88th Academy Awards - Fashion Dreams

     

Gucci Fall/Winter 2016, Milan Runway

The Academy Awards equate to Christmas morning for fashion lovers and it is the biggest red carpet of the year. Everyone watching wants to be wowed and left thinking of couture gowns. Personally, I am hoping that this year there are a lot of contenders for best dressed and the we do not see any horrific red carpet gown that are a shoe in for worst dressed.  Having said that, we know there will be fashion standouts, both good and bad, at the 2016 Oscars. In keeping with tradition, the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees will be the ones to watch, as fashion lovers crave beautiful gowns more than tuxedos, due to their unique ability to move us emotionally.                                                                                                         
Like many of you, I have a wish-list of gowns I would love to see on the red carpet at this year's Oscars. Here are some of the nominees, and what I would style them in, if given the chance.

The Gucci gown (above right), which was shown on the runway during Milan Fashion Week, and would be a fabulous choice for Rooney Mara, who is nominated this year for Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in Carol.  Rooney loves to wear black on the red carpet, and this gown is a MUST for the biggest awards show of the year.  Both edgy and feminine, it is the perfect fit for Rooney and I think she would rock it!  See some of her recent looks below:

Rooney Mara: Recent Red Capet Looks (pic courtesy InStyle)

Nominated for her first Oscar, Brie Larson is up against an amazingly talented group of women with her nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Room.  If you haven't seen this film, check out the trailer here.  I have a strong feeling that her first nomination will garner a win for Brie, as her performance is more than stand-out; It is incredible. 

Brie Larson: Recent Red Carpet Looks  (pic courtesy InStyle)

McQueen, Pre-Fall 2016

     

Marchesa, Pre-Fall 2016 

Larson can wear just about anything, but it would be refreshing to see something really glamorous and unique on her for her first Oscars Red Carpet, especially since she is a favorite to win. Larson needs to go big, with a print or something bold, unique, and modern.  To the left and rightI have found two looks that she could definitely pull off and win on the Red Carpet along with her Oscar win. The Alexander McQueen printed gown, lined properly, would draw attention and would be a very polarizing look.  The Marchesa gown is very feminine, and would need perfect makeup, hair and very little accessorizing.

Finally, we have Cate Blanchett, who is nominated for Best Actress in a motion picture for Carol. Cate knows how to work a red carpet like a queen.  She has been nominated six times for an Oscar and has won twice, so far. Below are some of her most memorable looks.

Cate  Blanchett, Red Carpet Looks, (pics courtesy thegloss.com)

Gigi Hadid in Chanel Haute Couture 2016

My favorite looks on Cate are nudes, blush and light colors, because she always has her hair and makeup on-point, and pulls off the "goddess of the carpet" so well.  For the 2016 Oscars, I would love to put her in something elegant and classy, that is also flattering.  I also love Chanel.  The look to the right, if custom made for Cate and maybe even full length, would make my night.  I can't wait to see what she decides to wear!

There are so many gowns and so many talented women nominated, and I only had time to dream about looks for three! Please follow my blog for updates on best and worst dressed at this year's Oscars, and more.  

Get ready for the 88th Academy Awards.  There will be so much fashion on that carpet, it will be hard to keep up.  I will have a poll for the best-dressed and worst-dressed following the awards.

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To see a complete list of the nominees, go to oscars.go.com.

photo credit:  Instyle Magazine, thegloss.com, Chanel, Gucci, Marchesa, Alexander McQueen, Google Images, Getty Images

Happy 25th Birthday Taylor Swift!

Wishing a very happy 25th birthday to Taylor Swift, a true fashionista who happens to be a killer songwriter and an amazing singer.

Taylor Swift Red Carpet Looks, Getty Images

Meeting BB15's America's Favorite Player: Elissa Reilly Slater

What a great day I had yesterday! I had the opportunity to meet America's Favorite Player from Big Brother Season 15, Elissa Reilly Slater! She is a truly amazing lady; down-to-earth and as beautiful inside as she is outside.

