Golden Globes Reaction (2013)

bill bodkin looks at Hollywood’s second favorite awards show …

Whoa.

We didn’t see this one coming. Call it poetic justice, call it well-deserved, but anyway you slice it, no one saw Argo taking home the statue for Best Picture (Drama) at tonight’s 70th Annual Golden Globes.

While Argo was of this writer’s favorite films of 2012, it didn’t look like Ben Affleck’s taught political thriller had any shot against current Oscar frontrunner Lincoln or the most talked-about film in the country, Zero Dark Thirty.

But then, it happened. Julia Roberts sashayed on stage and in a hurried fashioned announced that the Affleck-helmed, George Clooney-produced based-on-a-true-story thriller was the Hollywood Foreign Press’ pick for the best picture of the year.

And this is why this year’s Golden Globes were fantastic: There were a lot of unexpected winners. From Argo and its director to Quentin Tarantino taking home a statue for writing Django Unchained, this year’s awards were all about the surprise wins, at least for film. In regards to television, it was a definite layup on who the winners were, with Girls and Homeland raking in all the gold.

When it came to the hosts — Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, they really killed it. They were charming and hilarious and criminally under-used. Their random cameos as “fake nominees” to Amy Poehler sitting on Clooney’s lap to Tina Fey’s slamming of Taylor Swift to Poehler’s overall off-the-cuff brilliance — these two should really host every year … or at least develop a sitcom where they’re the stars.

Kudos to Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig for their pee-your-pants-it’s-so-funny presentation of Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

Best Supporting Actor, Motion Picture: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Waltz is a brilliant actor, and he was such a charming and dynamic part of Django. The win is definitely deserving. However, when it comes to Oscar Sunday, it’ll be Robert DeNiro and not Waltz who’ll be taking home the statue.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
This was a complete no-brainer. Maggie Smith is the grand lady of the hottest mini-series on television today … good work, McGonigle.

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Game Change
If you haven’t seen this made-for-HBO movie, you’re missing out on a tremendous film. Put your politics aside and just experience the brilliance. Woody Harrelson was unfairly overlooked at The Globes for his starring role as a campaign advisor. But when you’ve got a career performance from Julianne Moore, you can see why.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: Julianne Moore, Game Change
It’s like watching a documentary and not a film — that’s how much like Sarah Palin Julianne Moore was.

Best Actor, TV Series Drama: Damian Lewis, Homeland
If you didn’t know Damian Lewis was from across the pond … now you do. Lewis is beyond thunderdome good as the scarred war vet/possible terrorist/U.S. Senator Nick Brody. He makes such a complex and complicated role so relatable and believable that no one had a chance to beat him this year.

Best TV Series Drama: Homeland
There are so many good shows on cable TV these days that for Homeland to take this award two years running tells you something. Trust us, this isn’t a case of “it won last year, it should win this year.” This is hands down the best show on TV.

Best Score: Mychael Dana, Life Of Pi
I’m not going to try and sound intelligent and make an argument in a category where I barely saw any of the films.

Best Original Song: “Skyfall” by Adele from Skyfall
What can’t Adele do? Her song for the new-era Bond classic was truly the best Bond song in eons (pun intended). The songstress’ voice just soars with the greatest of ease … and one can only hope she snags an Oscar, too.

Best Actor in a Mini-Series: Kevin Costner, Hatfield & McCoys
As much as I love Sherlock‘s Benedict Cumberbatch, I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Costner in this mini-series. His speech was wonderful — full of humility.

Best Actress Comedy or Musical: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
While she might’ve made a crack about “beating Meryl,” Lawrence is starting to get a very Streep-like career. Star of huge, big-budget franchises; not one, but two Oscar noms … and now a Golden Globe win. She’s so young yet so brilliant.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Ed Harris, Game Change
If this film were just about John McCain, Ed Harris would’ve taken this statue home still. He was so good.

Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture: Ann Hathaway, Les Miserables
Even though Sally Field’s performance has been getting a lot of lauds, Catwoman has this one in the bag come Oscar time.

Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Whoa. The first stunner of the night. Tarantino did an awesome job writing this genre mash-upm and this definitely was a cumulative award as much as it was an award for his current work. QT is one of the great writers of the modern era, and he should be appreciated for it.

Actor TV Series, Comedy/Musical: Don Cheadle, House Of Lies
Showtime killed it tonight again. Don Cheadle is the man. I’m glad he got recognized.

Foreign Film: Amour
Lock it up for the Oscar.

Best Actress, TV Series or Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
Wow, she went from punchline to a winning THREE Globes in the past five years years. She’s amazing as the is-she/isn’t-she-psychotic CIA agent Carrie. Who knew constant crying eyes would get you gold? But seriously … she’s awesome.

Best Animated Film: Brave
Animated films were quite strong this year … but Pixar prevails once again. Not sure this will translate come Oscar Sunday; look for Wreck-It Ralph to give it a fight.

Best Actress TV Series Comedy/Musical: Lena Dunham, Girls
The critical darling won big tonight. Not really surprised by the show’s win … guess I have to actually watch it now.

Best Director: Ben Affleck, Argo
Holy smokes. After the uproar of upset voices over Affleck getting snubbed by the Oscars, the HFP comes in and makes things right in the world. Affleck’s speech was heartfelt and heartwarming. He’s definitely deserved of winning this one as Argo was his masterpiece.

Best Series, Comedy or Musical: Girls
Not a surprise — people drool over this show.

Best Actor Comedy or Musical: Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Honestly, I think Hugh Jackman is seriously underappreciated as an actor. He’s never bad … even in crappy movies (cough, Australia, cough).

Best Actress Drama: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Jessica Chastain went from unknown to ubiquitous. She’s in every movie, and rightfully so. She’s a dynamic onscreen presence who has an amazing future ahead of her.

Best Comedy or Musical: Les Miserables
While Silver Linings Playbook got a lot of Oscar love, Les Mis, a high-gloss musical, is the perfect film to win the Best Comedy or Musical category. Doubtful this one takes home a best pic Oscar.

Best Actor, Drama: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
He’s the best actor of our time. He’s the male Meryl Streep .. so let’s just mail him the Oscar.

Best Picture, Drama: Argo
Wow. Seriously, with Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty getting all the buzz, I thought there’d be no way Argo would take home a statue. Yet, all was made right in the world as this little film that could about a fake little film that could proved the doubters wrongs. I’m hoping this pushes Argo to the front of the Oscar race.