Brittany Murphy – Celebrity About

I only watched the first 10 minutes of the two hour two part HBO Brittany Murphy documentary, What Happened to Brittany Murphy, because the tone was just off. It seemed macabre, and I guess it would be if it focused on her death. When they played a montage of her as various characters suffering I turned it off. Plus I’ve read that it’s awful and salacious and I didn’t want to sit through that.

Brittany was married to a shifty guy, Simon Monjack, who died of the same official causes, pneumonia and anemia, in the same house, just five months after her 2009 death. I covered that story at the time. I always thought that Simon was a con artist who was using Brittany but that he was genuinely heartbroken at her death. I strongly believe that there was mold in the house, which was rumored but not conclusively found, that it was slowly poisoning Brittany and Simon, and that they took medication to deal with the symptoms. There are conspiracy theories about their deaths however, including theories that Brittany was poisoned.

There are also theories that Simon murdered Brittany for her money. Simon fabricated his backstory and told wild lies, he had two children Brittany didn’t know about, he married Brittany quickly and he isolated her from friends and business contacts. None of that proves he had anything to do with her death, but his family is not happy with how he’s been portrayed. Simon’s brother, who is featured in the documentary, told TMZ he was misled about the focus:

Simon Monjack isn’t the monster he was portrayed to be in HBO’s newest Brittany Murphy doc, so says his brother, who feels he was duped into participating in the whole thing.

The two-part series investigates the life, relationships and death of the actress … but mostly focuses on her bizarre marriage to Simon Monjack — who died just 5 months after Murphy. There’s a lot of suspicions raised about the circumstances surrounding her death, but one theme in the doc remains constant … Simon wasn’t a good dude.

Throughout the episodes, Simon is accused of controlling Brittany, taking her money, having secret kids and eventually preventing her from getting medical attention.

Monjack’s brother, James, who is interviewed in the series tells us he was disappointed that the filmmakers made Simon out to be the villain.

James says the project was originally pitched to him to be investigative journalism into the couple’s deaths, but instead, it came off as a sensationalistic piece. James said he and his mother — who was also interviewed — had hoped the series would lead to a breakthrough in what actually killed Simon and Brittany, but made it seem more like Simon led to her death.

[From TMZ]

I have heard so many stories about people being duped into giving interviews for shows that sensationalize their experiences. Granted I did not watch this as I mentioned, but Brittany deserved better than this documentary. By all accounts she was a lovely person who was taken before her time. Simon was a creep who was surely using her for her money, but I don’t think he killed her. I think something or someone in the house killed them both.

Photos credit: FameFlynet and WENN

Jennifer Lawrence with actress Lupita Nyong’o. I really want to know what they were talking about.

The SAG Awards is probably the most “meh” of all awards shows, am I right? Still, that’s no reason to ignore the fashion. Why? Because it’s fun. Here are some looks from the 20th Annual SAG Awards. Let’s go through and pick the looks for BEST, WORST, and WTF.

For more awards show fashion, check out the Golden Globes Awards post.

I don’t think Amanda Peet knows how to dress anymore. This is something I’d expect from Chloë Sevigny, and I don’t even know if she could pull this off. It’s just so…fug. I’m sorry, I know “fug” is played-out, but I cannot summon any other words to accurately describe this dour mess.

Aaron Paul (bitch). I don’t mind the shoes at all; I like when men personalize their tuxes/suits, because let’s face it, mens fashion can be terribly boring. I just wished his damn pants were hemmed at the right length. Why is it that no man in the world ever has his pants hemmed?? It looks like he’s wearing bell bottoms. The pants should break crisply at the ankle, not do this hot swampy mess. This is a big pet peeve of mine. I really don’t get why it’s so hard for dudes to make sure they’re pants aren’t too long.

(Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly before I move on).

Abigail Breslin. She looks so pretty, but why grow up so fast? By which I mean, this is something I’d expect to see on a much older celeb. She’s only 17. The train and bolero is just so old for her.

You can tell that Anna Gunn has so much more confidence after losing so much weight. She looks fantastic, but the best part is easily her purse:

Love. Why not? Yeah it’s a little cheesy, but it’s Breaking Bad, a worthy show, and it’s not like her purse is a giant rock of blue meth.

Carice van Houten, a dutch actress, best known for Black Book (not to be confused with the Brittany Murphy film Little Black Book). I really love this whole look. It’s simple but there are little accents like the pockets, and the patterned shoe,s and the red lips, that keep it from being boring. This is totally something I would wear if I ever got the chance. Screw it, I’ll wear this while shopping for groceries, I don’t need the SAG Awards.

Cate Blanchett. Okay, in all fairness to Ms. Blanchett, this looked slightly better on TV. But only slightly. And she kept fussing with the top. She’s done better. This reminds me of something Miranda would wear in a Sex and the City Goes To The Beach movie.

Claire Danes needs to eat a good meal and get a good night’s sleep. I mean it’s her life and she can do what she wants with it. It’s just a suggestion. Okay, so, the gown. There’s a lot going on with this dress. I feel like the train is unnecessary. You’ve got a two-toned train, plus a sheer overlay, plus a sequined pattern, which I think is really cool, and is cool enough on its own. If you cover the train with your hand, it looks so much better. Just try it. Treat yourself!

You guys – Elisabeth Moss did it — she wore a flattering dress WITH a nice hairdo!! I’m so proud of her. Usually she only gets one. But this time, I feel like she really brought it, and I think she looks fantastic. This is a great color on her with a great neckline. Spectre is really great! (Sorry, Big Fish reference got out of me).

Well, this is better than what Emma Thompson wore to the Golden Globes, but I still don’t get why she dresses like this. She has a great bod. I guess it’s just what she’s most comfortable in. I see she’s wearing flats. That’s good, considering that at the GG she took off her heels and then threw them. Progress!

