Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals

Amy Adam's NOT in Tom Ford, in Tom Ford's
noir thriller Nocturnal Animals

A funny thing happened on the way to see Manchester by the Sea...My husband and I were astonished to see a line a block long.  This is not a common suburban experience, in fact, I have no memory of ever having seen this outside of NYC.

Unfortunately, it was sold out.  (*Unfortunately, we made a trip back to see it.
This is singly, the most over hyped film of the year. Bleak, meandering and depressing.  I'm not familiar with Casey Affleck's work, but this laconic, dull performance is NOT Oscar worthy.  Do skip this...)

Fortunately, since it was a small theatre, that tends to book smaller films for thinking people; our fallback was the critically acclaimed Loving or Tom Ford's stylish, neo noir thriller Nocturnal Animals.

Given the choice, how could I resist see Ford's new film? Inevitably, no matter what the plot, there would be gorgeous interiors, attractive people and stylish clothing, beautifully worn. (A stunning contrast to the film's opening scenes.)

It is all that, and more, simultaneously, a thriller and a tale of how empty all of those expensive trappings can be, if loveless.

Interestingly, Ford, made the deliberate choice not to feature his own clothes in the film, though the polished, sleek aesthetic of designs by Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Miu Miu, Celine and Marc Jacobs, could easily be mistaken for Ford's own.

Ford deliberately did not want the film to appear as an advertorial for his brand, choosing to keep his creative and intellectual talents as Designer and Director, separate.

Smart.

Of course that doesn't rule out the stylish cast, which includes Amy Adams, , Isla Fisher, Ellie Bamber (clearly Ford loves his red heads; Julianne Moore also starred in his first film A Single Man) and Laura Linney from appearing in Ford's clothes at the Premiers for Nocturnal Animals.

It's a good film, that like what the good ones do, keeps you thinking about it, long after you have left the theatre.  In addition to Manchester by the Sea and Loving to look forward to,  there is also Jackie, starring the magnificent Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy, they day after her husband's assassination.

After a dearth of good films, it's a pleasure to have something to look forward to this holiday season. Today's treat?  The Greenwich Ballet Academy's production of the Nutcracker at the White Plains City Center.  I'm glad we purchased tickets for it ahead of time, since it is completely sold out.

Greenwich Ballet Academy's production of the Nutcracker
White Plains City Center

Note to self...buy those movie tix ahead of time too.  Seems I'm not the only one starved not just for eye candy and popcorn, but brain candy too...

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's Red Carpet Report Card Academy Awards 2016

#OscarsSoWhite. Well, we knew it would be an interesting night, as all eyes and ears were on Chris Rock opening monologue at the Oscars. Interesting too, that if the Oscars are "so white" a black host was chosen long before the nominations were announced.  Rock wasted no time getting down to business, perfectly skewering Hollywood for it's underrepresentation of minorities in the business. According to Rock, if the Academy had voted on who would host, Neil Patrick Harris would be standing there instead. Touche...We got it, but the jokes grew tiresome and less funny as the night wore on. #SometimesLessIsMore. Ya know???

It was a somewhat dull night, to some extent because the nominated films were not blockbusters, but for the most part, small independent films. Translation? Not a lot of people saw them.  The Red Carpet was a tepid affair too, even the duds were few and far between damn it. Leo of course, got what he deserved. Happily.

Trends included shimmering sequins, trains and strapless gowns...now let's get to it.


A+

Magnificent Cate Blanchett in magnificent Armani Prive.
Breathtaking.

Charlize Theron, always stellar.  Here in Dior with Harry Winston jewels.
Sublime.

A Team

Julianne Moore in Haute Couture Chanel.
I would have loved it more in navy, but still stunning.

Jennifer Garner, never more stunning than in this one shoulder
sequin trimmed "revenge" gown.
Well played.

Margot Robbie, languorous in liquid gold Tom Ford. 

Saorise Ronan in and exquisite emerald green Calvin Klein gown
in homage to Ireland

Isla Fisher, lovely in Marchesa

The dependably gorgeous Naomi Watts in Armani Prive

Jason Tremblay in Armani. The kid is a cross between George Clooney and Cary Grant.
And boy, the boy can act.  One to watch.

The B Team

Brie Larsen is Gucci.  I felt the belt and color overwhelmed the
dress and Brie. Awful hair. Wonderful work in The Room. Congrats
to the new J. Law

Alicia Vikkander and Belle from Beauty in the Beast in Louis Vuitton.

She has had an OUTSTANDING awards season. This to me was a rare miss.

Sophia Vergara must have a sleeve allergy. Never seen her anything
but strapless. Nicely, this is more fluid than her usual bombshell
numbers, but the result is world's most gorgeous Mother of the Bride

Jennifer Lawrence's Dior had a vaguely moulin rouge vibe to me.
Not bad, not her best, just like the tepid Joy she starred in.

Rooney Mara in Couture Givenchy.
I wanted to love it. Somehow she looks a bit
like an angelic Victorian Christmas tree ornament
that could be hung from her top knot.

The C Team

The Bridesmaids, Tina and Reese

Rachel McAdams in August Getty Atelier.
Loved the color and the cut but the wrinkled fabric cheapened it.

Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren
"and up from the ground came a bubbling crude...."

The D List

Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell for Georgia O'Keefe

Patricia Arquette. Happily, she didn't do a face plant.
Top. Heavy.

The F Team

Amy Poehler as Madame Butterfly

Kerry Washington in Versace for the Pleasure Chest

Olivia Wilde in pleated Valentino Coverall's.
Sorry, not a fan of side boobage

Heidi Klum, who, along with Christina Hendricks, have never gotten
it right on the RC.  My offer now stands for both;
I will style you for free and pay my own expenses.
NO ONE over the age of 8 could covet this dress.

So there, you have it Lovelies...8 minutes passed my deadline. Hope it's still worthy of a peek.  See you at the Emmy's.

Night night...

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's Red Carpet Report Card-Oscars 2015

Well, the big night is behind us...and as always, a few trends prevailed--the Red Carpet was awash in blush pink, blinding white, statement necklaces and quite a bit of skin.  Of the major designers, Atelier Versace had a big night, dressing Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johanssen, and Zoe Saldana, beautifully.

Perhaps Red Carpet fatigue has set in for me...I found myself alternatively disappointed and flummoxed. And while some elements of certain looks were outstanding; Jessica Chastain's beautiful hair and makeup for example, were not enough to carry her awkward, unflattering Givenchy gown.  If I were grading, like I usually do, Jessica would be receiving a C+.

Flawless was few and far between;  I winnowed it down to three; Margot Robbie in Yves St. Laurent, with a fantastic sleek bob and bold lip and Zoe Saldana, (incredibly, just 3 mos. post delivering her twins), in Atelier Versace, and the lovely Anna Kendrick in Thakoon.

Everything worked exquisitely...Gowns, hair, makeup, accessories.  A+  Goddess Land:

Margot Robbie in YSL

Zoe Saldana in Atelier Versace

Anna Kendrick in Thakoon

A bit off, but still fabulous?  Cate the Great Blanchett, Jennifer Aniston (often maligned as boring and safe, I think Jen is true to herself and rarely flubs), Scarlett Johanssen, (minus the seaweed Swarovski choker), and Emma Stone in Eli Saab, (who almost made puce work), Sienna Miller in Peter Copping for Oscar de la Renta, (with heavy handed contouring) and a much improved Rosamund Pike, stunning in Givenchy.