95th Academy Awards

Originally Posted: March 13, 2023

RED CARPET PICNIC

Typically, I have a whole spread for my Red Carpet Picnic, enough food for a party even when just watching alone. But I’m definitely being forced to take my diabetes diagnoses more seriously, as I’m having more and more digestive issues. Especially when I have more than a glass of red wine or when I eat anything fried or super sugary. The night before I was out with a friend and had two mixologist fancy cocktails and fried french toast bites with caramel sauce. I also had a sensible dinner, to try to balance it out, but nope. So my stomach was not in Oscars night eating shape for Sunday. Therefore, I made my way over to Whole Food for my choices this year.

I had offers from two friends and the Philadelphia Film Society’s Oscar Viewing Party to choose from, but I really prefer watching it on my own. I like to communicate with others on social media or text during the proceedings, but I don’t want to do a lot of talking during the red carpet and Oscars ceremony; I don’t want to play host; but mainly, I see all the movies during the year that are up for almost any nominations, except I often miss seeing the shorts; so I kinda only wanna watch with another person who has seen at least 85-90%, of the movies, otherwise they either get bored too quickly or they just don’t have the same energy I do. Because even though it’s not true, I feel like I’ve got skin in the game!

**Tinsel & Tine’s Top 10 List for 2022** CLICK for POST

HOST

Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel hosted for the 3rd time – a good, safe choice. The trio of hosts last year was an interesting concept, but I’m sure the Academy Producers didn’t want anything that put people in mind of last year’s melee. Of course, that night was referred to here and there without using any names …

“If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during this show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor and permitted to give a 19-minute speech,” Kimmel deadpanned to hearty but somewhat awkward laughter.

“If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony, just sit there and do what you did last year, nothing,” he added. “Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”

I was glad he acknowledged the absence of deserved nominations for Viola Davis in The Woman King and Danielle Deadwyler for TILL

And that he called out James Cameron and Tom Cruise for not attending the Oscars, after they were the ones insistent that audiences return to seeing movies in the theater.

Oscars 2023 RED CARPET

For those of us who love the Red Carpet, we expect to see a trend pretty early on, but I have to say, not this year. Also oddly, nothing that I saw was a veritable bomb worthy of my Worst Dressed list. The big news this year was that the carpet was not red, but what they called Champagne color. It photographed more off white or sometimes light gray.

My Favorite Red/Champagne Carpet Looks for 2023

Florence Pugh‘s Valentino ensemble featured a beige strapless taffeta dress, black shorts and black platform heels, styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray. She was SO pulling off this glam/punk look. Especially the Kiwi doll hairstyle. The only thing I’d change is the necklace, it didn’t need any neckwear, but if anything I would have chosen a choker.

Cara Delevingne is an actress/model I’ve never had any fondness for, not because of her addiction troubles I didn’t know anything about that until I just Googled for the dress; it’s just something about her that turns me off. Nevertheless, she took the “red carpet” by storm looking ravishing in red. I’m obsessed with this Elie Saab Couture gown. Again, no necklace needed when you have a big bow like that. Just earrings is fine.

All Hail The Queen 🙌🏿 This royal purple Moschino gown was the absolute perfect choice for Angela Bassett. I love the organza fabric, all the twists and ruching. The way the top portion stays in place. It would have been so fab for her to win and to give Marvel’s Black Panther Wakanda Forever that kind of shine. Not to say Ruth Carter‘s (click for her moving acceptance speech) second win for Best Costumes didn’t do that, but a Supporting Actress win for a Superhero movie would have been so gratifying. The trouble being, I was equally rooting for Jamie Lee Curtis, she’s been in the biz for so long and has been everywhere this Awards season. And technically, her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once was slightly more deserved of the recognition.

**Jamie Lee Curtis Acceptance Speech – Best Supporting Actress**

Did Halle Baily‘s parents deliberately name her after Halle Berry? Cause if so, they were smart as she’s already taking after her namesake, causing a stir on the carpet. The Live Action Little Mermaid (May 26th) star was in Dolce & Gabbana looking every bit a Disney Princess and then some. Giving Enchantment 🧚

Janelle Monae is always style personified. This woman is just a black Barbie come to life. No disrespect intended to her talents, creativity and all around magic.

Other Red Carpet Highlights:

Sandra Oh‘s pumpkin colored gown is something I would choose for myself. It looks good on her, but it’s more appropriate for someone of a bigger size, the folds and sleeves and bust line would be very flattering on a more voluptuous figure. Sandra is the voice of matriarch Ming Lee in Pixar’s Turning Red which was up for Best Animated Feature. Of course, hands down everyone knew Guillermo Del Toro‘s Pinocchio would win. I never got a chance to write a review of that feature, but enjoyed receiving the swag!

