And The Oscar Goes To....

(Via oscars2015live.com)

Well... it's over. Sunday marked the close of my favorite time of year. I'm not talking about the Holidays or the winter time season; no, I am referring to.... awards season. That's right, the 87th Annual Academy Awards brought to a close the rat race that is Hollywood's biggest time of year. No more glitz, no more glam, no more red carpet shenanigans. Now all we can do is wait. Wait until next year to see who the front runners are. To see who SHOULD win, and who WILL win. The upsets, the surprises...

But for now we can just bask in the memory of what has come to pass. And in case you missed it, (or got bored of the 3 hour telecast) here are some highlights to get you through until the next go around. Enjoy. 

JK Simmons win for Whiplash.

I have yet to see this film, but the trailer makes it look fantastic (and he looks terrifying). JK was the favorite to win and his speech was so touching. Not your typical, "I'd like to thank the Academy." speech. (Which he did) Instead he reminds us all to "Call your parents. Tell them you love them." Awww.

Neil Patrick Harris is no Ellen, but he still brought it. 

Oh yeah, he brought it. Case in point, the huge opening number which featured my girl Anna Kendrick. (eeeekkk!) From a Birdman one shot underwear bit, to (intentionally?) mispronouncing presenters names, NPH still brought the laughs. Despite what the declining ratings may say, he was no where near a disappointment.

(Via OSCARS87)

Go home Uncle John, you're drunk.

John Travolta was being all sorts of creepy on Sunday. It all started with his encounter with ScarJo on the red carpet, (she is clearly NOT amused...) and then it got real awkward with the face touching of Adele Dazeem (Idina Menzel) when they presented together. It was clear he was not in his element. 

(Image via dailymail.co.uk)

(Via Jake kewl)

Everything IS awesome.

It may not have won any awards, but "Everything is Awesome" from the Lego Movie sure put on a fantastic show. Nominated for Best Original Song, sister duo Tegan and Sara brought the house down with such cast of characters as break-dancing construction workers, a possum, confetti, and Batman. The entertaining musical set even gave out Lego Oscars to the crowd. (P.S. How can I get my hands on one??) Needless to say, they made it awesome. 

(Via SkyNewsAustralia) 

Eddie Redmayne wins for Best Actor.

To be honest, Eddie's portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the Theory of Everything was amazing. His Oscar win was completely deserved (Sorry, Michael Keaton), even Kanye can't argue with Eddie's heartbreaking, and heartfelt performance. 

(Via World Viral Video)

Stay weird Graham Moore. Stay weird. 

The most moving speech of the night came from Graham Moore. Who is Graham Moore you ask? I didn't know until Sunday either... I had no idea the speech for Best Adapted Screenplay could be so poignant. His message was strong, his delivery was powerful, and it even garnered a standing ovation from the crowd. My hat is off to you, sir. 

(Via Newsworld)

Lady Gaga made me want to climb ALL the mountains.

When I heard Mother Monster was going to be performing at the Academy Awards, I was skeptical. (She's not going to come on stage in a meat dress is she...?) When she emerged to sing a montage of Sound of Music songs, for a brief moment, I was mortified! That is until she opened her mouth. I know, I know, Gaga is a trained vocalist...I know, I know, she put out a great album with the one and only Tony Bennett... But I was still quite concerned she was going to butcher one of my all time favorite movies. But man oh man, that girl can SING! Like amazingly sing. If you didn't get to see her performance, you won't be disappointed.

(Via gAGAClub)

John Legend and Common brought down the house.

Many say Selma was snubbed this award season for lack of nominations, but one nomination (and win) that was completely deserved was for Best Original Song. Glory, written and performed by John Legend and Common, is more than a song, it is an anthem. All I have to say is, this song is incredibly powerful and the performance was out of this world. It not only brought the audience to their feet, but brought tears to the eyes of many.

(Via Oscars Live Video HD)

In closing, I am sad it's over, but it is time to move on. I will miss you award season, but you are never too far away. Until we meet again, Oscar... until we meet again. 

Once again, in case you missed it, here are some equally awesome moments from the night. 

#Askhermore campaign.

(Photo via hellogiggles.com)

All I have to say is, thank you! 


Emma Stone's perfectly timed Lego Oscar.

(Image via vulture.com)

You'll always be a winner in our hearts, Emma!

Saddest Oscar moment of the night.

(Via mrstacey)

Michael Keaton puts away his acceptance speech when Eddie wins. You'll get them next time, Birdman. 


Julianne Moore FINALLY wins an Oscar!!

(Image via eonline.com)

She's awesome and it's about time. End of story. 

American Idol who?

