I finally saw A Star Is Born this weekend and… I don’t really get why it was ever an Oscar frontrunner. I guess that’s why they released it so early last fall – they wanted to get it out before all of the stronger films came out. ASIB never deserved to be an Oscar frontrunner. “A Star Is Born” is the wrong name for this film since it was mostly about the alcoholic older star and not the ingenue being “born.” Welcome to my Ted Talk. Anyway, all of that to say… I’m actually really happy that Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper keep getting snubbed. Those “snubs” are well-deserved.
Gaga and B-Coop were both on hand at the SAG Awards and they had to grin and bear it as Rami Malek and Glenn Close took home the lead actor awards. Bradley seems to have felt the tide shift, because he didn’t bother bringing Irina Shayk to the SAGs. His mom was his date, and Gloria kept her sunglasses on the whole time like a BOSS.
As for Gaga’s look… CB said Gaga was doing a version of Marilyn, but looking closer at the look as a whole… it’s not really a total Marilyn homage. Gaga looks really ‘90s, right? The choker, the red-black lipstick, the slicked down chignon. Even the Dior gown has a ‘90s feel. It’s not the best, but I still have my fingers crossed for a full Marilyn/Madonna homage at the Oscars.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
It’s like 90’s Courtney Love doing a Marilyn homage. I don’t hate it, but it’s a bit of an odd choice for the SAGS.
Yes! Marilyn had an innocence about her that was part of her charm, and I don’t see any of that here. Courtney Love channeling Marilyn would dirty that image down a lot, and that’s more of what I’m seeing here with Gaga.
It’s a homage to Marilyn Manson, clearly.
Exactly what I thought
Aww, I’m sad to hear your ASIB opinion Kaiser. I LOVED the movie, and I kinda feel like I’m on an island of one with that opinion! I know it wasn’t perfect by any means- there were some definite issues with the pacing, for one thing!- but I thought it was really good, and the performances in it were great. I’m really sad to see BCoop losing over and over again for it- I thought he was far, FAR better than Rami Malek’s Freddie impersonation. (small thing: Irina was never going to be there last night, even if by some miracle he had turned the tide around and won. She was in Russia for some Marc Jacobs appearance.)
I’m kinda torn on Gaga’s look from last night tbh. I didn’t like it when I first saw it, but it actually really grew on me as the night went on. I think it’s just the hair- that COLOUR. Arrrghhh, she needs to change it so much. It’s… so not good.
I thought it was an okay movie, and Gaga was the best part. Bradley’s weird voice was stupid and it ruined his performance. It in no way deserved to be an “Oscar frontrunner”
I personally loved his performance, I thought he was the best thing about the movie for me. But hey, different strokes! Plus, it definitely seems like most of Hollywood (and all of the voters) seem to agree with you, not me, so maybe I’m just wrong, I dunno. I really thought it deserved better than to lose over and over to Bohemian freakin Rhapsody, mind you. Now there is a movie that deserves to be nowhere near frontrunner anything!
this, twenty thousands times. “If Beale Street could talk” and “Can you ever forgive me” getting passed over in favor of “Green book”, and “Bohemian rhapsody” and “A star is born (which is a remake of a remake of a remake) is a travesty.
ASIB didn’t need to be remade for the umpteenth time. And in 2018/2019 it’s sad that a movie purporting to be about a woman “making” it in the music biz is actually about how hard it is for the man to cope with her success. Next. For the most part it’s a pretty lame awards season this year..
@Redgrl Completely agree.
[Spoiler ahead? Maybe?]
I *hated* the name thing at the end too.
@S when a story has been around since 1937 and been remade 4 times, one can hardly call it a spoiler alert. Mentionning that spoils about as much as telling the ending of Romeo & Juliet, no? (It also means that we can appreciate something even if we know the story, when it’s well done)
@xdanix
I liked the movie a lot, although I thought the ending had some issues. But I’m with you in that I absolutely believe Bradley deserves the Oscar over Rami and Bale (the two favorites). I love Christian Bale normally, but I am baffled at the Vice love and his role. And Rami was great, but occasionally seemed like he was doing a knock off imitation at times. And I normally don’t even care for Bradley’s acting, but he really amazed me in this.
