Golden Globes’ celebration of ‘Vice’ collides with the Bush funeral’s celebration of virtue
Hollywood figuratively crashed the funeral Thursday.
Even as President George H.W. Bush was being laid to rest in Houston following a final service and several days of heartfelt eulogies, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. celebrated the movie “Vice,” a scathing biopic that blames former Vice President Dick Cheney — and the man who empowered him, George W. Bush — for much of the modern world’s problems.
Although it has yet to be released, or even reviewed, “Vice” led all movies with six Golden Globes nominations — best picture comedy, nods for Adam McKay’s direction and screenplay and acting recognition for Christian Bale, who plays Cheney; Amy Adams who plays his wife, Lynne; and Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush.
The timing of the nominations wasn’t intended to send a message, or at least not a message to directly compete with the days of eulogies preceding the burial. The HFPA — composed of 88 active members representing 55 countries — voted before Bush died last Friday.
Reactions: Constance Wu on her historic ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ nomination
When Constance Wu landed her first career Golden Globe nomination, “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu was one of the first to ring with emotional early-morning congratulations. The historic nature of Wu’s nomination for lead actress in a comedy, for her turn as Asian American rom-com heroine Rachel Chu, keeps sinking in, making the already-groundbreaking Warner Bros. hit — which is also nominated for best comedy — even more worthy of celebration.
How has your morning been?
It’s been kind of surreal. I had my phone on do-not-disturb mode so I got kind of a late start on it, but it’s unbelievable. I’m so excited!
You had your phone on do-not-disturb? Were you avoiding the nominations announcement?
I wasn’t avoiding it; I guess I didn’t know it was that early! Because it was super early. My phone is generally always on do-not-disturb mode from midnight to 7 a.m. I haven’t made any calls yet; I’ve only received them.
Golden Globe TV categories honor the shiny and new once again
The Kominsky what now?
On Thursday the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. once again showed its love of all that is shiny and new in television — even when it’s, well, old — nominating “The Kominsky Method” for comedy series mere weeks after its first-season debut on Netflix.
The Chuck Lorre-created comedy follows a pair of aging Hollywood buddies, played by Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin, both of whom were also nominated.
“Kominsky” joined other first-year shows that received multiple nominations Thursday, including the Netflix terrorism thriller “Bodyguard,” Amazon’s psychological drama “Homecoming” and the oddball Showtime comedy “Kidding.” “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” the latest iteration of the FX anthology series “American Crime Story,” led with four nominations overall and will compete with another fact-based limited series, “Escape at Dannemora,” which isn’t quite halfway through its seven-episode run on Showtime.
Although the nominations may have prompted head-scratching on Thursday morning, the Globes’ recognition for so many new shows — particularly from streaming networks like Netflix and Amazon — is not surprising.
Reactions: Barry Jenkins on going up against Ryan Coogler and Spike Lee for best drama
Writer-director Barry Jenkins’ adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel “If Beale Street Could Talk” earned three Golden Globe nominations on Thursday. The movie was nominated for best motion picture, drama, Jenkins wasrecognized for best screenplay and Regina King was nominated for best supporting actress.
Where are you?
In my living room, in L.A.
Were you up early this morning?
No, no. I’ve been a little bit under the weather, so I just could not get up at 5 a.m. I just got up a little bit ago and checked everything.
This must be really exciting.
It is exciting. It’s always nice to have the work recognized, especially in the categories that we were recognized.
And Regina was double nominated, not only for “Beale Street” but also for “Seven Seconds” on the TV side.
And Stephan [James] was nominated for “Homecoming.” It was quite a bit of love for the “Beale Street” family today, which is great. All these actors put so much of their hearts into this film, it’s a tough story to tell and they went to the ends of the Earth to do justice to these characters.
Reactions: Adam McKay says he ‘struggled’ with whether to classify ‘Vice’ as a comedy for the Golden Globes
“Vice” led the Golden Globes nominations on Thursday morning, recognized in six categories. Adam McKay was honored as the director, writer and producer of the movie, which also received a nomination in the category of best motion picture, musical or comedy. That category might not seem so surprising a place for the filmmaker behind “Step Brothers,” except that “Vice” is a clear-eyed yet scathing portrait of former Vice President Dick Cheney — played by Christian Bale in a transformative performance that spans decades.
Where are you right now; where did you get the news?
We are in London; we’re over here for a couple of days doing some screenings and a little bit of press. So we had the luxury of watching it while eating lunch in a very civilized way. Obviously couldn’t have been more thrilled with the results.
In particular, “Vice” led the nominations with more than any other movie, with nominations for Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Sam Rockwell, and you were recognized for both directing and writing. That must be very exciting.
