Styles & Scenes

Santa Barbara gets awards happy

Last year the Santa Barbara International Film Festival was the best place to see Oscar nominees such as George Clooney, Heath Ledger and his "Brokeback Mountain" costar/real-life love Michelle Williams, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and scads of other hot Oscar-nodded writers, producers and directors.

Will next year be as star-studded? You betcha.

"The pressure is really on now after last year,” admitted Roger Durling, SBIFF executive director, at the Fest's Inaugural Award for Excellence in Film given on Sunday to Kirk Douglas at a glitzy black tie gala fundraiser held at the Bacara Resort.

Durling will make picks based on films and performances he sees at Toronto and Telluride film festivals. So has he seen anything he likes so far? “I have but it’s just too early to talk about it.”

But by December, Durling will be talking and making his picks for the various SBIFF honors (Modern Master, Riviera, Breakthrough Performance, Montecito and Attenborough Awards) that will probably be bestowed on some 2007 Oscar nominees. “We’re announcing a month before the Oscars and we open the festival the week after nominations are announced,” Durling explains. “Last year, the nominations were out on a Tuesday and the following Friday, George Clooney was up here accepting his Modern Master Award.”

But enough about Oscars. Durling is also excited about the possibilities his new summertime Awards Gala will open up...

Photo Credits: George Clooney talks about life, passion and movies, at his Modern Master Award at the 2006 SBIFF
WireImage

Vera Wang curries fashion favor at the Oscars

Now that the Oscar dust has settled, which designer was the most popular on the red carpet?

You could call it a tie. Dior dressed two big names: presenter Charlize Theron and the adorable first lady of the evening, best actress Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.

Theron’s forest green silk gown with a benign tumor-sized shoulder bow didn’t win over most style seers. But Witherspoon’s honestly vintage 1955 beaded Dior frock was a major thumbs-up, despite criticism that the gown was "too much dress" for the petite actress.

But Vera Wang also dressed two important ladies — both best actress nominees — and both of her creations were wildly hailed. "Brokeback Mountain" nominee Michelle Williams wore a Wang curry-hued '30s-inspired chiffon gown. And "Pride & Prejudice" nominee Keira Knightley looked to-the-manor-born in Wang’s fishtail hem burgundy gown.

And here's a surprise: Versace, usually deemed a bit too racy for the Oscars, came in third, designing for three presenters: Jessica Alba's gold gown, Salma Hayek's blue wrapped gown and Hilary Swank's strapless black number.

Other fashion forces at the 2006 Oscars:

Photo: Michelle Williams won fashion favor at the Oscars for her curry-colored Vera Wang chiffon gown.
(Steve Granitz / WireImage)

Follow those Oscar nominees!

Thursday was a busy, busy day for some Oscar nominees.

The Dior beauty folks hosted a late-night, candlelit dinner party graced by Naomi Watts, Kate Bosworth, Lindsay Lohan, Diane Kruger, Emmy Rossum and Joy Bryant on the Chateau Marmont patio in Hollywood, Calif.

Best actress Oscar nominee Keira Knightley — staying in the Chateau — even popped down briefly with some pals. But the “Pride & Prejudice” beauty was a bit hard to recognize because she was suddenly sporting very long, thick hair. Hmmm. Extensions? Seems very likely.

Couldn't tell if she was also wearing the new brand new H. Stern right-hand diamond ring that she picked out and took home from the Diamond Aquifer Retreat at Soho House the day before. But probably. Wouldn't you?

O-nominated "Brokeback Mountain" couple Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams noticed a few flashes from their Marmont penthouse suite high above the party and called downstairs to get the camera scoop. They were later seen picking up a car down in the garage, sans their baby daughter, Matilda.

Earlier, Oscar nominee Amy Adams — star of “Junebug” — was beaming at the Independent Spirit nominees reception at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica. Adams has a darn good reason to look so happy: she's also nominated for a Spirit best supporting actress award. Spirit nominees “Brokeback Mountain” Oscar fave Ang Lee and his producer James Schamus and their “Capote” Oscar rival, director Bennett Miller were also at Thursday's reception.

