BEVERLY HILLS─Well it is official, awards season is upon us, and we should expect a different ceremony every weekend for the next 6 weeks. Golden Globes this week, Critic’s Choice next week, followed by the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Grammys, the Super Bowl, the BAFTA ceremony and culminating with the Academy Awards on February 9, yes, the ceremony is VERY early for 2020.
Sunday, January 5 kicked off one of the booziest and funniest awards ceremonies in my opinion: the 77th Annual Golden Globes. Making this year’s event special was the return of comedian Ricky Gervais to host the festivities. Gervais is not afraid to throw jabs at the celebrities in the room and while it might be uncomfortable, his jokes are damn hilarious. Entering the ceremony, it was a battle between “Marriage Story” and “The Irishman.” However, both of those movies were completely shut out at the ceremony. It was the war picture “1917” that took home big victories which means we might have a contender in the works that no one expected.
However, after all the dust settled there were some surprises people, but the GG are not a large predictor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, but we have contenders making a mark. The ceremony kicked off with Gervais taking some digs and man this guy is one who is not afraid to dig that dagger deep in the chest, tackling Kevin Hart, social media, jokes, sequels, a stinger to Felicity Huffman that delivered an audible gasp from the crowd. He tackled sexual harassment, R. Kelly, Jeffery Epstein, diversity; this guy is cringe-worthy, but I love it. He took digs at Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, and dogged “Cats” and tackled Judi Dench in the process. It was good, because the celebrities were eating up the laughs. Take tips other hosts of awards shows this is how you get the crowd interested in things.
The prize for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy went to Rami Youssef “Rami.” Which is a surprise because I think many expected Bill Hader to take the prize for “Barry.” For Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie the Golden Globe went to Russel Crowe “The Loudest Voice.” We’re getting a bit political in the chat about the wildfires in Australia. Walking home with a victory for Supporting Actor in a TV series was Stellan Skarsgard in “Chernobyl.”
Winning the Golden Globe for Best Television Drama was “Succession.” Phoebe Waller-Bridge picked up the GG for Actress in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy for “Fleabag.” I love the authenticity of this woman, it’s refreshing. For Best Foreign Film it was no surprise that “Parasite” picked up the award. Ellen DeGeneres was honored with the Carol Burnett award courtesy of “Saturday Night Live” alum Kate McKinnon. Kate’s speech was heartfelt and damn inspiring. Ellen’s speech was also comedic and a ton of fun.
Brian Cox took home the award for Actor in a Drama Series for his work on “Succession” beating out potential front-runner Billy Porter for “Pose.” Quentin Tarantino added another GG to his mantel walking away with the prize for Best Original Screenplay for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Look, Tarantino makes some long movies, not all hits, but one thing the guy is phenomenal at is writing an original and smart script. In a shock, “Missing Link” won over “Frozen II” and “The Lion King” for Best Animated Film.
Now we get to the good stuff, Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, would it be Jennifer Lopez or Laura Dern, or someone else? It was Laura Dern who won the accolade for her feisty performance as a divorce lawyer in “Marriage Story.” “Fleabag” walked away with the prize for Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy. Elton John picked up the GG for Best Original Song in “Rocketman” for “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” beating out some favorites in Taylor Swift and Beyonce.
Supporting Actress in a TV series, limited series or TV Movie saw Patricia Arquette win for “The Act.” Arquette delivered a speech that was political in nature, and the importance of voting in 2020. Olivia Colman walked away with the victory for Actress in a Drama Series in “The Crown” beating out favorites Jennifer Aniston “The Morning Show” and Nicole Kidman for “Big Little Lies.” The Cecille B. DeMille award was presented to actor Tom Hanks by actress Charlize Theron. Tom Hanks has had a very eclectic and decorated career in cinema people. The genuineness of Hanks’ speech, as he broke out in tears as he addressed his wife and kids was heartbreaking.
Here’s a big one, Best Director, who will win Scorsese, Mendes or a new face? It was Sam Mendes for “1917” and that was a bit of a surprise, as not much love has been touted for this war flick. Michelle Williams finally getting some Golden Globe love for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie for “Fosse/Verdon.” Williams speech imploring women to vote with their best interest in mind and not others, and the right to choose left me speechless. Hands down one of the best speeches of the night America, no one else even came close! “Chernobyl” won the prize for Best Limited TV Series, beating out “Big Little Lies.”
Brad Pitt looks like the odds on favorite to take home Oscar for Supporting Actor for his work in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Pitt is indeed competing against some top tier names people in Pacino, Hanks, Pesci and Hopkins. Actor in a Musical or Comedy was a tough competition, but it was great to see Taron Egerton win for his performance in “Rocketman.” Awkwafina took home the Golden Globe for Lead Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her performance in “The Farewell.” Let’s not lie, it’s really a drama, but this is the GG so go with it people. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is having a good night picking up three trophies so far, adding, Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy to its victories.
Glenn Close presented the prize for Best Actor to Joaquin Phoenix for his incredible performance in “Joker.” His speech was so uncomfortable to watch, but it shows that this guy is authentic and doesn’t care about following the rules of Hollywood. It was no surprise to see Renee Zellweger win the prize for Best Actress for her performance in “Judy.” However, what the hell with her speech? Phoenix and Zellweger are going to have to work on that public speaking; it was SO UNCOMFORTABLE watching them on stage.
Gervais’ last sting of the night went to Harvey Weinstein and man was it a cold one. However, the big head scratcher was the victory of Best Motion Picture – Drama to “1917.”
There has been some buzz behind this flick, but not as much to think it would win over “The Irishman,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” or “Joker.” “1917” might have some legs, but it’s not nominated at all for SAG Awards which I would argue would be a huge indicator of where Oscar is headed, we have just one problem: the SAG Awards air after the Oscar nominations are announced.