Really exciting. It was obviously an ambitious, challenging movie — it covers, five, six decades of history. And I felt great for the actors. These actors just went the whole nine yards [with] such passionate, detailed performances, and I loved seeing so many of them acknowledged.
Sacha Baron Cohen wants Sarah Palin to be his date for Golden Globes
Actress Isla Fisher might have just become a late-breaking Golden Globes snub, thanks to husband Sacha Baron Cohen.
Baron Cohen scored something of a surprise nomination Thursday morning for his comedy work in his controversial Showtime series “Who Is America?” and to celebrate, he extended a special invitation to former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin.
“Who Is America?” made headlines earlier this year for clips showing Baron Cohen deceiving American personalities and politicians with elaborate disguises and filming them as they proclaimed inflammatory and/or ridiculous statements.
Palin was among those “duped” by the man of many faces, and decried the actor’s actions on her Facebook page, calling the interview he conducted “full of Hollywoodism’s disrespect and sarcasm.”
Though the video never made it to air, Baron Cohen didn’t forget Palin’s contributions to his show’s success.
“Meanwhile Ms. Palin, despite being cut from the show, I hope you will accept my invitation to be my date for the ceremony,” the “Borat” actor concluded.
“I am humbled to be recognised among such a wonderful group of nominees, all of whom I admire,” he added. “This show was a labour of love for over two years. It is a shame they overlooked the amazing performances by the rest of the cast, particularly Dick Cheney and Roy Moore.”
Tune in to the Golden Globes ceremony on Jan. 6 to find out who serves as Baron Cohen’s date — and who Baron Cohen himself arrives as.
Reactions: Nominee Stephan James on acting with Julia Roberts in ‘Homecoming’: ‘I don’t think you ever get over that’
Stephan James is having a bit of a year. At just 24, he starred in a pair of Golden Globes nominees in Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to “Moonlight,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and Sam Esmail’s adaptation of the hit podcast “Homecoming.” James also earned a nomination for his work on that series. The Canadian-born actor talks about working with Julia Roberts and whether he needs to readjust his goals now that he’s surely met a few of them so early in his career.
How did you get the news?
My manager and publicist woke me up a little after 5 a.m., and they were screaming at me, and I was trying to make out what they were saying. I finally was able to put two and two together. It’s incredibly exciting. I have not been able to go back to sleep; that’s been tough.
What was the collaboration like with Sam Esmail and Julia Roberts?
I loved it. We really formed a great team. I knew that Julia and I had to really spend a lot of time together. I was just grateful to how she handled the whole situation. She’s obviously an incredible actress, but she’s also an incredible person. I couldn’t have imagined sharing those moments with anybody else.
Reactions: Connie Britton on adapting ‘Dirty John’ for the screen and the tyranny of Elf on the Shelf
Star of Bravo’s adaptation of the hit Los Angeles Times podcast “Dirty John,” Connie Britton earned the second Golden Globe nomination of her career on Thursday after last being recognized for her 2013 role in the series “Nashville.” Below, she talks about the challenges in bringing the story of Debra Newell and her relationship with a con artist to the screen as well as the seasonal parenting trap of Elf on the Shelf.
How did you get word of your nomination?
Well, I was asleep and my son came in to wake me up to see if he could go find his Elf on the Shelf. And I was waking up and I saw that my phone started ringing. It was my publicist in New York and I was like, oh no, did I forget an interview? I didn’t pick it up, I was telling my son to go look for his elf. And then I saw that I had all these text messages and I kind of figured it out.
Reactions: Chuck Lorre talks ‘Kominsky Method’ nods and sitting next to Michael Douglas at the ceremony
Creator of multiple hit sitcoms that include “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Young Sheldon,” Chuck Lorre captured the eyes of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. with the Golden Globe-nominated “The Kominsky Method.”
Starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin in a comedy about aging, the series also earned a nomination for Douglas as lead actor and Arkin for supporting. Below, Lorre talks about working with a pair of acting veterans as well as his decision-making behind making the jump to streaming after so many years on network TV.
I imagine it’s been a busy morning...
I slept through the whole thing. My UTA agent was frustrated that I wasn’t picking up my phone. He had my wife’s number so he called her and woke her up and she woke me up. What a terrific way to start the day. What a beautiful rainy day this is. I’m trying to get to Burbank now — I might get there hopefully by the end of the year.
Reactions: Rami Malek celebrates his ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ nomination, but has nothing to say about ousted director Bryan Singer
Rami Malek became a three-time Golden Globe nominee on Thursday morning thanks to his turn as rock icon Freddie Mercury in the hit movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” (which also scored a surprise nomination for drama film). His previous nominations came for the USA series “Mr. Robot,” making this Malek’s first nomination for his film work. And he weathered multiple storms to get to this point, including criticism of the film’s depiction of Mercury’s sexuality and public drama over the firing of credited director Bryan Singer.
