Surprises and snubs at Thursday's Golden Globe nominations
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - It's not as if any huge shockers emerged from the Golden Globe nominations Thursday. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" led the field with five apiece, which makes absolute sense - they're all polished, starry, classic awards-season fare.
But still, there were a few surprises and snubs:
-A DARK DAY FOR "THE DARK KNIGHT": Heath Ledger was the only nominee from the blockbuster Batman saga, deservedly receiving a posthumous supporting-actor nomination for his riveting turn as the Joker. It's something we all expected, but director Christopher Nolan's epic actioner has been earning awards buzz across the board, with talk that it could even find itself among the best-picture contenders at the Academy Awards.
-ALONG THOSE LINES: Sean Penn was the only nominee from "Milk," being duly recognized for his richly charismatic depiction of gay politician and civil rights leader Harvey Milk, who was shot to death in 1978. Again, this is one of those movies that has been considered a front-runner all along for top awards; the New York Film Critics Circle chose it as the year's best this past week.
-I COULDN'T HELP BUT WONDER: How did the "Sex and the City" get shut out entirely? The hugely anticipated screen version of the trendsetting HBO series made $153 million in the United States, and its splashy crowd-pleasing nature would seem to make it a natural at the Globes. But it didn't get nominated for best comedy, for star Sarah Jessica Parker or for any of the supporting performances from Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall or Kristin Davis. The red carpet just got a little less glamorous.
-DOWN AND OUT DOWN UNDER: Despite its ambition, wide scope and striking imagery, "Australia" continues to be a letdown. Baz Luhrmann's homage to romantic adventure film, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, also failed to get a single nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. It's gotten mixed reviews and has only made about $32 million since its Nov. 26 opening.
-GET OFFA HIS LAWN: Clint Eastwood received nominations for his score and the original song he co-wrote (and sang a bit in) for "Gran Torino," which isn't a big surprise. A longtime jazz lover, he's been writing the music for his films for many years, and previously was nominated for a Golden Globe for "Million Dollar Baby." But best-actor buzz has been building for his funny, roaring performance as a cantankerous bigot who battles the violence in his Detroit neighbourhood, and he was left out of that race Thursday.
-ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID: Michael Sheen unfortunately was overlooked again, despite consistently providing solid work opposite showier performers in splashier roles. Two years ago, it was as Tony Blair in "The Queen," in which Helen Mirren reigned supreme. Now, it's as David Frost in "Frost/Nixon," for which his co-star, Frank Langella, received a best-actor nomination as Richard Nixon.
-A LITTLE HUMOUR: Smaller movies dominated the best comedy or musical category, between "In Bruges," "Happy-Go-Lucky" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Even "Burn After Reading," with its superstar cast including Brad Pitt and George Clooney, has a quirky Coen brothers esthetic. The ABBA-centric "Mamma Mia!", the other nominee, was the only traditional choice.
Gordie Sampson, Matt Mays, El Torpedo vie for ECMA honours
Cape Breton singer-songwriter and producer Gordie Sampson, and Halifax rockers Matt Mays and El Torpedo top a list of Atlantic Canadians vying for trophies at the 2009 East Coast Music Awards.
Nashville-based Sampson — who has made a name for himself writing hits for the likes of Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Bon Jovi — scored five nominations, including best songwriter and recording of the year for his latest solo album For the Few and Far Between.
Matt Mays and El Torpedo also netted five nominations, with the band's album Terminal Romance to battle Sampson in categories such as songwriter and recording of the year.
Rounding out the best recording category are Halifax's Jill Barber for Chances and two Newfoundland acts: Damhnait Doyle for her album of covers Lights Down Low and Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood) by indie rock outfit Hey Rosetta!
Besides Sampson and Mays, other best songwriter contenders include Asif Illyas for U Dream (performed by Halifax pop group MIR), Tim Baker for New Goodbye (performed by St. John's-based Hey Rosetta!) and Halifax's Christina Martin for her song Two Hearts.
Other artists who picked up multiple nominations include David Myles, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Troy MacGillivray & Shane Cook, Hot Toddy and Vishten.
The mix of nominees reflects "the vibrant musical diversity among East Coast artists, from well-established and popular bands and musicians to fresh new faces and sounds," ECMA chair Wade Pinhorn said in a statement.
A complete list of nominees is available on the East Coast Music Association website.
The roving East Coast Music Association industry conference and awards will descend on Corner Brook, N.L., for its next edition, which gets underway Feb. 26 and ends March 1.
'In Bruges' emerges as unlikely Globes contender
Though "In Bruges" was released in February — an eternity away from the fall premieres of most awards-seeking films — the Colin Farrell film emerged as an unlikely contender at the Golden Globes.
"In Bruges" scored three nominations from the Globes on Thursday, including best picture for a musical or comedy and dueling best actor in a musical or comedy nominations for Farrell and his co-star Brendan Gleeson — a first for each.
