The winners for the shortest frocks are...Taylor Swift and Cameron Diaz dazzle at the Vanity Fair party

By JODY THOMPSON

Bobbydazzlers: Taylor Swift, left, shimmered in a short gold strapless gown with matching shoes, whereas Cameron Diaz, right, was wearing a tight off-the-shoulder monochrome print dress with black shoeboots


Neither of them were up for any Oscars - but Cameron Diaz and Taylor Swift were the runaway winners of the shortest dress competition at the Vanity Fair party last night.

Cameron arrived on the red carpet of the hottest post-Academy Awards party in a tight off-the-shoulder monochrome print mini with frill detail - although not many people were looking at her frock.

Instead, all eyes were on the 38-year-old's toned physique, which the actress has been perfecting with rigorous bootcamp-style work outs with her baseball-playing boyfriend Alexander Rodriguez, 35.


All that glisters: Golden girl Taylor made a grand entrance in her sparkling gold frock


Cam here often? Ms Diaz wasn't shy to show off her stunning physique at the West Hollywood party


The star accessorised her barely-there outfit with skyscraper black shoe-boot peep toe heels.

Taylor meanwhile was wearing an elegant strapless shimmering gold number with matching shoes, 1940s-style glamourpuss hair and a slash of red lipstick.


She's got legs: The star was one of the most dazzling at the magazine's post Academy Awards event


The 21-year-old country star certainly wowed the crowd with her sophisticated makeover.

Also going for gold was Gwyneth Paltrow in an elegant off-the-shoulder gown in a more nude shade compared to the metallic dress she'd worn at the actual ceremony.


Young love: Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber were also on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party at the Sunset Tower in Los Angeles last night


Going for gold: Gwyneth Paltrow looked stunning in a shimmering gold asymmetric gown


Other surprises on the red carpet at the bash, thrown by the society and fashion magazine, included Justin Bieber's first public appearance hand-in-hand with girlfriend Selena Gomez, who was wearing a stunning blood-red Dolce and Gabbana gown.

Another loved-up couple cosying up at the Oscar's most exclusive bash included True Blood's Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin.

However, Madonna arrived accompanied by a surprisingly unembarrassed 14-year-old daughter Lourdes, as the star appeared to have forgotten her skirt.


Alone: Jessica Biel arrived at the party solo after her boyfriend Justin Timberlake took his mother rather than her to the Oscars ceremony earlier in the evning


And Justin Timberlake sparked rumours of a split with girlfriend Jessica Biel when he chose not to escort her to the party.

He had earlier taken his mother to the awards ceremony, but left Jessica to pose alone on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair party.


Bite of all right: True Blood's Stephen Moyer and his onscreen and offscreen partner Anna Paquin


Onlookers were also surprised that the two major fashion faux pas came from the two dress designers at the party - namely Diane Von Furstenberg and Donna Karan.

Donna was wearing an ill-fitting shiny black floor length frock with silver detailing that left her with a weird looking decolletage and torso.


Party people: Mick Jagger and his model girlfriend L'Wren Scott were also on the red carpet, along with Jude Law and his friend Robert Downey Jnr and wife Susan


Diane meanwhile was wearing another ill-fitting gown, this time an odd studded affair with peculiar fluffy shoulder bits.

Cameron meanwhile is getting ready to release her new movie Bad Teacher, which is creating something a buzz before release, not least due to the trailer in which the star gets lathered up in tiny Daisy Duke-style shorts at a car wash.


Black tie: Mad Men star Jon Hamm and girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt looked the business at the bash


Ladies in red: Previous Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock looked stunning in vivid scarlet whereas comedy actress Leslie Mann was classy in claret


The trailer for her latest movie shows her pictured smoking marijuana as well as swearing like a trooper.

Diaz pairs up with her former boyfriend Justin Timberlake who plays another member of staff in the film, due to be released in June this year.


