The Good and Bad of Last Night’s Golden Globe Awards
by John P. HanlonLast night, the 67th Golden Globes Awards were given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). According to the HFPA mission statement, one of the goals of the organization is to “recognize outstanding achievements by conferring annual Awards of Merit, serving as a constant incentive within the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television…”
At the beginning of the show, the Globes did just that but there were other times (including the conclusion of the program) when undeserving victors beat out more worthy competition.
The awards show cast a new light on two deserving performers who were not well-known for their strong acting abilities. First, in what I thought was the highlight of the night, Mo’Nique won the award for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” for ”Precious.” She was given the first award of the night and gave a wonderful speech. In her brilliant performance, the comedienne portrayed a selfish and cold woman who abuses and enables the abuse of her own daughter. At the Globes, Mo’Nique started her speech by thanking God for “the amazing ride.” Later she spoke of all the “Preciouses” and about speaking up about abuse. It was a classy moment.
Sandra Bullock gave her own elegant speech after winning for her role in the film “The Blind Side.” Speaking about family having your back, the classy Bullock gave a shout-out to the family that the movie portrays. As I wrote previously, Bullock has been a commercial success for a long time but now she’s receiving critical raves and awards, including her new Golden Globe. Along with Mo’Nique, she has shown critics a new way of looking at her. Both have redefined their image.
After only one season, the uplifting show “Glee” won for “Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical.” Julianna Margulies, who was previously known for her role on the show “ER,” also won an award for her role in “The Good Wife.” I previously wrote about how “Glee” and Margulies were worthy of their nominations and am glad both went home winners.
There was one major disappointment: “Avatar,” currently the second highest-grossing motion picture of all time, won “Best Motion Picture – Drama.” Although that film is a special-effects triumph, the storyline’s disappointing and it often delves into clichés. I wish the far more deserving “Up in the Air” had won. The George Clooney film had a great story, wonderful performances, and spoke to our economic reality.
My disappointment over “Avatar’s” victory, though, will be short-lived. Last night, Mo’Nique and Sandra Bullock were recognized for strong performances and now have a new light shining on their careers. Additionally, “Glee” and Margulies were able to garner more attention from the public. Those awards are something to celebrate.
As far as “Avatar” goes, the James Cameron picture may not be able to maintain its momentum for the full awards season and with the Academy Awards still several weeks away, the winners of that prestigious award ceremony are still “up in the air.”
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55 Comments
forgive the feigned ignorance, but do the Golden Globes matter at all?…
Or, like when Homer Simpson is quizzed about his Grammy he shrugs his shoulders and says 'Big deal- doesn't everybody have one?'
Honestly, we are happy for the two aforementioned recipients. Other than that who cares?
Everyone go see Precious.
I'm happy that "Dexter" won some awards, but I still don't understand why the superb "Breaking Bad" didn't even get a nomination.
The Golden Globes: Two words, Pia Zadora! End of story!
Loved that Michael C. Hall and Lithgow both took home Globes. It was a fantastic season for both of them.
The Golden Globes were on last night?
hollywood awards = obozo defense farce
and Pia won one for what? 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians'? Irrelevance, thy name is Golden Globes…
If I remember right, wasn't it basically Pocahontas which was basically a bad version of the Lion King, which was a version of……. Ya, not very original was it.
Do you think Mo'Nique could have at least shaved her legs? Sheesh.
http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/18/monique-gets-a-leg-...
Don't be shocked. It was nominated by the Writers Guild Awards for "Best 'Original' Screenplay". As if something that is essential a mashup of Dune, Dances with Wolves, The Smurfs, and Ferngully can be considered original.
Golden Globe Awards: Another excuse for Hollywood glam elites to preen, bask, self-congratulate, stroke egos, & declare themselves superior.
Unfortunately, for one who so faithfully watched the Oscars every year for more than I'll admit to, Hollywood has lost its charisma, charm and fascination. I really don't care who wins what awards — it's all political anyway. Who did the best job of Bush-bashing? Give him an award. (Usually a run off between George C. Looney and Sean Pinhead). Who denigrated America best and most originally? Give him award. This year it's Cameron. Who sucked up to the Islamo-fascists best? Maybe "Avatar" wins there, too, since the Na'Vi were representative of "insurgents". Who took the biggest swipe at middle America? Kevin, where are you? Who did the best job of bashing Christianity? Where's Scott? Shouldn't you make another "Kingdom of Heaven"? It's silly and boring — just like the people getting the awards with only a few exceptions. Let's see if Denzel gets nominated next year for "Book of Eli" (a flawed film in many ways, but the acting was as powerful as any I've ever seen. Congratulations, Mr. Washington. You conveyed more with a facial expression than Sean and Georgie-porgie convey with ten thousand words of dialogue.
Wanna be original, Ho'wood? Get a real writer to write a screenplay for "Atlas Shrugged". Wanna get original again? Refilm "The Fountainhead". Wanna make a movie that shows what might happen to America? Try "No Prayers for the Assassin". Anybody out there think of filming Andrew Klavan's "Empire of Lies"? You might get Mr. Klavan to write the screenplay. What about "One Second After"? That book was so scary, I tossed it aside half way through. The world is full of great books that can be turned into good movies with the right treatment.
What's happened to "Intense Debate"? I had some computer trouble and when it cleared up, "intense debate" was gone from the site. Or did my faithful ole machine scrub it?
That is just pure gross!
Yes, during the commercials of 24.
You beat me to the punch.
