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)

The virtual Vanity Fair Oscar bash

What? Your Vanity Fair Oscar bash ticket still hasn't arrived? Dammit!

No worries. You can still catch all the insider glitz and glamour — George Clooney, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, Jake Gyllenhaal and whoever, Terrence Howard, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron, Keira Knightley, Reese Witherspoon, etc., etc. — at the venerable bash held at Morton’s in West Hollywood, Calif., on Sunday night.

This year Vanity Fair’s gala will be webcast live from the restaurant starting at midnight. Woo-hoo!

So set your alarm and then click on this link to see who’s chatting up whom, making deals and carrying big gold statues. Actually, this is way better than having to get all dressed for the night, trust me.

And if you want to read VF honcho Graydon Carter’s secrets to throwing the world’s most famous Oscar gala in an excerpt from his book "Oscar Night," just follow this link and take notes.

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)

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)

Rating the hottest Globe bashes

Who cares about the awards show. Let's talk about the post parties!

Film studios and TV networks spend beaucoup bucks on the food, décor, booze and service staff for their official Globe after-parties. But that’s just smoke, black velvet and mirrors. The true test of a party’s hotness is the star power. The after-bash with the hottest gals, coolest dudes, cutest couples and award-clutching stars wins.

Here’s a quick rundown of who-got-who-and-where.

Host: In Style/Warner Bros.

Where: The Oasis, formerly Palm Court. Think a cavernous blue-lit disco space with spiky Giger-esque red glass tumor-lights over an enormous bar, big dance floor and outdoor smoking area.

Difficulty factor: Piece of cake. The best arrival viewing party and a chance for fans to scream at stars, ask for autographs and take photos. Stars DO stop to sign when they come and go. But once inside, good luck getting through the throng of tuxes and gowns to find them. Tip: head for the small outdoor smoking areas. Or try the dance floor, where Bill Macy and his Globe-winner wife Felicity Huffman were rocking out like teenagers at their high school prom.

Star count: George Clooney and Charlize Theron. Need we say more? OK, George was with his publicist, she was with her boyfriend, Stuart Townsend. Other hot couples: Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, "OC" cuties Rachel Bilson and Mischa Barton, hardly desperate Nicollette Sheridan with Michael Bolton (creepy), Seal with Heidi Klum (creepier).

This was definitely THE hot babe bash: Jessica Biel, Jenna Elfman, Natasha Henstridge, Natalie Portman, Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Virginia Madsen and Rose McGowan, Melanie Griffiths’ daughter, Dakota Johnson. And Adrien Brody.

Host: Universal/Focus Features/NBC

Where: An elevator ride up to the hotel’s garage rooftop.

Difficulty factor: From a 10 minute to half hour wait to get in. No one wanted nasty fire marshals to shut it down, which they’d do if the body count went over 800. Linger outside the big tent to catch red carpet action: Keira Knightley, Ang Lee and Rachel Weisz clutching their awards and talking about how surprised/nervous/happy they are.

Star count: Second place for celeb sizzle. Major points for “King Kong” director Peter Jackson.

Hot couples: Former Hobbit Dominic Monaghan and his "Lost" costar-squeeze Evangeline Lily, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, Zach Braff with Mandy Moore.

Hot dudes: Eric Bana, Cillian Murphy and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Hugh Laurie, Matt Dillon, Luke Wilson, Patrick Dempsey. Oh, and Adrien Brody.

Memorable moment: Keira Knightley dancing up a storm, spinning around and giggling, while holding a glass of champagne. That’s what we call multitasking.

More parties…

Photo: Hot couple Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend definitely add some sizzle to the Warner Bros./In Style official Golden Globes after-party.
(Kevin Mazur / WireImage)

Care for some tea before the Globes?

OK, so no George Clooney, Heath Ledger, Keira Knightley or even Judi Dench.

But the Los Angeles chapter of the British Academy of Film and Television's 12th annual Tea Party was still jolly good fun. As well as tea, crumpets and clotted cream, there was plenty of bubbly and stronger spirits. Even a BAFTA/LA member dressed up like the Mad Hatter (for no apparent reason) whom many mistook for Willy Wonka.

Look, there’s a reason why BAFTA is sometimes (fondly, of course) referred to by its members as the “British Association of Food Tasting and Alcohol.”

Globe nominees David Cronenberg, Maria Bello, Bob Hoskins, Ziyi Zhang, Paul Haggis, Bennett Miller, Q’orianka Kilcher, Matt Dillon and Terrence Howard, many also on the "shortlist" for the British Academy Film Awards, were busy sippin’ and smilin’ at the Sunday late afternoon affair in the Park Hyatt in Westwood.

Howard was low-key, enjoying all the attention and talking about the new low-budget movie he’s writing and giving the first look to Harvey Weinstein. And Bello looked beautiful in a black sundress, posing for pics with her “History of Violence” director, Cronenberg.

“Crash” director Haggis got excited talking to The Envelope’s astute Oscar prognosticator Tom O’Neil about the importance of a Directors Guild award to an Oscar campaign. O’Neal’s theory is that Haggis fulfills every TV director’s fantasy and there’s a boat-load of them in the DGA. If Haggis wins that one, he’s almost assured an Oscar. If he’s nominated for an Oscar, of course. Small detail.

“Munich” producer Kathleen Kennedy was hanging with screenwriter Tony Kushner, who said he wasn’t really nervous about the next day’s Globes. After Broadway openings, being up for an award is more fun than scary. And Kennedy mentioned that Steven Spielberg will be going to Israel soon for a special screening for the murdered Olympic athletes’ families.

Ironically, standing very nearby was Michael York, who starred in “Sword of Gideon,” the 1986 HBO version of George Jonas’s book “Vengeance,” which “Munich” was also based on. ”Loosely,” insists Kennedy.

York didn’t chat with Kushner or Kennedy but he has seen “Munich.” “Perhaps I’m prejudiced but to be honest, I thought our film was more realistic," he admitted. "We actually shot in Israel, you know.” Spielberg used Malta as the stand-in.

Hoskins was one of the last to arrive, racing straight from the airport after a London flight. But even with jet lag, he was still good-natured, joking about his nude scene, “I’ve been asked more questions about my todger in the past few weeks than my entire life.” A what? I had to look it up. Todger is British slang for the male sex organ, which Bob bravely bared in “Mrs. Henderson Presents.”

“Capote” director Miller, who seriously looks like he’s just out of film school, insists, “I’m 39.” And he’s not the slightest bit tired of the grueling awards season sked.

Photo: Maria Bello and David Cronenberg stop for a cuppa at the BAFTA/LA 12th annual tea party.
(Gregg DeGuire / WireImage)