Contrasts: Emma Stone, who stars in the forthcoming The Amazing Spider-Man, wore an interested purple patterned dress, whereas former Road House and Drugstore Cowboy star Kelly Lynch kept it simple in black



source: dailymail

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Oscars 2011 (Part 3)

Oscar winners for best supporting actress Melissa Leo and best actor Colin Firth pose backstage with their Oscars at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Robert Stromberg holds his Oscar for Achievement in Art Direction for the film "Alice in Wonderland" as they pose backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Oscar winners for best supporting actor Christian Bale (L-R), best actress Natalie Portman, best supporting actress Melissa Leo and best actor Colin Firth gather backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




Producers of "The King's Speech" (L-R) Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Gareth Unwin are joined onstage by cast and production members to accept the Oscar for best picture during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Oscar winner for achievement in music (original Score) Trent Reznor poses backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Richard King holds his Oscar for Achievement in Sound Editing for "Inception" backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Luke Matheny (C) holds the Oscar, won for best live action short film for "God of Love", presented by Jake Gyllenhaal (L) and Amy Adams (R) backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Oscar winners for music (sound mixing) for the film "Inception," Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo (C), and Ed Novick, pose backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.





Oscar winners (L-R) Christian Bale, best supporting actor for "The Fighter", Natalie Portman, best actress for "Black Swan", Melissa Leo, best supporting actress for "The Fighter", and Collin Firth, best actor for "The King's Speech" pose backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.





Colleen Atwood holds her Oscar for achievement in costume design won for "Alice in Wonderland" as she poses with presenter Cate Blanchett (L) backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




Colin Firth accepts the Oscar for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "The King's Speech" at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.



Colleen Atwood arrives backstage while carrying her Oscar for achievement in costume design for "Alice in Wonderland" at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Rick Baker (L) and Dave Elsey (R) pose with presenter Cate Blanchett after receiving the Oscar for achievement in makeup for "The Wolfman" backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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Oscars 2011 (Part 2)

Natalie Portman (L) accepts the Oscar for best actress for her role in "Black Swan" from presenter Jeff Bridges during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




British director Tom Hooper accepts the Oscar for best director for his film "The King's Speech" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




British director Tom Hooper (R) accepts the Oscar for best director for his film "The King's Speech" from director Kathryn Bigelow (C) and actress Hilary Swank during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Natalie Portman accepts the Oscar for best actress for her role in "Black Swan" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.





Randy Newman accepts his Oscar for best original song for "We Belong Together" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.
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Trent Reznor (L) and Atticus Ross accept the Oscar for best original score for "The Social Network" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Richard King accepts the Oscar for sound editing for his work in "Inception" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Colleen Atwood accepts the Oscar for costume design for her work in "Alice in Wonderland" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Rick Baker (L) and Dave Elsey accept the Oscar for best acheivement in makeup for their work in "The Wolfman" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.


Sandra Bullock Oscar 2011 Red Carpet



Nicole Kidman Oscar 2011 Red Carpet



Natalie Portman Oscar 2011 Red Carpet



source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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Oscars 2011 (Part 1)

Melissa Leo accepts the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in "The Fighter" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




Presenter Tom Hanks juggles Oscar statuettes while presenting the award for Art Direction during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Director Lee Unkrich accepts the Oscar for best animated feature film for "Toy Story 3" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




British actor Christian Bale accepts the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in "The Fighter" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




Aaron Sorkin wins the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for the film "The Social Network" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



British-American screenwriter David Seidler accepts the Oscar for best original screenplay for the film "The King's Speech" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.



Actor/presenter Javier Bardem (R) looks on as actor/presenter Josh Broslin presents the Oscar for best Original Screenplay to David Seidler for the movie The King's Speech, on stage at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California.




Director Susanne Bier (L) accepts the Oscar for best foreign film for the Danish film "In A Better World" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.




Shaun Tan (L) and Andrew Ruhemann accept the Oscar for best animated short film for "The Lost Thing" during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 27, 2011.


