Every year around this time I think about one thing – no, not a rush of panic to do my taxes – but rather a nostalgic pang in my heart for fictional characters who fell in love on a real boat that sunk in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Exactly 104 years ago today, at approximately 11:40pm, the Titanic slammed into an iceberg on its starboard side, causing a massive gash in the steel and allowing the cold ocean waters to flood into the ship. In a world where Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater exist, this was right around the time they had finished Nude Sketch and Chill in an inexplicably steamy car.
Right after Leo won his Oscar in February (REMEMBER WHEN LEO WON AN OSCAR), my friends and I had all the feels and the only way to deal with them was to watch Titanic. Upon re-watching it for the fafillionth time, I noticed something I’ve never took note of before – Titanic is a feminist film. Or, Titanic features a strong female HBIC of 1912.
I’m blaming the fact that I was blinded by Leo’s handsomeness and wrapped up in the “OTP: I Will Go Down With This Ship” of it all when I first saw the movie as a 12 year old, but now, nearly 20 years later, it’s become glaringly apparent to me that Titanic’s not even about Jack + Rose or even about Jack. It’s about Rose. It’s about the girl who stepped onto the ship as a rich socialite preparing to become a wife, and left as a single woman free from the chains keeping her down. She’s The Girl Who Lived.
From the moment we meet young Rose, she doesn’t seem to be the typical Edwardian, demure, soft-spoken woman that are common characters in the early 1900s. Instead, she constantly says statements or small little actions to let you know it just wasn’t typical of a woman to do at this time, which is smack dab in the middle of the women’s era and eight years before females even got the right to vote.
While a lot of women at this time were either playing the role of Wife or factory workhorses, Rose seems to be a smart, learn-ed, modern woman. She can tell the difference between a Monet, Degas and Picasso – all of which are artists whose paintings she owns. She can use a Freud insult in the right way and not apologize for it. She can do fast math when it comes to the ratio of passengers to lifeboats.
For the last five hours of the movie – JK more like four – Rose just does not have any more fucks to give and lets her gut lead her confidence moving forward. She smokes at lunch even though she knows her mother hates it, she talks back to Cal (“I am not a foreman in one of your mills that you can command. I am your fiancee”), she gives the middle finger to Mr. Lovejoy as he attempts to hunt down her and Jack and even pushes the dude in charge of the lift because she needs to go save Jack. Friendly reminder: the year is 1912.
She’s also embracing her strength as a woman by letting this dude she’s known for two days draw her completely naked. But she doesn’t go about it in a demure way, Rose straight up tells him to do it. She’s forceful but strong, a characteristic that was overall not seen by women in this era (did I mention it’s 1912?). “I want you to draw me like one of your French girls. Wearing this. And only this.” “Put your hands on me, Jack.” She is a sexual human being and isn’t afraid to show it.
On top of that, she’s so desperate to break out of her corset and leave the world of decorum that she, with the help of Jack, breaks all the boundaries of both gender norms and class distinction. She wants to learn how to “chew tobacco like a man” and “ride horses like a man” and “spit like a man”, and journeys down to the somewhat forbidden third class deck to drink and dance and go en pointe and smoke some more. I mean, just look at her longing to escape this world.
And of course, there’s the whole reason why she’s on the boat in the first place – she went to England to find a rich husband and become his arm candy, while her mother benefits from the social and financial gains. She found that man in Cal, who just so happens to be a selfish, misogynistic, lying bastard. Her voyage on the Titanic was not only the pathway to a life as a dutiful wife, but one last chance to escape from it all.
Enter Jack. Rose was already feeling helpless when she met him. Remember the whole, “With all due respect, Miss, I’m not the one hanging off the back of a ship here” moment? She wanted more for her life but there was no one to turn to when she needed to be heard. But it was Jack who pushed her to do all those things, because he believed in her and she just needed confirmation, like when he gives her the inner power for that iconic, “I’d rather be his whore than your wife” line. Unlike a lot of female protagonists, she wasn’t swayed to make a life-changing decision based on her lover’s opinion. He could see her potential, and he encouraged her to be more than what she was pretending to be.
Rose: Look, I know what you must be thinking. “Poor little rich girl, what does she know about misery?”
Jack: No! No, that’s not what I was thinking. What I was thinking was, “What could’ve happened to this girl to make her think she had no way out?”
. . .
Jack: Rose… you’re no picnic. All right? You’re a spoiled little brat even. But under that, you’re the most amazingly, astounding wonderful girl woman, that I’ve ever known… They’ve got you trapped, Rose. And you’re gonna die if you don’t break free. Maybe not right away because you’re strong, but sooner or later that fire that I love about you, Rose, that fire is gonna burn out.
Rose: It’s not up to you to save me, Jack.
Jack: You’re right. Only you can do that.
Now get ready for a REAL good analogy – Rose is the Titanic. She hits a metaphorical iceberg meeting Jack, who turns her world upside down. He gives her the jolt of energy she needs to fully realize that she doesn’t have to be what her mom or Cal say she has to be. And all this happens as both her personal world and the physical ship is going down. She feels like she’s drowning and has no idea how to go back up for air. But she holds on for as long as she can until she can’t anymore. And she survives. She fights back. She fights for her life. She becomes The Girl Who Lived.
Hey guys. Remember when Leo won an Academy Award? And we were alive to witness it? Yeah, me too. It’s Thursday and I’m still not over it, so I’m going to keep riding this Leo high for a few more days (weeks, months, years, etc.). Three years ago, we wrote about how the Internet loves Leo. Or rather loves making memes about Leo. Obviously included with that were the famous Oscar memes, in which he just can’t catch a break. Things like:
Since it’s been 20+ years that Leo’s been an Oscar contender, it was only natural his loyal and Internet-savvy fans turn him into a viral meme. But now that the whole Internet has exploded and celebrated his win, what happens to the Oscar memes now?
That, apparently. But guess what – memes don’t die. Memes never die. That’s kind of the point. While the fact that Leo grabbing for the gold or outraged that he didn’t have a trophy yet won’t be relevant, that doesn’t mean the Leo memes will stop. It means there’s a whole new set of memes about Leo actually winning an Oscar, or what we’ve seen in the past couple of days, memes of Leo at the Oscars while waiting for his Oscar.
Enter: Leo Cookiegate 2016. If you missed the Oscars (read our live blog so you can talk about it with others as if you actually had), Chris Rock pulled a food stunt a la Ellen’s 2014 pizza bit, where he had a group of Girl Scouts, supposedly for his daughters who were not present, sell cookies to the audience of celebrities. Actors in the audience pulled out cash (change for $100?), Morgan Freeman just stole a couple from Chris at the end of the show and walked away, while this glorious shot of our beloved Leo shows that he got his hands on a box of trefoils (what, they were out of thin mints?) and boy, was he excited.
Naturally, the Internet needed a new Leo meme to focus on, and this seemed like the right choice. Bless his cute little hungry face. Bless us. Bless the Academy for finally making a right decision for once. Bless Chris Rock’s daughters for inspiring this bit that keeps on giving.
Like so many of our generation, we have a never-ending love of the Kate Winslet/Leonardo DiCaprio friendship. Since the days when we didn’t have the internet at home and had to horde copies of magazines to get our Jack and Rose fix, they’ve always been either friendship or relationship goals. It started with the fun stories of behind-the-scenes antics on the set of Titanic, and Kate and Leo’s frequent awards show appearances only fueled the flames. Mercifully, since 1997 both of them have been consistently on the nominee or presenter block – unless one or the other was working, that is – so we’ve had plenty of mini-reunions to fawn over. Some of us actually ship them as a real life couple. Others think shipping real humans is creepy, but love the good-natured platonic friendship between two talented actors. Whatever it is, the Winslet-DiCaprio friendship is pure magic.
With no further ado .. are you ready to go back to Titanic?
1996
Behind the scenes: Titanic: in retrospect I realized why Kate hated that wig / hairpiece/ dye job situation.
Settle in, because Titanic was where it all started and I can’t get enough of these behind the scenes photos.
Kate is warming up from the chilly water tank; Leo is exhibiting the classic Hot Boy In The Mid-90s Haircut.
I will bet you anything that Kate and Leo are responsible for some of the first viral gifs in internet history, spreading rapidly across angelfire and geocities sites alike.
Okay, last one. Only because some of you may have slow-loading computers. I could do this all day.
1997
Tiny baby Leo talking about Little Kate:
Not to be outdone, Kate had some choice words about Leo:
1998
Golden Globes: it’s hard to believe these two seemed so grown-up to us at the time, because right here they look like a pair of (rich, elegant) babies.
Kate and Leo, out to wreck us since day 1.
Let’s watch that in action, why don’t we?
2000
Important news in 2000: Kate could still recognize Leo by his walk; she worried about him cavorting with the Pussy Posse; all is well in their friendship:
I saw Leo the other day. I was at a party for Quills. Me and Jim were leaning up against the bar and this posse of boys came in wearing masks and Halloween gear. I recognised him from the way he walked. He ripped his mask off. He hadn’t changed a bit. Of course, he’s famous, one of the most famous actors in the world. But he’s the same person and I’d been so worried about him. He still does care about everything he does. He hasn’t just become some bullshit film star
2004
As one did in 2004, Leo reveals all on Oprah:
2005
SAG Awards: just two unusually talented and good-looking people expressing their friendship; nothing to see here.
2007
Golden Globes: back in 1998 US Weekly would have captioned this photo “They’ll never let go… of their friendship!” and I would have hung it up in my locker.
If Kate and Leo are living their whole Awards Season lives making up for Leo not attending the 1998 Academy Awards, I think that’s fine and appropriate.
On the set of Revolutionary Road. Or: if Rose and Jack had survived into mid-century.
2008
Revolutionary Road UK premiere: Kate and Leo reunite on screen, proving that fan service exists in real life, too.
U.S. premiere, Kate totally just made fun of James Cameron (I imagine).
Promoting Revolutionary Road. We’re all bigger now, Kate. Because of this friendship.