So did you break into song when you heard the news?
I might play one of the tunes tonight. I’m coming up on evening now in London. I might do a little celebrating. It’s just a tremendous honor to be recognized for this, just to be a small part of [Queen’s] legacy is just a gift in and of itself. They’ve seen every aspect of their life recognized with every award, but this is something that is so unique.
Reactions: Rosamund Pike on Golden Globes perks — free coffee! — and how her second nod feels different
“A Private War” star Rosamund Pike scored her second Golden Globes nomination on Thursday for lead actress in a motion picture drama. Directed by Matthew Heineman, the biopic sees Pike portraying Marie Colvin, the late war correspondent who — went to great lengths to cover conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
How does it feel to be nominated this year?
It’s huge, I’m feeling very overwhelmed. I’m sitting in a cafe in London, waiting to pick up my boy from school. I’m really moved, it’s meaningful. I’m sitting by myself and letting it all sink in. And ... I’ve just been given a free coffee. That never happens in London.
Reactions: Alfonso Cuarón weighs in on ‘Roma’s’ three nominations and Netflix’s theatrical push
An early front-runner for best picture at next year’s Academy Awards, Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” picked up three Golden Globe nominations Thursday morning, for foreign language film and for Cuarón’s direction and screenplay.
Cuarón’s poetic, black-and-white story of a middle-class Mexican family and their beloved live-in nanny is in limited theatrical release now before airing on Netflix starting Dec. 14.
The Los Angeles Times spoke with the director, whose previous films include “Y Tú Mama También,” “Children of Men” and “Gravity,” about the nominations, Netflix and the state of moviegoing.
Congratulations. Where are you and how did you get this news?
I’m in Italy. I got the news right after lunch. I checked my emails, and I turned to my son and I said, “Do you want to come to the Golden Globes?”
Reactions: Yes, Michelle Yeoh plans to wear the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ ring to the Golden Globes
Ecstatic for her “Crazy Rich Asians” family and for Sandra Oh, the first Asian host to grace the Golden Globes stage (“Go, Sandra!”), Michelle Yeoh jumped on the phone from the Toronto set of “Star Trek: Discovery” to wax ecstatic over the groundbreaking film’s two nominations.
Looking forward to celebrating the landmark “Crazy Rich Asians” year on Globes night with the cast and crew, she plans on sporting a special piece of jewelry perfect for the glitzy occasion: Eleanor’s bespoke emerald and diamond ring.
“I think I have to,” Yeoh exclaimed, “because the ring is so much a character in the film. What a perfect thing! I must. I will absolutely do that.”
It’s the engagement ring that symbolizes Eleanor’s pride — and her acceptance of her son’s American born girlfriend — in a pivotal moment in the film, adapted from Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name.
As “Crazy Rich Asians” lore has it, Yeoh had lent director Jon M. Chu’s production a selection from her personal collection when the original prop ring wasn’t quite working, Chu first revealed to Vulture.
Now, “the ring is infamous! All the guys out there, this is the kind of ring that you want to get your girl to say ‘Yes’ to you,” laughed Yeoh, confirming that she bought it as a gift — for herself. “I did. I don’t wait for people to send me flowers. If I want them, I’m going to send them to myself.”
The Malaysian-born Yeoh — who has seen the film “only four times” — championed “Crazy Rich Asians” as a win for representation and inclusion in Hollywood that has been an “empowering” experience to be a part of.
Her favorite moments to watch? “All that food!” she laughed. “And the quiet moments I have with Henry … especially when he takes off his shirt. What’s not to love about that scene?”
Of costar Constance Wu, who earned a lead actress Golden Globes nomination for her turn as Asian American heroine Rachel Chu, she had high praise, pointing to the mahjong scene in which their characters face off over the clicking of fast-moving tiles.
“You’re only as good as your sparring partner,” said Yeoh. “I think Jon was so brilliant in executing and choreographing that whole scene when there was so much going on. That was the most intense scene. For Constance, the lines she had were very powerful dialogue she had to deliver, and those lines meant so much to her.”
Three decades into a global acting career in Asia and stateside, Yeoh is optimistic that recognition for “Crazy Rich Asians” signifies greater opportunities for Asian talent.
“I hope this is the beginning of a new renaissance opening up the field for all Asians to be part of,” said Yeoh. “Make more space for us, and include us — because we are a part of your society. I would have loved to see more nominations for Asian actors [and filmmakers] and in front of and behind the camera, because we are there; recognize us.”
Reactions: Nicole Kidman on the ‘terror’ of ‘Destroyer’ and how her daughters reacted to her nod
In “Destroyer,” Nicole Kidman plays a Los Angeles detective broken by her past and out for revenge. It’s a role unlike any the 51-year-old actress has ever played, which is saying something given her long and varied career, and it resulted in a Golden Globe nomination for lead actress in a motion picture drama.
