True to form, the Golden Globe nominations are a buffet of the good, the bad and the unconscionably hideous — with perhaps a touch more emphasis than usual on the third of those this year. I refer, of course, to those largely mortifying Comedy/Musical races, where HFPA voters solved the lack of obvious contenders this year by giving in to their randiest star-shagging urges.
Welcome to the Best Picture race, “Red,” “The Tourist” and (pauses to cross himself and say three Hail Marys) “Alice in Wonderland.” Or, you know, not. Congratulations on your double-shot of well-deserved Best Actor nominations, Mr. Depp. Or, you know, not. Sorry, Sally Hawkins, we liked you just fine in “Made in Dagenham,” but Angelina Jolie was obviously working harder in her movie. Or, you know, not.
Still, even as we strike down upon the HFPA with great vengeance and furious anger, I’m feeling pretty chipper about some things: reviled as it is by many, “Burlesque” is the kind of grandly gaudy goof-off that I’m happy to see livening up the category, while my biggest air-punch of the morning came when my actress of the year Emma Stone’s name was read out for “Easy A.”
Over in the drama categories, there’s a similar trade-off between lazy coast-in nominees and genuinely hard-earned surprises: I don’t imagine too many people are thrilled to see Halle Berry nominated ahead of Lesley Manville, but we have those sweet twin nominations for the doomed lovers of “Blue Valentine” to make the medicine go down. Pleasing, too, to see Jacki Weaver and Mila Kunis keep making strides in that very pliable Supporting Actress race, while Jeremy Renner’s supporting nod for “The Town” reads as an apology note from voters for snubbing him last year. (Again, in return for that, we must tolerate a shameless please-don’t-die nod for Michael Douglas’s self-parody in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.” Them’s the breaks.)
Okay, so I led with the finer details. Looking at the bigger picture, however, today’s announcement will please, if hardly surprise, fans of “The Social Network” (with six nods) and the film everyone knew would lead the field, “The King’s Speech” (with seven). Arguably the bigger story of the morning, however, is “The Fighter,” which tied for the runner-up spot with six bids, including Best Director and Best Actor mentions that few saw coming. It seems to me that this rock-solid crowdpleaser has timed its arrival in the race very nicely indeed.
What made way for “The Fighter”‘s robust haul, then? Well, as I anticipated, “127 Hours” underperformed, snagging nominations for Actor, Screenplay and Score, but missing out in the top two races. Even more sidelined, however, was “True Grit” — which received a grand total of zero nods. (Yep, even the beloved Jeff Bridges was bumped in favor of Mark Wahlberg.) Whether these signify a general loss of steam in the race, or just a temporary pothole, remains to be seen — but by this point, it should be clear to Fox Searchlight that “Black Swan” (with a healthy five nods) is their prize pony.
As for who might win, it’s anyone’s guess whether the Globes will follow the critics’ lead or not. They certainly didn’t last year, or three years ago, when the lush Britpic “Atonement” trumped the bleak Americana of “No Country for Old Men: a precedent that might suggest “The King’s Speech,” with its leading haul, is still the one to beat here. Over in the comedy wasteland, meanwhile, the “Kids Are All Right” folks are chuckling gleefully to themselves as they laminate their acceptance speeches.
On a final note, nice to see “Carlos,” as well as its fire-breathing leading man Edgar Ramirez, get some love in the miniseries race. It should be up with the big (or at least big-screen) boys in Best Picture, but we’ll take what we can get.
Check out the full list of film nominees at The Circuit.
[Photo: Paramount Pictures]
Comments
185 responses to “‘King’s Speech’ leads Globe nods, ‘True Grit’ shut out”
Well, this was an announcement well worth sleeping through.
Grover: What are you going on about?
That is the worst slate of comedies I have EVER seen.
Best Picture – Musical/Comedy
“Alice in Wonderland” – skipped it – it looked dreadful and reviews were awful.
“Burlesque” – skipped it, reviews were scathing
“The Kids Are All Right” – not a comedy and in any case I am baffled by the critical love. thought it was ok.
“Red” – hated it. just a rubbish film.
“The Tourist” – hated it. inept on every conceivable level (save, perhaps, location scouting.)
Did NY critics announce their runner-ups? Would love to see them and the GG and TV nominees at the circuit.
Better comedies I have seen this year then every single comedy nominated by HFPA (in order of quality)…
Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Machete (if Kids qualifies, then this definitely does)
Kick-Ass
Heartbreaker (french film)
Due Date
Plus…
Hot Tub Time Machine
The Other Guys
Neither of which are good, but still better than everything on that list. That’s how bad the list is.
Still surprised Jennifer Lawrence was nominated. They didn’t even go for Renner last year in the Best Picture winner (at Oscars). I think he’s a ‘make-up’ nom here, but could find himself nommed come Oscars, too.
I was sure “Inception” was going to lead the nods but I eat my words. Still, 5 noms are good. Surprised with the DiCaprio snub though, I thought GG loved him? He’s as big as Jolie and Depp!