And in case you need the whole interview:
Too long; didn’t listen? Here’s what you need to know:
Well, I think I can speak for both of us: we have a lot more wrinkles. Don’t we, darling? I’m proud of him, though. I can’t say that you’re taller, because you were always tall. He’s a man now; look at him — he’s just bigger. Physically you aren’t that different; you’re just less puny. – Kate Winslet
She’s still as beautiful and radiant as the day I met her. She is the consummate professional; she keeps pushing herself to an emotional truth when she’s working. That’s why I keep saying she’s the best. – Leonardo DiCaprio
2009
Golden Globes: Leo reacting to Kate’s Revolutionary Road win – their long-awaited onscreen reunion. BE STILL MY HEART (OF THE OCEAN)
Wait, do you want to see Kate thank Leo? Of course you do!
Golden Globes: Kate and Leo after she wins for The Reader. Yes, you read that correctly. Yes, she’s THAT talented. Damn, Kate. Damn.
Oscars: Leo wasn’t there but he’s here in Kate’s heart and her heart will go on and on.
Some situations are so delicate that I’d only trust Oprah with them:
2011
God bless Anna Wintour. From Kate’s Vogue Magazine profile:
He knows me better than anyone else in the world. Lots of male friendships begin as a cheeky snog. Or a little undercurrent of flirtation. But Leo and I? No. He’s my rock. I don’t know what the f–k I would have done if I hadn’t had him. – Kate Winslet
We literally grew up together. And in every major life event we’ve been there as a support mechanism for each other. – Leonardo DiCaprio
2012
Titanic was re-released in 3D; Kate kindly graced us with some fresh behind-the-scenes anecdotes:
2013
Leo FINALLY confronts the rumors plaguing him since 1997 (that Kate nicknamed him “Farty Leo,” which I don’t actually remember, which is surprising?):
She never says that to my face. She’s the greatest person. She’s so genuine. I love that girl. She has a brand-new baby and is in love.
Because Kate and Leo CANNOT STOP TALKING ABOUT EACH OTHER (or, um, maybe it’s that we can’t stop asking?) Kate had this to say about Leo in 2013:
Leo has mastered this more than anyone I know. it’s not that he’s sort of brazen like, ‘I don’t give a fuck and I’m going to be rebellious and behave badly.’ It’s not that. It’s genuinely not caring what people think because he will not allow other people’s judgments to have any kind of impact on his life and who he is. and I have really admired that so much in him .
Also in 2013: the one thing that really softened the blow of Kate marrying a man who chose the surname Rocknroll — Leo walked her down the aisle. What does swooning feel like? Because I think I just did it.
2014
Theo or Leo? Considering we all know who Leo is and Theo is either a Huxtable or the name of a lot of babies lately, I think we all know the answer. And Kate doesn’t hesitate, either:
2016
Golden Globes: Number 1, how dare you.
More Golden Globes: I will go down with this ship.
And let’s not forget our own freak-out during our Golden Globes live blog after Leo’s name was announced for Best Actor:
T: YASSSSSSSSSS WHERE IS KATE. WHERE IS KATE. WHERE IS KATE.
M: YAYYY! But does this mean he’ll be even more cursed for the Oscars? Can they please show Kate? SHOW KATE.
IS KATE OKAY. WHERE IS SHE.
T: MAYBE SHE’S PASSED OUT BC THE LOVE OF HER LIFE JUST WON A GOLDEN GLOBE.
M: Yeah maybe she’s hidden behind a camera taking pics for her scrapbook.
T: Kate is at Eddie Redmayne’s table (I THINK) so like, just PAN OVER.
M: THANK KATE. I don’t care that she wasn’t in this.
T: I THOUGHT WHEN HE SAID “LASTLY” THAT IT WAS GOING TO END WITH “KATE WINSLET, WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME AND IN MY HEART SINCE 1996.”
M: I SAW. DID YOU SEE.
T: NO UGH I WAS LOOKING FOR LEO GIFS
M: He thanked the makeup artist or something and you could see a fuzzy Kate Winslet calling out a “woo!” so I like to think she was there just cheering at every damn thing he said.
T: I REWOUND IT. THIS IS THE GREATEST.
SAG Awards: What are you trying to do to me here?
Oscars: how is it possible that they both look even BETTER 20 years after filming Titanic? And how is it possible that Titanic was filmed 20 years ago?
Oh, for goodness sake.
Kate. Also, all of us. (Also Ned Rocknroll, but we don’t have to get into that.)
Oscars: The culmination of 20 years of love (at least on our end, but probably for Kate, too).
Hi pals! It’s that time of year again – watching the Academy Awards and liveblogging it, despite the fact we haven’t seen half the movies. Relive the memz with our liveblog!
12:08 AM
That’s a wrap, everyone! Thanks for joining us, and please stop by tomorrow while we discuss our best and worst dressed picks! Promise we won’t list Leo 10 times in a row for Best Dressed. Probably.
12:05 PM
Best Picture
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight
Traci’s Pick: The Revenant
Because Leo needs this.
Molly’s Pick: The Revenant
I will go down with this ship.
Winner: Spotlight
M: Okay, that was my second-most-likely pick.
T: Same. except I haven’t seen it.
M: Hmm. I.. well, I think I’m really happy that this is going to get a lot more focus on the abuse in the church. But strictly AS A MOVIE I wasn’t blown away, if that makes sense?
M: Chris Rock invited everyone to the BET Awards. No, but what if everyone shows up? Little Jacob Tremblay. His hot parents. Those guys with the skull necklaces. Leo. His mom.
T: What’s happening here the winners were forced to come out and literally get a golden shower
M: It reminds me of the end of the telethon episode of Full House. Ugh. I’m not even cultured enough to properly WATCH the Oscars.
T: It’s a memorable episode, TBH.
M: As was this evening. IDK, just still very happy for Leo.
WAIT. They’re playing Public Enemy’s Fight The Power. AHAHAHAHA
12:05 AM
T: I’M SO NERVOUS I’M ABOUT TO VOMIT
M: I CAN’T THINK OF NORMAL THINGS TO SAY, just Titanic quotes.
T: WIN IT FOR KATE. WIN IT FOR MR. ANDREWS.
M: FOR CORA. LITTLE CORA.
T: FOR THAT SWEET OLD COUPLE WHO DIED IN THEIR BED.
M: AND THAT MOM READING THE STORY TO HER TWO CHILDREN.
T: AND THE STRING QUARTET THAT DIDN’T STOP PLAYING
T: Just think, Brie wins an Oscar AND Jacob Tremblay. She’s also incredibly composed for just winning an oscar.
M: That’s what I said about her in the preshow – that she always seems so calm! Someone get me the number of Brie Larson’s yoga teacher or meditation…guy?
11:40 PM
M: I always feel like awards shows are the west coast’s revenge, because they usually get the raw end of live tv.
Which is to say, I’m in New York and I’m tired.
T: God bless time zones.
Best Director
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Traci’s Pick: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Two-peat for Alejandro?? Probs.
Molly’s Pick: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Revenant was the best movie I’ve barely been able to watch.
Winner: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
M: Yay! I hope this means we hear a lot more Revenant for the rest of the awards (read: Best Actor).
T: To be clear, Kate and Leo are separated by one aisle and a Cate Blanchett. Just so we can get an idea of the floorplan for whatever happens next.
M: I’ve never more wanted to be Cate Blanchett. Or an aisle.
11:32 PM
M: Quincy Jones is one of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry but I look at him and think “wow. Rashida’s dad.”
T: same. SAME.
T: Is Pharrell’s hair blonde???
M: Confirmed: Pharrell’s hair is blonde. Somehow makes him look even MORE like an ageless vampire-person than usual.
Best Original Song
“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey
“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction
“Simple Song #3,” Youth
“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground
“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre
Traci’s Pick: “Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground
We’re in the middle of a Gagaissance, and she’s has been campaigning for her first Oscar hard. One step closer to EGOT, Gaga.
Molly’s Pick: “Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground
I don’t know any of these songs.
Winner: “Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre
M: Truth, this was a boring-ass song and I LOVE Sam Smith.
T: Awww I’m happy for Sam despite the fact I don’t care too much for this song. *disclosure (no pun intended) we wrote that at the same time
M: 11:28 PM EST. But thanks for all your little sketches, Oscars.
Sacha Baron Cohen’s bit fell flat right?
T: WHAT YEAR IS IT, ALI G???
T: Just realized how many exes Rachel McAdams is surrounded by tonight. Two, by my count?
M: Before you finished, I was about to reply “HOW MANY EXES,” so thanks for anticipating that.
11:17 PM
T: Honestly, Jacob Tremblay, I want to put you in my pocket and and bring you around with me all day.
M: “I loved you in Madagascar!” Jacob Tremblay, my son. (Just kidding, I’m sure Jacob Tremblay’s hot parents love him very much.)
T: Speaking hot parents – or maybe not – this Irish dude is QT.
M: Agreed.
T: The academy: “We didn’t nominate any black folks, so here are “International stars Sofia Vergara and this Korean actor I’ve never seen in my life’ presenting Best Foreign Language Film. BOOM, DIVERSITY.”
M: “I don’t think you understand, here is an ENTIRE TROOP BEVERLY HILLS OF COLOR.” – The Academy
M: Is this gonna be the year everyone realizes they love Joe Biden?
T: JOE BIDEN JUST SAID, “HEY MATT, HOW ARE YOU” AND POINTED AT MATT DAMON.
M: Man. I wish Joe Biden was running for President. Too late for Biden to be making a surprise Oscar night, pre-Super Tuesday announcement? No?
T: GOD that would be a GD dream.
M: Gaga is doing basically a fancy version of the song Paige won the talent show with on Degrassi. (IDK I’ve muted it but I’m almost positive.)
T: Really glad I didn’t wear make-up today!
M: I’m not wearing any makeup; I also had to mute the TV and read the internet instead of watching that, so I really covered all bases.
11:00 PM
M: Didn’t they used to do the honorary Oscar during the show? On one hand those always run like 20 minutes, on the other Gena Rowlands is one of the best actresses alive and I wouldn’t have minded seeing her.
T: Did you see her during the pre-show? She was talking to Ryan Seacrest and he showed her a photo of The Notebook cast and someone had to remind her what she was looking at. Bless.
M: Like, apparently, Gena Rowlands herself, I forgot that she was in The Notebook.
10:46 PM
M: On one hand, I can usually take a joke at my expense. On the other, if I were a documentary short subject nominee, I probably wouldn’t love Louis C.K. riffing on how poor and unimportant I am?