(Image via eonline.com)

Jennifer Hudson proves she doesn't need American Idol. Just show them your Oscar JHud. You go Glen Coco. 



Patricia Arquette wants equal pay for women. And who can blame her. 

(Image via funnyordie.com)

Patricia Arquette's acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress was gracious, lovely, and brought to light an injustice. Meryl and Jo Lo seem to be on board.

Sundance Isn't Just for Movies.

Having lived in Utah almost all of my life, I don't think I really understood the hype that is Sundance. It was always something I had heard about, even ventured out to Park City a few times to see what the fuss was about. (Keep in mind my Sundance adventures were usually at night towards the end of the festival. So literally nothing and no one was there. Shame.)

But in recent years I have started to pay more attention. (How many Sundance movies was Anna Kendrick in last year?? I must see them all!) So this year, a few days before the festival began, a friend of mine asked me a very simple question. "Sundance?" My reply, "I'm so there it's insane."

So we grabbed out boots and coats and ventured to PC. What we saw there we were not expecting. ($60 for parking? Are you serious??) We cruised Main Street (at a whopping 0-5 mph) and took it all in. The clear mountain air, the crowd of eager celebrity stalkers, the too cool for school attitude of most of the media. It was majestic. We parked, (at a much more reasonably priced establishment,) and trekked over to the main event. 

Our main goal this trip was to see high profile celebrities. (Or even low profile celebrities really.) (Isn't that why most people go to Sundance? Wait... You mean they screen movies there too?!?...) I'll admit, I am fascinated (to an extent) by celebrities. But mostly the behind the scenes aspects of the entertainment industry is what really catches my eye. (The casting process, the production, editing, etc. etc.) 

Every club was for VIP's, (what do you mean we have to have credentials?) so besides walking up and down Main Street and getting free yogurt and protein bars, our adventure was far from being adventurous. That is until we hit the mother load. 

We found it. The tent that housed all of our hopes and dreams. The white tent of happiness. It was... The interview tent. The place our beloved celebrities came near and far to enter. Mecca if you will. 

This is where the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Winona Ryder would flock. We knew there had to be a reason people were congregating in that area. So we decided to join the crowd of onlookers, so we stopped and we waited. And waited... And waited... Keeping our senses peaked and our eyes peeled. Scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Nothing. 

It took a little bit of time, (and some skepticism on my part), but it happened, our first sighting of the day. The one and only Connie Britton emerged into the glorious Park City air. That's right, Tami Taylor in the flesh. While I was as giddy as a school girl about seeing one of my favorite TV moms in the flesh, I didn't want to be "that girl" who freaked out when she saw celebrities, so I didn't snap a pic. I tried to play it too cool for school, and immediately regretted my decision. I love Tami Taylor. Like I LOVE HER. Why oh why was now the time that I chose to listen to my pride?? 

Oh Connie, so close, yet so far away!

After the Tami Taylor/Connie Britton incident, I quickly forgot about what little pride I actually had when Keanu Reeves and Molly Shannon graced us with their presence. Cut to myself quoting Speed and Superstar... 

Molly.

Keanu.

Oh and who is that you see? Why Jason Sudeikis! Followed by Kevin Bacon and Kera Sedgwick. (THE BACON!) My brain was on overload. They were all really here. This is real life. I couldn't believe it. We were still reeling from our celebrity success when it happened.

Jason.

Bacon. 

He emerged.(After a little bit of waiting and a little bit of frostbite brought on by freezing temperatures.) It was almost like I could hear angels sing (or those angels could have been screaming girls... it's still a little hazy.) THE Chris Pine. Captain Kirk. Prince Charming. My imaginary husband had finally arrived.

My future husband. 

Sure he didn't stop and say anything to his adoring fans, he was clearly a man on a mission (as Captain Kirk always seems to be), but he did what any Prince Charming would do, and blew us all a kiss. I may have had to share it with a hundred other screaming onlookers, but I know it was meant just for me. I could feel it. Our connection was real. 

And just as quickly as it had happened, it ended. That was that. Chris entered the tent and we went about our way. While our fake relationship will last lifetimes, our real relationship was over. 

After my Chris Pine heartbreak, our Sundance experience was over. We walked back to our car, revived our frozen feet, and headed home. All in all it was a successful outing. We may not have gotten into any clubs, or seen any movies, but we had seen our fair share of stars. One day I will be able to tell mine and Chris Pines imaginary kids about the day that we almost met. It will be magical. 

While this year was mildly successful, next year I will be more prepared, I will have a flawless game plan. Or, it is possible, next year may play out the same way as this year. And you know what? I would be completely ok with it. Until we meet again Sundance. Until we meet again. 

Me and Tiff hitting Main Street.