Kidman won two Golden Globes last year, for producing and starring in the HBO limited series “Big Little Lies.” She has four other wins and a total of 14 nominations. She’s thrilled to be returning to the party for a low-budget indie movie close to her heart. (The movie opens Christmas Day.)
Where were you when you heard the news?
I just got off a plane from Australia. That’s why my voice sounds all froggy. I was there for a couple of weeks to take care of my mom and do the Australian film awards. So I landed at 6 here in Los Angeles, turned on my phone and it just blew up with all these text messages. I couldn’t be happier. For “Destroyer” to get acknowledged like this … it’s so important for this little, independent film.
Reactions: ‘Bodyguard’ star Richard Madden talks about his Golden Globe nomination and those ‘flattering’ James Bond rumors
Ushered out of Winterfell and the violent world of “Game of Thrones” with the much-remembered so-called Red Wedding episode, Scottish actor Richard Madden is a long way from Robb Stark in the Golden Globe-nominated “Bodyguard.”
A breakout hit in the U.K. in August before arriving on Netflix this fall, “Bodyguard” earned a series nomination in the TV drama category and an acting nod for Madden, who portrays Sgt. David Budd. A PTSD-afflicted veteran of the Afghanistan war, Budd finds himself in a tangled web of terror plots and conspiracies while weathering conflicted feelings about being assigned to protect a politician who was an advocate for the war.
Below, Madden talks a bit about his experience on “Bodyguard” as well as those pesky, tabloid-born James Bond rumors that have been swirling in the U.K.
Reactions: ‘Green Book’ director Peter Farrelly on the film’s 5 nominations and ‘slow’ box office start
Nominated for five Golden Globes, Universal’s “Green Book” is one of the most polarizing awards contenders of the season. The buddy comedy, starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, is a critical darling but has struggled to find its legs at the box office.
Despite this, and amid recent controversy after Mortensen vocalized the N-word during a Q&A, the film garnered five of Universal’s seven nominations, including nods for director Peter Farrelly, actor Mortensen, supporting actor for Ali, screenplay and picture.
“I’d like to thank the HFPA for this extraordinary honor,” said Ali in an emailed statement. “I’m humbled that all our work has been recognized in such a broad capacity, especially that of my friends Viggo Mortensen and Peter Farrelly. ‘Green Book’ offered a unique opportunity to embody a man with breadth, virtuosity and complexity. I’m so grateful that our story has resonance in a time that calls for empathy.”
Golden Globe nominations give Annapurna Pictures a boost after a tough year
If any studio needed an awards season win this year, it was Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures.
Despite vast resources, the West Hollywood film production and distribution company has weathered internal shake-ups and belt-tightening and has offloaded movies amid a string of costly box office flops.
But the 7-year-old mini studio got a serious confidence boost Thursday when it scored 10 Golden Globe nominations for ambitious movies including the Dick Cheney biopic “Vice” and Barry Jenkins’ James Baldwin adaptation “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
Annapurna tied with awards season stalwart Fox Searchlight Pictures for the most nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., which bestows the Golden Globes. The 21st Century Fox Inc.-owned Searchlight garnered plaudits for movies such as Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite” and Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs.”
Reactions: ‘Sharp Objects’ showrunner Marti Noxon talks Golden Globe nominations and potential Season 2: ‘Never say never’
Last year at the Golden Globes, the female-led HBO limited series “Big Little Lies” made a big splash. Now, “Sharp Objects” — another female-centered mini from the network — is looking to grab that baton. The TV adaptation earned three nominations Thursday, including for limited series. Showrunner Marti Noxon discussed the show’s first major nominations and the strong reactions the series has elicited thus far.
Enjoying the day so far?
I am. It’s a rainy day in Los Angeles. And I like not not getting nominated. It was funny because I had said to myself: It doesn’t really matter in the big scheme of things. Someone will call me if there’s a reason to call me. And then my eyes snapped open at 5 a.m. on the dot. Like in a horror movie. It was crazy.
Had you ended last night watching any good TV?
I spent last night listening to a kind of cheesy audiobook. And for me, prestige television right now is holiday baking shows. Like the gingerbread bakeoff on the Food Network. I just decided I need to go by smaller frosting tips.
Reactions: ‘The Favourite’s’ Rachel Weisz on voguing in the 18th century, making love to Olivia Colman, and her Golden Globe nomination
It was a big morning for the period drama “The Favourite.” The film earned five nominations, second only to “Vice,” including best picture, comedy or musical, as well as three acting nods, for star Olivia Colman in the lead actress category, as well as Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. The latter two will compete in the supporting actress category. Weisz, a Golden Globe winner for “The Constant Gardener,” picked up the phone to talk about the film and her nomination.