M: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is winning her SECOND Oscar, so whatever, C.K. The Pakistani PM said he would change the law on honor killing after seeing this documentary, so I guess I’d drive a Civic if my movie was going to do something like that.
Best Documentary Feature
Amy
Cartel Land
The Look of Silence
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
Traci’s Pick: Amy
I have yet to see What Happened, Miss Simone? but Amy was truly insightful and heartbreaking, and included a lot of footage I’ve never seen before. Plus I found out I’m like two degrees away from Amy Winehouse after watching this movie.
Molly’s Pick: What Happened, Miss Simone?
I haven’t seen this, but I feel like this and Amy have been the most buzz-y and I didn’t think Amy was edited and cut all that well.
Also the way the nominee names go from shortest to longest is very visually pleasing.
Winner: Amy
M: There were 2 Amy Winehouse documentaries on Amazon and I’m starting to wonder if I watched the wrong (non-nominated) one?
M: What better way to highlight how white the Oscars are than to make fun of Asian children for being good at math?
10:33 PM
T: I am HERE for Kate and her glasses.
M: Sexual orientation: Straight + Kate Winslet In Glasses.
T: Whoa Kate Capshaw is serving with that bow tie and suit.
M: Also sexual orientation: Mark Ruffalo Winking. What? I usually hate winking.
M: Wow. I really don’t like Chris Rock’s man on the street segment. You’re not Billy. (Note: I like that he turned it into an #OscarsSoWhite thing, but the segment itself is whatever)
T: This woman with the purple wig is going to be a viral hit in approx 5 minutes.
M: Real headline on the Daily Mail right now: “Olivia Munn shows off 12 pound weight loss.” Do you really show off 12 pounds lost? Can people even tell? Because if I gain that, I go off the assumption that nobody can.
T: 12 you can totally tell, it’s 11 pounds where it’s unrecognizable.
This is Sly’s third nomination, after getting nominated for the first Rocky as Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. He has the best chance at winning this category, since he’s a Hollywood fave. For once, he’s not an underdog.
Molly’s Pick: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Personally I’d vote for Tom Hardy, or maybe Mark Ruffalo, but there’s a lot of buzz about Sly and a lot of times the Academy can’t resist the sentimental pick.
Winner: Mark Rylance
T: Frreal. digging Sly’s black and blue suit. But also, his face when he didn’t win was v “ugh, you can’t win ‘em all.” ALSO I’M GETTING NERVOUS FOR LEO.
M: Was not expecting this. Obviously. Also Mark Rylance was great and I didn’t see Creed, so I’m not sure why I felt a little disappointed that Sly didn’t win.
M: Are Chris Rock’s adorable daughters really selling Girl Scout cookies? I would willingly be part of a dumb awards show bit if I got cookies at the end. Especially, but not limited to, Samoas.
T: Can these girl scouts deliver to a 30-year-old woman approx 3 miles away watching Minons present an award at the Academy Awards? kthx
T: Bear Story: The prequel to The Revenant
M: 2016: not a great Oscars for people of color, AWESOME for bear-actors.
T: I’m unexpectedly tearing up at the sight of Buzz and Woody. EFF YOU Toy Story 3.
M: Oh yeah. That movie screwed me up but good.
Best Animated Feature
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There
Traci’s Pick: Inside Out
Emotion if this clear favorite doesn’t win: Lewis Black. Like all of Lewis Black as Anger.
Molly’s Pick: Inside Out
Hi, still crying over this one.
Winner: Inside Out
M: I didn’t ACTUALLY expect to tear up the instant that was announced but I ACTUALLY am.
T: Inside Out, also screwed me up but good.
M: It’s such a useful and important movie for kids, too. Like, for helping them identify their emotions – my little niece is going through a really tough time and when we were watching Inside Out for what felt like the 20th time, she said “actually, I’m sad but I’m still mostly made of joy.” TEARS. Bless this movie.
T: Did they bleep out Kevin Hart for saying “damnit” or am I making that up?
M: I thought my TV just cut out but I feel like that’s, in fact, what happened.
M: The Weeknd’s performance is like Phantom Of The Opera + Cirque du Soleil + Fosse.
10:03 PM
M: OH WOW. Ex Machina, A movie other than Mad Max, just took one of the technical awards.
M: I hope this doesn’t read as shade because it isn’t: the inventions from the tech awards sound amazing. (BTW, my sister-in-law’s uncle won one one year; it’s on his mantle and fun at Christmas parties).
M: Favorite segment of the hour: Tina Fey’s commercial.
9:54 PM
M: If I didn’t already have a headache, I’d have one after that sound editing intro. Their tactic was, I guess, to include every sound that ever appeared in the nominated films.
T : Um give these dudes a reality show about sound and skull necklaces
M: Observation: the technical winners LOVE gothic and renaissance themed accessories. Oh God. They’re doing the thing again for the Sound Editing category. (Mad Max, naturally, wins).
9:45 PM
T: Oh boy I would not ever want to mess with Suge Knight, y’all.
T: Michael B. Jordan. what GD DREAM MAN.
ok, get them in a romance movie pls
T: The way they’re shooting this cinematography category feel like I’m on a ride at Universal Studios.
T: Man The Revenant’s cinematography was so beautiful and breathtaking. I would’ve been so upset if it didn’t win.
M: Likewise. I actually thought to myself “wow, this is some gorgeous cinematography” while I was watching it. (Not a thought I always have during movies.)
M: Mad Max just won for editing. Definitely going to be the biggest winner of the night, unless The Revenant sweeps the big categories.
“Mad Mad was the best reviewed film of 2015. Audiences loved it.” RUB IT IN, WHY DON’T YOU.
T: HOLY SHIT ARE THEY LAYING IN ON WILL SMITHohjk Jack Black.
T: “The Minons are on their way” FUCKING FINALLY, said absolutely no one.
M: In case anyone’s looking for some reading during the music segment, here’s why nominee Anohni won’t be there.
(I had a moment of “I don’t know who that is,” but I do and you probably do too: she was formerly known as Antony Hegarty, of Antony and the Johnsons).
9:32 PM
Best Costume Design
Carol
Cinderella
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
Traci’s Pick: Mad Max: Fury Road
IDK, it’s probably impressive to create costumes for a time period that hasn’t happened yet.
Molly’s Pick: Cinderella
The costume designer has won a few times before, and that blue dress is pretty legit. But I’ve also heard Carol is all about the costumes, so.
Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road
M: Like I said before, I got maybe 20 minutes into Mad Max and I just couldn’t do it. The costumes were part of it. There was a man wearing a weird hat or a … crazy mask? … I forget… making a proclamation on a mountaintop and I was like “I’m sorry, I tried. I cannot.”
T: Of COURSE the Mad Max costume designer is wearing a bedazzled leather jacket.
T: So there’s a big change this year with nominees given the opportunity to hand in a list of names of the people they want to thank but it didn’t happen with that woman that just won?
M: The scroll I’ve been complaining about for a half hour doesn’t even work. Sorry, Academy. You tried a new thing. Not as new as nominating people who aren’t white, but newish.
T: Is a Tina/Steve Carell reunion a subconscious way for Hollywood to know they want a Date Night sequel?
M: I’d love for Tina Fey and Steve Carrell to become a popular buddy duo, a la Tina and Amy, and make dozens of movies together.
Mad Max just won for production design. The minutes I watched were mostly deserts and jalopies, but presumably that changes.
M: Makeup and hairstyling… we didn’t do guessing but probably Mad Max again?
T: um Magic Mike XXL, not Magic Mike 2, jared leto. get it straight.
M: His strength was all in his hair, Traci.
Well. Mad Max just won again. It wasn’t a bad movie, just a movie my ears and eyeballs couldn’t put up with.
T: This portion of the show was sponsored by the Australian tourism board.
T: After introducing The Revenant as a Best Picture nominee, they shot to a bear clapping in the audience, and no one laughed. Alejandro was confused, Leo is still crying over Kate not winning, and that officially became the second fake bear joke that’s failed this awards season.
9:16 PM
T: WAIT UPDATE POEHLER IS THERE AND SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL NOBLE LAND MERMAID
M: I know prerecorded comedy bits are what make the show run over – and what I retroactively hate about the show around 11:15 PM – but I’m just so thrilled to see Leslie Jones. I also love that despite nominating only white actors, the Oscars has ended up with the largest non-white presence in the show probably ever.
M: 9:03 PM. 2 minutes of Sarah Silverman doing a James Bond bit (Sarah, I love you but I’m going somewhere with this). 11:03 PM: The actual winners of the biggest awards in film being ushered off the stage after 30 seconds.
It feels like every year there’s a song from James Bond, and (1) I didn’t know a James Bond movie came out, (2) the song is boring as hell. This year is no different.
M: For those of you only really following the main categories, Best Supporting Actress should be up next, then like 10 awards you won’t care about.
T: “My favorite song is Father Figure” ugh come on. Enough. We get it Sam Smith and George Michael are both gay and British.
M: Getting super nervous about this category. #ShipWatch2016, get your looking glass and binoculars ready.
Confession: I saw Spotlight last week when I was REALLY sick and I dozed off for about, I’d say 4-7 minutes. Which included the scene they just showed for Rachel McAdams, apparently.
Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Traci’s Pick: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
I haven’t seen Steve Jobs (and neither have a lot of people, I guess), but Kate Winslet is always great in what she does. Alicia Vikander was transcendent in The Danish Girl, but I low key also want Kate to win so she takes pix with her new gold statue and *fellow winner* Leo.
Molly’s Pick: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Word on the street is the race is between Kate Winslet and Alicia Vikander. On one hand I’m tempted to go with Alicia because the Academy loves giving Best Supporting Actress to unknown young actresses, on the other hand, they called it the ship of dreams. And it was. It really was.
Winner: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
M: I don’t like the thank-you scroll.
T: I saw The Danish Girl last week (not sick) and Alicia was really good. Did anyone see Steve Jobs? No? Ok, Kate still deserves it but whatever.
M: Based on our comments above, I think we knew it would be Alicia. I still say she’s a princess (specifically: Belle).
Maybe this is just because I majored in foreign languages, but I think it’s so fascinating how people’s accents differ depending on where they learned English: like how Alicia sounds like a mix of English with a tiny bit of Swedish, and completely different from the Swedish-Americans I know – yet you can hear the common Swedish accent underneath either the American or English accent.