Michelle Williams gown isn’t really my taste, but I like it for her. The ethereal, almost Blessed Virgin Mary look of this Chanel couture was eye catching. I didn’t think she was the right choice for the role of Steven Spielberg‘s mother in The Fablemans, but of course that could only be Spielberg’s call to make.

I can’t get used to a slimmed down Mindy Kaling. She’s very striking now, but the extreme weight loss feels like it’s changed her personality. Or maybe I’m just jealous. I saw she had this gown in both white and black. She wore this on the red carpet, but changed to black for presenting.

Top MEN’s FASHIONS

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Ballet Pink Dolce & Gabbana

Harry Shum Jr. in Adeam He’s from the Raccacoonie scene in Everything Everywhere All At Once

Harvey Guillen in Christian Siriano. I don’t know who he is, but he was really feeling himself in this twirly tux.

**Loved this little Movie Marcel The Shell With Shoes On**

OSCAR MUSIC MOMENTS

I don’t remember this song “Hold My Hand” nominated for Best Song from Top Gun Maverick. And I’m not sure I appreciated the stripped down rehearsal look of Gaga’s performance, but My GOODNESS is she in GOOD VOICE!!!

**Lavern Cox interviewing Austin Butler on E Channel**

He didn’t perform, I wish, but I’m so in love with Austin Butler I added him to this section. He’s just so charming and humble and talented and gorgeous. I know I’m obsessed with people’s weight, but that’s me. He needs to gain like 10-15 lbs and then he’d be too, too for words. I was really rooting for him as ELVIS was # 6 on my Top 10 List of Movies for 2022. He worked his ass off in playing this role. But the come back story for Brendan Fraser for Darren Aronofsky‘s The Whale (sorry, didn’t write the review) was almost equally deserving.

RRR is an absolutely absorbing, crazy, joyful, stupid, wonderful movie! Very happy “Naatu Naatu” won for best song. Our Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Vote felt the same.

OSCAR MISC MOMENTS

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT took Best International Feature along with Best Original Score, Best Production Design & Best Cinematography all well-deserved. I don’t typically watch any war movies, even when they are up for 9 nominations, but I forced myself to watch this, mainly because, as it’s a remake, it’s a movie/novel I’ve heard about my whole life and wanted to see what all the hubbub was about. It’s a grueling ordeal, hard to watch and the ending doesn’t make it any better. But of course this is the point. It’s a movie that doesn’t glorify war, but speaks to it’s senselessness. I have to admit it’s a cinematic masterpiece. Netflix spared no expense and Composer Volker Bertelmann score is disturbing and powerful.

Best Adapted Screenplay Winner Sarah Polley – WOMEN TALKING
(again, never had a chance to write review)

Glad I was right about WOMEN TALKING
Congrats Sarah Polley #BestAdaptedScreenplay #Oscars    #Oscars2023 #AcademyAwards pic.twitter.com/iyWGscNH5i
— Tinsel & Tine – Marvelous Movie Maven (@tinseltine) March 13, 2023

Tems, The 27-year-old singer-songwriter — whose “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” track “Lift Me Up,” was performed by Rihanna, was a fashion nightmare for the audience behind her. How does anyone feel so fabulous that they don’t feel self-conscious about all this! This cloud should have been designed like a hood, where for the red carpet it’s up and glorious and then you push it down for the ceremony. OMG!

**Malala Yousafzai**, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate

I don’t know if Malala Yousafzai even knew what Jimmy was talking about referring to the Don’t Worry Darling spit-gate at Cannes. But she certainly had the perfect comeback response.

I’d like to support Elizabeth Banks, I think she’s a good director and seems like somebody you’d like to know, but I wasn’t up for seeing Cocaine Bear. Maybe when it comes to some streaming channel.

John Travolta is a man who has known much loss in his life having survive losing a son and a wife, but more recently two long-time close friends Olivia Newton-John and Kirsty Alley. His intro to the Memoriam part of the evening was very touching.

BEST PICTURE WINNER | Everything Everywhere All At Once | A24 | Writer/Directors The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert)

7 Oscar Wins – some history making. Including Best Picture! So happy for this deeply weird and deeply affecting yet highly entertaining movie 🎬 👏🏾❤️ My pick for Best Movie of 2022. See My EEAAO #MiniMovieReview a film I saw in March of 2022 and said this will most-likely be my favorite movie of the year, which I typically don’t know until I’ve seen everything in late December.

It had so much momentum during this Awards Season that I feared it might work against it when it came time for Oscars. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I have 2 friends who just don’t get it at all and one that can’t finish watching it. But if you’re on a certain frequency, you will see yourself and humanity in this movie like nothing I’ve experienced before.

Click Image for Everything Everywhere All At Once Press Conference I virtually attended a couple months ago …