"The Blind SIde " had two outstanding actors in supporting roles – the woman who played Michael's druggie mother and the gangsta drug dealer. HATED that guy! Then remembered, dang, he's ACTING. Same with the self-humiliated-scraping- around-for- some- semblance- of- dignity welfare mother. Seen both before, but can't remember their names.
People still watch this ****?
Well, good for Julianna M. Never watched her other TV series, but 'The Good Wife' is the one show on CBS that we watch. She does a fine job, Ditto her cast mates.
Did anyone besides me see Inglorious Basterds? Great movie.
YIIIIIIIKES!
Hmmm then we have the after party's where everyone of them get wasted and show off the fancy cloths and boytoys. Sometimes hollywood insults itself with the shallowness it encourages
Speaking of actors and actresses (Is that word permitted any longer?), here's a video clip I always enjoy watching when the flood of liberal lemmings swirling around me en route to Malibu becomes a little too much to bear:
http://oldfortyfives.com/thoseoldwesterns.htm
lol well thats funny i don't buy a lot of the images hollywood throws out including the happy pics of good looking couples its all so fake and sad. Not to mention disgusting that they put on shows like this
couldn't down that far
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I did–and I've got the DVD. I don't watch (or care about) award shows, but Christoph Waltz should get Best Supporting Actor from somebody.
Why in the name of God would anyone watch the Golden Globes? Why?
i only watched to see if micheal c hall would win other then that they where a bust and predictable but then again everything in hollywood is predictable even the dating is its pretty disgusting actully.
"Get a real writer to write a screenplay for "Atlas Shrugged". "
I'll say "ouch" on behalf of Randall Wallace. I mean, yeah, the homefront scenes in "We Were Soldiers" sucked but geez…
Boy, that was really a trip down memory lane. Thanks for the link.
I never watch the Golden Globes because I can't stand the lowbrow (toilet) humor. I understand there laughs aplenty along those lines last night. However, I am glad that Sandra Bullock and Julianne Margulies (sp) won. Loved The Blind Side and am really enjoying The Good Wife on CBS. Great cast, super writing.
The fact that it's hateful and liberal gives it enough clout for every award hollywood has to offer.
To see if Jeff Bridges would take something home for Crazy Heart. and to watch to see if Ricky Gervais would suck up or spit out. He spit out. Crazy heart and The Weary Kind won.
Maggio – that was wonderful!
Hello! It's because the main character manufactures METH, which then gets sold to children! Have never had much sympathy for that character, who is ruining other peoples' lives because he was dealt a bad hand in his life.
Hollywood hates America, Avatar hates America, it will win best picture at the Academy Awards.
Mo’Nique = Jabba the Hut.
Yuk!
Go Jeff!
The ONLY good thing about the Golden Globes was that Christoph Waltz won for 'Best Supporting Actor'. Bar none, his stunning performance in 'Inglourious Basterds' is the stuff of legends. You watch that performance and it sends tingles up your back – you are seeing a brilliant actor at his best. And the brilliance is that you don't SEE him do it, in fact, you don't see him at all. You see his character. And you can't take your eyes away. I swear, the only other time in my life where an actor blew me away the moment they first opened their mouth on screen was when Russell Crowe spoke his first lines in "Romper Stomper'. Damn, Waltz is awesome.
I heard that Tarantino refused to do the film unless Waltz was in it. It couldn't be done without Waltz. How right Tarantino was.
Avatar's going to win the academy.
How could it not? Its hateful, liberal, AND popular.
Hollywood's been waiting for a poster child like this for years.
SO TRUE
This has nothing to do with the Globes …
Why do people watch "Plan Nine From Outer Space?"
Wouldn't original technically be creating a movie NOT from a book but from a wholly original story?
Dexter's a serial killer…he won. Mo'Nique won as a vile, abusive mother. Character virtue doesn't preclude a win. The Hollywood Foreign Press is a really weird, tiny, group and often their noms make no sense. Either that or the bribe money doesn't come through.
Yeah Inglourious Basterds should have won more avatar has awsome special effects and bo good story. Christoph Waltz rocks big time he was so freaking awsome in that movie
And you'd trust the Hollywood writers to "create" a story? Look what they did to "Sum of All Fears" (by Clancy). Couldn't bear to have Islamic terrorists so changed them to neo Nazis. NEONAZIS! When is the last time we heard from one of THEM. Look at what the writers are doing on TV. NCIS – Christmas – man blew himself up. Islamic terrorist (who have a record of doing those things)? NOPE! A Christian God-Squadder! Yep, the Christian did it. Have you watched "Law and Order" recently? It started out as a cop show — a good cop show. Now it's a raise your consciousness show and the only way to do that is by lathering on "the liberal tell" with a trowel. What aobut "24". I have only watched it once — because everyone said it was good and Jack Bauer was a real mensch. Well, the night I watched we had the same old, same old — African kids in trouble; Jack saving them; female president about to be sworn in, smarmy looking white guy getting ready to leave (Powers Booth – one of my favorite actors). No thanks, Maatkare, I don't trust Ho'wood to FILM books; how the hell do you trust them to WRITE original screenplays.
How many cocktail waitresses is George Clooney going to take to awards shows before people start thinking it's a bit peculiar?
it's kind of the same as the Nobel Peace Prize – they're handing them out based on expectations and hype now.
I suspect that Hall was a sentimental choice as he is in remission from Hodkins. I thought it was great, however, that he didn't mention it in his speech,
I love Dexter!! So glad it won it's awards. Great writing. Great acting. Great characters. And to top it all off, at it's core it's a conservative show! (Shhh. Don't tell the libs in Hollywood.)
the Grammys are harder to get…
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