Ahh, thank you so much for saying that @Div! It’s like you read my mind, honestly, because I agree with you on just about everything. We can be an island of two! 😀
At this point I’m down to rooting for Bale to win (I mean, I really WANT it for BC, but I think with this loss he’s absolutely finished, sadly) because I can’t stand the idea of Malek’s impersonation winning the Best Actor Oscar, (I REALLY didn’t think he was half as good in the role as everyone else seems to.) but like you, I can’t understand the love for Vice at all. I so, so wish it was going to Bradley- I thought he was absolutely phenomenal. (And while people may give out about ASIB being a remake of a remake, and baity and all the rest, it’s worth noting that he is the ONLY actor nominated for bringing an original character to life. EVERYONE else he’s up against is playing a real person. Now THAT is Oscar bait!)
@xdanix – i completely agree. This year’s male best actor category is a such a sad mess that one can’t help but root for CB. The idea of Malek winning it at this point makes me sick. Bale is not much better, mind you – i am tired of the “thespian karaoke”: Oldman for playing Chirchill, Redmayne for playing Hawking, now Malik for playing Freddie OR Bale for playing Cheney. it has become ridiculous.
I agree. Only the first half of the movie really worked for me, and the screenplay lets Ally’s character down, but Bradley Cooper’s performance was stupendous and should be the frontrunner among the nominees. Probably would be if he hadn’t focused his attention on getting a Best Director nom instead. I rarely buy actors playing musicians but never doubted him. Malek didn’t come close IMO (and that’s before you get to the Singer association)
@Tanguerita @Bex Thanks guys! Guess the island isn’t quite so “population: me” as I thought! 😀
Yes, I couldn’t agree with you more about “thespian karaoke” Tanguerita (what a great way to put it!) As I just commented on another thread, there have been something like 4 or 5 Best Actor wins in just the last decade alone where the winner was playing a real person. This year, as I said above, BC is the ONLY actor nominated for Best Actor for playing an original character. It’s already seen as the quickest way to an Oscar, and when Malek or Bale get the win next month that’ll only increase. So boring.
@Bex, I totally agree about buying him as a musician in a way that’s hard to do. In fact, watching the Vegas video, seeing him so shy and uncomfortable performing as himself, and contesting that with how he owned the stage with such casual ease when performing live as Jackson, was really interesting to me. Brought it home all over again just what a brilliant performance it was!
“thespian karaoke” 10 points Ravenclaw.
You are absolutely not alone.
Although elements of the movie are problematic I was very moved by it. I think Bradley’s directorial choices were spot on (especially the concert footage), his performance was hreatbreaking, Sam Elliot stole my heart, and Gaga gave a effort as Ally. I loved the music and even though i was spoiled on the ending prior to seeing it, I was still very very moved.
Thank you! It’s lovely to know I wasn’t alone in feeling so gripped and moved by what they did- I really was starting to feel like I was kind of alone in loving it so much, as so many people seem to feel the exact opposite!
@ xdanix have you seen the Judy Garland version? If not, watch it.
OMG the Judy Garland version is three hours long!!!!! FYI, Dorothy Parker was a screenplay writer on the original version and Joan Didion was a screenplay writer on the Kristofferson/Streisand version.
I love this dress! Not 100% sure about the frayed edges, but Gaga’s curves look great! Haven’t seen the movie and probably won’t .
My daughter got engaged 3 weeks ago, and I’m willing to bet she’ll choose something very similar (sans frayed edges!) for her small, non-traditional wedding. She is curvy, like Gaga, and I think it’s a lovely, sexy style if you’re not built like a tomato stake.
*Disclaimer: I know nothing of high fashion. Or any fashion, really. 🤷♂️
OMG if Gaga is considered “curvy” then God help us as a society.
I love her look, more so individually (face + dress), but together it’s not bad at all.
Congratulations AnnaKist! I agree and really like the dress. I also think that Gaga has curves. She’s slim but definitely curvy.
Thank you, Aoife – lovely name, by the way… Yes, that’s what I meant: here in Australia, ‘’curvy’’ does not mean chubby, plump, overweight, big, fat o anything else so demeaning. It means having curves, nothing more. So, usually, an hourglass figure with shapely heips and chest and smaller, defined waist. One could be quite a bit heavier than a model, but still, shapely.