Written and directed by playwright Martin McDonagh, the film received good but mixed reviews, and grossed less than $8 million at the U.S. box office. In it, Farrell and Gleeson play hit men laid up in the picturesque and quaint town of Bruges, Belgium.
"It had been brought to my attention by people that it was a possibility, a dark-horse possibility, for getting some recognition, but I really, really didn't expect it," Farrell said Thursday. "It had been released in the early part of the year, it didn't do huge money, it wasn't seen by that many people. But it's a testament to (McDonough's) writing in his film debut that it obviously struck a chord with them."
Speaking by phone Thursday from London, Gleeson — recognized by many as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody from the "Harry Potter" films — said he was surprised at his nomination and the attention to "In Bruges."
"It's a matter of total mystery to me how all of this happens," said Gleeson. "But it's absolutely fantastic that the film has a life."
The movie's Golden Globe success may have been partially indebted to its Anglo-Irish production and Belgian setting. The Globes nominees are selected through the slightly European perspective of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
"In Bruges" also fared well with the British Independent Awards, where it was nominated for six awards and won for best screenplay.
Though Globes success can often spell good things for a film's Oscar prospects, that's unlikely in this case: Unlike the Academy Awards, the Globes split films between dramas and comedies, giving comedies more attention.
It's debatable how much of a comedy "In Bruges" is — it's at least as dramatic as it is comedic. But Gleeson, chuckling, makes one thing clear: "It's not a musical!"
'Button,' 'Frost/Nixon,' 'Doubt' grab 5 Globe noms
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Frost/Nixon" led the Golden Globes on Thursday with five nominations each, among them best drama, while "Doubt" also has five, including four acting slots.
Other best-drama nominees: "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road" and "Slumdog Millionare."
Meryl Streep had two nominations, best dramatic actress for "Doubt" and musical or comedy actress for "Mamma Mia!"; and Kate Winslet also had two, best actress for "Revolutionary Road" and supporting-actress for "The Reader."
Also chosen for dramatic actress were: Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"; Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"; and Kristin Scott Thomas, "I've Loved You So Long."
Nominees for dramatic actor were Leonardo DiCaprio, "Revolutionary Road"; Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Brad Pitt, "Benjamin Button"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; and Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."
"Doubt" also scored supporting nominations for Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis, plus a screenplay slot for director John Patrick Shanley, who adapted his Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
The year's biggest hit, the Batman blockbuster, "The Dark Knight," came in with strong awards buzz across the board but had only one nomination, supporting actor for Heath Ledger as the Joker.
The Harvey Milk film biography "Milk" also had been at the top of awards watchers' lists but only grabbed an acting nomination for Penn.
Clint Eastwood had two music nominations for his "Changeling" score and for co-writing the title song for "Gran Torino." But he missed out on directing nominations for both films and for an acting slot in "Gran Torino," in which he starred.
Along with "Mamma Mia!", nominated for best musical or comedy were "Burn After Reading," "Happy-Go-Lucky," "In Bruges" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION 2008 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures
b. FROST/NIXON
Imagine Entertainment, Working Title, Studio Canal; Universal Pictures
c. THE READER
Mirage Enterprises; The Weinstein Company
d. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
An Evamere Entertainment BBC Films Neal Street Production; DreamWorks Pictures in Association with BBC Films and Paramount Vantage
e. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.; Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.
2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. ANNE HATHAWAY RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
b. ANGELINA JOLIE CHANGELING
c. MERYL STREEP DOUBT
d. KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG
(IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
e. KATE WINSLET REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. LEONARDO DICAPRIO REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
b. FRANK LANGELLA FROST/NIXON
c. SEAN PENN MILK
d. BRAD PITT THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
e. MICKEY ROURKE THE WRESTLER
4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. BURN AFTER READING
Working Title/Releasing Company; Focus Features in association with Studio Canal
b. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Summit Entertainment, Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Miramax Films; Miramax Films
c. IN BRUGES
Blueprint Pictures; Focus Features
d. MAMMA MIA!
Relativity Media, Playtone, Littlestar; Universal Pictures
e. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Mediapro; The Weinstein Company
5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. REBECCA HALL VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. SALLY HAWKINS HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
c. FRANCES MCDORMAND BURN AFTER READING
d. MERYL STREEP MAMMA MIA!