Elissa Reilly Slater (left) & 'Chele Hayes, (right)

If Big Brother does an All-Star season, I hope to see Elissa and her sweet spirit on the show again. I love Big Brother, love the game play and really connect with many of the players. In the history of the game, however, few have maintained their integrity and sense of self like Elissa. That's why she became America's Favorite Player last season, and why she should be on the next #BBAllStars, whenever that takes place. 

Follow Elissa on Twitter: @ElissaReillyS

Leave your thoughts on how you feel about a Big Brother All-Stars season, as well as the current season of #BB16 and your pick to win.

My picks (spoilers ahead if you are NOT caught up on this season:

 (I miss Donnie, Amber and #ZackAttack, like Nicole and really have had Derrick pegged to win from the beginning).  At this point, I would really be so happy with a Nicole and Derrick finale two, but do not see that happening.  We shall see . . .

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Picture cc: film fashionista/Chele Hayes copyright 2014

2014 Teen Choice Awards Fashion

 Beauties on the Blue Carpet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shay Mitchell

It seems it was the night for white at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, and the crop top.  Fashionistas were out in droves, and there were many winners in the best dressed category.  First up and hands-down the best in white, Pretty Little Liars' Shay Mitchell (left) killed it in a two-piece lace design from the Mischa Collection.  It was a very relaxed, yet sophisticated look all at the same time.  Way to go Shay!  

Ariana Grande

Secondly, Ariana Grande (right) looked as adorable as ever in a short-and-simple white dress from George Chakra.  She had her hair up, which is her usual m.o., but that made her look charming in the white, bejeweled mini-dress.  Ariana is a fashion rock-star lately, and we can expect to see more great looks from her in the future.

Haley Ramm

My final pick for best dressed in white is Chasing Life's Haley Ramm (left), wearing a sweet white crop top with a skirt that is just divine.  Not overdone at all, she looks cool and perfectly accessorized.  Wearing her hair loose and down worked well with this outfit, giving the look a breezy and more casual feel.

Taylor Swift in Novis

My pick for the very best dressed of the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, however, goes to the beautiful Taylor Swift (right).  As a presenter at the Awards and with three nominations, she was the winner of Choice Female Country Artist.  Swift walked the blue carpet wearing a gorgeous Novis crop top and skirt in green, and accessorized her outfit with Charlotte Olympia shoes and EFFY earrings.

Nina Dobrev

I really must make an honorable mention in the best dressed category for the lovely Nina Dobrev of the Vampire Diaries.  Nina wore a colorful Vionnet shorts and sleeveless crop top ensemble.  Showing lots of leg, she looked stunning.  Her loose side braid topped the look off and made her a stand out and tops on many best dressed lists.


For a full list of winners and nominees from the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, check out the Teen Choice Site here:  
Teen Choice Awards Winners and Nominees 2014

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pictures & designer information courtesy of getty images, eonline.com and justjared.com

The Honourable Woman - New Sundance Mini-Series is a Hit

Maggie Gyllenhaal Gives a Stellar Performance

 

Maggie Gyllenhaal as Nessa Stein

Did anyone catch The Honourable Woman starring Maggie Gyllenhaal on Sundance last night?  In keeping with the other great series that are on Sundance (Top of the Lake, Rectify, The Red Road and my personal favorite, The Returned), The Honourable Woman is a drama-thriller that is shaping up to be a hit with both viewers and critics.

 

Described by Sundance Channel as a "fast-paced, labyrinthine thriller," this mini-series deals with very current

Lubna Abazal as Atika Halibi

topics.  Set in the Middle East, expect to see espionage, kidnapping and even murder as this realistic story plays out.  Read below Sundance Channel's synopsis of The Honourable Woman:

As children, Nessa Stein (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and her brother Ephra (Andrew Buchan) witnessed the assassination of their father, a well-known Israeli arms manufacturer. Now in her thirties, Nessa has taken control of the company and refocused its purpose on connecting Palestine and Israel to promote peace. Her efforts have resulted in an appointment from the House of Lords. Everything comes to a head when a secret from her past threatens to be exposed and those closest to her are potentially her most dangerous enemies. 

