Tag Archives: Emma Stone

My Oscars 2024 Best Dressed!!!

It’s been ages since my last Best Dressed post, way back at the 2018 Met Gala! With some downtime on my hands, I couldn’t resist dishing out my top picks from the red carpet at today’s Oscars, so without further ado, here are my top 10 best dressed…

Past Lives actress Greta lee looks so chic, clean and elegant with this simple black look from Loewe! An absolute stunner!

Ariana Grande is in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture looking oh-so glorious! The Wicked star announced the winner for Best Original song!

Best Actress nominee Sandra Hüller looks absolutely smashing with this Schiaparelli creation!

America Ferrera donned a sparkling pink Versace gown as a tribute to Barbie. For her role in Barbie, America snatched her first Best Supporting Actress nomination! This really is a beautiful look from head to toe! 

Margot Robbie looks immaculate in this black sequined Versace gown. She may not have won anything earlier tonight, but she’s a winner in my book with this look! 

Emma Stone consistently dazzles on the red carpet, and this custom pale mint peplum gown from Louis Vuitton is simply flawless on her! She was dressed to win her second Oscar Best Actress throphy for Poor Things! Congratulations Emma!

Lupita Nyong’o announced the winner of the Best Supporting Actress award while wearing a powder blue silk embroidered gown by Giorgio Armani Privé, adorned with crystal beading. As usual, Lupita never disappoints!

Anya Taylor-Joy stuns in Dior with jewelry from Tiffany & Co. Just like Zendaya, Anya always knows how to work the red carpet! 

Carey Mulligan, who was up for best actress for Maestro, looks elegant in a black-and-white Balenciaga mermaid dress! One of my absolute favorites of the night! She’s everything!

As soon as Zendaya stepped onto the stage, two words came to my mind – luminous and ethereal! Her collaboration with her longtime stylist and friend, Law Roach, never disappoints. Zendaya stunned in an antique rose silk gown by Giorgio Armani Privé, perfectly complemented by elegant drop earrings, a ring, and bracelet from Bulgari. She’s truly a vision to behold! This might just be one of the most stunning looks to ever grace the Oscars red carpet!

Lemme know who your favorites are!

Oscars Winners 2024 — Predictions and Afterthought

I’ve accurately predicted 14 out of 23 categories, which comes out to about 60%. It’s not my lowest success rate over the past three years on Gold Derby, but it’s not my best either. I had a feeling I should have stuck with the winners of the precursor awards, but the Academy has a reputation for making unexpected choices sometimes. Overall, I’m quite content with the outcome. I really thought Lily would win Best Actress, but I also believe Emma was very much deserving of the recognition.

As for Best Original Song, I was particularly confident about “I’m Just Ken” because I feel that the Academy might go for something unexpected this year just to make noise. LOL

Wow, Poor Things overperformed! I was convinced Maestro had the makeup and hairstyling category locked down. Tough break, Bradley!

The Boy and the Heron taking the win is just fantastic news! I was on the edge of my seat, especially considering the strong campaign for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Seeing Hayao Miyazaki come out on top is truly gratifying.

A big round of applause for Godzilla Minus One as well! What a tremendous victory for Japan! Perfect Days should’ve won, tbh, but to each his own. 


Here are the the winners:

Best Picture – Oppenheimer

Best Director
Christopher Nolan — Oppenheimer

Best Actor
Cillian Murphy — Oppenheimer

Best Actress
Emma Stone — Poor Things

(I predicted Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon)

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Downey Jr. — Oppenheimer

Best Supporting Actress
Da’Vine Joy Randolph — The Holdovers

Best Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction

(I predicted Oppenheimer to get this)

Best Original Screenplay
Anatomy of a Fall

(I predicted The Holdovers to win this one)

Best Visual Effects
Godzilla Minus One

Best Costume Design
Poor Things

(I had Barbie here)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Poor Things

(I predicted Maestro here)

Best Cinematography
Oppenheimer

Best Production Design
Poor Things

Best Sound
The Zone of Interest

Best Film Editing
Oppenheimer

Best Original Score
Oppenheimer

Best Original Song
“What Was I Made For” — Barbie

(Tsk. I should have stuck with Billie here. I predicted I’m Just Ken to pull an upset instead)

Best Animated Short Film
War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko

(I predicted Letter to a Pig)

Best Live-Action Short Film
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Best Documentary Short Film
The Last Repair Shop

(I predicted The ABCs of Book Banning)

Best Documentary Feature Film
20 Days in Mariupol

Best International Feature Film
The Zone of Interest

Best Animated Feature Film
The Boy and the Heron

Review: Poor Things (2023)

Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing.

