Sublime and Ridiculous:The 85th Annual Academy Awards

When Sally Field,wearing a red Valentino dress,arrived at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the 85th Annual Academy Awards,she brought her years of accumulated wisdom with her.She felt that she wouldn't care if she won or lost the best supporting actress competition for her role in "Lincoln."It wouldn't determine what she got out of the experience.
Her expressions during the ceremony seemed to back that up.There was no distress on her face when she did in fact lose to Ann Hathaway.She smiled and applauded when others received their awards.That someone would be surly about not winning an Oscar is something only in the minds of the media.It is perhaps their innermost wish,so they will have something outlandish to report about.
Anne Hathaway was attired in a white Prada dress and Tiffany jewelry.She said she looked up to Field and her other competitors.Best actress winner Jennifer Lawrence.22,wore a Dior Haute Couture strapless white gown which she tripped over as she ascended the steps to the stage to receive her Oscar for "Silver Lining Playbook."She was uninjured and gave a simple,unaffected acceptance speech.
Vocalist Shirley Bassey,76,gave a remarkably competent performance of "Goldfinger,"a James Bond theme which she first sang in the 1960s.
Once you discover him,I think Lincoln absolutely stays with you forever,said  Daniel Day-Lewis of his best actor Oscar-winning role in "Lincoln".He is the only man to win best actor three times-out of just five films,no less.His acceptance speech was basically an exercise in humility.
Other winners were:
Best supporting actor:Christopher Waltz,"Django Unchained"
Best foreign language film:"Amour,"Austria
Best original score:Mychael Danna,"Life of Pi"
Best original song:Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth,"Skyfall"
Best director:Ang Lee of Taiwan,"Life of Pi"
Best picture:"Argo"
A low point of the ceremony was host Seth MacFarlane cracking a joke about Abraham Lincoln's assassination.His other wisecracks were better received.
First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a surprise short speech via satellite feed from the White House on the best picture award,citing the importance of the arts for young people and announcing the winner,"Argo."

Coach Gets An Upgrade

Luxury retailer Coach,which offers a line of fine leather goods,received an upgrade from JP Morgan.The old investment firm raised Coach from hold to buy,also increasing its price target for the stock from 35 to 40 dollars.JP Morgan cited Coach's improving margins and increased square footage.
As the affluent's portfolios rebound from the financial crisis,they are returning to the stores.Another member of the group that is benefiting is department store chain Saks.Others to watch for include department store Nordstrom and jeweler Tiffany.