Hi, Rachel, it’s Mark Olsen with the Los Angeles Times.
Hi. It’s Rachel, from London.
Where are you right now?
I’m in New York. But I’m from London.
Congratulations on both your nomination and all the nominations for the movie. It must be a very exciting morning for you.
It is. It’s really wonderful and it’s such a wonderful film to have been a part of and made and got to know Olivia and Emma and work with Yorgos [Lanthimos] again. The whole process was incredible and the fact that it’s being loved in this way is really a lovely thing. We loved making it and it’s thrilling that people are celebrating it.
Best celebrity reactions: Hugh Grant pops open the Vaseline and Spike Lee goes ‘BOOM SHAKALAKA’
Call it the first morning of Hollywood’s 2019 awards season: The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. announced the 76th Golden Globe Awards nominations early Thursday, and the nominees and their friends and employers were awake to react.
Read on for their expressions of excitement in emailed statements and social-media posts.
Director Spike Lee: “I found out about these Golden Globe Nominations for BlackKklansman in between advising my NYU Grad School students because I teach on Thursdays. The first word that came to mind was ‘BOOM SHAKALAKA.’ Thank you to the HFPA!”
Actor Hugh Grant: “Very very kind of the Hollywood Foreign Press. Am opening a jumbo jar of Vaseline in celebration.”
Reactions: ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ producers plan to celebrate in an English pub
Sony’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is one of two Marvel films to be nominated for a Golden Globe. The film — directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, and produced by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, among others — is up for a statue in the animated motion picture category in advance of its theatrical release Friday.
Where were you when you got the news?
Miller: We are here in beautiful, sunny London, England, on a promotional tour for the film. We were in between interviews when we found out the news.
Who is the first person you told?
Miller: We’ve been texting with the other filmmakers.
Lord: We’ve been waking a lot of people up. I woke up my parents and my girlfriend.
Reactions: ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s’ Rachel Brosnahan celebrates nomination while sightseeing in Prague
There was a sense of déjà vu at work as Rachel Brosnahan received her Golden Globe nomination for actress in a comedy or musical series Thursday. This year began with “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star winning the Golden Globe in the same category for the first season of her show. Now, as 2018 draws to a close, she has been nominated for the second season, which debuted Wednesday on Amazon.
“It’s just wild,” said Brosnahan, reached by phone as she was playing tourist while on location for an upcoming movie set in Prague. “It’s the warmest welcome for Season 2.” Below, she speaks about her nomination and some of the key sights in the Czech Republic capital.
The day would seem to be starting on a good note for you, right?
I’m actually in Prague, so it’s just gotten dark. It’s evening for me. I was very awake when I got the news. I’ve only been in Prague for a couple of days so I’m still not quite with the time difference. I was actually on a walking tour. And I was in a Gothic cathedral, I guess, and was trying not to look at my phone as it was going off. I just continued on the walking tour. I waited until I got out of the church to check my phone.
Reactions: Elsie Fisher on attending the Globes for the first time and her reaction on social media
“Eighth Grade” breakout Elsie Fisher scored her first-ever Golden Globes nomination Thursday for actress in a comedy or musical.
You shared your first reaction on Twitter?
Um, yeah, this is incredible and insane. I felt like I owed it to Twitter to give them my first reaction. My Twitter squad has been there when I make my crappy jokes.
Is that where you found out about your nomination?
No, I woke up at 5:38 right before it got announced. I didn’t have an alarm set or anything. I went onto the livestream and I started watching it and my dad shouted from the other room as soon as it got announced. He just shouted, “Yeah!” in a really loud voice that almost woke me more than anything had at that point. He was very excited.
Connie Britton’s nomination for ‘Dirty John’ gives Bravo its first Golden Globe nod
With Connie Britton’s Golden Globe nomination Thursday, a first for Bravo, the network has what it presumably wanted from its based-on-a-true-story miniseries “Dirty John”: some Hollywood street cred.
The NBCUniversal-owned home of “Real Housewives” and “Project Runway” now has someone competing for actress in a limited series or motion picture made for television in a category also populated by titles from HBO, Showtime and Netflix.
“Dirty John,” based on a Los Angeles Times investigative series and podcast, is an adaptation of the story of Orange County businesswoman Debra Newell (Britton) and anesthesiologist John Meehan (played by Eric Bana), an online date who turns out to be a dangerous con man. The subject targets Bravo’s audience demographic, to be sure, but Britton’s performance helps elevate the piece from a routine woman-in-peril tale to something worth watching with full attention.
FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Golden Globes »
Britton, nominated once before for her work in “Nashville,” is competing against Amy Adams (“Sharp Objects,” HBO), Patricia Arquette (“Escape at Dannemora,” Showtime), Laura Dern (“The Tale,” HBO) and Regina King (“Seven Seconds,” Netflix). Of those other actresses, three have won one or more Golden Globes and one has been nominated three times.