8:55 PM
M: Well. It’s about time, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
(expect all the Titanic gifs)
T: This looks like the beginning of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (I’ve never seen it).
M: I saw it in the theatre, despite reading a review entitled ‘Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium Is Really, Really Bad’ (that’s true).
Not to get too Titanic (oh, who am I kidding), but there’s a majestic, booming chorus sounds like when Titanic set sail from Southampton. There’s a deep cut for those of you who owned both the Titanic soundtrack AND the Back To Titanic Soundtrack (so, other girls who were born in 1986)
T: AKA the both of us
T: I’m glad they were able to sneak Magic Mike XXL in that (necessary) montage
T: *take a shot for #OscarsSoWhite ref*
M: Chris Rock always sparks the same reaction from me as kids on the Disney Channel: yes, you’re very talented, but would you PLEASE stop yelling?
T: i just had a flashback to chris rock hosting the ’99 VMAs. *what a time to be alive*
M: Ah, yes. I remember that from the VHS tape I made where I edited out the commercials. Cool kid here.
T: “EveryBODY GOT MAD!” We are witnessing peak Chris Rock right now.
M: Chris Rock: not fair that Will Smith didn’t get nominated, also not fair Will Smith “made $20,000 for Wild Wild West.” The truth of which makes Alicia Vikander look like she may cry.
T: *take a shot for Wanda Sykes ref*
M: “Hollywood is sorority racist. ‘We like you, Rhonda, but you’re not a Kappa.’”
T: A show where it’s only reaction shots from white people after a black comedian/enne makes a race joke
T: The #AskHerMore joke made me uncomfy for like the first 20 seconds, TBH
M: ME TOO, I was getting really nervous about where he was going to take it.
Where are all the seat fillers? I counted like 10 empty seats in the front center section.
T: Wait.. “Charice” Theron? Did Chris have an Adele Dazeem moment?
M People tend to get her confused with Charice, the teen singer who used to be on Oprah a lot.
T: BTW Emily Blunt is the most beautiful with that baby bump. Where is JKras tho?!
M: I hope he’s here! Traci, if I ever have kids, I’ll pay you $5 to never say baby bump.
T: Give me it now and I’ll promise to never say it to anyone again.
M: Is this a friendship or a series of small bets and tiny transactions? Anyone’s guess.
Best Original Screenplay
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Spotlight
Straight Outta Compton
Traci’s Pick: Inside Out/Spotlight
I feel like Inside Out is the most original in the truest sense of the word, but Spotlight might take it since it’s more Oscar-y that Inside Out.
Molly’s Pick: Spotlight
Inside Out was more innovative, but would they give best screenplay to a cartoon – even a really great one?
Winner: Spotlight
M: I know Spotlight is an “important movie” and everything but I’ll say it: I was really hoping for Inside Out.
M: With Best Adapted Screenplay, we get to the first overwrought banter of the night.
T: Ryan Gosling, Canadian treasure – please go hang out with Rachel McAdams and make everyone pass out. Titanic and The Notebook is too much for millennials.
M: #BirdWatch2016
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short
Brooklyn
Carol
The Martian
Room
Traci’s Pick: The Martian
Because who doesn’t love a good, heart-warming comedy??
Molly’s Pick: Room
It’s not easy to adapt a first-person novel to a screenplay without relying too much on voiceovers, moreso when the narrator is 5 years old. I read the books & saw the movies for both Brooklyn and Room and both were great. I guess I just want a win for Ireland either way.
Winner: The Big Short
M: Okay, that screenplay was really good. WAIT. Why are they scrolling thanks along the bottom of the screen?! Is this going to happen all night?
T: The director of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy just won an Oscar.
8:26 PM
M: Mark Ruffalo uses his interview screen time to talk about basically every hot-button issue there is (OK, maybe just child abuse and #OscarsSoWhite).
T: Where’s Bow Wow to accidentally throw to the live show 3 times?
M: Oh god. The show doesn’t even START for another 4 minutes. I feel like I’ve been watching this forever.
8:15 PM
T: V IMPORTANT Q: IS KATE LEO’S DATE? I KNOW HE SAID HE BROUGHT HIS PARENTS BUT WHY ARE THEY POSING FOR PIX ON THE CARPET TOGETHER BESIDES TRYING TO KILL ALL OF US SIMULTANEOUSLY
M: Who else would she be with, her husband Mr. ROCKNROLL?
(Why yes, I am still mad that Kate’s married to, not just not-Leo, but specifically someone named Ned Rocknroll)
T: Are you kidding me? We’re reporting on the fact that Chris Rock is using a RAINBOW PEN to make notes on his script? M: Once people start filing inside, it’s like Christmas after you’ve opened presents. Fun’s over.
8:07 PM
M: First of all, Lady Gaga seems very sweet, right? Second, I feel like if you’re not into Lady Gaga, people who love her think that means you hate Lady Gaga. But sometimes you’re just not into her.
This is me saying I’m not into Lady Gaga, however I think she’s very talented and seems genuinely like a good person.
Oh, Naomi Watts. Sequins everywhere. Actually, kind of a lot of sequins this year overall? Which I love. There are so few places where you can wear sequins.
Thank the universe I’m not in a line of work where anyone will ever say that I “debuted my baby bump.” There are like 3 gross things right there.
Hang on. Jacob Tremblay posted a selfie of him and his improbably hot parents on the way to the ceremony. Cutest ever.
M: You know what, Robin? Don’t use this as a time to plug the “dream in gold” slogan. This is Leo’s time. We should say: our #ShipWatch2016 is, in full, the Frederick Fleet Memorial Ship Watch 2016, in honor of the Titanic’s watchman, because all of our cultural references are somewhere between 20 and 104 years old.
7:50 PM
T: Um has E! stopped interviewing people on the red carpet? I CANNOT MISS KATE AND/OR LEO. #SHIPWATCH2016 (note: I have to watch E! for work ughhhh)
M: On ABC, where they’re allowed to interview people, they’re speaking to Julianne Moore. She calls Carol a beautiful movie and for a second I think “wait, wasn’t she in that?” Cate Blanchett, everyone. They don’t even look alike.
T: UGH seriously, I haven’t even seen a glimpse of Julianne Moore! This is an outrage.
M: She looks great! Her gown is black with a sequin-trimmed bodice and a sort of diaphonous skirt.
M: TINA FEY IS HERE?! She says she “literally started clapping” when she saw Charlize Theron, which incidentally was my reaction to seeing Tina Fey. She’s wearing purple and a necklace with lots of hearts of the ocean. Okay, or blue stones. We’re in Titanic mode tonight.T: I HAD TO SWITCH OVER BC I SAW ON TWITTER TINA IS HERE. IS AMY HERE TOO BECAUSE INSIDE OUT?!
M: DON’T START, BITCH.
(What if she is?!)
Cate Blanchett is in a mint/aqua gown with feathery floral accents. She’s another hit/miss for me but she looks like a dream.
Are you a person even?
7:40 PM
M: Kerry Washington on the red carpet… first of all, she’s so gorgeous she can take any fashion risk she wants. Which is me saying that the constructed leather bodice on her gown isn’t my fav. But even if I don’t always love what Kerry wears, I always like what she has to say. She says she respects the people who have chosen to boycott the Oscars, but feels like she’s most useful when her voice is at the table.
Aside: Red carpet interviews are where you really see which actors are ‘thinkers’ and/or went to school before beginning their work.
Matt Damon: “It wasn’t The Revenant”. Just setting our expectations for how his night’s gonna go really early.
Jimmy Kimmel and the host riff about Matt Damon. Feels like 2008 all over again. Jimmy: “Ben Affleck, who used to date Matt Damon back in the old days…”. (His post-Oscar special airs after your local news.)
7:30 PM
M: An Academy rep on diversity, stealing lines from me after a bad grade in 10th grade math: I’ll try harder; this won’t happen next time, etc.
An early congrats to Eddie Redmayne! Because his new niece was born a few hours ago. So really, either way he’s a winner (which is good, because he’s in a tough category, and also because he would make an ADORABLE uncle. I can just see it!).
7:22 PM
M: Brie Larson always seems so calm! She’s wearing royal blue and my first thought was that I could see her winning in that gown. There’s been a lot of champaigne and off-white lately and a real COLOR makes more of a statement.
Rooney Mara tends to seem bored, and I don’t think she is, I think she just doesn’t have a very excitable demeanor. She usually tends a bit more avant garde on the red carpet but I’m just not excited about this look. I mean she looks gorgeous, but that goes without saying.
Would it be weird to put Jacob Tremblay on our best dressed list?
7:12 PM
M: Hi Everyone! I’m watching the ABC preshow (and as someone without cable, I’m just thrilled that there IS a preshow for me to watch).
Let me start off by saying that I’ve seen all, or almost all, of the nominees. I only made it about 20 minutes into Mad Max. I’m sure it’s great – it’s nominated and all – but not for me.
Alicia Vikander: I can’t be sure if her Louis Vuitton is going to go over well – it has that short-long, or “mullet” (ew) thing and is sort of a lighter canary yellow. I love it though. She’s an absolute princess.
Olivia Wilde’s gown is gauzy and white with crisp pleats and a lot of skin. She’s a presenter. That’s the time you can wear something like this:
Saoirse Ronan is wearing an emerald green sequined gown, with one white and one green earring. The green feels like a call back to her first Oscar nomination. Will the earrings be a hit? She’s young and I think it’s fun. Plus she probably has dozens of other Oscars to look serious.
Saoirse confirms that she wanted to wear green all along. Calvin Klein designed her gown.
The Academy Awards are about a week away, which means we’ll know whether or not American Treasure Leonardo DiCaprio will be holding a solid gold man in his hands or the Internet will continue to rage against his injustice of still not getting the Oscar he truly deserves.
Back in 2013, it was our freshman year on the blog and I wrote this following post in honor of my boo’s 39th birthday. It got some traction and became its own viral WordPress sensation, which is ironic since it’s a post all about the Internet. Anyways, a little over two years have passed and I thought it would be appropriate to bring back these Oscar memes for #ThrowbackThursday since unfortunately they still ring true to this day.