Guys, I love Helen Mirren and I think at this point she could wear anything and I’d gush. So what do you think of this look?

Isla Fisher. This was just okay for me. She’s a beautiful woman and it’s a pretty dress, so I’m not sure why the overall look isn’t wowing me.

Jane Krakowsi. Love this color on her, and I like the playful neckline. I get that because of the neckline she likely opted not to wear a necklace, but I think she needs a little something to make this dress “pop” (I hate that expression, but there you go).

I think Jared Leto looks so good, I don’t even mind the hair. I have a thing for skinny guys in skinny suits. I blame David Bowie for that one.

Jennifer Lawrence. Her bod is sick, which I feel bad about saying, since she’s shrinking more and more every time we see her. I mean look, her waist isn’t much bigger than her head. I hope she doesn’t continue to shrink, but since the Oscars are coming up, not much chance of that. Anyway, I love this dress. It works on her. She looks fab, it’s different without being ridiculous, and I love it. I’m still not a fan of her haircut, though. Sorry.

Also shrinking is Julia Louis-Dreyfus. I like her handbag more than the dress. The dress is just okay. I like the colorblocking trend, though.

Julia Roberts. Well…uh…it’s better than what she wore to the Golden Globes, but that’s not saying much. I love her mermaid hair. I don’t know…please don’t kill me for saying this, but I think she’s a little too old to wear a hot pink jumpsuit to an Awards Show. But I think anyone over 20 is a little too old to wear a hot pink jumpsuit to an Awards show.

Julie Bowen. So much going on here. Okay. I love that she took a risk. But overall, this reminds me of one of those cheap costumes you’d buy sealed in a plastic bag from a Halloween store. You know? Like this looks like an altered Transformers costume or something. It’s the bodice and the faux belt that makes me think “robot in disguise.”

Juliette Lewis. It looks like boxy clutches and patterns were a big trend this year. I think this dress looks lovely on her and I like the pattern and colors but it’s giving me 1990′s Laura Ashley vibes. And I think her hair is not doing her any favors.

Kathy Griffin. Look who’s not D-list anymore! Great color on her. I’m into peplum, but only when the sleeves are super simple. With the clipped capped sleeves and the peplum detail, it’s almost a bit too much, even though it’s such a simple dress. Her bod is hot though, let’s be real.

Sorry, Kelly Osbourne, but I think this whole entire look is diabolical.

Kerry Washington is pregnant but that didn’t stop her from wearing a crop-top! Even though no one should wear crop tops, especially crop tops with side slits, I mean what the hell. Why do people gush over her style? Why was she named The World’s Best Dressed Woman? I think 90% of the time she gets it wrong, and I think this is one of those times.

Here’s Lupita Nyong’o, from Twelve Years a Slave. The dress is an amazing color on her, and I love that she echoed it with her eyeshadow. Not a fan of the flower explosion, but overall, I think this was a risk that pulled off.

Guys…what the HELL is going on with Malin Akerman? Her style lately has been…well, this. I really didn’t even recognize her. Do I need to even say it? The gown is way too busy and why did she dye her hair to appear white-ish grey? I don’t know what’s going on here.

Oh, Mariah. You just stay stuck in the ’90s forever. It’s okay. We understand. Love the fishnets, girl.

I think Mario Lopez looks fantastic, and I’m not being snarky or sarcastic. I think, aside from the mass amounts of hair gel, this is a great look for him. It’s sharp but not stuffy. It’s like a modernized Mad Man. I love it.

Meryl. Oh, Meryl. No.

Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey). I admire the risk and how different this is, but I just don’t like it. What do you guys think?

This is Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) debuting her partially shaved head. People are still doing that? Okay. Well, she looks hot, even if her arms look like they got caught in strawberry baskets that someone spray-painted black. This dress looks like some weird Project Runway challenge to me. (Speaking of PR, “Lighten up it’s just faaaaaashion!” is my mantra.)

Oprah. Gorgeous color on her, and the cut of the dress is excellent. I think she nailed it, even if the broach is like an anchor that’s pulling her dress down. Great, now I can’t stop staring at the broach. Does it look like spider eggs to anyone else? Guys, I feel like I’ve been doing this post for hours, I think I’m starting to lose my mind. Let’s move on, and never speak of this again.

Peter Dinklage is looking SHARP! Love the double-breasted tux.

Portia de Rossi has me incredibly underwhelmed. Booooring.

This is Rose Leslie from Game of Thrones. Again, I love when people take risks and do something different, so I give her props for that. The proportions are great, but I’m not digging cheetah/leopard print paired with a sheer lace flowered print top. Maybe if the top wasn’t sheer and was solid and a different color I could dig it. Maybe. As is, the whole thing is a bit of a mess.

Sandra Bullock. What a great color! This almost goes into 1980′s bridesmaid dress territory, but I think she steers clear enough of it.

Sarah Paulson. It’s like she’s turning into some weird rip-off of January Jones. I don’t like this dress. I was down with the top, until I scrolled down, and then I wasn’t down with anything that was down.

Sofia Vergara. Man, this woman does not know the meaning of “tone it down” does she? Every awards show we see her in some extravagant costume-y gown. She looks stunning but she also looks like she’s about to step out of the limo to meet The Bachelor. It’s so over-the-top.

And finally, every awards show needs a hipster, and this is ours:

Zoe Kazan. Come on, this is a pretty cute look, admit it.

And that’s that! Time for your picks. Here are mine:

BEST: Jennifer Lawrence
WORST: Kerry Washington
WTF: Malin Akerman

Your turn!

Follow us on Twitter | Facebook

More at E Beet Gossip