For the past several days, various films and performances were jockeying for seats aboard the “Awards Train.” With the announcement of the Golden Globes nominations this morning the train has officially left the station – but will there be room for some left behind at the Academy Awards?
A year after having no ceremony because of the Writers Guild strike, the glitz is going to be back in a major way with a ton of notable films and performances.
With no dominant film this year, the Globes took the Barack Obama “spread the wealth approach” by handing out five nominations to several films, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Frost/Nixon” and “Doubt.”
Always a little off-center of the more conservative and stuffy Academy Awards, the Globes also let their hair down with several offbeat nominations for a couple of summer comedy performances. James Franco was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Comedy as always-high doofus drug dealer in “Pineapple Express.” “Tropic Thunder” received two noms in the same category for an almost unrecognizable fat, balding caustic studio head (Tom Cruise) and for the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another dude (Robert Downey, Jr.).
The biggest film of the year, “The Dark Knight” received only one nominations for the late Heath Ledger in the Best Supporting Actor, Drama category. Other notable included Meryl Streep who nabbed two nominations, best dramatic actress for “Doubt” and musical or comedy actress for “Mamma Mia!”; as well as comeback Kate Winslet with two for best dramatic actress for “Revolutionary Road” and supporting actress for “The Reader.”
Indie darling Slumdog Millionaire continued it’s improbable Oscar march by receiving four nominations including Best Picture, Drama, Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Screenplay. Animated hits “WALL-E” and “Bolt” also had two nominations apiece
Other notable nominees included Anne Hathaway (”Rachel Getting Married”), Brad Pitt (”The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), Leonardo DiCaprio (”Revolutionary Road”), Frank Langella (”Frost/Nixon”), Sean Penn (”Milk”) and Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler.”
Viola Davis’ electric performance in “Doubt” earned her well-deserved Best Supporting Actress nomination. While Beyonce Knowles received a nomination for Best Original Song for “Cadillac Records” where she will go up against Bruce Springsteen and . . . Clint Eastwood (”Gran Torino”)! If you thought his scowl was something, wait until you hear his voice!
The Globe ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 11, 11 days before Oscar nominations.
To read the entire list of Golden Globe nominees, visit their site.
Great review. Of all of the nominated movies I am most excited to see ‘Button’ and Doubt. But what about the lack of ethnic diversity in the nominees? WTF?