He’s a nice man and treats my daughter like a queen, but then, he treats everyone well. She kissed a few toads, but he was waiting patiently in the wings…
I like the dress as well. But that fried nest on her head ruins everything. She’s no Marilyn.
Have to say, I’m not a fan of any part of this goth princess look. The bleached hair with visible roots, even though I know it’s intentional, is so unflattering, and she’s practically got Black Panther claws going on there with her manicure. It’s all very Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Plus, this gown is doing nothing for her. The slit makes her legs look shorter and the bodice actually looks a bit painful to her chest area. And cream pumps? No doubt it’s all very expensive and couture, but it looks really cheap. I’ll admit, I don’t get it.
Same, on everything.
Did anyone see the video of them performing during Gaga’s Vegas show? They were piling on the drool, it was just way to much. But he did seem drunk, so maybe that played a part.
I don’t think he was drunk – at least, I certainly hope for his sake he wasn’t, because he has a history of alcohol and drug problems. He’s been sober since he was about 30. I DO think he was terrified and didn’t know what to do with himself on stage- there’s one video that zooms in on him when she calls him up, and judging by the look on his face, and the way the guy next to him was telling him repeatedly he just had to go up there, she gave him NO warning she was gonna do that! I reckon it was as much a surprise to him as it was to the audience!
Oh man, that’s sad. I hope he was just surprised, cause I also got the drunk vibe from him. She’s an over the top, effusive performer, but I got the vibe she was trying to prop him up rather than hug him at one point. He kept putting his arm around her and kind of falling into her and making it hard for her to play the piano, or at least that’s how it seemed to me but who knows cause most didn’t seem to get that impression.
What makes me think that it was fear and not knowing what to do with himself is that he already admitted that back when they were filming all the live scenes for ASIB, he was utterly terrified. He hates singing live. And that was when he had been having daily vocal lessons for a long time to be ready, whereas by now that’s over a year and half ago, he must be totally out of practice. So if she sprang that on him out of nowhere like I think she did, I wouldn’t be surprised if he needed some emotional propping up! Plus, I think he had no idea what to do with his hands (or himself) because every time he sang in ASIB, he was playing a guitar or a piano. I don’t think he has any idea how to perform as himself, especially if it wasn’t planned beforehand.
Hopefully that’s all it was, anyway. He’s been very private about his past struggles, but I gather they were pretty bad times for him, and he seems to have worked hard to stay completely sober since. It’d be sad to think he might have relapsed.
If the Vegas performance was unplanned, it’s a good thing that he knew the words. How did she know he hadn’t forgotten the lyrics?
Is he going to perform it at the Oscars or will she perform it alone as she has been doing at her gigs?
The over dramatic draping off him at the end with her head on his shoulder and kneeling at his feet at the start was so off putting. It all seemed WAY too much like an act. I know the movie means a lot to her but ffs.
I think it’s confirmed that they will perform together at the Oscars.
@Melanie I actually don’t think the words would have been a huge problem for him, thankfully- he may not have sung the song in over a year, but he has been to several premieres and a ton of screenings since, and it plays in full, so I reckon between that and working so much on the film he’ll be LUCKY to forget the words anytime soon, haha! 😀
(Of course, I may be totally wrong in guessing he had no warning. If he’s scared of singing live, I’m sure it’d be a very nerve-wracking prospect whether he knew about it or not, especially the first time doing it as himself rather than a character. It’s just a theory until either of them are asked about it. But it is a strong suspicion I have, just based on those initial reactions to her calling him up! :D)
Ha, I thought I was the only one who believed he seemed smashed or high. She seemed like she was trying to prop him up and keep him steady and from falling off the chair imo at one point. She’s usually super effusive and over the top with everyone when she performs (I saw her and Tony Bennett)—and she and BCoop definitely play it up for the cameras usually—but I did not get that vibe this time from her.
I thought the Vegas thing was fine, sweet. What went through my mind was it was a good, safe place to do a live practice run if they are going to be performing at the Oscars. And also thought Bradley Cooper sounded pretty good.
