Slim pickings this week my friends. We’ve got one big release noteworthy for the Golden Globes it was nominated for and for being the film for which Gorgeous George did not win. We’ve also got two releases that by all accounts were just plain dreadful, one niche film starring no one you’ve ever heard of but, that got surprisingly good reviews and another beautiful foreign art film that will be difficult to find.

The Ides of March, based on Beau Willimon’s play “Farragut North”,  is about an idealistic staffer(Ryan Gosling) for a newbie presidential candidate (George Clooney) who gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Also starring Philip Seymour Hoffman (who just earned a BAFTA nomination for the role), Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti, Marissa Tomei, Geoffrey Wright and Max Minghella, it was directed by Clooney and written by the BAFTA nominated team of Clooney, Willimon and Grant Heslov.  I recommend this one. If you like political dramas like All the President’s Men, you’ll like it (and supposedly it was based on Howard Dean’s Presidential run.)

Special Features:

Commentary with George Clooney and Grant Heslov
Developing the Campaign: The Origin of The Ides of March
Believe: George Clooney
On The Campaign: The Cast of The Ides Of March
What Does a Political Consultant Do?

Abduction starring Twi-hard heart-throb Taylor Lautner, is a thriller centered on a young man who sets out to uncover the truth about his life after finding his baby photo on a missing persons website. It was a sort male version of Hanna.

Critics drubbed it but, director John Singleton (Four Brothers, Shaft, Boyz n the Hood, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Rosewood) does know how to do action, I'll give him that.

Special Features:

HBO’s Mildred Pierce, directed by Todd Haynes, is coming to dvd. Based on the classic 1941 novel of “pride and privilege in the middle class” by James M. Cain, the five part mini-series (shown over the course of three Sunday nights last April) is the story of a young mother (Kate Winslet) “with a talent for baking who is left a "grass widow" after throwing her husband, Bert (Brian F. O’Byrne, out of the house for infidelity. Forced to hunt for work to support herself and her two daughters, Veda and Ray, Mildred visits an employment agency, only to encounter job opportunities she feels are beneath her. Amidst her job search, she receives dating advice from her friend and neighbor, Lucy Gessler (Melissa Leo), and begins an unexpected affair with an ex-business partner of her husband's, Wally Burgan (James LeGros). When Mildred receives a call from the agency regarding an opening as a housekeeper to a wealthy socialite, she reluctantly agrees to meet with her. After cutting the acerbic interview short, Mildred seeks refuge at a local diner, Cristofor's Café, where fate, and a waitress named Ida (Mare Winningham), will play a role in shaping her future.”

The above synopsis is from HBO, but it doesn’t even mention Monty Beragon (Guy Pearce), the younger playboy that Mildred begins an affair with and eventually marries. There’s a reason the tagline is “Having it all cost her everything.”

Mildred Pierce led the Emmys this year with 21 nominations including Best Mini-Series, Kate Winslet for Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for both Pearce and O’Byrne, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Winningham, Leo and Evan Rachel Wood. Winslet and Pearce won.They’ve both been nominated for Golden Globes and SAG awards as well. If you haven’t seen it, now’s your chance.  Mildred Pierce arrives on dvd as well as a dvd/blu-ray collector’s edition on Tuesday January 3.

The special features (if you can call them that) for the dvd edition:

-Audio Commentaries with Todd Haynes, Jon Raymond, Mark Friedberg on parts 3 and 5

-Series Index (menu-based) 
-Previews (Parts 1-5) 

The special features for the dvd/blu-ray special edition:

-Audio Commentaries with Todd Haynes, Jon Raymond, Mark Friedberg on parts 3 and 5 
-Series Index (menu-based) 
-Previews (Parts 1-5) 
-Inside the episode pieces for parts 1-5
-The Making of Mildred Pierce

Like an official with a starter’s pistol, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences kicked off the awards season in earnest last night by holding the Academy’s 3^rd Annual Governor’s Award Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center.  Admittedly it's a rather slow start as the event is generally for *ahem* "old school" Hollywood and those hoping to make an impression with Oscar voters. Potential nominees Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson, Gary Oldman, Tilda Swinton, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were all there. Academy President Tom Sherak took the podium in a Darth Vader costume (in tribute to Jones) and opened with “How was your week?” 

And the first Oscar goes to…James Earl Jones.

Jones received an honorary Oscar from Sir Ben Kingsley for his long career in film. He accepted his Oscar via satellite because he’s in London starring in “Driving Miss Daisy” opposite Vanessa Redgrave at London’s Wyndham Theatre. Sir Ben Kingsley presented him the award for which Jones said he was “deeply honored” and “mighty grateful”.

In LA Oprah Winfrey and famed makeup man Dick Smith were given awards at the dinner; Smith for his long career spanning sixty five films including Little Big Man, The Godfather & The Godfather II, The Exorcist and Amadeus. Oprah was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. (Despite the fact that she earned three standing 'O's to close the night, I'm pretty sure she'll still make a speech during February's three plus hour long telecast). Apparently there were a lot of heartfelt speeches for all of the recipients, attendees calling this year's gala the most emotional yet.

Part two of the event will be held tonight in London as Meryl Streep, Ralph Fiennes and James Earl Jones are scheduled to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tribute to Jones’ costar Vanessa Redgrave’s 50-year career. (I hope they don’t think this is in place of giving her a nomination for Fiennes’ Coriolanus! She’s been nominated six times, but has only won once: Best Supporting Actress for Julia in 1978) 

Enjoy the pics of the arrivals at last night’s event! (Is it me or did John Travolta look more vampire-y than Edward?) They're just starting to roll in so I may be back with more goodies!!

