Oscars makeup 2011

Oscars makeup is always the most exciting - High fashion gowns that on the catwalk were invariably twinned with extravagant stylised makeup, now seen in a glamorous but real context. This year's makeup choices were as usual mostly within the confines of classic and natural, but thankfully the trend for true nude makeup was replaced by an abundance of smokey eyes in various shades. The absolute winner was Scarlette Johansson (in Dolce & Gabanna): the clashing orange eyes, dishevelled hair and burgundy purple dress worked in perfect (dis)harmony. The dress itself toyed between matronly doily lace and seductive cut-outs. The effect combined created a refreshing, modern twist on a classic. The eyes and hair made certain that she looked young and confident - the attributes most lusted after at these huge events.

There were a few other purple gowns in sight, and Natalie Portman came a very close second in her deep purple Rodarte gown and matching shoes, matching earrings and matching little bag (she does loves to match!) The rich shade really suited her olive complexion, and teamed with an aubergine smokey eye and purple toned blusher, her petite features were enhanced to their utmost.

Hilary Swank, who got it so wrong last year, chose a more resplendent gown, but the lack of jewellery and makeup really undermined her choice. With long earrings and a red lip or dark smoky eyes, this would have been exquisite.

Sandra Bullock, the woman of the hour last year, and notorious victim of the "Oscar curse" wore a defiant column of red, with a bright red matching lip and bag. Kudos to her for attending in a bold and lively outfit, rather than a mournful black remembrance dress.

Gwyneth Paltrow stuck to her reliable gold slinky numbers, and middle parted straight hair. Something about her face has changed recently but I am not sure what... However she looked reliably sleek and her Oscars Calvin Klein dress highlighted her enviable physique. The cool toned gold sheen was offset by the effortless hair and makeup. Heavy makeup and gold dress would inevitably become old fashioned, so it was perfectly pitched. Gwyneth rarely gets it wrong.

There were, of course, those who chose to look as natural and unpolished as possible. Halle Berry has been universally upheld as one of the best dressed. I thought, like Demi Moore last year, that the nude fairy wisp gowns should be left to those under 35. I know this is harsh, especially in a celebrity landscape which for the first time, is riddled with over 40+ screen sirens on every magazine cover [a good thing of course, especially as people's life expectancy gets longer, and women have no desire to give up their rights to attractiveness at nature's appointed moments.] And yet, I do think a sense of austerity should be consulted once one is no longer a young starlet. Either in the form of a nod to bold makeup, or a deeper coloured gown, or even a big necklace. I think the pixie cut is wonderful on her though!

Helen Mirren once again chose a brilliant dress. Her pixie haircut is an inspired move, and coupled with the dashing Vivien Westwood gown and the natural makeup and diamonds, looked superb.

Cate Blanchett and Michelle Williams also went for very angelic natural makeup. I think Cate has indeed made that her trademark - and with her unusual features, it works well. She doesn't need to rely on interesting makeup to look stylish. I am trying very hard to like her dress, as she wears it with such panache, but somehow that 'bib' just prevents me from praise. Michelle William's Chanel gown on the other hand, is easily my favourite of the night. It is equal parts elegant, uncomplicated and graceful. Her pixie haircut is yet another example of how flattering this style can be.

Making that Dior backwards tuxedo a distant memory, Celine Dion looked fabulous. Warm toned smoky eye makeup and nude lips meant the simple dress and her trim figure were the centre of attention.

Sharon Stone looked rather too sombre in draped black gown with 80s style bouffant and red lip, but there's no denying that she always looks her best.

Reese Witherspoon channeled the same style hair but her 60s dark eyes and nude lip, as well as the simplicity of the gown, kept it crisp.

Joan Collins apparently ended up in hosital due to the tightness of this dress. It is not hard to imagine, fitting into that is quite a feat! However I applaud this resilience. Admitting defeat and plumping for a demure gown and nude makeup is not as impressive as looking to Dynasty for your inspiration. Joan is dressing her age, but in a traditional way - indulgently embracing sumptuous overbearing glamour.