Talk about making it work.
“[I]t’s Britton who does the heavy lifting of semi-willful obliviousness, and she’s great. Her best scenes are when, as the evidence mounts against John, denial begins to color her measured words and freeze her expression, like the faintest hint of a captive fragrance,” writer Robert Abele said in The Times’ review of the miniseries’ first three episodes.
The 76th Golden Globe Awards air on Jan. 6.
Movie surprises and snubs: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ scores big, while ‘Widows’ is shut out
It wouldn’t be an awards nominations morning without a few surprise mentions and snubbed contenders. From the mysteriously overlooked songs of “Mary Poppins Returns” to the unexpected recognition for Rosamund Pike and John C. Reilly, here are the top surprises and snubs from the 2019 Golden Globes nominations.
“Vice” might get the last laugh
Critics have yet to weigh in on Adam McKay‘s scathing biopic about Vice President Dick Cheney, which opens in wide release on Christmas Day, but The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. voted for it early and often. On the film side, the Annapurna title surprisingly led with six nominations, including a lead actor in a comedy or musical nomination for Christian Bale‘s transformative performance as Cheney and supporting mentions for Amy Adams’ portrayal of Lynne Cheney and Sam Rockwell’s take on George W. Bush. The movie was also acknowledged in the director and screenplay categories (both for McKay), as well as best motion picture comedy or musical.
“Widows” gets wiped out
Though the female-led crime thriller has collected critical acclaim for Steve McQueen’s clever direction, Viola Davis’ lead performance and Brian Tyree Henry’s supporting role, among other things, the Fox title was completely shut out of this year’s nominations. It’s unfortunate, as the ensemble movie -- also starring Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya and Liam Neeson -- also isn’t doing as well as it should at the box office, despite all the praise for its genre savvy and gritty realism (Gillian Flynn co-wrote the screenplay).
Reactions: Debra Messing on her nod and the ‘Will & Grace’ tradition of losing out on awards night
A nine-time nominee, “Will & Grace” star Debra Messing is no stranger to the Golden Globes — so much so that she allowed herself to sleep in on nominations morning.
But with her first nomination since the beloved comedy series mounted its comeback last year after 12 years off the air, Messing continues to be amazed by how much has gone right since the show returned for a second time around. “The whole thing has been a dream,” Messing said.
How did you get the news?
I was dead asleep and my publicist called and woke me up. It is the first time that I have slept through a nomination. I love the ceremony, and the tradition, and waking up at the crack of dawn and watching the names — it’s always been something I love. This time I just did not think it was possible that I would get nominated. So, for the first time I consciously said: “You know what, sleep in.” We filmed last night. I was like, “I could use some sleep.” The phone rang. I’ve had a perma-smile ever since.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ ‘This Is Us’ among biggest Golden Globes snubs and surprises
The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. solidified its love of new things during Thursday morning’s announcement of the Golden Globes television nominations. And its love of old things.
It’s just those pesky middle-aged things that HFPA isn’t as taken with.
Here are the five biggest snubs and surprises from this year’s batch of Golden Globe nominations.
Snub: Poor “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Even though the dystopian adaptation of the Margaret Atwood novel nabbed the award for drama series just last year, it’s already been cast to the curb — or the Colonies — like a common Unwoman. The show completely missed out on a drama series nomination this year, after the category saw 100% turnover from last year’s nominees.
Reactions: John David Washington is celebrating his ‘BlacKkKlansman’ nomination at SoulCycle
How are you feeling?
Grand. I feel really good right now. My father [Denzel] woke me up. He’s like, “It’s time, it’s time, let’s go!” We caught it on NBC. We obviously cheered when we heard Adam [Driver’s] name and Spike [Lee’s] name. And then it happened; I was overjoyed. My dad and I embraced each other so tightly. My mom is on the way to Chicago to audition for “Hamlet,” so we called her and had a prayer session and we were crying. I was having flashbacks of the NFL draft. It felt a bit like that, but it didn’t go like this. I was an undrafted free agent.
What did your parents say to you?
They were in tears, ’cause they know their baby boy has been working hard. My mom kept saying, “You’ve been working so hard.” And she’s so emotional, because she herself is getting on a plane to audition for Shakespeare. My pops brought up the “Glory” suit and the tape.
‘Yes, ma’am’: Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. promotes overseas TV drama with the Golden Globe-nominated series ‘Bodyguard’
First of all, no, the Golden Globe-nominated “Bodyguard” is not a reboot of the 1992 drama starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. That was “The Bodyguard,” and what a difference a definite article (and a sweeping cover of “I Will Always Love You”) makes.
