Billy Crystal came back to host and give us a presumably good show (mediocre in reality, not bad but not exciting). The Artist won. Jean Dujardin won. Meryl won. Christopher Plummer won. Octavia won. What else do we need to know?
Who wore what! Of course. The gowns! The glam! The gah, what was she thinking? Let’s discuss! For easy reference, you can head over to my Pinterest page to see my Best Dressed, Worst Dressed, and Oscar 2012 (for everything in between) boards. But in case you don’t want to hike it on over there, I’ll cover some basics here.
First off, poor Natalie Portman, probably sleep deprived from caring for her baby boy Aleph, presented the Best Actor Oscar because she won last year. I was hoping it would go to Clooney.
George, with flavor of the month Stacy Kiebler (gorgeous in Marchesa).
Alas, no. The French guy, Jean Dujardin, from the Artist won. Which is fine really because a) I love to hear the accent and he will present next year and b) his name is so fun to say. But back to Natalie. I think she thought she was appearing to star as Laurey in a revival of Oklahoma!
In Vintage Dior. With Polka Dots.
And Curly paid no attention to her because he was with his hot Italian wife (in a bad choice of dress) and trying to figure out if J-Lo Annie really did or did not have a nip slip while presenting.
Colin Firth. Just because. You're welcome.
Just a girl who can't say no... to tight dresses.
But enough about last year’s winner (Natalie). Did our Oscar-nominated Best Actresses take my earlier advice and get it right? We can refer back to earlier Whine Blog Oscar’s Leading Ladies to see how we did.
To jog our memories, I said that Glenn Close, who tends to go frumpy and black, needed something feminine and sexy and I recommended a color, maybe… gold? Well! Hm. Seems another contender took that advice (we’ll see Meryl in a minute) and Glenn stuck with black. But… she did stick with a feminine and sexy silhouette. Under that jacket.
Vavoom, curves! (Zac Posen). I can even understand the tuxedo jacket. It’s a bold, masculine addition, a counter-statement to the girliness. And also, a solution to cover up aging arms that is a little different than the usual sheer sleeve. Plus, it reminds us that she played a guy in her nominated role, but she’s still all woman underneath it all. Bravo, Glenn Close. That is quite a statement.
Next: Viola Davis.
In Vera Wang.
Viola made the daring choice to go with her natural hair, her husband’s suggestion. Love! Love her like this, love the bold green color and the fit of this dress. My last suggestion was that she get a little help with her red carpet look, but she has proven that she needs no help at all. Shine on, Viola Davis. I’m sorry you didn’t win (though I love that Meryl won). Octavia Spencer, by the way…
Hot stuff, baby! In Todashi Shoji. She hit all the right notes this award season, and she won. Woot!
Oh, Rooney Mara. Rooney, Rooney, Rooney Mara. Last time, we said she was too safe, always in black, or maybe the occasional white. I wanted to see Rooney loosen up and get some color. But.
She stuck with white. Givency Couture. That looked like she jumped in a river, let the fabric sag and air dry, then put it back on. Plus, severe bangs.
Rooney could have done so much better. Like Michelle Williams! Who seemingly listened to our advice to lighten up, be girly and pretty and fresh and free, without being kooky and dotted with daisies. Great choice!
In Louis Vuitton.
Unlike. Yes. I have to say it. I hate to say it. Meryl Streep. Our winner! In Oscar-winning gold. Love that she wore gold. Love that she doesn’t look too wacky. But I still wish the dress fit her better. She could look So. Amazing. And instead she’s just… not a total train wreck. Oh Meryl. I love you. And I loved your speech. But call Helen Mirren and get her stylist’s name. Please.
In Lanvin.
My favorite of the night, Penelope Cruz.
Perfect dress (lavender Armani), perfect hair (soft finger waves), perfect jewels (Chopard diamonds).
There we have it. What did you think? Best dressed (I also loved Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain)? Worst dressed (Melissa Leo?). Winners? Billy Crystal’s hosting? Angelina’s leg pop? Gwyneth’s cape? 