I’ve heard a lot of things about this film, and one of them is that it’s too graphic, so I was somewhat prepared but still found myself occasionally taken aback. Personally, I’m not keen on excessive sex scenes in non-pornographic films, haha, so the abundance of that here was quite WOW.

Setting that aside, which admittedly was difficult, I found the film pretty engaging. It delves into themes of learning, female empowerment, and the journey to adulthood in a captivating and multifaceted manner. Its narrative, both heartfelt and eccentric, explores the essence of adventure, self-discovery, and the profound significance of life’s journey.

The performances by Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe are truly outstanding. Stone, particularly in her role as Bella, portrays a captivating journey of self-discovery and growth. Her character’s evolution and assertion of her desires are depicted with remarkable authenticity, showcasing Stone’s talent for capturing the essence of seizing control over one’s destiny.

The production design is impressive, with top-notch cinematography and costume design adding depth to the film’s visual appeal.

In summary, Poor Things is an inventive, visually stunning, and genuinely amusing film. I’m not sure if I will be rewatching it anytime soon, but it’s definitely an experience.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone
Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael

Film Review: La La Land (2016)

la-la-land-posterSo how do I even start with this one without spoiling it too much for you guys? I’ve been meaning to write a review after watching it last weekend but I’m still at that point where I’m trying to digest every scene, every moment of Mia and Sebastian together and everything that makes it one of the best films from last year.

Okay, so let’s start with the stars of the film.

emma-stoneEmma Stone here is flawless. There’s nothing I’d change about her in this film. It’s like watching a beauty pageant contestant on stage performing flawlessly for her audience to win the crown. Emma plays a ‘struggling’ actress here who knows that she’s destined to play A-lister roles for the camera and her struggles to make it into the city of stars is so transparent in her luminous depiction which I’m pretty sure will resonate with everyone of us dreaming – maybe not of the same thing – to be that something or someone.

Ryan Gosling meanwhile plays a passionate Jazz musician whose dream is to own a Jazz club in order to keep the musical genre alive. It all sounds very simple but in context it is a rather heartbreaking realization that indeed, jazz is dying and we need the likes of Sebastian in the real world to save it! Ryan played his role so
convincingly – playing the piano and dancing with vigor – that you’d fall in love with him all over again the way you fell for Noah in the Notebook. Ryan Gosling here without question cemented his status as a true ARTIST.

ryan-gosling

As for the story, it reminded me a bit of Satine and Christian’s love affair in Moulin Rouge what with both of them chasing their dreams and having to sacrifice love in the process.

There’s nothing extraordinarily new in it but there’s that surprising element of the storyline’s effectiveness. The storytelling will affect you. It will make you contemplate about your abandoned dreams and will make you weep at some point. I know I did and I cannot really explain why it affected me so much. Isn’t that crazy?

emma-and-ryan

Perhaps, I was thinking of all the things we really have to let go in life in order for us to achieve something? I was asking myself tho, how worth is it to sacrifice one precious thing in exchange of similarly precious something? How do you weigh things out? I warned you that this may contain spoilers but there’s a lot of things to think about in this film – things that will make you stop, wander, and look back. Well, aside from the fantastic song and dance numbers, this film is just up there which will make you think that sometimes in life, we just have to keep dreaming. It’s free anyway!

Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars!

2015 Oscars Best Dressed Goes To…

The ceremony is currently on going but we’ve seen ’em beautiful dresses in the red carpet… let me just present to you my best dressed celebs for this year’s biggest night in Hollywood…

The refine beauty of Emma Stone is off the charts in this long-sleeved mint green Elie Saab gown ! She nailed it from head to toe! Easy A!Emma Stone

Gywneth Paltrow does not know how not to work the red carpet with her penchant for subdued colors with gritty details – you gotta admit though, it works all the time! Here, she’s sporting a custom made gown from Ralph & Russo with a decidedly massive rose on the left shoulder. Glamazing!Gwyneth Paltrow

Julianne Moore showed off a custom made Karl Lagerfeld-designed gown by Chanel. Looking etherally beautiful in white, this strapless gown with Chopra jewels apparently took 927 hours to look this way! That is serious working hours but definitely worth it!Julianne Moore

Reese Witherspoon wears Tom Ford and was looking like an old-school Hollywood star! Shining through, shining through!Reese Witherspoon

Class personified. The 19x Oscar nominated actress arrived at the red carpet wearing a custom made Lanvin creation by Alber Elbaz – not too risky, not too grand. Just something befitted for someone like THE Meryl Streep.Meryl Streep

pictures via hollywoodlife

2015 Golden Globe Awards Best Dressed!

I didn’t realize  my last “Best Dressed post” was during the Oscars in 2013 and 2012 for the Golden Globes. This year though with a barrage of woman-filled flicks and TV shows nominated for the ‘Globes – we’ve a chance to check out lots of ’em working the red carpet. So these are my 72nd Golden Globe Awards Top 10 Best Dressed ladies!