Madonna, on the other hand, is quite a confusing prospect. This is hampered further by her daughter - who looks inevitably sheepish next to her exhibitionist companion. Madonna's makeup is perfect - it always is (even if her face has been twisted and pinched) but the lace leotard was a gamble too far.

Tori Spelling probably had a bit too much makeup on, but I loved the combination of unapologetic makeup and glitzy dress. And thanks to the conservative cut, it didn't look overdone.

Hayden Panettiere revealed that she definitely suits a dark vampy lip. The dress was edgy yet still unmistakably grecian inspired.

Kim Kardashian did what she does best (no, not that!) and squeezed herself into a curvy dress. Her makeup suits her, it is heavy but it is always flawless. Her nose seems smaller than ever, but I am sure that is ahem, just makeup.

Kelly Osbourne has lost so much weight, and although she will never be winning any beauty contests, she looked the best ever. The light hair and pink lip ought to be her signature. She plays around with her image so much that it would be good to see her ease into a semblance of a signature look. This is such a pretty look:

Jennifer Hudson has also lost so much weight and looks amazing. The vibrancy of the dress and the glossy lips make her look so glowing. And even if she falls into the trap that so many women who lose weight do (ill fitting clothes that are just fractionally optimistically small) it still was one of the best looks of the night.

And the surprise of the night has to reluctantly be awarded to Jordan / Katie Price. Her hair suits her better blonde, and her makeup was beautiful. The dress was not quite within the realms of vulgar, either. Top marks!

PS. I didn't feature Anne Hathaway's makeup as it was too straightforward. I liked it though. You can read all about it

Actors and historical characters

Actors and historical characters

Actors and historical characters. We’re all intrigued by the lives of history’s most famous people, and so is Hollywood. John Travolta is the latest star to take on a historical role as a notorious American mobster. Check out this list of actors and actresses who dared to imitate real-life characters.

John Travolta

The former greaser won’t have to extend his acting range much to inhabit the character of a man nicknamed “Dapper Don” Gotti, not to mention the most powerful crime boss in America during the 1980s.

Johnny Depp

In 2009, Depp captivated audiences when he played a Depression-era gangster who rose to “Public Enemy No. 1” status for his dozens of bank heists.

Cate Blanchett

Sixteenth-century England was the setting for this 2007 film, in which Cate Blanchett depicts the rise of a young queen. The film earned the actress international attention and lead to many major movie parts.

Elizabeth Taylor

In this 1963 classic, Elizabeth Taylor was said to be completely immersed in the role of the alluring Queen of Egypt that many said she was born to play. Though, the $44 million dollar film nearly bankrupt the studio.

Joaquin Phoenix

Phoenix portrays a troubled and legendary country singer in this biopic. Did he actually sing those famous tunes? Watch his famous prison performance.

Meryl Streep

In the City of Light with her husband in the 1950s, Streep’s boisterous character struggles to find something useful to do. After a go at hat-making and bridge, she stumbles upon a vocation that changes the eating strategies of millions of Americans.

Tom Hanks

The year is 1970, the mission is dangerous, and an unlucky number seems to be sending three men to their demise in outer space. It’s a story of survival, heroism, and faith and Hanks shines as the captain.

Robert Redford

Jason Robards and Hal Holbrook played alongside Redford as a crusading reporter in this riveting drama set in the nation’s capital. This true story had all the makings of box office gold: crooks, cold trails and a mysterious whistle blower.

David Strathairn

Strathairn played a crusading broadcast journalist in the 1950s whose series of TV news reports lead to the censure of a certain Wisconsin senator . The film was written by a Hollywood leading man.

Helen Mirren

As the monarch the Commonwealth realms, Mirren’s character refuses to honor the death of her son’s very popular ex-wife. The resulting turmoil causes friction with a politician played by Michael Sheen.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his moving portrayal of a singing legend who suffered an impairment since the age of 7. Listen to one of his most famous songs.

Henry Fonda

An American director famous for his westerns directed Fonda in this tale of a future president’s salad days in an Illinois city.

Kirk Douglas

Douglas won a Golden Globe for this 1956 biopic of one of the world’s most talented–and impoverished–artists. It’s directed by the father of a famous female singer and actress

James Stewart

A famous American director both wrote and directed this 1957 film about one of aviation’s greatest heroes. Stewart’s character had a fitting nickname.

