Golden Globes Reactions – Film
That’s it. I’m done with the Golden Globes. As far the actual awards go, the Hollywood Foreign Press does a solid job, but the ceremony is an abomination of smugness, unprofessionalism, and overall douchey-ness. It’s one train wreck after another. I know it’s easy for me to sit in my comfortable chair at home and criticize the level of comedy. I understand writing and performing funny jokes is extremely difficult, but I’m sorry – this was a disgrace. We’ll get to the awards, but please indulge me for a few minutes as I recount some of the absolute disasters that took place at the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards.
The Hosts (Amy Poehler/Tina Fey)
For the most part, very funny. They had a solid monologue, consistent chuckles, and nothing really bombed. Let’s be honest though, at this point they can host in their sleep. Listing off all the accomplishments of George Clooney’s wife and then making a gag about how he’s getting a lifetime achievement award was hilarious. I also liked the ripping of Bill Cosby (who wouldn’t?). All in all, a job well done.
What didn’t work though was Margaret Cho who played some kind of mock North Korean military character. This was completely embarrassing and difficult to watch, and Fey and Poehler knew it. When she marched across stage as the next presenters came up, a part of my comedy soul died. And this is why comedy is so difficult to pull off. If you make a bad drama, it just sucks. If you bomb in comedy, it lives on in infamy, as will that horribly, misguided sketch. Awful.
The JLo Debacle/Jeremy Renner’s Jack-assery
I really hate to be the crotchety guy who complains about what’s inappropriate for network television, but JLo’s dress irked me because I just get the feeling it’s exactly the reaction she wanted. She knew it would be the talk of the Globes the next day. “Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Look at me! I’m JLo!” I’m sorry, that’s just how I took it.
What irritated me to no end though was Jeremy Renner presenting with her. This is an award ceremony where you are supposed to be honoring the best in film and television. I’m not saying you can’t joke around, and I even admit his “You got the Globes too” retort was funny, but it just goes to show you the level of unprofessionalism at the Globes. It was a snarky comment. Not only that, but his whole demeanor was just off-putting.
Jennifer “Grumpy Gus” Aniston
Okay, I don’t know if this was spontaneous or planned, but this was just uncomfortable to watch. For the first award of the night, Fey and Poehler did this whole “let’s get a volunteer to present the first award” gimmick, and it was Benedict Cumberbatch who came on stage with Jennifer Aniston. Aniston looked pissed beyond belief, as if to say “How dare someone present with me.” I don’t know if she was just doing an awful job at being funny, or was legitimately upset, but this was hard to sit through. Cumberbatch looked absolutely terrified, and Aniston did not come off well.
Ricky Gervais
I know a lot of people love Ricky Gervais, but I’m sorry, he was the second jackass of the night. I am so done with this guy’s “I work in Hollywood, but I’m going to rip them apart as soon as I get on stage” act. What makes it worse is his smug little smile as he holds his drink, cackling away. You know what Ricky, if you detest Hollywood so much, then don’t work in the business. And seriously, a John Travolta Oscar joke?! For crying out loud, move on! Do we really need to keep kicking that horse? That was low class. If he ever hosts another awards show, I will not watch it, and that includes the Oscars – I’m dead serious on that. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler mock people with class. He does not.
The Screenplay Dialogue Skit with Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader
This is probably one of the worst award show bits I’ve ever seen. Wow. Just wow. Proof that sometimes comedians need great material, and can’t be funny on the fly.
I could rant and rave more, but to be fair, the ceremony got a lot better in the second half when all they did was rattle off awards. I had to get that stuff of my chest though. Bottom-line: I understand it’s a looser awards show, but it’s still one of the major award shows nonetheless. It should be more professional, and for crying out loud, give a little more effort with some of these comedy bits, or don’t have them.