This Lavin jumpsuit made Emma Stone ultra cool but perhaps a wee bit casual for the occasion but damn...

This Lavin jumpsuit made Emma Stone ultra cool but perhaps a wee bit casual for the occasion but damn…

Amy Adams working the curves in the purple-hue Versace! Double winner!

Amy Adams working the curves in the purple-hue Versace! Double winner!

This custom made couture from Givenchy makes Julianne Moore a double winner for me as well!

This custom made couture from Givenchy makes Julianne Moore a double winner for me as well!

Dame Helen Mirren can do no wrong in this Dolce & Gabbana number. Speaking of royal sophistication..

Dame Helen Mirren can do no wrong in this Dolce & Gabbana number. Speaking of royal sophistication..

Another Versace number made Kate Hudson the goddess in white!

Another Versace number made Kate Hudson the goddess in white!

Here's Reese Witherspoon still stealing the red carpet in a sparkling off-white Calvin Klein.

Here’s Reese Witherspoon still stealing the red carpet in a sparkling off-white Calvin Klein.

"Into The Woods" star Anna Kendrick looking so majestic in a sheer tulle Monique Lhuillier creation!

“Into The Woods” star Anna Kendrick looking so majestic in a sheer tulle Monique Lhuillier creation!

And my Top 3 are…

Heidi Klum looking glorious in a red Versace number. Cmon' doesn't she age at all? Just WOW.

Heidi Klum looking glorious in a red Versace number. Cmon’ doesn’t she age at all? Just WOW.

In a scene-stealing yellow KaufmanFranco strapless gown, Leslie Mann clearly knows how to get attention - for the right reason!

In a scene-stealing yellow KaufmanFranco strapless gown, Leslie Mann clearly knows how to get attention – for the right reason!

"A Most Violent Year" star Jessica Chastain will always be a favorite of mine in the red carpet. This girl knows her fashion!!!  She may have lost the 'Globes this year but she's owning the red carpet big time in this Atelier Versace number! Bravo!

“A Most Violent Year” star Jessica Chastain will always be a favorite of mine in the red carpet. This girl knows her fashion!!! She may have lost the ‘Globes this year but she’s owning the red carpet big time in this Atelier Versace number! Bravo!

photos via Huffington Post / AP

Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

via wikipedia

via wikipedia

Continuing the highly successful reboot of the iconic superhero franchise – the sequel of 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man saw Peter Parker’s (Andrew Garfield) childhood after being orphaned by his parents and was left to the care of his aunt and uncle. He also ended her relationship with Gwen (Emma Stone) to keep her safe.
Here we see Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) becoming the CEO of Oscorp after his father Norman (Chris Cooper) died. We also have Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) whom Peter saved once and became obsessed with our superhero. Somehow, it stopped there. It’s too boxed for a sequel going around Peter and Gwen’s relationship to the impending attack of Max and Harry. The plot wasn’t much and it was too damn long if I’m being honest (it’s over two hours.)

The one thing that I liked about it is the way they humanized Peter Parker (almost the same way Clak Kent felt vulnerably close to the audience in Man Of Steel). I’ve to admit though that I’m not really digging Andrew Garfield as spidey (or perhaps I’m just unfairly comparing him with Tobey Maguire) but he’s okay I guess. He’s got this charming thing about him. Emma Stone of the other hand was LOVE. (I’m truly biased LOL) I just loved this girl. But hey, adoration aside – Gwen’s character isn’t much that it’s almost comical to think about her but you see, she’s very easy in the eye (Emma that is).

Did anyone thought how creepy DeHaan was as Harry? I think the word’s sinister but not than much. I don’t know what to make of him. I almost wished that James Franco’s brother took over the role. But being in between creepy and sinister could be a good thing right? Foxx’s character though, was simply out of place. It’s just lacking any back story and was just a poor excuse to abuse it’s CGI potentials.

In the scope of things, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was an improvement from its predecessor. It was something a non-Spider-man fan would “perhaps” appreciate although I’m not really sure if they’d be patient enough to sit through it till the end.

Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Felicity Jones, Campbell Scott, Sally Field
Rating: 6.5/10

similar review posted at the 2014 Pinoy Exchange Movie Challenge.

My 2012 Oscars Best Dressed!

Another night of glamour came upon us as the stars of the good ‘ol Hollywood took the red carpet by storm in this year’s Academy Awards! Here are my Top 10 Choices for this year’s Oscars….