The Spirits, being held on Saturday in Santa Monica, mirror the Oscars more closely than ever, causing some folks to wonder: What’s the point? Host Sarah Silverman, that’s what. The show promises to be shorter, less scripted and oh, let’s just say it, waaay more fun than Sunday’s Oscars.

If you want to catch some possible Oscar warm-up acceptance speeches from Terrance Howard, Felicity Huffman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ledger and Williams, George Clooney and/or Paul Haggis, tune in to the live awards broadcast on the IFC Channel at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Also on Thursday, “North Country” Oscar-nominated best actress Charlize Theron wore a slinky black Dior dress to host Vanity Fair’s Amped for Africa benefit at Republic restaurant. By the way, it's official. The actress will be wearing a Dior couture gown to the Oscars. "She doesn't have to wear Dior just because she has a beauty contract with us," revealed a Dior beauty rep. "She just fell in love with the gown."

Miller, his “Capote” Oscar-nommed pal Philip Seymour Hoffman and “Crash” best supporting actor, Oscar-nommer Matt Dillon hit Jason Binn's Los Angeles Confidential pre-Oscar party Thursday night at the Sky Bar in West Hollywood.

And a shockingly sexy Armani-clad Jodie Foster — you are correct, she’s not nominated for anything, just making sure you’re paying attention — attended the U.S.-Ireland Alliance honors for acclaimed directors Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan and David Holmes at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

Seen out of town: The Constant Gardener” Oscar nominee Rachel Weisz was still at home in New York but she turned up at Bloomingdale’s to help launch a new women’s fragrance for Burberry.

Photo Credits:
(Top right) Naomi Watts at the late night Dior private dinner at Chateau Marmont.
(Donato Sardella / WireImage)
(Top left) Oscar nominee Keira Knightly models her new long hair and H. Stern right-hand diamond ring from the Soho House Diamond Aquifer Retreat.
(Lester Cohen / WireImage)
(Bottom) Oscar nominee Charlize Theron hosts Vanity Fair's Amped for Africa event.
(Lester Cohen / WireImage)

'Brokeback' shirts will hang in Gary Cooper's home

Where will Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist’s overlapping shirts — seen in the final scene of “Brokeback Mountain” — spend the rest of their days?

Fittingly, the shirts will hang in the historic Beverly Hills home of iconic Hollywood western film star Gary Cooper, now owned by venture capitalist-philanthropist David Bohnett, who purchased and restored the Cooper family home that was featured in Architectural Digest magazine last year.

Bohnett’s partner Tom Gregory bought the “Brokeback” cowboy shirts — still on their single hanger — from the Ebay auction that ended Monday, Feb 20.

His winning bid? Just $100,100.51, a portion of which will go to Variety - The Children’s Charity of Southern California and will help build a new Boys & Girls Club in Boyle Heights, Calif.

A longtime film still collector, Gregory (63 signed photos of classic film stars decorate his home’s walls) knew the value of the shirts as an investment.

“They’re the ruby slippers of our time,” Gregory explained. “It’s the most significant prop in modern film history.”

But they are even more culturally significant, says the actor-philanthropist-collector. “The minute I saw the film, I wanted those shirts. I’m just grateful for having the ability to buy them, and I’m honored to be the steward of these shirts that are such an important symbol for our time and the gay culture. I didn’t want them to end up in the hands of some right wing zealot who might burn them as a political statement.”

The shirts are arriving this afternoon and Gregory plans to take them to his framer friend to design a fitting display.

“I’m thinking a picture box frame for them that will give the effect of being inside a closet.”

But there’s one thing that would make the shirt display complete: the postcard of Brokeback Mountain that Ennis taped inside his closet door in the film.

“I would die to have that,” admits Gregory. “I'm trying to find out who has it.“

Hey, another 100 grand and he might just get it.

Photo: The "Brokeback Mountain" shirts will now hang in far nicer digs, thanks to a winning auction bid by philanthropist Tom Gregory.
(Kimberley French / Focus Features)

Has Mischa finally met her match?

It's official.

According to the Daily Mirror, Mischa Barton was indeed wearing Marchesa at the London Orange British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.

And yes, the stunning pink gown was designed by Harvey Weinstein's girlfriend Georgina Chapman.

