The Academy Awards: Rissa’s Oscar Roundup

I watch the awards to see who’s wearing the most gorgeous dress, and who’s going to give the least boring and name-droppy acceptance speech. I rarely have seen all (if any) of the nominated movies, and I rarely care. It’s glitz, it’s glamour, and it’s unabashedly Hollywood. It’s Oscar Night. Here’s my take on the awards, with apologies for the delay.

Handsome and humorous actor George Clooney said, in his speech for accepting the Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as Bob Barnes in the movie Syriana:

“I would say that, you know, we are a little bit out of touch in Hollywood every once in a while. I think it’s probably a good thing. We’re the ones who talk about AIDS when it was just being whispered, and we talked about civil rights when it wasn’t really popular. And we, you know, we bring up subjects. This Academy, this group of people gave Hattie McDaniel an Oscar in 1939 when blacks were still sitting in the backs of theaters. I’m proud to be a part of this Academy. Proud to be part of this community, and proud to be out of touch.”

Reese Witherspoon, looking radiant in a vintage Christian Dior gown, posed happily with beaming husband Ryan Phillippe, also looking darn fine in his Ralph Lauren tux.

Reese, one of the actresses that my grandmother and I both think is one of Hollywood’s finest and classiest young women, won the Academy Award for Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her role as June Carter Cash in the outstanding film Walk the Line.

In another wonderful acceptance speech, Reese spoke emotionally and warmly about her family, her costar Joaquin Phoenix, and the real-life June Carter. In a sentiment to which I, and probably many people can relate, Reese said:

“People used to ask June how she was doing, and she used to say — ‘I’m just trying to matter.’ And I know what she means. You know, I’m just trying to matter, and live a good life and make work that means something to somebody.”

Jessica Alba was one of the presenters during the 78th Academy Awards telecast, and she looked amazing, as usual. She is shown here on the red carpet in her stunning, curve-hugging yet classic and understated Versace gown.

I am continually impressed with Alba’s commitment to the old-Hollywood style of glamour: to be beautiful and strikingly gorgeous, without going see-through or too skimpy on the red carpet.

Other “Best-Dressed” Nods Go To:

Steve Carrell, object of one of my perpetual crushes, shown here wearing a tux by John Varvatos.

Jennifer Garner, in full maternal glow following the birth of daughter Violet Ann (father is actor Ben Affleck), wearing a champagne-colored Michael Kors gown.

Kiera Knightley, enviously decadent in a Vera Wang gown, and simply dripping with jewels, courtesy of Bulgari.

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, wearing Dunhill and Vera Wang, respectively. Yes, Williams’ gown is approximately the same color as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, but the more I see it, the more I like it. Somehow, girl works it out, and makes cheese look fab.

Jennifer Lopez received some criticism for her choice of vintage Rita Watnick gown, with some fashion critics claiming the “goddess look” to be “over.”

If you can actually consistently pull-off looking like a goddess, how can that look ever be over?

My verdict: beautiful.

Charlize Theron should technically receive a nod for being almost best-dressed. I loved–adored–everything about her Christian Dior gown, from the color to the fit to the fabulous shape of the skirt, except for that obnoxious bow on her left shoulder.

It looks as though there was extra fabric left over, and it leaped up from the designer’s table and leeched itself onto an otherwise perfect dress and refused to let go. HATE the huge bow. Otherwise, she nailed the look.

Rachel Weisz, pregnant with her first child, shows off her maternal glow in a Narciso Rodriguez gown.

Weisz won the Award for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her role as Tessa Quayle in the movie The Constant Gardner.

And with Apperances Notable for Other Reasons:

Rap group Three6Mafia, who paraded down the red carpet wearing Armani, and later performed their song “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp” (from the movie Hustle & Flow) before a rather stunned Academy audience… who was left even more jaw-agape when the Mafia picked up the Academy Award for Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song).

Last, and certainly least, is the WORST DRESSED award, being handed without competition to Naomi Watts, who sported a Givenchy gown that, I’m assuming (and hoping), was intended to be a prank by the designer and was unfortunately worn in earnest by the actress. Even King Kong himself would have better fashion sense than this mess.