Gyllenhaal is an Academy Award nominated actress; she was nominated in 2009 for her role in Crazy Heart.  Gyllenhaal was also nominated for the Golden Globe in 2002 for Sherrybaby, and 2006 for Secretary, as well as the Saturn Award in 2006 for Stranger than Fiction and 2008 for The Dark Knight.  She has many other award nominations and  wins.  For more on Maggie Gyllenhaal's movie amazing movie career, take a look at her full filmography here: 
Maggie Gyllenhaal on IMDB

Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Nessa Stein is strong; I can already see a Best Actress in a Mini-Series nomination for her role as

Gyllenhaal is smooth & powerful as Nessa

Nessa if the series continues in this fashion.  Nessa has had to be an over-comer, and a leader.  Gyllenhaal is nailing it - not with overpowering acting, but with a smooth and powerful grace that will keep viewers watching.

Gyllenhaal (Nessa Stein) & Andrew Buchan (Ephra Stein)

Andrew Buchan plays the role of Gyllenhaal's brother in the mini-series.  You may recognize him from Nowhere Boy (2009), The Deaths of Ian Stone (2007) and Still Life (2013).  He gives a  quiet, yet compelling performance in the first episode that is very captivating, and I cannot wait to see more from him.

Overall, after watching episode one of this exciting drama-thriller, The Empty Chair, I give it ★★★★☆ and call this one a definite "To Watch."  I cannot wait to see the next episode!  The Honourable Woman airs on Sundance on Thursdays at 10:00pm EST.

NR/AO, TV-MA (V,L)   

Thank you for reading, and please feel free to comment.  Follow me here on G+, on Twitter at @FilmFashionista, and on Facebook .  Watch for a new giveaway soon on my FB page, so be sure to Like the Page to be eligible to win!


'Chele
The Film Fashionista


pictures courtesy of www.sundance.tv/series
series and actor information courtesy of IMDB.com


 

 

I Origins - A Thought Provoking Sci-Fi Drama

Opens July 18th in Theaters

Written and directed by the proven Mike Cahill, I Origins looks like it will be a satisfying bite of cinema for hungry movie-goers everywhere when released on July 18th nationwide in the U.S.  This work is Cahill's second film; his first was 2011's Another Earth, a sci-fi/drama/romance that did quite well with viewer ratings and critics, as well.  Excitement is building for the U.S. opening, which will be on July 18th.

Winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at 2014's Sundance Film Festival, I Origins has created a lot of buzz from those who have had the opportunity to view it so far.  The film stars Michael Pitt (Seven Psychopaths), Brit Marling (Another Earth, The East), Astrid Bergés-Frisbey (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) and Steven Yeun (of The Walking Dead fame, as Glenn).

IMDB describes the sci-fi/drama this way:  "A molecular biologist and his laboratory partner uncover evidence that may fundamentally change society as we know it."  Expect

Romance and intimacy run deep in this sci-fi drama

brilliant cinematography, great editing and a layered look at the sci-fi theme of reincarnation, with large doses of passion and tenderness involved in the love story that is intertwined throughout the film.  People may walk away asking how they would deal with questions about their faith, the afterlife and God if it were proven true that reincarnation exists.  For more information on the film, check out the IMDB page for I Origins.

Faith and Beliefs

Unwavering faith in God and Heaven.  That is a Christian viewpoint that must be maintained when watching science fiction films that delve into scientific notions about subject matter such as this; I, for one, would stand firm in my beliefs even if faced with "proof" of the existence of such phenomenon.  Your core beliefs and opinions, no matter what your religious affiliation or faith, will not be changed by a movie, and sci-fi is fiction (not true), to be viewed as a "what if" and not taken as something that is fact.  The film can be enjoyed as fiction and an escape into a good movie with a really cool concept, however thought provoking.  Those who have seen and rated the movie so far have really liked it.  Currently, it has a 7.4 rating on IMDB by viewers.