And it sure sounds like Chapman's got an Oscar gown or three in the works.

She told the British paper, "We have a lot of work on at the moment but we love what we do."

Hmm.

And don't be too terribly surprised if you soon read that Barton has started to date "Brokeback Mountain" BAFTA best supporting actor winner Jake Gyllenhaal.

According to the Daily Mirror, the solo-flying "O.C." starlet was like, totally stoked to meet the hunky actor at the pre-awards dinner.

And why not, I say! Those two cuties would make the coolest couple next to Gyllenhaal's "Brokeback" costars Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams.

Oops. Hope her current long-haired rocker beau, Cisco Adler doesn't read Styles & Scenes.

Sorry, dude. The truth hurts.

Photo: Grrr. Bet Mischa Barton thinks, "Leave him alone, he's mine!" when she sees Charlize Theron in a royal blue Lanvin gown, getting all giggly with Jake Gyllenhaal in the backstage pressroom at the BAFTA Awards in London.
(Joe Furniss / WireImage)

Heath Ledger loosens up at SBIFF

Heath Ledger was unquestionably and embarrassingly nervous at the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards.

But he appeared to be much more at ease at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Imperia Breakthrough Performance of the Year Award Wednesday evening.

Not that he's ever going to be a big-time public speaker, as he himself freely admits.

But the adorably fidgety Oscar nominee did seem to be enjoying his onstage chat with Pete Hammond at the Lobero Theatre.

Ledger explained about his "Brokeback Mountain" character, Ennis Del Mar, "Any form of expression had to be painful...clinched. For him, the sounds of life were too loud, the light of day too bright."

On the love scenes between he and Jake Gyllenhaal, Ledger joked, "We actually used stunt doubles."

There’s that Aussie sense of humor we love. I think Heath's ready to take this act on the road!

Photo: Heath Ledger gets used to the Oscar attention at the SBIFF Breakthrough of the Year Awards.
(Rebecca Sapp / WireImage)

Heath explains his SAG giggles

Heath Ledger is horrified that some people who watched him introduce a clip from “Brokeback Mountain” at the Screen Actors Guild Awards misinterpreted his stage fright as some kind of gay spoof.

Ledger, speaking from his cell phone, called to explain. Seems the jitters started when he was sitting at the table with the “Brokeback” cast and he wondered aloud who was going to introduce their cast.

“I leaned over and asked Jake [Gyllenhaal] and he said, ‘WE are! Didn’t you get the script?' I said, WHAT? I thought it was a script for the Directors Guild Awards a few nights earlier.”

He and Gyllenhaal raced backstage to read it and try to rehearse. But there was no time and they were told to go out onstage. Gulp.

“I’m nervous under any circumstances in front of crowds," says Ledger. "I am not a public speaker and never will be. I was so nervous before the DGA Awards backstage that my jaw was jittering and I could not get the words out. I’m just not one of those naturally funny relaxed actors who enjoy the spotlight and are so good at it. And this was really weird because we were basically introducing ourselves, like here’s this brilliant cast and guess what, it’s us.”

So he got the giggles. Who wouldn’t? “How can you say all that stuff — 'two brave cowboys' — with a straight face? It was just so surreal.”

As for his self-described “teacup hand” position. “I’ve stood like that since I was a kid. You can ask me mum. It's nerves I guess. I’m a very fidgety person, always moving, never able to sit or stand still.”

Ledger wanted to set the record straight before any harm was done. “I am so sorry and I apologize for my nervousness. I would be absolutely horrified if my stage fright was misinterpreted as a lack of respect for the film, the topic and for the amazing filmmakers.”

Ledger's strange SAG behavior

Some viewers were shocked at Heath Ledger’s apparent gay spoof at the Screen Actors Guild Awards Sunday night.

At the podium with Jake Gyllenhaal to introduce a clip from "Brokeback Mountain," Ledger kept putting his hands on his cocked hip as he read the teleprompter, acting like he was auditioning for the role of Carmen Ghia, the flamboyantly gay choreographer in “The Producers.”

“It was insulting,” said one Hollywood insider after the show. “Heath lost a lot of support from the Hollywood gay community after that bizarre performance.”