Melissa Leo swears during Oscar speech



Oscars Tom Hanks



source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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Oscars 2011: Helena Bonham Carter's brave face as Melissa Leo takes best supporting actress

By LIZZIE SMITH

Winner: Melissa Leo is the winner of Best Supporting Actress for her work on The Fighter


David Seidler wins best original screenplay for his work on The King's Speech


Helena Bonham Carter missed out on the best supporting actress Oscar tonight as Melissa Leo won for her work on The Fighter.

The actress kept her disappointment in check as she applauded Leo, alongside fellow nominee, 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld.

Leo's gong was presented to her by 94-year-old screen legend Kirk Douglas, who happily eked out his moment in the spotlight, having never won himself.
'You pinch me?' Leo asked him, not sure if she was dreaming.

Leo, nominated for a second time, had shook as she took to the stage, before accidentally blurting out a swear word.

'Oh wow, really truly wow,' she gasped. 'I know there's a lot of real lovely people who've said a lot of nice things to me for several months but I'm just shaking in my boots right now.'

The Social Network took its first Oscar for best adapted screenplay - handed to Aaron Sorkin for his adaptation of the book The Accidental Billionaire by Ben Mezrich.

The King's Speech was also an early winner, for best original screenplay, going to David Seidler for his work on The King's Speech.

He dedicated his award to 'all the stutterers around the world,' and thanked 'Her Majesty The Queen for not putting me in the Tower for using the F word.'

The first award, for art direction, was presented by Tom Hanks to Robert Stromberg (production design) and Karen O'Hara (set decoration) for their work on the 3D movie Alice in Wonderland.

anks, a double winner himself, also presented the Oscar for costume design to Colleen Atwood, for her work on the Tim Burton directed movie.

The winner for best animated short film was The Lost Thing, while the animated film Oscar was awarded to the considerably bigger budget Toy Story 3.



The King's Speech, dramatizing British ruler George VI's struggle to vanquish a crippling stammer, leads the 83rd annual Oscars with 12 nominations and is favoured to win best picture.

Yet The Social Network, chronicling Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's legal battles over the spoils of his creation, remains a serious candidate.

Sunday's show opened with co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco inserted into a montage scenes from best-picture nominees, built as a series of dream sequences a la Oscar contender Inception.

Anne Hathaway and James Franco got the Oscars off to a start by joking about the criticism over their appointment as hosts.

'You look so lovely and so hip,' Anne told James. 'You look very appealing to a younger demographic as well, ' he replied.

There was also some comic relief from the audience as Franco's grandmother shouted out: 'I just saw Marky Mark.'

She was of course referring to Mark Wahlberg, nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Fighter.

The actor has made every effort to distance himself from his cheesy past as an 80s pop star.


Oscars 2011: Melissa Leo


Natalie Portman - Red Carpet - Oscar 2011


Oscar 2011 - The Red Carpet - Part 2


Oscar 2011 - The Red Carpet - Part 1


Gwyneth Paltrow - Red Carpet - Oscar 2011



source: dailymail

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Oscars 2011: Hollywood stars arrive on red carpet for Academy Awards

By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Isn't she lovely: All eyes were on Oscars host Anne Hathaway as she arrived for the 83rd Academy Awards


Hollywood's brightest stars are out in force for the industry's night of nights - the Academy Awards.

More than a billion viewers around the world are expected to watch Hollywood's royalty sashay down the red carpet tonight.

Anne Hathaway looked incredible in a figure hugging scarlet gown created for her by Valentino, who hovered around to ensure the gown didn't burst.

'I have a needle and thread in my pocket just in case,' the designer told the Daily Mail.



Bold: The actress, who was styled by Rachel Zoe, wore a bold strapless dress by Valentino


Hathaway is set to make several costume changes tonight as she hosts the night's event with James Franco.

Mila Kunis, whose film Black Swan is up for best picture, dazzled in a plunging Elie Saab haute couture dress.

