Emma Thompson, Golden Globes 2014
The "Louboutin-Martini" speech
The Hollywood award season is underway, and it will culminate on Sunday March 2, with the 86th Academy Awards. For us movie fans, it is a fun time of year. Some of us get excited about favorite movies; actors and actresses. Others tune in, so they can gawk at designer-clad celebrities, walking down the Red Carpet. We watch - and occasionally cringe - as TV hosts greet famous guests, pouring out of black limousines. During the show (it never seems to end on time,) we all yawn at overdrawn speeches; the endless list of "Thank you's;" or the disingenuous declarations: "I did not expect this. I did not prepare a speech…" (You have been nominated. Isn't it part of your job to prepare a speech?)We watch the prestigious audience laugh nervously at the host's jokes. Some good; some awkward; some plain mean. We endure commercial breaks. And long musical numbers. We reminisce about Old Hollywood glamour. Grace, and Audrey. Rita. Katharine. Liz. Never mind that we are too young to actually remember the good old days. The well-oiled Hollywood machine has conditioned us for years. These glamorous stars are part of our lives; almost part of the family.
Grace and Audrey, presenters at the 1956 Academy Awards...
But the good old days are gone. Welcome to the time of hyperactive social media and unbridled paparazzi power! Glamour has faded, replaced by gossip; unflattering photos of celebrities on their coffee runs (Can you picture Grace Kelly toting around her tall, non-fat latte in a Starbucks paper cup?) -- There are so many celebrities (famous for being famous,) and so few artists, it seems. So be it. Times change. Still, as a long-time movie fan, I am grateful for movie stars, and the stories they tell. I see talent, and on rare occasions, I see grace. I still dream; laugh and cry with them. This week, as I browsed online, I spotted a few shots of my favorite actors and actresses. And they made me smile. I hope you enjoy them, as much as I did. Long live le cinéma. Long live Hollywood. This French Girl, for one, will keep watching.Les complices. Accomplices. Meryl Streep. Julia Roberts. And you thought your family was dysfunctional. If you have not seen them (and the rest of the stellar cast) in August Osage County, you are missing something. Good friends or consummate professionals promoting a movie? Does it matter?
The Blues Brothers had nothing on these two sisters!
And talking about friends…Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson
Emma is one talented lady, (Saving Mr Banks, anyone?) and from what I hear, a fun broad. A good mom too.
Emma and "Mini-Me" daughter Gaia
All right. I admit it. Most of my favorite ladies are over 40. or 50. Et alors? So what?Sandra, so happy to see you laugh.
Please don't do anything to your beautiful face!
I like them just fine too when their moms are not around…
Ben, Ben, Ben… Bradley, Bradley, Bradley...
You clean up nice, Colin F.
Yes, thank you, movie stars. You can walk around holding a Starbucks paper cup; or look sweaty when you leave the gym; wear no make up as you get their groceries. We like to think you are just like us, professionals; friends; lovers; mothers and fathers…
Cate Blanchett and her two leading men
Critics Choice Awards, January 2014
A bientôt.
I used to think as I looked out on the Hollywood night, 'There must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me dreaming of being a movie star.' But I am not going to worry about them. I'm dreaming the hardest.
-- Marilyn Monroe