George C. Scott

Francis Ford Coppola had a hand in crafting the story behind this 1970 classic, in which Scott portrayed a World War II Army officer. Much of it was set in the second-largest continent.

Anthony Hopkins

A legendary scandal brought down the embattled 37th President of the United States, portrayed by Hopkins in this 1995 film, which was nominated for four Oscars.

Denzel Washington

In an Oscar-nominated role directed by Spike Lee, Washington plays a troubled youth who becomes a controversial human rights leader, and later assumes the name El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz.

Robert Downey, Jr.

This 1992 movie also starred Anthony Hopkins, Dan Aykroyd and Kevin Kline, who played one of the most famous actors of his day. A blood relative of the tragicomic figure Downey portrayed was also included.

Madonna

Andrew Lloyd Webber won an Oscar for best original song in this 1996 musical about the famous wife of an Argentinian president, played by Madonna

Sean Penn

Penn won the top acting prize for his role as the first openly gay man elected top public office in this 2008 biopic.

Hiroshima Photographs Attempt To Measure Damage

 
What can a suitcase, found in a pile of garbage, tell us about Hiroshima and its legacy?
The suitcase was found eleven years ago by a man who was out taking his dog for a walk in Watertown, Massachusetts. Inside were 700 photographs of post-bomb Hiroshima. The images depict an annihilated city: twisted girders, imploded buildings, miles of rubble. This was the original Ground Zero, a term first used in 1946 to describe the epicenter of the blast.
1946 was also the same year that the writer Mary McCarthy called our understanding of Hiroshima "a kind of hole in human history."
Since then, accounts by survivors of the bombing have been published, documentaries have been produced and historians have fiercely debated the decision of why the bomb was dropped in the first place.
And yet the photographic record of what took place in Hiroshima has long been absent. Our lack of visual evidence of the atom bomb's effect has helped us to deny its devastating impact.

S&P rating downgrade: FAQ

 
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Credit rating agency Standard and Poor's made good on its saber-rattling on Friday, and downgraded U.S. debt.
The move is unprecedented -- and the effects unclear.
So what exactly is going on here?
Rating agencies -- S&P, Moody's and Fitch -- analyze risk and give debt a "grade" that reflects the borrower's ability to pay the underlying loans. The safest bets are stamped AAA. That's where U.S. debt has stood for years.
Moody's first assigned the United States a AAA rating in 1917. The country's new S&P rating is AA+ -- still strong, but not the highest.
The downgrade puts the U.S. debt rating on par with that of Belgium, but below countries like the United Kingdom and Australia.
Why did this happen now? S&P gave two primary reasons for downgrading U.S. debt: The nation's fiscal path and its broken political system.
The agency has been harping on those two issues for months. S&P argues that the U.S. debt-to-GDP trajectory is unsustainable, and that the politics involved are so caustic that lawmakers are unable to make the tough choices needed to correct the problem.
During the debt ceiling debate, lawmakers blew their big chance to make a difference.
To avoid a downgrade, S&P said the United States needed to not only raise the debt ceiling, but also develop a "credible" plan to tackle the nation's long-term debt.
The agency has indicated it preferred a deal that would have reduced deficits by $4 trillion over ten years. Instead, lawmakers settled for a measure that will cut only $2.5 trillion.
What does a downgrade mean for my finances? Well, it's tough to say. Remember, this has never happened before to the United States.
And it doesn't necessarily mean disaster for your money. The United States has not been downgraded to "junk" status, like say, Greece. The rating is still very high -- just not tops.
Bottom line -- it's not going to help matters, especially with the economy already in a soft patch.
Some reaction is expected in the stock market. Major indexes around the world were battered last week, and a downgrade can only increase uncertainty and fear.
It's unclear how the Treasury market will react. Some experts think yields could spike -- and that could impact consumers by leading to rate hikes on items like car loans, mortgages and student loans.
But others predict investors will shrug off the downgrade. Why? Because the U.S. fiscal situation is well known, and S&P is not basing its rating on any information that is not already available.