e. EMMA THOMPSON LAST CHANCE HARVEY
6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. JAVIER BARDEM VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. COLIN FARRELL IN BRUGES
c. JAMES FRANCO PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
d. BRENDAN GLEESON IN BRUGES
e. DUSTIN HOFFMAN LAST CHANCE HARVEY
7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
a. BOLT
Walt Disney Pictures; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
b. KUNG FU PANDA
DreamWorks Animation SKG; Paramount Pictures
c. WALL-E
Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
a. THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (GERMANY)
(DER BADDER MEINHOF KOMPLEX)
Constantin Film Produktion GmbH; Summit Entertainment, LLC
b. EVERLASTING MOMENTS (SWEDEN/DENMARK)
(MARIA LARSSONS EVIGA ÖGONBLICK)
Final Cut Productions Aps; IFC Films
c. GOMORRAH (ITALY)
(GOMORRA)
Fandango; IFC Films
d. I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (FRANCE)
(IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
UGC YM/UGC Images/France 3 Cinema/Integral Film; Sony Pictures Classics
e. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (ISRAEL)
Bridgit Folman Film Gang/Les Films D'Ici/Razor Films/Arte France/ITVS International; Sony Pictures Classics
9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a. AMY ADAMS DOUBT
b. PENELOPE CRUZ VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
c. VIOLA DAVIS DOUBT
d. MARISA TOMEI THE WRESTLER
e. KATE WINSLET THE READER
10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a. TOM CRUISE TROPIC THUNDER
b. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. TROPIC THUNDER
c. RALPH FIENNES THE DUCHESS
d. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN DOUBT
e. HEATH LEDGER THE DARK KNIGHT
11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
a. DANNY BOYLE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. STEPHEN DALDRY THE READER
c. DAVID FINCHER THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
d. RON HOWARD FROST/NIXON
e. SAM MENDES REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
a. SIMON BEAUFOY SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. DAVID HARE THE READER
c. PETER MORGAN FROST/NIXON
d. ERIC ROTH THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
e. JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY DOUBT
13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
a. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
b. CLINT EASTWOOD CHANGELING
c. JAMES NEWTON HOWARD DEFIANCE
d. A. R. RAHMAN SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
e. HANS ZIMMER FROST/NIXON
14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
a. “DOWN TO EARTH” — WALL-E
Music by: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman
Lyrics by: Peter Gabriel
b. “GRAN TORINO” — GRAN TORINO
Music by: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
Lyrics by: Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
c. “I THOUGHT I LOST YOU” — BOLT
Music & Lyrics by: Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
d. “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” — CADILLAC RECORDS
Music & Lyrics by: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
e. “THE WRESTLER” — THE WRESTLER
Music & Lyrics by: Bruce Springsteen
15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Showtime/John Goldwyn Productions/The Colleton Company/Clyde Phillips Productions
b. HOUSE (FOX)
Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions
c. IN TREATMENT (HBO)
Sheleg, Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
d. MAD MEN (AMC)
Lionsgate Television
e. TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Your Face Goes Here Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. SALLY FIELD BROTHERS AND SISTERS
b. MARISKA HARGITAY LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS
UNIT
c. JANUARY JONES MAD MEN
d. ANNA PAQUIN TRUE BLOOD
e. KYRA SEDGWICK THE CLOSER
17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. GABRIEL BYRNE IN TREATMENT
b. MICHAEL C. HALL DEXTER
c. JON HAMM MAD MEN
d. HUGH LAURIE HOUSE
e. JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS THE TUDORS
18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. 30 ROCK (NBC)
Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little
Stranger Inc.
b. CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
Showtime Presents in association with Aggressive Mediocrity, And Then...
c. ENTOURAGE (HBO)
Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
d. THE OFFICE (NBC)
Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios
e. WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
Lionsgate Television
19. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. CHRISTINA APPLEGATE SAMANTHA WHO?
b. AMERICA FERRERA UGLY BETTY
c. TINA FEY 30 ROCK
d. DEBRA MESSING THE STARTER WIFE
e. MARY-LOUISE PARKER WEEDS
20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. ALEC BALDWIN 30 ROCK
b. STEVE CARELL THE OFFICE
c. KEVIN CONNOLLY ENTOURAGE
d. DAVID DUCHOVNY CALIFORNICATION
e. TONY SHALHOUB MONK
21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. A RAISIN IN THE SUN (ABC)
Sony Pictures Television
b. BERNARD AND DORIS (HBO)
Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films
c. CRANFORD (PBS)
A Co-Production of BBC and WGBH Boston.
d. JOHN ADAMS (HBO)
Playtone in association with HBO Films
e. RECOUNT (HBO)
Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films
22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. JUDI DENCH CRANFORD
b. CATHERINE KEENER AN AMERICAN CRIME
c. LAURA LINNEY JOHN ADAMS
d. SHIRLEY MACLAINE COCO CHANEL
e. SUSAN SARANDON BERNARD AND DORIS
23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. RALPH FIENNES BERNARD AND DORIS
b. PAUL GIAMATTI JOHN ADAMS
c. KEVIN SPACEY RECOUNT
d. KIEFER SUTHERLAND 24: REDEMPTION
e. TOM WILKINSON RECOUNT
24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. EILEEN ATKINS CRANFORD
b. LAURA DERN RECOUNT
c. MELISSA GEORGE IN TREATMENT
d. RACHEL GRIFFITHS BROTHERS AND SISTERS
e. DIANNE WIEST IN TREATMENT
25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
b. DENIS LEARY RECOUNT
c. JEREMY PIVEN ENTOURAGE
d. BLAIR UNDERWOOD IN TREATMENT
e. TOM WILKINSON JOHN ADAMS