Let’s not jinx it, but everyone cross everything on their person and knock on all the wood that Leo’s going home with the gold this year (and that he has a moment with Kate in the process).
On November 11th, 2013, Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio turned 39 years of age. 39. That’s one year away from 40. Leo is officially like, an adult. Perhaps the age was jarring because in my mind, he is forever 23 years old. If you do the math (which, I mean, don’t), that brings us to 1997, when he was in Titanic. You guessed it folks – I, like many girls of my generation – was a total Titanic fangirl. I saw it 5 times in the movie theater, purchased every single item of memorabilia (including the script) and wore out tapes 1 & 2 of the VHS copies. In fact, I was so obsessed with Leo himself that I made it a mission to watch every single movie he was in (note to parents: don’t let your 12 year old watch The Basketball Diaries without knowing what it’s about first) and even used the name “Julieta” in Spanish class as an ode to Romeo + Juliet.
Anyways, because I am a Leo fan, I’ve always remembered his birthday, but I never would have imagined he would have a bash like he did on Sunday. Apparently, Leo is a big rap fan, and invited his FRIEND 2 Chainz to perform. Oh yeah, AND Kanye West.
The party at Tao in NYC ended up being a charity event too, because he raised $3 million for his environmental foundation, so all in all not too shabby. But thanks to social media and the internet, there are plenty of videos and pix to make us *almost* feel like we were there.
Then again, Leo has somehow been a constant presence on the internet, despite the man himself being a more reserved and private celebrity. Case in point: Memes.
Just like it’s difficult to find a person who hates Leo IRL, the internet feels the same adoration for him, by making him the subject of many a meme. So to celebrate Leo in all his glorious 39 years of existence, here are some of the greatest viral items of one of the greatest actors of our generation.
Strutting Leo
The one that stands out the most – strutting Leo. Originally taken while he was on set filming Inception, the folks of the interwebz took this comical pic of Leo and Photoshop him into various other scenes.
Inception strutting
bitch what are you doing here strutting
come catch me strutting
thx moses strutting
reaping strutting
Inception Leo
This was taken straight from a scene in Inception where Cobb (Leo) is talking to Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy), but Leo’s reaction face is what got the internet nerds all in a tizzy.
Rage over Leo’s lack of Oscars
Pretty self explanatory. The Academy hates Leo. The Internet hates the Academy.
because lindsay lohan
Bad Luck Leo
In which Jack Dawson looks happy on the outside, but on the inside, his heart is frozen over.
Poppin ‘n Lockin Leo
If this doesn’t convince you to see Wolf of Wall Street, I don’t know what will
Basically, this was just posted everywhere and anywhere and sometimes in wall form.
It’s Anna Howard Shaw DaySingle’s Awareness Day Valentine’s Day this Sunday, which means a few things:
Single folks are ignoring the holiday by drowning in alcohol
Those with significant others are forced to talk to each other at some kind of romantic outing
Kids are handing out paper valentines and candy to brown paper bags taped to desks at school
But what happens when single and taken adults want to hand out paper valentines to their friends IRL? They create memes that look like old school valentines using their favorite fictional characters and comic sans and post it on the World Wide Web. This time of year is one of my favorites to monitor on the Internet to see what kind of kooky things people come up with. Here are some of the best fandom valentines from the Internet’s virtual brown paper bag. Consider it our gift to you.
after years circulating online, maybe this will be the year this card becomes irrelevant.
just because bill nye was part of your childhood doesn’t mean he doesn’t have sex. or is a badass.
paula’s cutting down with the unsalted butter
history isn’t the only thing that has its eyes on you, AMIRITE
Well folks, it’s that time of year again – awards season kicks off Sunday with the Golden Globes! Although it will be spearheaded by Ricky Gervais and not our queens Tina and Amy, we’re still chronicling the event with our live blog starting 8p EST/5p PST (friendly reminder to refresh this page every few minutes or so to see our live post!). Also join us on Twitter here to get up-to-the-second quips and comments!
Preshow:
M: Jaimie Alexander is wearing Genny and looks like a dream, proving that a lot of the times the lesser-known designers make the best showing.
But Eva Longoria is also wearing a lesser-known designer and it’s one of those dresses where I need someone to tell me how I feel about it because I can’t decide.
The show starts in 10 minutes and I’m getting very nervous that we won’t get Kate and Leo in the same frame. Just seat them together, give the people what they want.
Rooney Mara’s braid is so hefty and sturdy it took me a full minute to realize that she’s wearing Cinderella’s dress after the stepsisters rip it.
I don’t mean this as an insult even a bit: Kirsten Dunst just looks right with a Minnesota accent coming out of her mouth. I might be thinking of her American Girl doppelganger, Kristen Larson.
The Golden Globe Awards
M: Ricky Gervais opens with a glass of beer and quips about NBC being impartial (because nothing is nominated), Sean Penn (snitch) and Caitlyn Jenner (not doing much for women drivers).
Some more topics include child molestation and equal pay, we’re all having a blast here!
I want to watch this show in the context of a pajama party with Tina, Amy and a lot of snacks.
Channing Tatum is wearing a terrible undercut like I see on buses and trains a lot. Jonah Hill is wearing a terrible bear hat. I don’t know which is worse. Maybe let’s stop trying to be funny and announce an award.
T: There are more bleeps for this bear than Ricky Gervais’ entire monologue. What in the hell could they be saying.
M: There’s a wind storm here, I thought that was my tv!
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Jane Fonda, Youth
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Helen Mirren, Trumbo
Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Traci’s Pick: Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
If you noticed, Alicia Vikander was nominated for two Golden Globes in two separate categories, so she’s clearly a favorite either way. But I think this movie will take the cake.
Molly’s Pick: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
I’ve heard good things about her in this one.
Winner: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
M: Kate. We don’t have to Taylor Swift it here, Kate. You win things sometimes.
T: BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS. WHERE IS LEO. This moment is also reminiscent of the time she won and was saying, ‘Composure’ to herself (or something like that). *Update – it was ‘Gather’, when she won for Revolutionary Road A MOVIE WITH LEO.
M: YES. I watched the whole time she was walking up to the stage waiting for Leo to pop up.
~*NVR 4GET*~
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited-Series, or TV Movie
Uzo Aduba, Orange is the New Black
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Regina King, American Crime
Judith Light, Transparent
Maura Tierney, The Affair
Traci’s Pick: Regina King, American Crime
I’m voting for the person who would give a great speech. Uzo follows closely behind.
Molly’s Pick: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is The New Black
Winner: Maura Tierney, The Affair
T: Oh man. 0 for 2 already. I’m off to a great start!
M: I almost picked her! If I’d known she was going to wear glasses tonight I would have. Very Serious Actress.
Maura Tierney just called herself a “four eyes,” like she’s Karen Brewer and and this is a Baby Sitter’s Little Sister Super Special.
T: Every time I see the crawls on the bottom of the screen promoting a new NBC show, it reminds me of that Community bit:
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex Girlfriend
Jamie Lee Curtis, Scream Queens
Julia Louis Dreyfus, Veep
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
Lily Tomlin, Grace & Frankie
Traci’s Pick: Julia Louis Dreyfus, Veep
But really, Amy Poehler.
Molly’s Pick: Julia Louis Dreyfus, Veep
It seems like JLV wins every time nobody else is the clear favorite.
Winner: Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex Girlfriend
M: NO WAY. I think she’s incredible in Crazy Ex Girlfriend but I never thought it was even on the radar.
T: The HFPA loves newcomers! Should I watch Crazy Ex Girlfriend tho?
M: You’d really like it!
T: Judging on that freeze frame Rachel just did at the end of her speech, I’d have to agree.
Best TV Series, Comedy
Casual
Mozart in the Jungle
Orange Is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Veep
Traci’s Pick: Mozart in the Jungle
It’s worth noting that none of these shows are on a major network, which says a lot about the content that’s being created outside of the Big 5. Anyways, I think Veep had another excellent season, and I recently binged all of Casual, yet I have a feeling neither of those will win. Mozart in the Jungle is my pick, just because it’s weird enough. Is it weird? IDK, I’m assuming bc Gael Garcia Bernal is in it.
Molly’s Pick: Transparent
It’s really good, although I agree that Veep had a great season awards voters usually love voting for the first season of shows.
Winner: Mozart In The Jungle
M: I don’t even know what the premise is. Is there Mozart, even? Or a real jungle? Also what sort of weird order are these awards in.
T: The Mozart is the conductor… the jungle is… the venue.?
M: That’s some kind of bullshit.
M: Everything I think I know about Carol is actually from that Tina Fey/Amy Poehler sketch where Kenan is directing them to act like it’s The Jeffersons.
M: There’s really no In Memorium? I love it. I will listen to any old foreign man they want to bring out to the stage.
T: I could’ve sworn they’ve done it before! Also this dude is like Roberto Benigni’s older brother. Or he’s just Italian.
T: Ooooooohhh that was a low blow to Batfleck! But also probs true?
M: Oh, it’s absolutely true.
Best TV Movie or Limited-Series
American Crime
American Horror Story: Hotel
Fargo
Flesh and Bone
Wolf Hall
Traci’s Pick: Fargo
I heard Landry was good in it. Relatedly – should I watch Flesh and Bone? And American Crime?
Molly’s Pick: Fargo
Winner: Wolf Hall
M: I don’t know what Wolf Hall is.
T: What is happening?? Wolf Hall is the sequel to Homeland, in which Brody is alive.
Best Actor in a Limited-Series or TV Movie
Idris Elba, Luther
Oscar Isaac, Show Me a Hero
David Oyelowo, Nightingale
Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall
Patrick Wilson, Fargo
Traci’s Pick: Idris Elba, Luther
It would be great if it was a tie between my bb Idris and the Internet’s new BF Oscar, but people love Luther.
Molly’s Pick: Patrick Wilson, Fargo
Winner: Oscar Isaac
T: Ughhh I was going to pick him too!! FOR THE RECORD: OSCAR ISSAC HAS BEEN SLAYING SINCE INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS. #Smokeshow
M: Yeah, he has, but this is the month we all got crushes on him, though, right? And by “we all” I mean both the internet and the HFPA.
M: Tom Ford and Lady Gaga – if this isn’t a wardrobe category I’ll be disappointed. Wait, does Golden Globes even have those though? I want to say no.
