect for the people in my country and those of other nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S…”
7. Damien Chazelle became youngest director to ever win an Oscar at 32 years old, for directing La La Land. Including his nomination for La La Land, this is the third Academy Award nomination for Chazelle. He was previously nominated for Whiplash.
8. Sixteen-year-old “Moana” star Auli’i Cravalhowas hit by a dancer’s flag on the head midway through her performance, but she gracefully continued the performance of her movie’s nominated song, “How Far I’ll Go.” Following the performance, Cravalho has been cast in a lead role on the NBC pilot Drama High, inspired by high school theater teacher Lou Volpe. Professionalism pays off!
Her speech was strong, gracious, inspirational, powerful and beautiful. Just as she is…(And that red dress was perfect for the occasion.)
She said, “The people who taught me how to fail, how to love, how to hold an award, how to lose, my parents. I’m so thankful that God chose you to bring me into this world. To my sisters, my sister Delores, who’s here who played Jaji and Jaja with me, we were rich white women in the tea party games. Thank you for the imagination and to my husband and my daughter, my heart, you and Genesis, you teach me every day how to live, how to love. I’m so glad you are the foundation of my life.”
In the press room, Viola continued her inspired speech-making, reflecting on her past. “I grew up in poverty. I grew up in apartments that were condemned and rat-infested and I always sort of wanted to be somebody. I wanted to be good at something. This is sort of like the miracle of God. Of dreaming big. Just hoping it sticks and it lands and it did,” she said. “Who knew?”
11. Emma Stone thanked the other nominees in her category, which included: Isabelle Huppert, Ruth Negga, Natalie Portman and Meryl Streep. “You are all so extraordinary and I look up to you and I admire you more than I can put into words,” said Emma, who then continued to thank her family and friends.“I’m going to hug the hell out of you when the feeling re-enters my body.” In the press room, she continued to talk about how easy it was for her to relate to her character in “La La Land” and the real struggles she faced auditioning as an actress.
Emma looked stunning and glamorous in her gold “Classic Old Hollywood Glamour” dress. The gown was intricate and had beautiful fringes at the bottom. Her hairstyle had soft waves that were simple and chic. She shined in her moment.
12. In a touching moment, Mahershala Ali dedicated his Oscar to his newborn baby girl in his acceptance speech. In the press room he said, “Pray to be guided to your excellence,” when asked what message did he have for to his new daughter.
- The BIG OOPS -The Oscar Mix up was HUGE surprise when it was announced that “La La Land” had won best picture, even though “Moonlight” was actually the winner. Midway through the acceptance speeches, Jordan Horowitz, producer of “La La Land” showed the envelope revealing “Moonlight” as the true winner for Best Picture. It was one of the most awkward moments in Oscars history… Yikes!
Behind the scenes, a thunderbolt hit the press room.We all looked at each other, “Did that just happen? Was that a joke? Wtf just happened?” It was chaotic and unbelievable.” It was one of the most awkward moments in Oscars history… Yikes!
The 89th Academy Awards was a dream come true and a night to remember. I was ecstatic to be part of it!