I thought the Vegas thing seemed nice too,and I think they sounded great actually.I am not a huge fan of either but like them both,finally listened to the song/trailer on YouTube and now I adore the song,their voices together and plan to see the movie when it comes to pay per view.I don’t kid myself at thinking it will be perfect,but still a story I’m willing to watch.I also hear Sam Elliot as Bcoop’s on screen brother is worth the watch,and I love seeing Gaga so simply beautiful instead of OTT.Cooper has a good voice,but I don’t think he was completely comfortable on that stage with Gaga.I saw him speaking of his sobriety several years ago and he made no mistake saying he’s sober by choice because if he’s imbibing in alcohol whatsoever he’s pretty much not functioning so that is how he chose sobriety.I agree with those who think this years awards are pretty bland.
Can’t wait to see Gaga’s reaction if she doesn’t win a Oscar. Wasn’t there an actor who left the ceremony early because he did not get an Oscar? Was it Eddie Murphy for Dreamgirls?
Hahahahahahaha me too!!!
Btw, “… I don’t really get why it was ever an Oscar frontrunner”…. my thoughts exactly!
To be fair to her, she’s actually reacted really graciously to not winning every time. She’s stood up, applauded Glenn, hugged her… she’s been really nice (and not even that dramatic.) She might be a tad over the top with her reactions to her own wins, but she’s handled NOT winning just fine.
I was just going to say the same thing, and after Glenn’s win last night, I have a feeling she already knows that she is not going to win Best Actress next month.
Agree
Gaga’s well aware she’s not going to win. She’s already lost a lot of award. I think she just wants to enjoy the ride.
B coop looks so much like Gloria. She’s the bomb!
I find the whole look super unflattering – more trashy than edgy. Plus, her girls really need some support.
Her bleached out hair and black roots are making me cringe…she should give her poor hair a break.
I’m so glad Glenn Close beat her last night. I hope that makes her a lock for an Oscar. I can’t believe she has never won one before. I know it shouldn’t be a sympathy Oscar but come on already academy!
I like the look, but the hair is blah and the roots are terrible. She looks best when she wears her hair loose and full, but she keeps slicking her hair back super tight which isn’t flattering on anyone. Although at least this time her hair seems a little less tightly pulled back.
Don’t to love the dress, and I’m already over the dark lipstick trend again.
It looks like b coops injections or facial work has settled… so that’s a win haha
Yeah, it looks like he can move his face again, thank goodness. And the hair is looking ok too. Now everyone around him just needs to not let him NEAR a razor between now and Feb, because the clean-shaven look is NOT his friend these days! 😀
You are so right! I don’t think the clean-shaven look works for him at all. I don’t really like his hair long either, although he was working my sh!t in ASIB!!!
If you can call Lady Gaga Marilyn Monroe, you can call anyone with blonde hair
in a white dress Marilyn Monroe. Lady Gaga has 0 sex appeal, and average looks,
not even close to Marilyn Monroe..
Yep.
Káiser, i agree with you. After seeing Roma, the green book and Vice, ASIB doesn’t compare. I’m not saying that it’s at terrible movie, it was good. But the others quite frankly outshined. I think Roma, as a whole, was the most outstanding. The cinematography was exquisite and the way it was strategically shot without scripts was amazing. I also fell in love with the idea of this film being a love letter to his (director) nanny and to show her how much he appreciates her now as an adult as he reflects back on his childhood.
ASIB has been done and done and done and DONE. Next.
I’m here for the Ted Talk.
They need to stop placing the front and center. It just invites the snark. Everybody has eyes on them waiting for their reactions and then they have to see the winners walk by them to the stage. She looks fine, but you can totally tell her awards wardrobe was planned with multiple winning award walks planned. Too bad. So sad.
Oh god, I hope she doesn’t go “Marilyn” at the Oscars. It’s been done, and done again, and at this point it’s sad cosplay when someone shows up in a white silk-satin slipdress with curls and red lip. Just stop.
Honestly, I blame them for bombing their Oscar campaign. They have zero chemistry and even look like they hate each other at all these events. Remember B-Coop playing the game with Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook? They flirted, and clearly got along. People wanted to see them on carpets and awards shows. And it paid off (for JLaw only, but still).
Why are we tuning in now…for Gaga’s high fashion? Meh. Oh and the little Vegas “show” was super forced and uncomfortable to watch.
Agree, I just find them embarrassing together. Cringeworthy. Maybe he’s heard her 100-people-in-the-room BS one too many times.
Another terrible outfit. The woman simply is a fashion victim and tries hard to be stylish and edgy.
I would say this is a pretty good mid-nineties Madonna cosplay. She looks good though.