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Oscars 2016 Fashion

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock (5599371dv) Kerry Washington 88th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, America - 28 Feb 2016
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock (5599371dv)
Kerry Washington
88th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, America – 28 Feb 2016

Kerry Washington

The star of ABC’s hit Scandal was one of the FEW high profile black actresses who didn’t boycott the Oscars this year (#OscarsSoWhite); however, at least one fashion critic said that this gown may actually be a sort of protest (noting that the leather top reminds the viewer of Beyonce’s Formation performance at the recent Super Bowl).  We know that a woman w/ Kerry’s figure and confidence can wear almost anything and pull it off, BUT this dress is NOT quite worthy of the red carpet.

 

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Rachel McAdams

Hmmm… I LOVE this color, but the Spotlight actress’ gown comes off as too skimpy (on the sides) and simple for the Oscars.  And that train could’ve been hazardous! 

 

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Cate Blanchett

We know that the star of Carol ALWAYS has interesting gowns (made by Armani), BUT the color is too light (for her complexion).  A few style experts commented that there is a BIT too much going on- feathers made into flowers AND the sparkly beading.  I thought it looked good from afar. 

 

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Rooney Mara

I liked the intricate leaf detail on this gown, BUT that’s about it.  The exposed stomach and the lower half of the dress are NOT working for her; but, the Carol actress is still young.  

 

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Charlotte Rampling

The 45 Years actress (who hails from England) was recently in the press for her controversial comments re: the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards.  However, you can’t deny her talent and beauty (though NOT conventional for Hollywood standards).  Rampling is tall, wiry, and has the type of face that commands attention (often rivaling her male co-stars).  You can see her in the 2nd season of UK series Broadchurch (now available on Netflix).  She recently turned 70, and this simple/conservative gown suited her well (esp. in close-up).

 

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Charlize Theron

I LOVED what one fashion expert said of this simple gown: “This is a case where fitness trumps fashion.”  It seems TOO simple for the Oscars, but the now 40 y.o. statuesque actress can wear anything and look fierce (as we saw in Mad Max: Fury Road).   

 

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Jennifer Lawrence

This is a GREAT dress- I esp. love the top!  Jennifer’s film Joy may NOT have been seen by a very wide audience, BUT this dress is spot on for the Oscars.

 

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Brie Larson

Everything about this gown is PERFECT- the cut, color, and embellishments!  Plus, she won Best Actress- the best accessory!

 

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Mindy Kaling

I saw this dress on Mindy’s Instagram, and it looked elegant.  One the red carpet, it comes off as too plain.  I like her simple hairdo and the makeup is great (as usual).  I LOVE how Mindy has created opportunities for herself in Hollywood- she’s obviously a hard worker and funny lady, BUT this is TOO serious of a gown.

 

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Priyanka Chopra

The star of ABC’s Quantico was the MOST Googled celeb of the night- WOW!  This dress looks FAB on the Indian actress; it reminded me of Halle Berry (back when she was a red carpet darling).  Recently, I reviewed Priyanka’s latest Bollywood film, Bajirao Mastani.

 

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Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Did you know this director now has 2 Oscars (for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness (2015) and Saving Face (2012)!?  I need to see these docs still.  Sharmeen is wearing a simple dress w/ a long, intricate jacket over it (she is Pakistani); at formal desi events all over the world, you will find styles similar to this one.  Her Oscar is the perfect accessory!

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

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NOTE: This review contains MILD SPOILERS. 

Five minutes into the movie, you were probably marveling, as I was, at the way production designer Colin Gibson created an entire civilization that looked (dys)functional to every last detail. (Gibson and his team also created the movie’s insane lineup of vehicles.)  -Detroit Free Press

I know what you’re thinking (esp. if a regular reader): Why did YOU watch this movie!?  It’s definitely NOT my type of film, BUT I heard several positive reviews (podcasts, radio,  online folks, etc.)  Also, I know almost nothing about the Mel Gibson films- played Max first.  I wanted to see Tom Hardy (who appeared in Wuthering Heights shown on PBS years back).  I  saw this reboot on HBO this past SAT, when the channel premiered it. 

In those days, we were far removed,  They’d ship everything over, so you’d get magazines like four months after they’d been released in the United States and Europe, so we were always quite a way behind the trends. But Kiwis are really innovative people, and we try to make up a lot of our own things.  -Lesley Vanderwalt (Hair & Makeup Designer)

The FIRST thing you will notice is the wild, wacky look of the film- TRULY like nothing I’d seen before!  As for ALL that sand- it was shot partly in the desert of Namibia.  The music is quite effective, and unusual.  Over time, you discover that Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) is the REAL lead of the story; she is seeking some sort of redemption after years of being the right-hand of the warlord, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne, an Australian veteran actor who also appeared in the original films).  Nicholas Hoult (a young Brit) does a fine job as a Nux, a formerly fanatical supporter (“War Boy”) who learns that there is MORE to life than fighting to get into “Valhalla” (Heaven).  

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Mad Max: Fury Road should be recognized for the ground it broke: slipping in a feminist, elaborately constructed world in a moment, and a genre, where those things are typically at odds.  -Katharine Cusumano (Bustle)

So, is this a feminist film (as MANY critics have commented)?  Well, that’s up to YOU to decide!  Max (the loner) helps Furiosa (a take-action gal w/ NO apologies) on her quest to get the wives of Immortan Joe (including Zoe Kravitz) to a place of safety.  There is NO romance between them, BUT a gradual growth of respect- how refreshing!  This film was mainly about world-building (Ali Mattu, a fan of this film, agreed w/ me on that); he replied (tweeted) that there will be sequels in the near future.  Even if you’re skeptical, give Fury Road a shot. 

Fun with Twitter: #WorstDateIn5Words

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https://twitter.com/julichilliard/status/545800582997741568

Fun with Twitter: #MuslimMovies

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Imran Siddiquee: How Hollywood Can Tell Better Love Stories

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NOTE: I recently learned that Imran is the son of one of my dad’s pals from since his childhood days at school in Chittagong. Dr. Siddiquee is a retired economist from the University of Illinois in Springfield.  He studied with my Uncle Shan-Shah (one of my dad’s younger brothers) both at high school in Chittagong and Jahanagirnagar University, Savar, and Dhaka.  Also, Dr. Siddiquee’s father was my dad’s high school teacher (Pahartali High School, Chittagong).  Wow, what a small world, especially for Bangladeshis (all over the world)!  You can follow Imran on Twitter.  Imran’s younger brother, Yusuf, is a musician.  Check out Yusuf’s music on Soundcloud.