Bam!
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
And this just in– Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have added a baby boy to their family, after having two girls (Violet and Serafina). No word on the baby’s name yet. Awww.
Sorry have not seen it but I must say I am not a fan of Penelope but her dress was stunning.
Sherri, great sartorial wisdom! I was really happy with the Close dress. And I will state that I didn’t think that Meryl should have gone with her choice. Women of a more mature persuasion should not wear metallics or animal prints.
You make a good point on the metallics/animal prints. I’m sure there are rare exceptions, but this is not one of them.
I have to say I hated Glen Close’s dress.. Thought she looked mismatched.
Ah, but you liked Gwyn’s and I did not, thought it washed her out. She needed more color. So it goes.
I’m betting that when Jacquie advances in age, she will be able to carry off animal prints.
And metallics. Together!
Loved Penelope Cruz’s dress. She was by far the best for me. Although I also loved Emma Stone’s dress. And I liked Gwenth’s all white number. I think the dude who one best actor looks a little like Gene Kelly. Can’t wait to see The Artist. And favorite speech was definitely Colin Firth’s. AND I did see Jennifer’s nip–or the edge of it. And thought uh oh…but then it went back and I was relieved.
Penelope, so great. I’m really surprised she’s not on everyone’s best dressed list. And Meryl is on some of them. I’m still skeptical about the nip slip, did not see it. I thought maybe guys were seeing what they wanted to see, but then if you saw it… maybe.
I agree on the Cruz dress. Wow! Feminine and yet dramatic.
Penelope’s dress is gorgeous. Gorgeous! Love the color.
I didn’t watch the show, but I don’t get the whole “leg” thing. Is it supposed to be a “Take that, Jennifer Anniston” thing? Also, my arm is probably larger than that leg. And my fingers probably have more meat on them than Angelina’s arms. Too skinny. Very pretty, but way too skinny.
Well, it was different for her. She’s always in those uptight column dresses, so I guess she was having a little fun for a change. But yeah, way too thin. Scary thin. I would love to see about 20 pounds on her. And she would still be super thin. I think a milk and peanut butter cookie date every afternoon with her six kids would do it.
Oh, and let’s wait and see if the tabloids run with it and suggest the leg was distracting us from noticing a baby bump: Brad and Angie- Expecting Again! The Enquirer, don’t let me down.
Ditto on the Angelexia. She just has not looked healthy for the past two to three years. Don’t get it, don’t like it, not sure why she can’t try and eat a little bit more.
Angelexia. Aha! haha.
Didn’t see any of the Oscars so I appreciate the update! Hated the cape, loved Glenn Close, and really, what was with Angelina’s leg? Apparently it’s gone viral. I’m confused.
People are making up memes to go with the leg, basically photoshopping it where it doesn’t belong. The leg now has its own Twitter account. Along with Bradley Cooper’s mustache and Jennifer Lopez’s nipple. All three probably have more followers than I do.
ROFL. Guess you’ll have to get a little risque, Sherri.
What do I have to do to gain a following, VB? I shudder to think.
@sherrierwinseyebrows.
Maybe just one of them. Both could be overkill. The left one never knows what the right one is doing. Ah, perhaps that is part of the fun.
@sherrierwinlefteyebrow
I didn’t care for Sandra’s dress, which surprised me, because I always think she looks so great.
Another fabulous round-up Sherri!
I actually loved Sandra’s dress. I think it was one of those love it or hate it dresses, though. Did you see the back of it? The draping was lovely.
Though, I wouldn’t have chosen it. It was very business-like, not a lot of fun.
Loved Sandra’s hair though! It rocked.
I read too fast and thought you said “Angelina’s leg poop” and I thought, oh, man, the Oscars are really just going to pieces….
glad it wasn’t that
You still have yesterday’s Cooking with Poo on your mind, maybe. I know I can’t forget it. She kept posing like that- every time she stopped moving, that leg came out.
I watched the View today, and they thought she was trying to be funny, but I think it was a joke.