MY ANALYSIS ON THE ACTUAL AWARDS
Best Motion Picture – Drama: Boyhood, Foxcatcher, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything
Winner: Boyhood
Reaction: No surprise here. Even Meryl Streep read the envelope fast. Completely deserving. Great movie.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama: Jennifer Aniston (Cake), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Julianne Moore (Still Alice), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Reese Witherspoon (Wild)
Winner: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Reaction: I know a lot of people saw this as a shock, but I didn’t. I have yet to see Still Alice, but the trailer has Oscar written all over it for Moore. I think the problem Rosamund Pike is going to face come Oscar time is that she plays one of the most unlikable characters on film in the last few years, while Julianne Moore plays a woman with Alzheimer’s. This should be an interesting race though.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama: Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler), David Oyelowo (Selma), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
Winner: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Reaction: I will talk more about this come Oscar time, but Redmayne’s performance is overrated. With the exception of Cumberbatch, all the other nominees here are head and shoulders above Redmayne. To even compare Redmayne’s performance to Steve Carell in Foxcatcher is ridiculous, but that’s just my humble opinion. Carell may also face the same issue as Rosamund Pike. One guy plays Stephen Hawking, the other a twisted manipulative millionaire.
Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical: Birdman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Into the Woods, Pride, St. Vincent
Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Reaction: A legit upset. Even though The Grand Budapest Hotel wasn’t my favorite Wes Anderson movie, it was great to finally see this guy win an award.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical: Amy Adams (Big Eyes), Emily Blunt (Into the Woods), Helen Mirren (The Hundred-Foot Journey), Julianne Moore (Maps to the Stars), Qhvenzhane Wallis (Annie)
Winner: Amy Adams, Big Eyes
Reaction: There’s no bigger fan of Amy Adams than me, but this was a win by default. What a weak category.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical: Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Bill Murray (St. Vincent), Joaquin Phoenix (Inherent Vice), Christoph Waltz (Big Eyes)
Winner: Michael Keaton, Birdman
Reaction: Awesome. Just awesome.
Best Animated Feature Film: Big Hero Six, The Book of Life, The Boxtrolls, How to Train a Dragon 2, The LEGO Movie
Winner: How to Train a Dragon 2
Reaction: I hate to complain about this category when I haven’t even seen How to Train a Dragon 2, but I just can’t imagine it was a better film than The LEGO Movie. That seemed like an odd win.
Best Foreign Language Film: Force Majeure (Sweden), Gett: The Trial of Vivianne (Israel), Ida (Poland), Leviathan (Russia), Tangerines Mandariinid (Estonia)
Winner: Leviathan
Reaction: Yeah, sure. Wish I saw one of these films.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), Emma Stone (Birdman), Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)
Winner: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Reaction: Good speech, very well-deserving. It will be a good race between her and Emma Stone come Oscar time.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture: Robert Duvall (The Judge), Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Edward Norton (Birdman), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Winner: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Reaction: J.K. Simmons is the man.
Best Director – Motion Picture: Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Ava Duvernay (Selma), David Fincher (Gone Girl), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Birdman), Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
Winner: Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Reaction: To be honest, this is turning into a lock on Oscar night. I might have thought Fincher could give him a run for his money, but that award has Linklater’s name written all over it.
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture: Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu/Nicolas Gabon/Armando Bo/Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), Richard Linklater (Birdman), Graham Moore (The Imitation Game)
Winner: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu/Nicolas Gabon/Armando Bo/Alexander Dinelaris, Birdman
Reaction: No problem with this one. The movie especially had incredible dialogue. The winner for this category on Oscar night may not have even been nominated at the Globes though (Whiplash).
Best Original Score – Motion Picture: Alexander Desplat (The Imitation Game), Johann Johannsoon (The Theory of Everything), Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross (Gone Girl), Antonio Sanchez (Birdman), Hans Zimmer (Interstellar)
Winner: Johann Johannsoon, The Theory of Everything
Reaction: Worst award of the night. This score was very paint by numbers, especially when you compare it to the other nominees, all of which were excellent. Strongly disagree with this selection.
Best Original Song – Motion Picture: Lana Del Rey “Big Eyes” (Big Eyes), John Legend/Common “Glory” (Selma), Patti Smith/Lenny Kaye “Mercy Is” (Noah), Greg Kurstin/Sia Furler/Will Gluck “Opportunity” (Annie), Lorde “Yellow Flicker Beat” (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I)
Winner: John Legend/Common “Glory,” Selma
Reaction: I feel like this was the “We have to give Selma something” prize.
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Daniel Cohen is the Film Editor for Pop-Break. Aside from reviews, Daniel does a weekly box office predictions column, and also contributes monthly Top Tens and Op-Ed’s on all things film. Daniel is a graduate of Bates College with a degree in English, and also studied Screenwriting at UCLA. He can also be read on www.movieshenanigans.com. His movie crush is Jessica Rabbit. Follow him on Twitter @dcohenwriter.
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