First of all, RIP to David Bowie. I’ll probably be listening to “Modern Love”, “Heroes”, “Space Oddity”, “Life On Mars?”, etc. again tonight. What a musician.
Second of all, let’s head on down the winners’ list for the 73rd Golden Globes.
Best Motion Picture: I’m really, really surprised that The Revenant won. I think it’s a great movie, but I thought that Spotlight pretty much had it locked down; nevertheless, this makes the race for the Oscar slightly more interesting. As for The Martian, I’m pretty ambivalent about the film overall (I’d have gone with The Big Short myself), but I do have to say this: this is nowhere near as baffling a “comedy” nomination/win as some others have been in the past. I get that the premise isn’t exactly the most comedic in the world, but people seem to be forgetting that the movie is pretty damn funny. I feel like it runs on jokes, no matter how bleak its premise may be. I am 100% fine with this in the comedy category.
Best Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture: I think Brie Larson absolutely deserves this for her difficult and heartbreaking performance, and I love her so much. I’m so happy that her, Oscar Isaac, and Walton Goggins–three previously underrated actors–finally get big roles this year. And speaking of Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay deserves a shoutout as well. Also, the Lead Actor field is weak this year, but Leonardo DiCaprio is consistently excellent. I would be shocked if he didn’t walk away with his first Oscar in February.
*In a perfect world, Nina Hoss would’ve been nominated for Phoenix.
Best Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy: There was a significant amount of comedy in Damon’s performance–I cannot stress this enough–and he did it well (I’d go with Carell here, though). As for Jennifer Lawrence, I’m tired of her winning stuff; she’s solid in Joy, but was it an award-worthy performance? Ehh. Also, how in the hell does Mark Ruffalo get nominated here, but not for Spotlight?
Best Supporting Actor/Actress: Kate Winslet, why are you surprised? You’re KATE WINSLET. Also, I think JJL and Alicia Vikander were both much better than Winslet was. Stallone did a great job, and I don’t really have any problem with him winning this one.
Best Director/Screenplay: Sorry, George Miller. Also, as great of a writer as Sorkin can be, he annoys me so much.
Best Score/Song: Tarantino is such an odd person. Anyway, Morricone would be my pick as well, and my pick for Best Song would most likely not be that of Professional Wailer Sam Smith.
Best Animated/Foreign Language Film: Anomalisa versus Inside Out is such a bizarre competition, but I would’ve been happy with either one. I haven’t seen any of the foreign language ones except Son of Saul, which was great. I’m sad that Phoenix isn’t here, though.
TELEVISION
Best Drama/Comedy Series: Mr. Robot is my pick of the nominations, and “Of the nominations” is key because this category is severely lacking in the actual best dramas on television. As for Mozart in the Jungle, I’m just confused.
Best Actor/Actress-Drama Series: Jon Hamm. