Whenever I complain about the Golden Globes, it’s not about their award selections. They’ve actually done a good job in recent years, especially this time around. My disdain comes from the actual ceremony. The drunken debauchery. The awkwardness. It seems like everybody is on a mission to out obnoxious the other. And with Ricky Gervais hosting, that seals it for me – I will not watch one second of this award show. I’m over the whole Gervais style of hosting. “Ooooooooooooo. Can you believe what he said about [Insert Star Here]?” Award shows should be about the celebration of movies and television, not a barrage of mean spirited one-liners. I can’t even imagine how many Donald Trump jokes there are going to be. If the opening line doesn’t refer to Trump, I’ll give up bagels for a week. [Editor’s Note: Besides his family and movies, bagels are one of the most precious things in Dan Cohen’s life.]
I’m getting off topic though, because we should talk about the actual films. As I always stipulate with my Golden Globe reactions, a lot of these movies are yet to be released, so cut me a break, alright! While the Golden Globes are more Canadian Football League, people still care, so let’s break it down!
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET’S LOOK AT THE 2016 GOLDEN GLOBE TELEVISION NOMINEES.
And the nominees are…
On Motion Picture – Drama:
Nominees: Carol, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Revenant, Room, Spotlight
The only nominee I haven’t seen is The Revenant, but I have no doubt that’s going to kick ass. I have to say, this is a damn good list. Assuming The Revenant delivers, I’m fine with any of these nominees winning. While I’m not nuts about Carol, it’s still very good. Kudos to the Globes for recognizing Spotlight and Room. These are films that could have easily been passed over and honored in other categories, but are far better than Steve Jobs or Bridge of Spies, which are more awardsey.
The big “HELL YES!!!” moment is obviously Mad Max: Fury Road, which still might be my favorite movie of the year so far. That’s awesome. I would just heed this warning though: Don’t expect an Oscar nomination. Please people, don’t do this to yourselves. It’s not happening.
On Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:
Nominees: The Big Short, Joy, The Martian, Spy, Trainwreck
First off, let me do my annual rant: This shouldn’t be a separate category. It’s total BS. Put them in with everything else. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Okay, now onto the nominees. Haven’t seen The Big Short or Joy yet, but judging by the casts and directors, I’m not surprised. The Martian as a comedy is a little weird, but I get it. The Martian is a solid flick, but let’s calm down a little. I’m not sure about its Oscar chances.
I love that Spy made the cut. That film is hilarious, and not getting enough attention. Sadly, it’s probably the least likely to win here. I’m sure everyone is expecting me to rant and rave like a lunatic over Trainwreck, but honestly, I’m indifferent. I’ve already admitted in my Summer wrap-up piece that I was too harsh on the film. While I still don’t love it, I’m not going to get worked up about it.
On Best Actor – Drama:
Nominees: Bryan Cranston (Trumbo), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs), Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl), Will Smith (Concussion)
The only surprise for me was Bryan Cranston, only because everyone seemed very ‘meh’ on that film, but it’s making award noise. I’ve only seen Steve Jobs here, but I have no doubt Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith have earned their nominations. I’m alone on a far away island, but I just don’t think Eddie Redmayne is that great of an actor, I’m sorry. I’ll give him a chance in The Danish Girl, but I have a feeling this is going to be one of those “everybody loves it but me” deals. I guess the real big shock is no Johnny Depp for Black Mass. I have many thoughts on that performance, but I’m going to save those in the Dan vault come Oscar time. I would have liked to of seen one of the Spotlight guys here, but unfortunately Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton are going to cancel each other out in all awards this year.
On Best Actress – Drama:
Nominees: Cate Blanchett (Carol), Brie Larson (Room), Rooney Mara (Carol), Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn), Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
The only real shocker was no Charlize Theron for Mad Max: Fury Road. If you’re going to give Mad Max the Picture and Directing nominees, why not honor Theron too, who many argue was the best element to the whole movie? I have a feeling this is going to be a battle between Brie Larson and Rooney Mara. Cate Blanchett is great as well, but she’s probably on Wins probation, ala Meryl Streep in-between Oscars two and three.
On Best Actor – Comedy or Musical:
Nominees: Christian Bale (The Big Short), Steve Carell (The Big Short), Matt Damon (The Martian), Al Pacino (Danny Collins), Mark Ruffalo (Infinitely Polar Bear)
I’ll never complain about a Christian Bale nomination, and Steve Carell is putting together a nice little film career. I think three people saw the Mark Ruffalo movie, and Al Pacino in Danny Collins? Really? Granted I haven’t seen it, but this feels like a sympathy nomination. This should be an easy win for Damon, who is the best part of that film.
On Best Actress – Comedy or Musical:
Nominees: Jennifer Lawrence (Joy), Amy Schumer (Trainwreck), Melissa McCarthy (Spy), Maggie Smith (Lady in the Van), Lily Tomlin (Grandma)
I suppose Lily Tomlin or Maggie Smith could win, but in the eyes of the viewers they are the throw away nominations. I assume Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic, as she always is in a David O. Russell movie, but that’s why she’ll probably lose – too been there, done that. I would love to see Melissa McCarthy take this. She’s a true comedic force in Spy, excelling in both physical comedy, and in her delivery. At the end of the day though, Amy Schumer is going to win this award, and everybody will annoyingly cheer about it. It’s a prime example of a sexy Hollywood Foreign Press win – everyone will praise them up and down for it. I admit she does a good job in the film, but she’ll win for the wrong reasons.
On Best Supporting Actor:
Nominees: Paul Dano (Love & Mercy), Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation), Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), Michael Shannon (99 Homes), Sylvester Stallone (Creed)
I don’t care about anything else – Sylvester Stallone got nominated. That is awesome! I’m worried about his Oscar chances though, as he got snubbed a SAG, but that’s for a another time. HUGE kudos for recognizing Michael Shannon in 99 Homes. I also hope he’s not forgotten come Oscar time. The only surprise here is no Jacob Tremblay, the kid from Room. Is it possible he was snubbed because of the drunken mess that is the Golden Globes?!?!
On Best Supporting Actress:
Nominees: Jane Fonda (Youth), Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Helen Mirren (Trumbo), Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
I have some work to do in this category, but I’m glad to see Kate Winslet here. She may have given the best performance in Steve Jobs. And while Ex Machina falls into that Martian category of “It’s good, but let’s calm down,” Alicia Vikander is easily deserving here. It’s going to be hard for her to get the Oscar call though, as a lot of her performance is special effects based.
On Best Director:
Nominees: Todd Haynes (Carol), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (The Revenant), Tom McCarthy (Spotlight), George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road), Ridley Scott (The Martian)
I’m fine with all of this, although I may have subbed out Ridley Scott in favor of Lenny Abrahamson for Room. George Miller could realistically win this. Now that would be something special.