In fact, “Bodyguard” is the six-episode British television drama that first aired on BBC One in August, earning more than 10 million viewers for its premiere, which was the largest number for a U.K. series in 10 years. Netflix, which was a producing partner for the series along with ITV Studios, brought the series to U.S. viewers through its streaming platform in October. The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. clearly took notice, nominating the show in best drama and its star, Richard Madden.
Madden, better known to American audiences as the late Robb Stark from “Game of Thrones,” plays David Budd, a PTSD-afflicted veteran of the war in Afghanistan who is assigned to protect a hawkish Home Secretary (Keeley Hawes, disappointingly not nominated). She, of course, was instrumental in sending troops to that region.
“I was pitched on this first concept of this bodyguard guy and not knowing if he was bad or good,” Madden told The Times in November. “That’s something I tried to hold on to as much as I could through the show, because it gives an ambiguity to him.”
The series features some electric moments of tension with its multiple terror plots and web of governmental conspiracies, and features a 98% rating on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. Still, not all critics were entirely convinced; The Times’ critic Robert Lloyd wrote, “Some elements of the series struck me as odd, including what seems an endorsement of the surveillance state, and certain climactic revelations had me talking to the screen.”
“Bodyguard” is the second show with U.K. roots in the Globes’ drama category alongside the hit BBC America series “Killing Eve.” Whether this will prove to be an advantage in a category that also includes the U.S.-produced “Homecoming,” “The Americans” and “Pose” will be revealed when the awards are announced in January.
From Kendrick to Dolly, listen to the nominees for original song
Announced Thursday morning, the Golden Globe nominations for original song in a motion picture run from the gamut from “Black Panther” to “A Star Is Born,” while saluting a broad range of artists (Kendrick Lamar, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Annie Lennox and Troye Sivan with Jónsi).
FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Golden Globe nominations
And the nominees for original song are...
“All the Stars” (from “Black Panther”)
“Girl in the Movies” (from “Dumplin’”)
“Requiem for a Private War” (from “A Private War”)
“Revelation” (from “Boy Erased”)
“Shallow” (from “A Star Is Born”)
Annapurna, Fox Searchlight score most film studio nominations, while FX Networks leads TV pack
Annapurna Pictures and Fox Searchlight tied for the film distributors with the most Golden Globe nominations Thursday morning, with 10 nods apiece.
Megan Ellison’s Annapurna scored nominations for the Dick Cheney biopic “Vice” and Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk,” while Searchlight garnered kudos for “The Favourite.” Walt Disney Co. was close behind with nine nominations, for movies including “Black Panther.”
FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Golden Globe nominations
In television, FX Networks was the leading network.
Nominations by film distributor:
- Annapurna Pictures: 10
- Fox Searchlight Pictures: 10
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures: 9
- Focus Features: 7
- Universal Pictures: 7
- Warner Bros. Pictures: 7
- Netflix: 5
- Sony Pictures Classics: 4
- Aviron Pictures: 2
- Twentieth Century Fox: 2
- A24: 1
- Amazon Studios: 1
- CBS Films: 1
- GKIDS: 1
- Magnolia Pictures: 1
- Paramount Pictures: 1
- Sony Pictures Releasing: 1
Nominations by TV network
- FX Networks: 10
- HBO: 9
- Amazon Prime Video: 9
- Netflix: 8
- Showtime: 6
- NBC: 3
- BBC America: 2
- Hulu: 2
- TNT: 2
- Bravo: 1
- CBS: 1
- National Geographic: 1
- Starz: 1
Golden Globes nominations deliver a big boost to ‘Vice,’ plus early Oscar front-runners ‘A Star Is Born,’ ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Green Book’
Nominations for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced Thursday morning, offering the first major indication of where this year’s awards-season winds may be blowing.
Some movies expected to do well, including “Roma,” “The Favourite” and “A Star is Born,” made strong showings, while “Vice,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Mary Poppins Returns” also got significant boosts.
In the drama category, the nominees were “Black Panther,” “BlacKkKlansman,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “A Star Is Born.” Only the second superhero movie to earn a Golden Globe best picture nomination following “Deadpool,” “Black Panther” could become the first comic-book movie to land in the best picture Oscar race.
Golden Globes nominations shut out female film directors — again
“And here are the all-male nominees.”
Natalie Portman made the condemning comment at the last Golden Globe Awards, when she was presenting the year’s contenders for best director. Standing onstage in a black gown — the agreed-upon sign to show solidarity with sexual assault victims and raise awareness for the new gender parity initiative Time’s Up — the actress-turned-director drew attention to the award show’s historical omission of female filmmakers: throughout its 75-year history, women have only been nominated for best director seven times.
However, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. must be quite fine with its problematic behavior, as Thursday morning’s nomination announcement again did not include any women directors. Instead, this year’s nominees for best director are Adam McKay (“Vice”), Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”), Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”), Peter Farrelly (“Green Book”) and Spike Lee “BlacKkKlansman”).