T: Yeah, they do not. Unfortunately.
T: Alan Cumming werk those glasses.
M: He is such an adorable person.
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Tobias Menzies, Outlander
Christian Slater, Mr. Robot
Traci’s Pick: Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall
Has anyone else finished this season of Homeland? It’s actually really good. Damian Lewis is still *SPOILER ALERT* dead.
Molly’s Pick: Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
I just really like him! (And no, I hadn’t seen this season of Homeland. Ahem. JK I haven’t seen an episode, that meant nothing to me).
Winner: Christian Slater
M: My concept of Christian Slater is frozen in like 1993, when I’d read about him in my sister’s 17 Magazines.
T: Christian Slater just gave Leo a handshake on his way up and that’s all I care about.
M: Oh, so Leo is WITHIN HANDSHAKE DISTANCE OF THE STAGE, KATE.
T: BITCH MISSED HER CHANCE. GIVE THE SHIPPERS WHAT THEY WANT.
someone actually made this
M: Oh great, there’s an adaptation of War and Peace coming out. Can’t wait! (JK never been into it.)
T: Jamie Foxx’s daughter is Miss Golden Globes this year, and I’d like to say that’s why he’s hamming it up right now, but let’s be real. He’s always like this.
M: Ugh Jamie you are EXHAUSTING. He just “read” Straight Outta Compton on the card, then held the real card up for all of us to read before announcing it. YOUR DAUGHTER IS EMBARRASSED.
T: Bless Lily James. What a delightful creature who has to deal with Jamie Foxx rn.
T: UGH QUENTIN. STOP I CANNOT WITH YOU. Nobody asked for this. Ennio’s name was on the envelope. IDEC that he’s not there.
M: Like 25% of the audience is making the face we are right now, and the other 75% want to but can’t because of face surgeries and injections.
T: Is Jane Fonda’s husband/boyfriend/male companion awake?
T: Yo, Jamie def just threw shade at Quentin for using the term “ghetto”. I knew he was going to get shit for that.
Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Wagner Moura, Narcos
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Traci’s Pick: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Jon Hamm always and forever, both at awards shows and in my heart.
Molly’s Pick: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Just give him a farewell Golden Globe, why don’t you?
Winner: Jon Hamm
T: I lit’rally just started clapping to myself for Hamm. Get it done sir… “Thanks for not taking my advice and ending the entire series on Chumbawumba. You picked the right song.” WHY DIDN’T MORE PEOPLE LAUGH AT THIS JOKE
M: Love Amy’s celebrity couple names: Amy-Tom Ford. Amy-All The Hemsworthes. Fav celeb friendship, right there.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Steve Carell, The Big Short
Matt Damon, The Martian
Al Pacino, Danny Collins
Mark Ruffalo, Infinitely Polar Bear
Traci’s Pick: Matt Damon, The Martian
I honestly don’t know anymore – I haven’t seen any of these movies.
Molly’s Pick: Steve Carell, The Big Short
What the heck even is Infinitely Polar Bear? Sounds like a fake band name.
Winner: Matt Damon, The Martian
M: Honestly, I should have picked him. But WHO IS AT TABLE 10? (Probably people from his movie, but.)
T: I haven’t seen The Martian, but honestly is it a comedy? Kristen Wiig and Donald Glover were in it, so yeah?
T: IT’S BEEN 18 YEARS SINCE GOOD WILL HUNTING??
M: NO WAY. It’s been AN ENTIRE ADULT PERSON since Good Will Hunting.
Also, Matt Damon, paraphrased: “Oh, I just make little movies nobody sees, la la la.”
Best Animated Feature Film
Anomalisa
The Good Dinosaur
Inside Out
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie
Traci’s Pick: Inside Out
*screams with tears* INSIDE OUT IS A FILM FOR ADULTS
Molly’s Pick: Inside Out
Why yes, I HAVE cried just thinking about it.
Winner: Inside Out
M: “Growing up is really hard and that’s a worthy subject to make a movie about” – best elevator pitch for an animated film, ever.
T: So technically Amy Poehler just won another Golden Globe, is how I just took this.
T: People are yelling “WOOWWWW” to Ryan Gosling & Brad Pitt on stage together, which, I mean is completely fair. ALSO BRAD IS ACTUALLY BENJAMIN BUTTON-ING
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Paul Dano, Love & Mercy
Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Michael Shannon, 99 Homes
Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Traci’s Pick: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Ok I DID see two of these, including my bae Idris and Sly in Creed. Like I said before, HFPA has a sweet spot for veteran Hollywood stars, so they’ll want to give this to Rocky.
Molly’s Pick: Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
No clue. I just like looking at him.
Winner: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
M: Rocky films should win every award just because the music is so good for walking up to the podium.
T: This moment is why the HFPA votes for people like Sylvester Stallone. Everyone gives him a standing ovation because they know he deserves it for his career *not* just for Creed. Also, good publicity for the org. But I mean, he was great in the movie.
M: I’ve never seen any of the Rocky movies … I used to live like a 2 minute walk from the Rocky steps in Philly so the closest I’ve been them is watching tourists pose at the top. Still, he seems like such a stand-up guy (and they’re on my to-watch list I swear).
T: Mark Wahlberg hates that he has to do these bits, probably.
M: I might hate that he has to, too.
T: I feel like a writer found those 2016 glasses in the corner of the writers’ room and was like, ‘I mean I guess we could do a joke about these?’ That writer was Carrot Top.
T: UPDATE – LEO SAID THIS ON THE RED CARPET. OBVIOUSLY ABOUT KATE.
M: OTP.
T: Where even is Kate? Stop doing press and get back with Leo.
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Emma Donoghue, Room
Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer, Spotlight
Charles Randolph, Adam McKay, The Big Short
Aaron Sorkin, Steve Jobs
Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight
Traci’s Pick: Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer, Spotlight
I need to see Spotlight.
Molly’s Pick: Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer, Spotlight
I haven’t seen Room, but I read the book and I’m secretly pulling for Emma Donoghue because it was great (also because I’d like her, Saoirse Ronan, and Caitriona Balfe to pull a massive sweep for Ireland).
Winner: Aaron Sorkin, Steve Jobs
M: While they were announcing this, I amended my wish to “anything but Quentin Tarantino”. Didn’t want to listen to him again.
T: SPEAKING OF PROPS. AZIZ WITH A BOOK TITLED ‘HOW TO LOSE TO JEFFREY TAMBOR WITH DIGNITY’ Like he legit had that made specifically for this moment. Praise.
Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy
Aziz Ansari, Master of None
Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle
Rob Lowe, The Grinder
Patrick Stewart, Blunt Talk
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Traci’s Pick: Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle
Thought process: he’s foreign> the Globes are decided by Hollywood Foreign Press> Gael.
Molly’s Pick: Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
I always have a Dylan McDermott/Dermot Mulroney thing with Gael Garcia Bernal and Gabriel Garcia Marquez (except even more confusing because one is a Mexican actor and one’s a Colombian novelist).
Winner: Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle
M: Really did think it would be Jeffrey Tambor!
T: Well, clearly my thought process has been validated.
T: FUCKING FINALLY
M: As far as I’m concerned we can all go to bed now.
T: I honestly forgot Ricky was hosting.
M: The latest joke (that Brad and Angelina will want to adopt Kevin Hart and Ken Jeong) goes over better than most of them have.
Best Actress in a Limited-Series or TV Movie
Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel
Sarah Hay, Flesh & Bone
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Queen Latifah, Bessie
Traci’s Pick: Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel
I think the HFPA just want a reason to help Gaga EGOT.
Molly’s Pick: Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
She should win, anyway. She was incredible.
Winner: Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel
T: I’m gonna be honest with you I’m crying. I’ve never even seen the show.
M: I’ve only seen clips but I wasn’t impressed … and I STG Kirsten Dunst was amazing in Fargo.
T: IT IS SO QUIET IN THE BALLROOM BC HOLLYWOOD DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO REACT.
M: Gaga. You seem like a sweet enough person but nobody has to thank Ryan Murphy.
T: ALSO – GAGA KNOCKED LEO’S ARM AND HE REACTED IN A WAY THAT IS… I’M READY FOR THE GIF.
M: Have they been letting her talk for the past like 15 minutes? Gaga says she’s “truly speechless” but I don’t know, that was a lot of talking, Stefani.
M: If Zooey Deschanel’s going to grow out her bangs and part them in the middle and Katy Perry’s going to cut hers shorter and part them in the middle, eventually they’re going to merge and none of us will know the difference.
T: Sam Smith is snatching that EGOT. Get. it.
T: For those keeping track – in the past 15 minutes, Lady Gaga and Sam Smith won Golden Globes, and Katy Perry presented with a Bump It in her hair (seriously). Welcome to 2016.
M: I’ve forgotten to keep track of which celebs seem drunk and which seem high, but if I were there I’d be grabbing Ricky’s drink off the podium to get through this event.
T: “I love seeing Ricky every three years because it reminds me to get a colonoscopy.” What are the odds Mel hired a team of writers for that come back? Like in 2013? And they’ve been working on it ever since?
M: I just said “oh, no” out loud during the Mad Max segment because I’m afraid when it gets nominated for an Oscar I’m going to feel like I have to see it.
T: Ugh same.
Best TV Series, Drama
Empire
Game of Thrones
Mr. Robot
Narcos
Outlander
Traci’s Pick: Mr. Robot
My strategy has been and always will be ‘pick the weirdest, buzziest show/star to win the Golden Globes’. Mr. Robot is loved by critics and TV nerds. If any other show were to win, it might be Game of Thrones, but, like Molly, I’ve never seen it and it’s our best guess as to what’s going on in that show.
Molly’s Pick: Game of Thrones
Although since this is for season 1 of Empire, I’d like to see it win (season 2… nah).
Winner: Mr. Robot
M: Traci, can you explain what this is even about in a few words, because I have no clue?
T: Hackers. Internet. Christian Slater.
M: Hmm. I think I already have enough shows. Thanks.
T: Same. ALSO I just put it together than Emmy Rossum’s fiance is the creator/EP of Mr. Robot?
M: When did Emmy Rossum become the establishment, anyway?
T: …. Phantom? Shameless? I’m out.
M: Yeah gotta be Shameless. I feel like the only person who saw Phantom.