Ecstatic for the nods for Eisenberg and Garfield! Yay!
I’m mystified when people people say “The Kids Are All Right” isn’t a comedy. Sure, it’s not Laurel and Hardy, but it’s a comic relationship study with nods to broad bedroom farce.
Comedy is a big buffet. Plenty of room for the bittersweet.
“Inception” got 4, cecil.
And I really hope Renner isn’t nominated this year. Last year was one too much. Two in a row… yuck.
Saw both The Fighter and The Tourist this weekend. The Fighter is great (and I’m from MA, so I thoroughly enjoyed the depiction of Lowell). I thought The Tourist was pretty flat, which is a shame considering the people working in and on that movie. Of all the categories, I’m loving Best Supporting Actress. Haven’t seen King’s Speech yet, but all the other noms in that category are solid. Loved Jacki Weaver and Melissa Leo – crazytown moms for the win! And I agree with AdamL that there were much better comedies this year than the ones that ended up with the nods.
Cecil: Count again — “Inception” has four nominations. Why are you surprised about DiCaprio? Sure, they like him, but there’s no bait in that performance.
If it was a comedy, on the other hand… ;)
“I’m mystified when people people say “The Kids Are All Right” isn’t a comedy. Sure, it’s not Laurel and Hardy, but it’s a comic relationship study with nods to broad bedroom farce.”
There are exactly 2 nods to bedroom farce and whilst it is a comic relationship study, it is hardly a comic one.
Plus, by taking this line you are siding with the HFPA which means, as you must realise, your argument blows.
And I still say, regardless of genre, the film is very very poor indeed. That said it is a masterpiece compared to Red or The Tourist.
@Speaking English – I agree, I like Jeremy Renner in some things but come on – his role in The Town was nothing to get all excited about.
Guy-the comment about Douglas, whether you think he should be nominated or not, seems not only on the border of bad taste, but darn near offensive.
I wonder if Greenberg was considered a comedy by HFPA.. It ought to have, it’s kind of similar-ish to The Kids Are All Right, i.e. not a flat-out comedy but still not a deadly serious drama either.
If it was, these would’ve been my personal picks for the Comedy/Musical category.. Out of the relatively few I’ve seen so far:
• Due Date
• Greenberg
• The Kids Are All Right
• Please Give
• Youth in Revolt
No way Kids Are Alright is winning Best Comedy. I’d put money that it’s going to Alice In Wonderland. Do people forget that just last year it wen to The Hangover?
John: Offensive or not, we’re all thinking it, so I see no harm in saying it.
oh maaaaaaan I was so sure they would be the ones to nominate Leo or Marion. Also where can I watch Animal Kingdom? Is it on dvd? theatres? I guess I have to now.
With the exception of “Toy Story 3” (which was ineligible for Best Comedy) and TKAAR, there really weren’t any other BP hopefuls that were comedies. Therefore, something had to get left out, and it seems like they just didn’t like True Grit, 127 Hours, Winter’s Bone or Fair Game that much compared to the others.
But with such a weak comedy line-up this year, how the eff did The Tourist get in over Easy A?!
By the way, regarding Michael Douglas, I think the nomination itself is more ghoulish than any crack I could possibly think up.
Ooops, my bad! Perhaps my subconscious mistakenly counted DiCaprio LOL. OK so “Inception” has four nods. It’s still good. Wondering who among that film’s stellar cast would show up at the ceremonies… I wouldn’t mind Cillian subbing for Leo LOL
Jasper: Silly question. Because “Easy A” doesn’t star Johnny Depp.
Shut up, Guy. Seriously, people made it clear they don’t appreciate this.
I find the GG crazy (bacuse of the noms), relaxed (as a TV-broadcast) and last year I adored R. Gervais…so who cares? I’ll watch them.
that was a *because*
Three people (including you) chimed in thinking it in poor taste, Maxim. And a couple chimed in in agreement with Guy, too, by the way. But “shut up” is like a kid in a sand box.
Maybe let’s discuss the point being made here, rather than attack Guy’s sense of class and/or perceived tastelessness. Are you really prepared to defend that nomination as anything more than what Guy (perhaps harshly) indicated it to be?
Please. We’re not children.
I’m not overly surprised the Globes snubbed True Grit. They don’t have a lot of love for the Coens’ work. Madonna did win for Evita over Frances McDormand’s eventual Oscar win for Fargo…
Funny enough, though the nomination is CLEARLY what Guy intends it to be – I found Douglas to be fantastic in that reprised role. Should he have been nominated? No. He’s just not as stellar as others this year. But it’s no where near a ‘Deppish’ nom a la Tourist, :)
Kristopher Tapley said…
“Well, this was an announcement well worth sleeping through.
Grover: What are you going on about?”
Come on, poor Guy had the freakin’ Ghost Writer nominated for Picture, Director, and Screenplay with Inception getting nothing. Yikes.