Golden Globes announce new award for career achievement in TV
The Golden Globes has announced a new honorary award for career achievement in television. The trophy will be given out starting with the 2019 ceremony.
The additional honor was announced by Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. President Meher Tatna at the top of the nominations event Thursday morning.
It will be the TV equivalent of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in film, which initially was given to its namesake and recently has gone to Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington and George Clooney.
No name has yet been attached to the new award, which will be presented at the Golden Globes ceremony Jan. 6.
‘Vice,’ ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ lead 2019 Golden Globe nominations
And the nominees are…
The nominations for the 76th Golden Globes were unveiled this morning in Los Angeles, with Terry Crews, Danai Gurira, Leslie Mann and Christian Slater sharing announcement duties.
On the film side, the biopic ‘Vice’ was the leader with six nominations, including best motion picture comedy or musical. On the TV side, ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ came out on top.
The Golden Globe Awards are scheduled to air live on NBC from the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 6, at 5 p.m. (Pacific).
Check out the full list of nominees at the link below
How to watch the Golden Globe nominations announcement live
This morning, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. will unveil the nominees for the 76th Golden Globe Awards live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Terry Crews (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Danai Gurira (“Black Panther,” “The Walking Dead”), Leslie Mann (“Knocked Up,” “This Is 40”) and Christian Slater (“Mr. Robot”) will be on hand to announce the nominees, and thankfully there’s no need to make the trek to Beverly Hills to be the first to hear the nominees in all 25 categories.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. will livestream the announcement beginning at 5:05 a.m. Pacific with the first group of categories set to start at 5:15 a.m. The second group of categories will kick off shortly after 5:30 a.m.
The 76th Golden Globe Awards will air Jan. 6, live at 5 p.m. Pacific, on NBC.
Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg to co-host 2019 Golden Globes
“Killing Eve” will meet “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” at the 76th Golden Globe Awards next month now that Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg have been announced as co-hosts of the annual show.
“They bring wit, charm and style to a room filled with the very best of film and television. It’s sure to be another unforgettable fun-filled night,” said NBC co-chairmen Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks in a statement on Wednesday.
Golden Globes nominations preview: 5 things to watch for, including ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ vs. ‘Roma’
At the Governors Awards three years ago, I was talking to “The Martian” screenwriter Drew Goddard about the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.’s placement of the space film in the comedy/musical category.
“These days, it’s almost impossible to classify a lot of things,” Goddard said. “I mean, I never would have considered ‘Birdman’ a comedy.”
Ridley Scott, director of “The Martian,” ambled over. Told that his movie would be competing in the Globes’ comedy/musical category, he paused, took in the news and asked, “You mean we’re up against movies like ‘Ted’?”
Yup. Scott responded with the only appropriate reaction when the subject is the Golden Globes: He laughed derisively and raised his hands, palms up, making the universal “what are you going to do?” gesture.
And, yes, “The Martian,” won that Globe. (Oscar best picture winner “Birdman,” by the way, did not, losing to “The Grand Budapest Hotel” the year before.)
Sporting separate categories for drama and comedy/musical, the Golden Globes nominations — to be announced Thursday in two rounds beginning at 5:15 a.m. PST — are often most interesting for the glimpses of awards season strategy. With that in mind, here are five questions worth raising this year.
Our Golden Globe nomination predictions
No category classification should come as a shock with the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. and the Golden Globes. After all, this is a group that allowed “The Martian,” Ridley Scott’s brainy sci-fi adventure, to be called a comedy. (Scott was not amused.)
This year, for those keeping score: “Mary Poppins Returns” is a musical. “A Star Is Born” is not. “Green Book,” a period drama that looks at racial divides in America, is a comedy, as is (probably) “Vice,” Adam McKay’s scathing look at the life of Dick Cheney.
As we laugh through our tears, here’s an early look at what might be nominated when the HFPA reveals its picks on Thursday.
Golden Globes shout-out boosts the profile of journalism advocacy groups
Joel Simon was on the phone catching up with his dad two years ago while his wife and kids watched the Golden Globes. Meryl Streep was accepting the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime honor, and when Simon, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, heard Streep say, “We need the principled press to hold power to account,” he told his dad he’d have to call him back.
Simon walked into the living room just as Streep called on the “famously well-heeled Hollywood Foreign Press,” the group that doles out the Globes, and everyone in the Beverly Hilton ballroom to support the Committee to Protect Journalists.
“We are going to need them going forward, and they’ll need us to safeguard the truth,” Streep said, speaking shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“I was completely surprised,” Simon said.
Flash forward a year later and Simon was attending the Golden Globes when Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. President Meher Tatna announced that the group was donating $1 million to both the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.