T: Just the two of us. *cut to Will Smith*
T: Give Tom Hanks an Emmy for this Denzel Washington impression. And for that whole speech.
T: HE GOT GAME WAS SO GOOD. I mean, all of Denzel’s movies, but also like, that one. Also also, there was a time when I met Denzel Washington and I always forget I did that.
M: I always forget you did too!
T: YOOOOOO IS THIS DENZEL’S SON (also i love that he brought his fam up)
M: Yeah I called Denzel’s adult children ‘adorable’ during the preshow and I stand by it 100%.
M: Denzel’s wife helping him read his writing like they’re all of our moms and dads instead of special, beautiful people, I love it.
M: Why doesn’t anyone in this crowd quiet down when someone starts talking? Waiting for a presenter to pull the teacher thing where they stand up there and say “I’ll wait” then stare at you.
T: Breaking: “What the fuck does sugartits even mean?” -Gervais to Gibson.
(btw: “What do you think you’re looking at, sugar tits?” – Mel Gibson to female police officer during 2006 DUI arrest)
M: What’s the point of this ‘banter’ that gets censored anyway? [but yes. What DOES sugartits even mean?]
T: According to Urban Dictionary (the go-to reference for 25+ humans)
Describing a female with a deligtfully sweet bosom; a delicious pair of breasts.
“What do you think you’re looking at, sugar tits?” said the inebriated Mel Gibson to the arresting deputy.
M: I have obviously been watching this soulless awards show too long because that almost sounded sweet. (Except the Mel Gibson part.)
Best Director – Motion Picture
Todd Haynes, Carol
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, The Revenant
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
George Miller, Mad Max
Ridley Scott, The Martian
Traci’s Pick: Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, The Revenant
Thought process: he’s foreign> the Globes are decided by Hollywood Foreign Press> Leo.
Molly’s Pick: George Miller, Mad Max
Sometimes the HFPA goes for the director of these more “genre” films, so why not. But Inarritu is probably a better guess.
Winner: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, The Revenant
M: This also means I’ll probably feel like I have to see The Revenant, and I love Leo and I like nature OK but I’m just not interested.
Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama
Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Eva Green, Penny Dreadful
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Traci’s Pick: Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Give this woman an award already.
Molly’s Pick: Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Again, especially because we’re talking about season 1. But if Caitriona Balfe wants to win the Irish trifecta I wouldn’t complain.
Winner: Taraji P. Henson, Empire
M: Did she bake these cookies or order them from a bakery because either scenario is adorable.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Melissa McCarthy, Spy
Amy Schumer, Trainwreck
Maggie Smith, Lady in the Van
Lily Tomlin, Grandma
Traci’s Pick: Amy Schumer, Trainwreck
It’s going to be a tough call between the BFFs in the category, but I’m giving the edge to Amy, since the HFPA tends to like newcomers with a lot of buzz and really old people/Hollywood veterans.
Molly’s Pick: Maggie Smith, Lady in the Van
Who could ever choose between any of these ladies?
Winner: Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
M: … with Amy Schumer starting a standing ovation like a true pal.
T: Love it. But also maybe should’ve been a tie between them!
M: How I know I’m getting old: I look at celebs already well into their 20s (Jennifer Lawrence) and think things like “I’m so proud of how she’s growing up!”
T: “Welcome back to the Golden Globes, here is Tobey Maguire” aka remember this guy?? He used to be relevant once upon a time.”
T: Lit’rally four people in a row referenced Tobey & Leo’s “Pussy Posse” on Twitter rn.
M: Never forget. Even if you want to, you can’t.
M: The disconnect between Jim Carey’s head hair and beard hair textures is really throwing me off.
M: New theory: the round tables at the Golden Globes make it really awkward because half of the people have to either turn their chairs or sit sideways, so the most important people get the locations where you get to sit facing the stage.
T: Next thing you know, the censor’s going to bleep out the winner for Best Motion Picture, Drama
Best Motion Picture, Comedy
The Big Short
Joy
The Martian
Spy
Trainwreck
Traci’s Pick: The Big Short
The Big Short is critically acclaimed, but so is Trainwreck. The Globes are usually an indicator of who’s going to win the Oscars, so my bet is that Amy Schumer’s not going to win an Oscar any time soon (as much as I would love her to).
Molly’s Pick: Joy
I saw Joy, and I guess I chuckled a few times but it wasn’t really a *comedy* in the same way Trainwreck was. Awards shows eat that shit up.
Winner: The Martian
M: As far as I’m concerned, the nominees were two comedies and three movies where maybe you chuckle a few times.
Martian “began with a very smart book.” You know, like ALL the best comedies.
T: I’ve checked out, Ridley Scott. Unless you’re going to burst out into song from Avenue Q in this speech, this film was not a musical nor a comedy.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Rooney Mara, Carol
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Traci’s Pick: Brie Larson, Room
I only hear great things about Brie Larson in this movie, so I’m going with her, even though I secretly want Saoirse Ronan to win because I could listen to her talk for days.
Molly’s Pick: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
I think Brie Larson and Alicia Vikander are the most buzz-y this year. But Cate Blanchett has a good shot if the voters go for the establishment. I also secretly want Saoirse Ronan to win, though. I just love her.
Winner: Brie Larson, Room
M: For the record, I have been watching my television for three and a half hours and haven’t heard Saoirse Ronan speak ONCE. Didn’t even know she was there til now. Anyway congrats, Brie.
T: She spoke on E! earlier and it was the highlight of the pre-show.
M: I’ve really got to get cable.
T: Brie Larson is such a delight! Before the show, she said she talked to Emma Stone who gave her a pep talk and said, “You’re gonna have the best time – you’re inside the TV!”. This is the type of speech I’m into.
M: Yes, everyone take a page from her book!
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
Will Smith, Concussion
Traci’s Pick: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Molly’s Pick: Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
Unless he’s So Last Awards season.
Winner: Leonardo DiCaprio
T: YASSSSSSSSSS WHERE IS KATE. WHERE IS KATE. WHERE IS KATE.
M: YAYYY! But does this mean he’ll be even more cursed for the Oscars? Can they please show Kate? SHOW KATE.
IS KATE OKAY. WHERE IS SHE.
T: MAYBE SHE’S PASSED OUT BC THE LOVE OF HER LIFE JUST WON A GOLDEN GLOBE.
M: Yeah maybe she’s hidden behind a camera taking pics for her scrapbook.
T: Kate is at Eddie Redmayne’s table (I THINK) so like, just PAN OVER.
M: THANK KATE. I don’t care that she wasn’t in this.
T: I THOUGHT WHEN HE SAID “LASTLY” THAT IT WAS GOING TO END WITH “KATE WINSLET, WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME AND IN MY HEART SINCE 1996.”
M: I SAW. DID YOU SEE.
T: NO UGH I WAS LOOKING FOR LEO GIFS
M: He thanked the makeup artist or something and you could see a fuzzy Kate Winslet calling out a “woo!” so I like to think she was there just cheering at every damn thing he said.
T: I REWOUND IT. THIS IS THE GREATEST.
M: I know! Now I can picture her applauding throughout the entire speech.
T: Let’s just take a mo to remember when Kate professed her love for Leo (and kept saying “Gather” to herself) at the Globes a few years ago:
Best Motion Picture, Drama
Carol
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight
Traci’s Pick: Spotlight
Spotlight’s been picking up a lot of steam this awards season, but if any film is a close runner-up, it’s going to be Mad Max: Fury Road. Both of these movies I have not seen.
Molly’s Pick: Spotlight
It seems like the most likely candidate. I also haven’t seen it.
Winner: The Revenant
T: Well, I was going to see this anyways, but ok.
M: Usually the keywords “epic biographical Western” would put me off it, but for Leo, okay.
T: If we can’t listen to Saoirse, I’d listen to Alejandro.
M: Too bad, because I think they cut him off. Meanwhile we had to listen to a 5-minute speech for an award Quentin Tarantino didn’t even win.
T: Hollywood, amirite?
M: I legit almost ended with “that’s Hollywood” with a shrug-face emoji.
T: “From myself and Mel Gibson, shalom” Oh boy drag him, Ricky.
M: If for no other reason than sticking it to Mel Gibson, I think Ricky did an OK job.
T: Agreed. And now we all have Sugartits back in our vocabulary in 2016, so thank you.
Goodnight from our sugartits to yours (no? not using it right? need to look up the definition again?) and be sure to come back tomorrow for our Best and Worst Dressed post. Thanks for reading!
103 years ago today, the Titanic met its tragic fate. And 17 years ago today, we were all being tacky as hell. The Titanic craze of 1997-1998 was unlike any media phenomenon I’ve experienced before or since, both in how pervasive and fanatical it was, and also in that we all sort of acted super questionable.
Let’s recap a bit in case you’ve forgotten about Titanic Mania, were too young for it, or just weren’t paying attention. First, the Titanic sank. It was 1912 and a lot of people died and it was, of course, very sad. Fast forward 80-some years to late 1997. James Cameron directed a giant historical epic about the event, starring teen sensations Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. That’s when things got weird.
For as long as cinema has existed, we haven’t been able to resist portraying real-life tragedies on-screen. Want to guess how long the first Titanic movie was released after the sinking? 29 days. Not even a full month, unless the month was February, which of course it wasn’t because every mid-90s tween has the date “April 15, 1912” etched onto their soul. There were actually three Titanic movies released in 1912 alone, so it’s not like I think that James Cameron’s Titanic was unusually iffy.
The way we all reacted to that movie though – that’s what was weird. We just lost it. Keep in mind, this was a movie about a real-life disaster, and survivors were even still alive at the time. You’d think we would have maintained a bit of decorum, or solemnity, or SOMETHING, but that sunken boat became a pop culture figure along the lines of Mickey Mouse or Rocky.
Real.
We had reasons, sort of. We were both obsessed, but we were also in sixth grade. It was the beginning of being interested in “grown-up” romances instead of kid stuff, making it much more touching and serious. I was rewatching Titanic a few years ago – mind you, I could rewatch Titanic in my brain any time I wanted because I still have it memorized thanks to that two-cassette pack I got for my 12th birthday – anyway, it jumped out at me that Rose and Jack had known each other for, like, four days max. They had all the emotional investment of a one-night stand. No wonder Old Rose hadn’t mentioned the story to her family. “I’m really sad about this guy I went out Irish Dancing with one time then banged in a car and he died 80 years ago?” Get a grip, Grams.