No one can figure out what Ledger could have been thinking or why he behaved so bizarrely onstage.

Which makes it a real shame that the Directors Guild Awards, held the night before, weren’t televised. Then viewers would have seen Ledger’s heartfelt and sincere expression of gratitude to  director Ang Lee, who won the DGA’s top filmmaker award that night.

Paying tribute to Lee, Ledger thanked the director for “introducing us to these delicate characters. It took a delicate man to tell this story and that’s you.” To which, Lee then joked, “I don’t know about you, but that feels a little gay to me.”

Maybe Ledger’s frankly fey SAG performance simply followed Lee’s DGA gay joke lead? Maybe he thought he was being really funny?  Hey, it’s a theory. What's yours?

Photo Credit: Onstage at the SAG awards with Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger's bizarre gay-mocking performance gets no awards or laughs.

(Michael Caulfield/WireImage)

Clooney the prankster and Clarkson the flasher

The Directors Guild of America. Seriously stuffy, right? Wrong.

Just because the DGA Awards isn’t televised, everyone assumes the night's Dullsville, USA. But the Saturday evening event began with a prank, thanks to that practical joker George Clooney, who proved that control freak directors really do loosen up and have fun.

Here's how the night works: The five nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film are introduced throughout the two-hour event (also lauding directors of sitcoms, commercials, soaps, documentaries, etc.) by actors from their films. Each nominated director gets onstage and is given a gold nominee platter, a mini-version of what the night’s big winner will lug home at eve’s end.

Clooney, nominated for "Good Night, and Good Luck," came onstage after his stars Patricia Clarkson and David Strathairn gushingly hailed him as Hollywood's "kindest" director.

“Thanks, ... acting people,” said a poker-faced Clooney. “I was in the bathroom but I just want to say that to win this award is great." The audience exploded with laughter as he continued, "Ang, I’m sorry. I know everyone thought you were the guy, but well, f--k you!" he shouted, holding his nominee plate high in the air.

Emcee Carl Reiner wouldn’t let Clooney and Clarkson leave the stage before she showed off the seriously sexy slit in her skirt and before he explained the practical joke he'd wanted to play on Clooney. “My idea was to put another name on the award,” Reiner fessed. “Then we’d play hide the matzo with your award and have you hunt for it all night. ‘You’re getting warmer, warmer.’ But they said it would it would diminish the evening."

When they finally made it backstage, Clooney kept joking and Clarkson kept on flashing.

Photo: George Clooney and David Strathairn admire Patricia Clarkson's Paris Hilton imitation at the Director's Guild of America Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.
(Steve Granitz / WireImage)

Country crooner McGraw goes Globin'

Word is out that country western singer-turned actor Tim McGraw  (“Friday Night Lights”) will be attending the Golden Globes Monday night for the every first time ever. And presenting an award.

No word on which award he’ll be presenting. Perhaps the Best Song award, maybe to fellow country music star Dolly Parton for her “Transamerica” theme song, “Travelin’ Thru?” Or maybe that award for "Brokeback Mountain" song, “A Love That Will Never Grow Old,” lyrics by Bernie Taupin, sung by Gustavo Santaolla?

Nope, sez McGraw’s publicist Ronnie Chasen. “Although that’s a good guess,” she said. Guess we’ll just have to tune in to find out.

Anyway,  he’s flying in special for the Monday night task and his stunning wife Faith Hill will be with him at the awards, but not up at the podium.

This high profile gig will definitely serve to boost McGraw’s Hollywood visibility,  just in time for his starring role in “Flicka,” a heart-warming new Fox family film (also starring “History of Violence” award-winner Maria Bello) about a girl and her dad and a wild horse. Wait, wasn’t that the Dakota Fanning film, “Dreamer?” My bad, that was a girl and her dad and an injured race horse.

Anyway, “Flicka” is the movie set on which a horse died in a freak accident during filming in April 2005. Yeah, good luck on that press junket, Tim.

Photo Credit: Tim McGraw, seen here picking a Favorite Male Artist (Country)  award at the American Music awards with his wife Faith Hill, will present something to someone Monday at the Golden Globes.
(Kevin Mazur/WireImage)