Jennifer Hudson opted for a backless persimmon gown designed by Versace.

Melissa Leo a best supporting actress nominee for The Fighter said she felt 'like a princess' in a white and gold Mandarin cut dress designed for her by Marc Bauwer.


Best actress favourite: Pregnant Natalie Portman wore a dress by Rodarte, the tutu designers from Black Swan


Purple reign: Black Swan star Mila Kunis dazzled in a plunging Elie Saab haute couture dress


Melissa has been the front runner in the best supporting actress race but acknowledged that she 'doesn't have a crystal ball' for the Oscars.

Michelle Williams, who is up for an Oscar for the film Blue Valentine, wore a white Chanel gown.

Asked if she would be drinking champagne at the pre show reception Michelle laughed and said ,'No, I'm having vodka'.


Bringing sexy back: Newly-single Scarlett Johansson opted for a lacy Dolce & Gabbana confection


Lovely in lilac: Cate Blanchett wore Givenchy haute couture


Cate Blanchett wore a lilac gown with a criss-crossed back adorned with lime gems.

Meanwhile, the mothers of James Franco, Jeremy Renner, Mark Wahlberg, Mark Ruffalo and other Oscar nominees are sharing their proud reactions to their childrens' nominations through Twitter and on the official Oscar pre-show Sunday. Producers are calling them 'mominees.'

'It's motherly insight into what their child was like growing up and where they ended up and their reaction to where they are today," said Charlie Haykel, co-producer of ABC's Oscar pre-show.


Sparkling: Best actress nominee Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior, Michelle Williams in Chanel and Tangled's Mandy Moore, in Monique L'Hullier, is set to perform tonight


Trail blazers: Former best actress winners Hilary Swank, Gucci, and Halle Berry in Marchesa


'We're trying to make the whole Oscars more relatable... "Everybody's got a mom and they always embarrass us.'

So far the 'mominees' revelations haven't been too painful.

'James was very curious about everything from the time he was born - had an amazing attention span,' Franco's mother, Betsy Franco, posted on Twitter.

'I am proud of Matt couldn't stop talking about it. Shared the news with my friend & co-workers,' wrote Georgina Libatique, mother of Matthew Libatique, nominated for cinematography for Black Swan.


Flying the flag: Best actor nominee Colin Firth and wife Livia Giuggioli and his King's Speech co-star Helena Bonham Carter with husband Tim Burton


The official Oscar pre-show will also take viewers into the Governors Ball, the director's truck, and the green room, where stars relax before taking the stage.

'It's the most glamorous night of the year in the world, and we're allowing people into the inner sanctum,' Haykel said.

'The Kodak Theatre is the most exclusive place in the world on that night, and the green room is the most exclusive room inside the most exclusive place.'


Battling it out: The Fighter's Melissa Leo, in Marc Bouwer, and her co-star Amy Adams, L'Wren Scott, are both up for best supporting actress


At tonight's ceremony, The King's Speech, dramatizing British monarch George VI's struggle to vanquish a crippling stammer, leads the 83rd annual Oscars with 12 nominations and is favoured to win best picture.

Yet The Social Network, chronicling Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's fierce legal battles over the spoils of his creation, remains a serious candidate for the Oscar crown.

The two films have led a strong and varied field of best-picture contenders since they debuted nearly six months ago.


Pretty in pink: True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld, in an embroidered tulle tea length dress by Machesa, is this year's youngest best actress nominee at just 14


The Social Network was the early leader, grabbing key critics' honors and winning best drama at the Golden Globes. Momentum shifted to The King's Speech as the film dominated on Oscar nominations morning and swept top awards from influential actors, directors and producers guilds.

One Oscar forecast is certain: chilly weather for dolled-up stars promenading on the arrivals red carpet at the Kodak Theatre. Forecasts call for temperatures in the low 50s at show time, unusually crisp for Los Angeles.

