The Oscars are just a few days away and, of course, I am excited to see who will win, who can’t shut up when up on the podium, what weird, way too revealing outfits they are wearing and figuring out what drug they are on. I also will love the In Memorium segment which should always be part of the awards. We lost a few greats this past year-Robert Redford, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall, to name 3 giants. This year, I was left dumbfounded when, in the Best Costume Design, “Avatar” was up for the award….um…WTF? Yes, the designer actually made each costume before the CGI’d it but many are different loin cloths and this is the 3rd instalment on this franchise which is all about special effects and CGI which I am getting very bored with. This got me thinking about the Best Costume winners from the past and I didn’t have to go far to recall what was not even nominated and should have won, in my humble opinion.
1. ROCKETMAN
This biopic, starring Taron Egerton as Elton John, is an excellent film( much better than the Queen movie) following Elton John as he rises in fame and becomes a powerhouse during the 70s with his music and his ever8 flamboyant costumes. The costumes were over the top and we designed by Julian Day who based these outfits on the real nutty outfits Elton John would, and still does, wear. Unfortunately, this film came out early in the year and was largely forgotten by the time awards season took off. It’s a shame, because this deserved the award.
2. LITTLE WOMEN
Jacqueline Durran won the Best Costume Design for this film and it was controversial because she took many liberties in the actual costumes and what the people actually wore during this time period. She didn’t stick to reality and put in some “newer” looks to create a hipper vibe….whatever, the looks just reminded me of Little Outhouse on the Prairie. The film is the oft told version of the 4 sisters and their mom waiting for dad to come home fighting in the Union Army. The main character is Jo who is a free spirited gal who is the most independent of the sisters but is wooed by a couple of men including the patient Laurie..not a girl but a man. It’s not my favourite rendition of this tale, my favourite is still the Katherine Hepburn film from 1933.
3. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
Hello again, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteBoy (Girl), I really want to watch Rocketman now that I've seen the trailer. Mrs. Shady and I will surely enjoy the music and the storyline documenting Elton John's rise from obscurity to superstardom. I still can't get over the fact that Elton was one of the first white artists invited to appear and perform on Soul Train. Rocketman should indeed have been given the Best Costume Design award in acknowledgement of Elton's flamboyant outfits. It's a shame that many great films are released too early in the year to be remembered for an award.
Interesting facts about this version of Little Women and how it won Best Costume Design even though the apparel worn by the characters was not historically accurate.
I'm with you all the way on Once Upon a Time in H-wood. It's my kind of movie and truly brought back my teenage years in the mid to late 60s. The soundtrack alone is well worth the price of admission. The use of "Good Thing" by Paul Revere and the Raiders was enough to earn the film a "Certifiably Cool" designation in my book.
Thanks for another thoroughly enjoyable post, dear friend BB. Take care of yourself and your fur babies and come see me at Shady's Place if you can. In my current post, I am wishing a dear old friend (a fellow Canadian) a happy birthday and hope you will extend b-day greetings to her as well.