Golden Globes 2011
It’s the most wonderful (and frustrating) time of the year! The award season officially began last night with the Golden Globes hosted again by Ricky Gervais.
Now let me start off by saying that I don’t believe the Globes are an accurate portrayal of talent. The whole reason I watch the show is the same reason I would read an Us Weekly, for pure guilty pleasure. With the vibe of the show being much more laid back than the Academy Awards, you watch the show in hopes that people will say something wrong, what are they wearing, and how drunk will they get? I think Gervais did an amazing job hosting for the second year in a row. I know he is getting a lot of slack for some of his remarks this year but let’s face it, he’s only saying what we all are thinking! (For example…why the hell was The Tourist nominated, if not for any other reason then they accept bribes). What I find funny though, is most of the actors and actress’s seemed put off by his comments, yet Robert Deniro can make a blatantly offensive joke about immigration and it’s all ok? Most of the time you wonder how in the hell did half of these people get nominated (Hello that’s for you Miss Jennifer Love Hewitt), so if Ricky want’s to go balls out and kick some people where it hurts the most (their ego) then I say let him! It’s much more fun that way.
It’s was hard for me to watch the show for the winning aspect because for the most part, I felt it was a very disappointing year in film (with the exception of a few stand outs). I walked out of Social Network thinking it was decent, Black Swan was a train wreck for me. You know it’s been a rough year if I think a Cohen Brother’s movie is top pick. Just like the Oscars though, I always watch and hope for the year of an upset. Highly doubtful though with this year, it all seems to be set in stone unfortunately.
Ok onto the category’s:
Best Actor:
Mark Wahlberg for The Fighter: Hands down this nomination should have went to Jeff Bridges for True Grit. What made The Fighter not work in my book was the acting. I think it could have been a decent film if it wasn’t for how silly I thought everyone was in it. I enjoy Wahlberg in a few movies but for the most part he is the same one dimensional character in every film. As much as I loved The Departed I have never agreed with his nomination for that either.
James Franco for 127 Hours: I have been a fan of Franco from back in the Freaks and Geeks days. I’m glad they recognized his work in this film because I feel he did a great job in it.
Ryan Gosling for Blue Valentine: I absolutely loved everything about this film. I’m glad critics are taking notice, and I think Gosling puts everything he has into each role. Someday I hope the academy wakes up and recognizes him, but usually how it goes, is it will happen with the wrong film. They really missed the boat for some of his truly great performances, and I just wish they don’t stop giving him a chance.
Jesse Eisenberg for Social Network: I really thought this vote was a lock, but thank god Colin Firth seems to have unhinged that. Do I hate Eisenberg? Not at all, but I enjoy him in the same way I like Michel Cera, in that they are good playing themselves. I stand by my comment that I believe his performance as Mark Zuckerberg was essentially just a darker version of his character in Zombieland. If I start to see some great range with him, then sure I’ll jump on that bandwagon.
Colin Firth for The King’s Speech: *The Winner* I have yet to see this movie but from the trailer alone, I can tell he does an excellent job. I have always enjoyed his work and I am glad that this year seems to be his year!
Best Actress:
Halle Berry for Frankie and Alice: Ok first off, where is this movie, is it even done being made, why the fuck was she nominated? I fully believe that you should give actors credit when the role is completed. This should have went to Hailee Steinfeld for True Grit.
Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine: I’m going to try not to be biased since this was my favorite movie of the year. In general I’m just glad this film and their actors are getting reconized. I actually think her performance in Brokeback Mountain was a smidge better, but in all in all I really dig the roles she is picking.
Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole: I will be the first to admit I do not think Kidman is a good actress, which is why I was surprised how blown away I was by her performance in Rabbit Hole.
Jennifer Lawrence for Winter’s Bone: I thought this was a stellar movie and a great job as a first time actress. Did she blow me away though? Not at all, personally I think Hailee gave the performance of the year. I’m glad to see a little known movie and actress get the accolades they deserve though!
Natalie Portman for Black Swan: *The Winner* I like Natalie Portman and think she is adorable in most roles she is in. This is not the case where I was “too surprised” to see her in such a dark role, I just didn’t think she had enough depth to pull it off. When I watched her in it, I found it all quite ridiculous. She has been scandalous before (in the movie Closer) and that worked, but for some reason here it did not. Regardless the buzz started very early about her performance and once that happens, it is unlikely that it gets derailed anytime soon.
Supporting Actor:
Michael Douglas for Wall Street Money Sleeps: This was a death vote. Who thinks one would survive stage 4 throat cancer? If he was healthy as a horse there is no way this would happen.
Jeremy Renner for The Town: I liked this film but wasn’t wowed by it. His role made it more enjoyable for me. I think the work that he is picking lately will keep him around for awhile.
Geoffry Rush for The Kings Speech: Again haven’t seen the film but just from the trailer, Geoffry Rush has never let me down.
Andrew Garfield for The Social Network: If you can believe it or not, I thought he should have won this over Bale. Even though I was not a fan of the film, I thought he was incredible in the movie and after seeing him in this and Never let me go, he will be an actor I will watch in the future.
Christian Bale for The Fighter: *The Winner* I love Bale but quite honestly he only gets these accolades for how much stress he puts on his body. Don’t get me wrong he was phenomenal in The Machinist, but in this movie he could have done better.
Supporting Actress:
Jackie Weaver for Animal Kingdom: I will admit at first I was unaware of what this movie even was, but after checking out clips I have to say from the previews she gives a pretty raw performance. It’s odd though they would recognize something so off the map.
Amy Adams for The Fighter: There simply was not enough movies to pick for nomination is the only reason I can explain The Fighter getting as many nod’s as it did. I found her boston accent alone to be utterly ridiculous and it was a role that did not fit her.
Melissa Leo for The Fighter: *The Winner* There is no reason for Leo to have won unless they are still on a high from her performance from Frozen River. At this point if this is how the Oscars are going to go then please nominate Mila Kunis and have her win.
Mila Kunis for Black Swan: Actually I have to say Mila did an alright job in Black Swan. I found her character way more believable than Portman’s. Did she show amazing depth and range? No. but after the other nominations I would say the toss up would have been between her and Carter for me.
Helena Bonham Carter for The King’s Speech: I like her and her kooky fashion. She has never let me down and I’m sure when I finally see it, I will be proven right.
Best Picture:
Here are the pictures that were nominated:
Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, King’s Speech and Social Network.
Here is what should have been nominated:
Inception, 127 Hours, True Grit, Kings Speech and Blue Valentine (ok ok that was just because I loved it)…take note Academy Awards!!!!
Social Network was the winner and will be the winner for every other movie award event. I do not agree with it but then again lets look back on other past winners: Shakespere in Love, Chicago, Driving Miss Daisy, Hurt Locker…so what I guess I’m trying to say is even the most ridiculous movies win sometimes.
The rest of the Golden Globes is purely a popularity contest. It always goes to the newcomer of the hot show at the moment (past included Keri Russell for Felicity, Claire Danes for My so called Life, the year of the soprano’s, the year of Mad Men…you get my drift). We knew from day one that Boardwalk Empire, Glee, and everyone in those respected shows would take home the awards. Yes I understand to each their own but there are much better quality shows on TV at the moment. Personally I think Dexter and Modern Family had their best seasons yet. Others will probably agree with the winners. I am simply giving examples as to why it’s the most wonderful AND most frustrating time of the year 
