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)

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)

Hollywood plays dress-up for the Globes

This weekend, while most of Hollywood is pre-Globe partyin’, crack teams of stylists are racing all over town, making last minute decisions, decisions, decisions on gowns, shoes and jewelry for their star clients to wear to the increasingly important 63rd annual Golden Globe Awards.

Come Monday, we will enjoy the fashion fruits of their frantic labors when nominees like Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Williams,  Maria Bello, Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Mira Sorvino, Teri Hatcher, Halle Berry and Marcia Cross walk the long red carpet outside the Beverly Hilton.

But until then, no one worth their steam machine dares breathe a designer name for fear an actress — even a contracted spokesmodel actress — may change her mind.  But most stylists are happy to talk general trends, color, shape, and mood.

According to several L.A. style seers, the carpet will be awash with silver, black and white. With maybe shot of green, red, some soft pinks.

“Last year, everything was nude and gold. Now it’s silver with black and white,” revealed fashion flack Marilyn Heston, during a pit stop at the Vanity Fair-sponsored MAC cosmetics party at the Chateau Marmont Friday night.

“It’s still three days out (meaning until the Globes show) but those are the colors of the pieces (gowns) that people (stars’ stylists and PR reps) are calling in (asking to have sent over for the star to look at).” Man, this fashion speak takes time to learn.

But Heston should know.

Photo: Eva Longoria and Maria Bello do Black & White at the GQ party for Globe nominees at the Regent Beverly Wilshire on Friday night. But will they wear it to the Golden Globe Awards on Monday?(Jeff Vespa / WireImage)

Let the pre-Globe parties begin!

Judging by this weekend’s schedule of pre-parties and events, Hollywood’s hot list may be pretty fried by the time the actual Golden Globes Awards start Monday night.

The American Film Institute hosts its annual luncheon at the Four Seasons on Friday to honor high-profile films such as “Brokeback Mountain,” “Capote,” “Good Night and Good Luck,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “King Kong,” “A History of Violence,” “Munich,” “The Squid and the Whale,” and “Syriana.”

And some of the films' stars and some big directorial guns -- George Clooney, David Cronenberg, Steve Gaghan, Bennett Miller, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg and Ang Lee -- are expected to be on hand.

Also honored at the AFI lunch will be the cast, crew and creators of TV shows such as “24,” Battlestar Galatica,” “Deadwood,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House,” “Lost,” “Rescue Me,” “Sleeper Cell,” ”Sometimes in April,” and “Veronica Mars.”

Friday night is the first GQ magazine and American Cinematheque bash will be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, with big stars conveniently supplied by Creative Artists Agency.

On Saturday, ICM will host its pre-Globes bash at the Mondrian's Skybar; HBO will host a big pre-Globes blowout at the infamous Chateau Marmont on Sunset, while Lions Gate and Showtime will have a combined supper soiree  at Morton's restaurant in West Hollywood.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles chapter of the British Association of Film and Television Artists (BAFTA/LA, for short)  will hold its annual tea and crumpet crumble at the Park Hyatt.

Expected stars include: Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, Felicity Huffman, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Maria Bello, Jeff Daniels, Ziyi Zhang, Terrence Howard, Q'Orianka Kilcher, and “House” star Hugh Laurie, who, although he plays an American doc, is really a Tea Bag (that means a Brit).

And the usually star-studded Mike Medavoy-Vanity Fair soiree will crank up Sunday night at the Argyle Hotel, not at Medavoy's pad as in years past. Rumbles of VF's West Coast Editor/Mistress of Impoliteness Krista Smith exercising too much control over the guest list may mean this is the last year for the joint venture.

"Brokeback" clothing speaks louder than words

At the end of “Brokeback Mountain,” Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) goes to his closet and audiences see that he keeps Jack Twist’s (Jake Gyllenhaal) blood-stained shirt on a hanger, layered beneath one of his own shirts.

“That was the shirt Jack wore on their last day on the mountain,” says “Brokeback” costume designer Marit Allen. “The one he took from Jack’s parent's house.... That shirt symbolizes their entire relationship."

Throughout Ang Lee’s moving love story, based on Annie Proulx’s short story, the characters’ clothing telegraphs their emotions louder than any words.

“Proulx’s story is so pure, and tender that the costumes and wardrobe needed gentle handling,” says Allen. “Hopefully you don’t notice the clothing, but you feel the emotions that the clothes convey. In that sweeping landscape, those two figures and their clothing act as subliminal telegraphs.”

Allen, who worked with Lee on two previous films, including his Civil War movie, “Ride With the Devil,” was keenly aware of the film’s epic feel. But Lee also wanted to capture the reality of the time, the cowboys, ranchers and their economic situations. One invaluable tool for Allen was Richard Avedon’s book, “In the American West,” much of it shot during the late '70s.

But adhering to strict, often unspoken western-wear traditions proved to be a real challenge.

“Everything worn by cowboys and ranchers has a meaning and a cultural reference,” says Allen. “It would be very easy for an outsider unfamiliar with the code to make a mistake. For instance, cowboys wear Wrangler jeans [they’re much tighter] and ranchers wear looser Levi’s. Even the shape and heel height on a cowboy boot tells a tale. So does the height, color, brim and shape of a hat, which also varies from state to state. For instance, Jack’s broader Texas hat is different than the one Ennis wears in Wyoming. And all of this is unspoken but rigorously observed.”

The time period also had a distinct look.

Photo: Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal wear their hearts on their sleeves in "Brokeback Mountain."
(Kimberly French / Focus Features)

Real romance on "Brokeback Mountain"

The tagline for "Brokeback Mountain" reads, "Love is a force of nature."

And they're not kidding. Seems Mother Nature may have contributed to "Brokeback" co-stars Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger falling in love after shooting their first scene together in Ang Lee's unorthodox western love story.

The actors got short notice that, due to melting snow, they needed to rush and film a scene that takes place in the happy and carefree early days of Ennis and Alma's relationship.

The scene required the two to ride a toboggan down a steep and slippery mountainside in Alberta, Canada. When the sled toppled over, the couple had to tumble and frolic in the powdery white snow. "For the first few takes, they rode down the mountain, fell off the toboggan and got up giggling and laughing," recalls costume designer Marit Allen.

"But after the last take, Michelle didn't get up and she couldn't even move. She'd twisted her knee quite badly and was in a lot of pain so an ambulance was called. But Health was absolutely beside himself. He was so upset. He felt it was his fault because he had rolled off the sled on top of her so when the ambulance arrived to take Michelle to the hospital, he insisted on getting in with her and the door closed behind them. There was a romance from that moment on."

A romance that resulted in the birth of their daughter, Matilda Rose, a little over six weeks ago.

Photo: Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams in Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain."
( Focus Features)