You know, like most randos you hooked up with when you were 17.
Even though Rose and Jack were two teenagers creating the 1912 version of nude selfies, in 1998 they represented a long-gone era of decorum. The winter all of the news stations were focused on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, we wanted stories about ladies and gentlemen. Maybe that was why even people over the age of 15 lost their cool. But what happened next… I don’t have an excuse for that.
It’s like this. Liking a movie about a horrific tragedy is pretty normal. Holding themed club nights about the tragedy is not. It’s not just that Titanic sold a lot of tickets. Here are some of wacky things that we did during Titanic mania:
You could buy reproductions of Rose’s Heart Of The Ocean necklace, a gift for a teen girl’s forced arranged marriage that she got painted in naked one time. If memory serves, the ads ran in USA Weekend for months, maybe years.
A local (Rochester, NY) club held “Titanic night” which sounds like an evening when a massive code violation results in the death of hundreds. Commercials played on our top 40 station, but I’ll never know what happened at Titanic Night because I was 11.
You can still visit a Titanic club somewhere.
JC Penney sold t-shirts depicting the aforementioned teen bride and a boy who’s days away from death by freezing.
It is a shirt with a dying man on it.
The Titanic soundtrack was a best-seller, and a follow-up soundtrack was even released. It was the first and only time in my life that it was really cool that I’m a good tin whistle player. Teens everywhere queued up fiddle music and Edwardian novelty songs (Come Josephine In My Flying Machine, anyone?), sat on our bedspreads, and had a good cry about the souls when went down with the ship.
That damn Celine Dion song. Everywhere. All the time. My favorite was the version where they interspersed clips of dialog into the song. There was also a club remix, which probably was played at that club’s Titanic Night.
Everyone had that one friend who saw the movie something like 13 times in the theater. This led to the film staying at the top of the box office for 15 straight weeks. I know this because I checked the box office reports every week to make sure Titanic was still at its rightful place.
In a pre-tumblr world, you would log onto Lycos and find AngelSites and GeoCities pages about the movie and the boat. I bet if you added up all the time I’ve spent on the internet in my life, a big chunk of it was spent trawling those sites. Most included a tinny midi file of My Heart Will Go On.
Just about every magazine launched a “Special Collector’s Issue” about the movie.
Titanic vacations allowed rich people to see a shipwreck/mass grave site up close. I wished I could be so rich.
The New York Times book list was full of books about Titanic, including then-50-year-old A Night To Remember and a nonfiction, full-color book about the making of the movie. Yeah, I checked the book charts weekly, too.
Kids threw “Titanic Parties.” Kids are stupid and the parties were tacky, including 11-year-old girls – commonly known to be the worst type of human – screaming “I’m The King Of The World!” throughout the graveyard where the frozen bodies of Titanic victims had been buried.
SINKING SHIP WATERMELON BOWL. The grapes represent dead humans? But props to this mom for just being like “you want a Titanic party? Whatever. I’ll make lifeboat cupcakes.” I bet she’s fun.
It was also a popular prom theme… and you thought your prom was a disaster.
Websites popped up selling dress patterns so that you, too, could have the grace and panache of Rose Dewitt Bukater. I’m not ashamed to say that I would wear that swishy chiffon one right now.
In the area where sixth graders congregated before school, there was a massive snow-pile for the duration of the winter, as is typical of the North. What’s not typical is naming it after the iceberg that ultimately took the lives of thousands.
I won a game of charades by pantomiming Titanic.
Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic, visited my school to kick off a science program, the JASON project. A lot of 10-year-olds were suddenly very into marine biology.
Long after the film was released, Titanic Mania has lingered. In 2012 you could attend a cruise above the underwater gravesite, which hosted a huge fete on the 100-year anniversary of the sinking. You can visit Pinterest to learn to bake a Titanic cake, and tumblr has every Caledon Hockley gif you ever wanted. But make no mistake: Titanic mania could never happen in the uniquely, grotesquely weird way it did today. We move through our obsessions more quickly than that. And although individuals joked about the story, the high-level schmaltz that pervaded our culture just wouldn’t stand. There would be jokey memes within the first day of release, and a #waterygrave hashtag in a week. Titanic mania was a strange combination of sentimentality and cheese. It was freaking weird, and I loved it, and my heart will go on.
Leonardo DiCaprio turned 40 yesterday – if sources like Entertainment Tonight, Wikipedia, his birth certificate, and Father Time are to be believed. I’m not so sure about that. As we discussed in Things I’m Willing To Believe About Ben Affleck, I have very specific, baseless concepts of what celebrities are like (Affleck, for instance, is a blue-collar Boston mensch). And in my imagination, Leo will always be a mischievous yet sensitive teenager of the 1990s: even if it’s the 2010s, even if he’s 40.
With that in mind, here are some things I’m willing to believe about Leonardo DiCaprio:
Whenever he’s not working, Leo reverts to what he calls his “off-duty haircut.” You know the one:
You may have noticed that a lot of DiCaprio’s girlfriends are the same type – lean and model-y, with open faces and lank blond hair. This isn’t because he only dates models. It’s because they remind him of the most beautiful woman in the world: his beloved Gran-Gran.
So the man knows what he likes.
The part of you that was once a Titanic-obsessed 11-year-old probably remembers when Leo was quoted as saying “The human mouth is one of the dirtiest things on this planet. There’s so much bacteria, slime and trapped food–a dog’s mouth is much cleaner.” But did you know that he only said that because he’s totally the kind of guy who lets strange dogs come up to him and lick his hand? Dogs love him.
Speaking of dogs, yes, Leo has one. And yes, it’s a rescue dog, but you know what? Leo knows when to shut up about it.
And when I say “rescue dog,” I mean the whole shebang. Like, one of those sad ones with an eye-patch and a wheel. No big deal.
During the cast Christmas party on the Titanic set, DiCaprio played Santa. None of the kids knew.
And he got them all Nerf Super Soakers. They had water fights every week….
And still do:
During the filming of Romeo + Juliet, Leo begged Baz Luhrman to change the ending – claiming that it would be “too sad for Claire.”
But of course, it was really because he was afraid of keeping it together.
And if you think that, to this day, Leo can hear Lovefool without crying, you’re an idiot.
When Leo became a teen heartthrob, he vowed to use his powers for good. That’s why he made a pledge to star in the film adaptation of every high school required reading book. He’s already knocked Romeo +Juliet and The Great Gatsby off the list, and is really gunning for a role in an adaptation of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings or The Catcher In The Rye.
Although the internet (and my memories of 1998, to be honest) tell me that Leo’s middle name is Wilhelm, I like to believe that it’s actually something more “all-American boy in the 1980s,” like Cody or Chad or Shane.
Leonardo DiCaprio still uses the word “rad.”
Recently, Leo bought a case of “the best toothpaste in the world” off of eBay.
Leo has “the boys” over for game night every week. “Game night” means video games – and Leo prefers N64 and Sega to all those modern systems.
And though a leading man in his day job, he prefers to play as Luigi and Yoshi. Just that kind of guy.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s fridge is always stocked with Sunny D.
Typical party at Leo’s place.
During the first screening of Titanic, Leo turned to James Cameron and whispered “dude. It was NOT COOL to show that dead baby’s head in the wreckage.” Cameron was forced to explain that it was actually a doll:
When a special effects team was debating how to age Leonardo to play J. Edgar Hoover, the eerily baby-faced Leo told them: “hold tight, I have a portrait in my attic you could use for reference.”
It was a joke. Leo reads books, remember?
In his rumpus room (oh yeah, Leo has a rumpus room), DiCaprio has a dart board with an image of the Oscar statuette at the center.
Inspired by an article in Oprah’s O Magazine, Leo recently created a vision board. It’s all just pictures of Oscars, Kate Winslet, and skateboards. Despite his public protestations, DiCaprio still thinks of Winslet as “the one that got away. ” And he just always thought it would be fun to know how to skateboard.
It really hurt his feelings when older brothers across the nation began referring to him as “Leonardo DiCrapio in the late 90s.
Before DiCaprio goes on Kelly and Michael, his publicist always has to remind him that it is not, in fact, called “The Regis Show.”
Well folks, it happened. George Clooney is betrothed. To a woman who is not a model by profession. In case you didn’t know, Amal Alamuddin is a 36-year-old Lebanon-born, London-based lawyer, who specializes in international law, human rights, extradition and criminal law. She went to Oxford and NYU, is fluent in English, French and Arabic, and has previously worked with now-Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in 2011. Basically, she’s no dummy, and different than all the other girls George has loved before, which is why I think this is legit. But let’s be real – how many people actually thought George would ever get engaged again? His first marriage to actress Talia Balsam (who’s now married to silver fox John Slattery) didn’t work out and he publicly vowed to never marry again. Yet here we are. Albeit he still needs to actually exchange vows with her, I, and I assume the rest of the pop culture-obsessed public, never thought this would happen. There are hundreds of other things I thought would happen before George ever put a ring on anyone, let alone a woman that might actually be the one. Here’s a list of just some of the things I thought would happen before Cloonster would ever settle down.
okay, but doesn’t this look like a scene from Out of Sight?
Clooney reprising his role as Batman
Lou Bega making a legit come back
Wait, guys… I’m JUST realizing this is Mambo NUMBER 5. WHAT HAPPENED TO MAMBOS 1 THROUGH 4?!?
FACT: I recently witnessed my mother using AOL and let me tell you – this screenshot is not that far off from what it looks like in 2014. BUDDY LISTS. !
Finding MH370
… Too soon?
Figuring out the exact number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop
Actually liking Tootsie Roll Pops
Honestly, the most disgusting candy.
The Buffalo Bills going to the Super Bowl
A little Western New York humor for you
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams getting back together
Discovering the real identity of -A on Pretty Little Liars
This will happen once the show ends for real. Maybe.
Actually going through the threat of quitting Facebook
The Friday Night Lights movie happening
Probably for the best that this isn’t a thing.
The Friends reunion happening
Yeah, probs for the best this isn’t a thing either.
Reading through the entirty of the iTunes Terms and Conditions
Cookies + Sangria 