The Eyes are the Keys to the Soul

"Every person on this planet has their own unique pair of eyes."  This quote from the film seems to take on new meaning after watching the trailer.  See for yourself (no pun intended, of course): 

I Origins Official Theatrical Trailer

"I'd like to tell you the story of the eyes that changed this world." 

~ Ian Gray, I Origins 

I Origins is rated R for some sexuality/nudity and language, and is 113 minutes in length.

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Persecuted: A film about government scandal, corruption & religious persecution

Written and directed by Daniel Lusko and starring James Remar, Raoul Trujillo, Dean Stockwell, Brad Stine, Bruce Davison, Fred Dalton Thompson and Natalie Grant, along with a very long cast of other talented actors, Persecuted is due to be released in U.S. theaters July 18th, 2014.  The film's story focuses on a popular evangelist (portrayed by Remar) who finds himself on the run after being framed for murder.  The evangelist's plight begins following his refusal to back a senator's proposition which calls for sweeping religious reform that would counter his beliefs. The film looks at the very heart of freedom of speech, and digs into government corruption and religious persecution. 

The official movie trailer is below:

  
Daniel Lusko has been the writer and director on several faith-based documentaries, including Inside the Revolution, Epicenter and Riptide.  He also has a film in post-production called 11 Seconds; it will be released in 2015.  Persecuted, which will be his first live-action thriller, is highly anticipated by many.

Below is a brief trailer about the making of the film and its message, both political and theological:



In a society with many uncertainties, and where we hear every day about government corruption and monitoring worldwide, the timing of this film seems spot-on.  It "goes there,"  dealing with religious persecution and government issues where other films do not.  This film is considered an action/thriller/drama/ mystery, but there is a true faith-based element to this film.  The film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and violence, which are necessary to convey the particular message in this movie.

For more on this film, check out the film's official website here:   

Persecuted Website

This is a film with a message - one that needs to be heard.  Could religious rights in America be threatened in the future?  Are we seeing other constitutional rights being threatened in the present day?  It is good to see a writer and director taking the action-thriller approach for audiences in order to get this message across.

While the concept in Persecuted may seem a bit futuristic right now, someday it could happen...and soon.  Think about it: What would you do if you were persecuted for your beliefs?  I really recommend that you put this one on your list to see.  No matter what your political or religious affiliation is, this movie is mainly about our rights to Freedom of Speech and what could happen if we were in a similar situation.

Gretchen Carlson of Fox News, who has a small role in the film as a news anchor (ironic, huh?), told the Christian Reporter on February 13th: 

These are issues I have talked a lot about on Fox News and they're central in my life too. I'm a Christian and oftentimes felt the negativity of speaking openly about that...it's really ironic because when people see me on the street, if they happen to recognize me from ...the News, the thing they say to me is, 'thank you for standing up for the values and ideals that I believe in with my family,' ... and yet, that seems to be what I'm mostly criticized for as well. It's interesting, the dichotomy that goes on in society," she said.

What People Are Saying About This Film

"A big thumbs up." ~ American Family Association

"A timely thriller."  ~ Fox News

"I love political thrillers...I think this could do well." ~  Larry King

"Compelling story that shows what one man with faith can accomplish." ~ The Dove Foundation

"Intriguing." ~ National Review

"This movies trailer was recently # 1 on the iTunes most popular list, a feat insiders attribute to a robust Facebook page and the ripped-from-the-headlines themes that the movie explores." ~ The Hollywood Reporter

You can link to the Facebook page for Persecuted and "like" it if you wish, and get up to date information on the movie as the release approaches.  Here is the link:   

Facebook Page for Persecuted

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Trailers and pictures and quotes courtesy of persecutedmovie.com 
Carlson quote: christianreporter.com
Movie release info and actor/director info - imdb.com