On the Vanity Fair "Hollywood" Cover

One of the greatest awards seasons traditions is upon us the Vanity Fair "Hollywood" Issue. Last year we had a superstar cover and the year before that a mix of rising stars both male and female but VF likes to alter the mix each year and so we're back to where they began this tradition 22 years ago with a group of youngish female stars of the now. The covergirls this year are: Emma Stone, Lupita Nyong'o, Amy Adams, Natalie Portman, Ruth Negga, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Aja Naomi King, Dakota Johnson, Greta Gerwig, and Janelle Monáe.

Let's take a closer look after the jump...

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Year in Review: Red Carpet 2016

We've been attacking 2016 from multiple angles for a year in review list-frenzy. We never quite finish in time so we'll spill into the new year a bit as we do.

But let's get festive for New Year's Eve with Jose's list of the year's Best Actress at an Event looks...

If ever there was a year where beauty was needed and much welcomed in any form we could get it, it definitely was 2016. Fortunately the world of fashion did not disappoint, and we saw a return to old Hollywood glamour that certainly served as a palate cleanser from the harshness of the modern world. Floral prints, dazzling metallics and princess moments made a splash on the red carpet, while more avant garde couture remained mostly on the runway. 

The 10 best dressers, as always, were able to combine the best of both worlds.  See the full list after the jump...

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Review: Queen of Katwe

by Eric Blume

Usually adjectives like “inspirational” and “crowd-pleasing” make most serious moviegoers want to go running straight for the hills, and indeed the trailer for Disney’s Queen of Katwe made me shudder.  This true story of a poor Ugandan girl (played here by newcomer Madina Nalwanga) who becomes a candidate master at chess has all the markers of the usual Disney underdog story, and you expect all the typical manipulation that comes with it. 

But most films aren’t directed by Mira Nair, and she turns Queen of Katwe into something rare:  a true story that plays authentically and simply.  Nair shot this film in the actual slums of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, and her love for the place, the people, and the culture is unmistakable...

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Instagram Proof (Debi, Tatiana, Lupita)

Instagram Proof

...that Tatiana Maslany actually IS a clone

...that Lupita Nyong'o can't blend into the background no matter how hard she tries

...that despite Madge's history of shortlived celebrity friendships, she'll always love Debi Mazar

Blowing the lid off: Finally, the proof that @tatianamaslany is in actual fact a clone.

A photo posted by Tom Cullen (@tom_cullen) on Sep 24, 2016 at 11:52am PDT

Kitenge Sunset. @queenofkatwemovie #Queening #Kitenge #QueenofKatwe. Crowned by @vernonfrancois.

A photo posted by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on Sep 23, 2016 at 4:14pm PDT

HELLO! #ADELE .. last nite,AMAZING Thanks @Madonna for the great bday tkts 💋👀❤️

A video posted by Debi Mazar (@debimazar) on Sep 24, 2016 at 9:19am PDT

Supporting Actress: Nicole Kidman's Fourth Nomination?

Here's to the thought of Nicole Kidman back in an Oscar lineup - CHEERS!

Lion and Queen of Katwe were runner ups to La La Land for Toronto's People Choice prize and people were loving on Nicole Kidman and Lupita Nyong'o as warm mothers in those films. With a strange absence of contenders to this point (especially given the comparatively abundant Leading Actress wars) they both move way up the chart. Also shifting on the chart: Felicity Jones, Nina Arianda, Greta Gerwig x 2, Live by Night ladies, and a few drop-offs now that the films have been seen.

In category-fraud-loving Hollywood we have to assume that one of the leading ladies (Best Actress chart is not yet updated) will demote herself to secure a nomination in a weaker field. Viola Davis is a possibility in Fences  -- in the first Broadway run her Fences character was considered "featured" (Tony Award code for "supporting) and in the revival (the one Viola nabbed the Tony for) the same character in the exact same play was considered "lead". But we'll leave her in Best Actress for now because the plethora of her supporting roles aside, we all know Viola Davis is a Leading Lady down to the marrow and it shows in her supersized talent.

See the updated chart. Thoughts?