10th Place goes to my favorite Emma Stone in a fuchsia Giambattista Valli gown and Louis Vuitton jewels! The Help star never fails to impress me and this time, it ain’t the ultimate dress but she made the top 10! Congrats bb…

9th. Possible Best Actress winner and Emma Stone’s co-star  Viola Davis is wearing an emerald green Vera Wang creation and she’s not wearing any weave! Girl.is.rocking.it! Bravo to you Viola!

8th. Jennifer Lopez can do no wrong with this champagne strap Zuhair Murad dress with a peek-a-boo sleeves! Welcome back to the list ‘ma!

7th. The girl with the dragon tattoo Rooney Mara is still as shy as her character and it’s working on the red carpet! I love her in this white sculptured Givenchy Haute Couture floor length gown.

6th. Let’s face it, Angelina’s the closest thing to perfection! In this Versace dress, LaJolie’s A+ power and stature is undeniable!

5th. This is the 2nd year of Jessica on my list and she’s doing really great! She’s nominated tonight for The Help she’s wearing this amazing hand-embroidered Alexander McQueen gown. She looks exsquisite this lady!

4th. George Clooney’s lady love stole the show by showing up in a gold Marchesa gown. Girl look so godly she’s untouchable!

3rd. I’m not really a fan of Michelle William’s pixie hair cut so I tend to ignore her from the past awards season but tonight is different! She’s glowing and channeling Marilyn Monroe’s sheer elegance and beauty in this Louis Vuitton red peplum gown!

2nd.  Milla Jovovich is wearing a one-shoulder Elie  Saab couture with matching retro hair and red lips! This is how a kick-ass red carpet should look like!

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

ULTIMATE BEST DRESSED

Gwyneth Paltrow

The Oscar winning Actress is wearing this white  dress number from Tom Ford’s Fall 2012 Collection and she looked ethereally beautiful!  I’m totally speechless!


photos via zimbio

2012 SAG Awards Best Dressed!

Here we are again giving out the honors for our Best Dressed List in this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards! First off, I just want to say how crazy beautiful our top 10 for this year are and it’s just way too difficult to choose the Ultimate Best Dressed  but I think we’d get it covered by the time we finish this post!

10. I’m quite a big fan of Glee’s Dianna Agron‘s beauty and this ruffled Carolina Herrera dress looked so feminine as ever in her! I just love it!

9. The Big Bang Theory starlet Kaley Cuoco in a strapless mint Romona Keveza gown – she just look amazing in this number!

8. I usually don’t care about Ashlee Simpson eversince her SNL fiasco but this Jenny Packham number is undeniably pretty! Good job this time little Miss Simpson!

7. I love muted colors and Julianna Margulies very much carry this Calvin Klein dress with just the right elegance! Bravo!

6. Emma Stone’s my number pick during the Golden Globes and this time, she’s almost halfway there with this Alexander McQueen’s dress that screams 50’s! I love her style!!!!

 5. Sofia Vergara – it’s not as epic as her Vera Wang dress at the Globes, Sofia still brings magic to this Marchesa gown that elongates her perfect body even more!

4. Jessica Chastain in a cerulian blue Calvin Klein blue stood out from the crowd the second time around after her Givenchy number at the Globe! Well done Jess!

3. Rose Byrne was just incredible tonight in this Elie Saab dress while sporting a bob! You got me Rose!

 2. I’d really love to give it to Viola Davis  but she already won the biggie so she’d settle for second this time!!! Her white chiffon Marchesa dress looked fab!!!

and the ultimate best dressed of the night goes to none other than…

the uber-talented and red carpet diva Lea Michele! This uber-sexy Versace number from Lea just sealed her spot as the ultimate diva in the red carpet! Well done hun’ !!!!!

photos via zimbio

2012 Golden Globe Awards Best Dressed!

Here we are again honoring the best of the best in the red carpet in of the major award giving bodies to happen! Yay! So who took home our most coveted title? Here are our top 5 picks and special mentions!

We don’t need “The Help” of anyone to figure out the best dressed of the night! This Lanvin ensemble is simply to die for! I’m giving an Easy A for you Emma!

Now this has got to be my personal favorite Givenchy gowns in a while! This beaded gown made Jessica Chastain looked like an ethereal goddes! Hail!

The nominated actress Rooney Mara wore a black Nina Ricci gown with matching Fred Leighton jewels and the ensemble simply made her perfect!

 The winning actress wore a black and white J. Mendel dress that made Miss Danes looked like an old-school super classy hollywood a-lister!

Sofia’s one lovely and infectious bombshell! We just love her! This Vera Wang gown is no exception! Girl is rocking it Ssssss….

Tilda Swinton

Evan Rachel Wood

Helen Mirren

Nancy O’Dell

Maria Menounos

pictures via zimbio