Whether it was strutting down the street, making an exit or sashaying down the red carpet, my fashionista radar picked up on a certain trend this week:  Anything from casual to the casually elegant.  "Casually elegant" you say?  That's right.  That may sound like a contradiction in and of itself, but as you'll see, our Fashionistas will show you it does exist!

British actress, Gemma Arterton, 25 attended the official public opening of GUCCI MUSEO at the Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence's Piazza Signoria in celebration of Gucci's 90th anniversary on September 28, 2011.  Gemma wore a black straight line skirt with a delicious buttery-soft, camel coloured leather jacket with matching clutch.  Gemma is currently filming Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, which is an American action/horror film that will be filmed in 3-D.  It's scheduled for release on March 2, 2012. 

Jennifer Anniston steps out with hunky beau Justin Theroux (who, according to my sources, apparently shied away from the camera so as not to steal her limelight) to attend the screening of her directorial Lifetime project Five at the Skylight Soho in New York Monday night.  Five is an anthology of short films dealing with the subject of breast cancer.  The gorgeous blonde, 42, kept it casual but sexy in black trousers, with low-cut vest and peek-a-boo black lacy bra with a simple gold necklace.  Hmmm … when a guy steps away from the limelight so that his lady love can capture all the attention, you know it's the real deal. 

American actress and singer, Evan Rachel Wood, 24, rocked the red carpet wearing a white mens‑inspired YSL tuxedo jacket and pants at the premiere of her film, The Ides of March, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA on September 27.  The blonde beauty harmonized the suit with a black satin bustier accessorized with Neil Lane strands of pearls and black stones, and completing the look with Giuseppe Zanotti pumps and Salvatore Ferragamo clutch.  (Suffice it to say, we know who wears the pants in her house.  Just sayin'.) 

Pan Am star, Christina Ricci, 31, is flying high casually and elegantly in ever-so-comfy jeans complemented with a gold sweater and chic black jacket for her appearance, Friday, on Good Morning America  in New York City.  But what I like most is that gold studded handbag which looks like something from a James Bond flick.  Yeah, don't mess with her.  Now that's the way to travel!

Keeping up with the Kardashians star, Kim Kardashian waves to the fans as she leaves her New York City hotel recently in casual, but dressy, high-waisted black trousers with white and black blouse and Birkin handbag.  Kim has been cheering on her brother Rob weekly from the audience while he performs on Dancing with the Stars.  As you'll recall, Kim was also on DwtS.  So who do you think is the better dancer, Kim or Rob?  I know one thing that's certain.  When it comes to fashion, Kim wins that one, hands down.

Nicole Scherzinger, 33, is all legs as she packages elegant and sexy all in one in this black sequined short suit with white silk blouse and black Louboutin platform pumps when she attended the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada recently.  Short suits, sequined or not, are all the rage right now.  And from what I can see, Nicole gives new meaning to the term "short, but sweet."  Apart from her solo singing career, Nicole is now a judge on the American version of The X Factor, which premiered in September 2011.  (And a hundred bucks says that Simon Cowell keeps a defibrillator close by.)

Completing our Friday Fashionista list is Nicole Richie who is ready for fall in casual pants with tailored blazer and flowing silk chiffon scarf, while making her way through L.A. recently.  Nicole is known for her boho chic style and while this look may be a bit of a departure from that, I think it suits her quite well.  And the world's most famous maid of honour, Pippa Middleton, also keeps it casual but sweet for fall in blue jeans, tailored jacket and heart-sprinkled t-shirt while en route to work in London Monday. 

So what did you think of our picks this week?  You too can also have the casual and elegant look completed with the right accessories!   To get this look visit ehow.com.

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Gucci is trying out a new concept to appeal to people in these tough economic times by having these Temporary Pop-Up Sneaker Stores.  They will be showcasing their sneaker collection for 2-3 weeks in each location.  The first stop was in Manhattan last night with planned Pop-Up stores in London, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini collaborated with Mark Ronson for the Gucci Ronson sneakers.  Icon-Temporary sneakers are priced from $500 to $1,400, and Gucci Ronson shoes, $500 to $600.

What I find really interesting is that they are coming out with 18 styles 16 of which are for men and 2 for women.  Two!!  Wow, don’t go all out for us or anything.  Even more interesting is that the majority of celebs at the Manhattan opening seemed to be women.  I wonder if they were disappointed by the fact they had 2 whole style of shoes to choose from!

At the Manhattan opening:  Mischa Barton, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, Claire Danes, Leigh Lezark, Rachel Taylor, and Evan Rachel Wood

Photos:  WENN.com

Source

Gwen Stefani and Dita Von Teese bond at Fashion Group International’s 26th annual Night Of Stars at Cipriani’s last night in New York.  I love Gwen’s hair that length.  She looks absolutely gorgeous.  All the ladies looked lovely in their dresses!

Lots of pictures including red carpet arrival and the after party.

Also attending:

• Tommy Hilfiger
• Michael Stipe
• Iman
• Emmy Rossum
• Eva Mendes
• Tyson Beckford
• Mary J. Blige
• Gwen Stefani
• Jon Bon Jovi
• Evan Rachel Wood
• Dita Von Teese
• Vera Wang
• Mark Ronson
• Kenneth Cole

       Pictures after the break

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