Also up for best picture at the ceremony: the psychosexual thriller Black Swan; the boxing drama The Fighter; the sci-fi blockbuster Inception; the lesbian-family tale The Kids Are All Right; the survival chronicle 127 Hours; the animated comedy Toy Story 3; the Western True Grit; and the Ozarks crime story Winter's Bone.


Isn't that sweet: Russell Brand took his mother Barbara along for the occasion
With TV ratings on a general decline over the last few decades, Oscar organizers doubled the best-picture category from five to 10 films last year, hoping to spice up the show and bring in a broader range of films. Academy overseers also have tried to liven up the show with fresh hosts, new routines and different ways of presenting awards.

It paid off last year, when the low-budget Iraq War drama The Hurt Locker beat sci-fi behemoth Avatar for best picture. TV viewers totaled 41.7 million, up 15 percent from the previous year and the biggest Oscar audience in five years.

This time, Oscar planners cast youthful hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco (also a best-actor nominee for 127 Hours) and are promising exotic visuals as backdrops to the ceremony. They also stepped up pressure for winners to keep speeches short and sharp, rather than intone long thank-you lists.


Bright: Slimline Jennifer Hudson wore Versace while Winter's Bone star Jennifer Lawrence, who is nominated for best actress, wore Calvin Klein made bespoke by Francisco Costa


The speech factor gets an early test with a couple of technical awards - art direction and cinematography - leading off the show. Past Oscars typically started with a major prize such as supporting actress, but rather than a glib actor, the first word will come from behind-the-camera worker bees, whose speeches hold little interest for many TV viewers.

To hear Franco describe it, this year's nearly four hour show should prove a mix of old and new.

The Oscars have 'been going on for 83 years. I'm kind of joining a bigger apparatus, so it's going to be pretty familiar in some ways, but I think it'll be fun,' Franco said backstage Saturday at the Spirit Awards honouring independent film, where he won best actor for 127 Hours.

'They're allowing us to be relaxed. They're not stretching us into some mold that we don't fit.'

There are front-runners in most major categories and a few near-certain winners, including Colin Firth for best actor in the title role of The King's Speech and Christian Bale for supporting-actor as real-life boxer-turned-drug abuser Dicky Eklund in The Fighter.


Black and white: Sideways star Virginia Madsen opted for a ruffled monochrome number


Natalie Portman is expected to win best actress as a ballerina lost in dangerous delusion in Black Swan, while Melissa Leo is the supporting-actress favorite as a boxing clan's domineering matriarch in The Fighter.

But both actresses face potential upsets. Annette Bening, a Hollywood favorite nominated three times previously without a win, is a strong best-actress contender as a stern but loving lesbian mum in The Kids Are All Right.

Portman won best actress over a field that included Bening at the Spirit Awards, where "Black Swan" led with four prizes, including best picture and director for Darren Aronofsky.

The supporting-actress ranks offer really strong competitors, among them Leo's The Fighter co-star Amy Adams as boxer Micky Ward's scrappy girlfriend. Momentum for The King's Speech also could propel Helena Bonham Carter to an Oscar win as George's devoted wife, Queen Elizabeth, while 14-year-old newcomer Hailee Steinfeld has good prospects as a dauntless teen pursuing her father's killer in True Grit.

The best-director Oscar comes down to Tom Hooper for The King's Speech and David Fincher for The Social Network.


Food, glorious food: Chef Wolfgang Puck is catering the Oscar dinner which will follow the show


Hollywood veteran Fincher, a previous Oscar nominee for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, won best director at the Globes.

First-time nominee Hooper, best-known previously for classy television productions, won the filmmaking prize from the Directors Guild of America, whose recipient has gone on to take the directing Oscar 56 times in the past 62 years of the guild's awards.

The Academy Awards will be televised live in the U.S. on ABC at 8 p.m. EST.





Oscars 2011: Melissa Leo


Oscars 2011: Russell Brand


Oscars 2011: Florence and the Machine & Mandy Moore



source: dailymail

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