Picking The Town for Best Drama ahead of Inception is a lesser sin but, still, you guys seem to rate Inception much lower than your peers. Why?
It’s not rating it lower to predict that a group of people might not be able to wrap their head around a movie. It’s rating the HFPA lower, maybe, but don’t marry the two separate ideas.
As for my actual opinion of the film, I think I’ve been clear about my thoughts since day one, via a review, plenty of commentary, the top 10 column and the top 10 podcast.
And predicting the very European Ghost Writer is not so crazy. He explained his reasoning yesterday and it was sound.
Grover: Awards punditry bores me to tears if I don’t take the occasional gamble. Some gambles (like Niels Arestrup at LAFCA) pay off. Others (like, yes, The Ghost Writer here) don’t. No skin off my nose.
I didn’t go for Inception was because they ignored The Dark Knight. I was wrong. You seem more worked up about it than I am.
When push comes to shove, it’s a game. Let’s treat it as such, shall we?
Well, well, Guy Lodge, where is your Inception-hate god now?
Sigh…
I wasn’t aware that I hate Inception, by the way. Good to know — I’ve seen so many films this year, it’s hard to remember how I feel about them. Thanks.
I think Nikki Finke said it best on Deadline Daily today,
“The only reason I can think of to tune in is because, over the years, Jack Nicholson has mooned the audience, Jim Carrey has talked out of his butt”
Given the Globes’ past leanings, the absence of “Made in Dagenham” from the comedy category is surprising (particularly since, by all accounts, it would have elevated the category’s quality level considerably).
@forts “No way Kids Are Alright is winning Best Comedy. I’d put money that it’s going to Alice In Wonderland. Do people forget that just last year it wen to The Hangover?”
Last year the main ‘prestige’ contender, “Nine”, totally bombed, leaving the category wide open – “The Hangover” was incredibly popular and got strong reviews for the sort of film it was (if it had been classier, it would have been considered the odds-on favourite to win from the start). This year is completely different: TKAAR is a legit BP contender, and isn’t widely considered a total disappointment.
“I think Nikki Finke said it best on Deadline Daily today,
“The only reason I can think of to tune in is because, over the years, Jack Nicholson has mooned the audience, Jim Carrey has talked out of his but’t””
And she would know too, seeing as how she does the same on daily basis.
Didn’t even notice that Douglas got nommed. Am please for him, but it’s for the wrong film. His turn in Solitary Man deserved notice. The one in WS2 didn’t.
Kris, I think three people is plenty, considering that Guy has felt it sufficient enough to adress with two follow-up comments, the last of which was particularly nasty. Far nastier, than what I said.
And I stand for it, too. There is no excuse for someone who clearly acknowledges the situaton as being sensative to make those kinds of jokes. He knew what he was doing so it is what it is.
P.S. There is not a comment on here that specifically agreed with that particular coment of his. Not one.
Wow, I’m not so shocked at Alice and Red being getting noms, but The Tourist is far and away one of the single worst films of 2010! I literally gagged when I saw it was nominated in Best Picture! You took the time to recognize Emma Stone for a great performance in a superior film, just give Easy A that nomination!
Maxim:
Here’s a supportive comment. Anyone who says they didn’t think the same thing that Guy wrote when they heard Douglas’ name carved this morning is lying. Guy spoke the truth, so go away please and don’t feign offense.
I actually liked The Tourist more than Alice in Wonderland. They are both poor to be sure but I found Alice much more annoying.
They should have nominated M. Night Shyamalan as well. You know, to complete the circle and all…
Do you guys think Jolie and Depp are going to show up at the globes?
Classic Guy Lodge, not even mentioning Inception.
What Ben said. Poland said it best. “They want the TV moment.” Direct your outrage to the HFPA.
But I’ll leave it alone, because your Nikki jab was so good, Maxim.
“Classic Guy Lodge, not even mentioning Inception.”
Classic derp-worthy first timer comment.
Still insisting you aren’t wrong about Michael Douglas, eh? No suprise there.
“Classic derp-worthy first timer comment.”
I actually check InContention and AwardsDaily everyday during awards season, albeit the latter seems to be much less hostile towards engaging its readers. And I was just pointing out that in this entire write-up of the Golden Globe nominations this morning, he actually and literally didn’t mention Inception, Nolan or Zimmer. It was not a snide remark, but a statement of fact and an observation of the awards coverage.
Holy crap this thread exploded. Um, my tiny comment about The Ghost Writer yesterday was more of a “eh?” moment than anything. But Guy responded with a level-headed response that made sense, so I left it alone. And since when did Guy hate Inception? As I recall, he gave it a very good review, with some reservations. Not losing your shit over a movie doesn’t equate hating it. Also, not predicting it doesn’t mean one hates it. Thought we figured this out months ago.
Guy often let his own personal opinion of films cloud his predictions.
Good writer but I always discard his “predictions”.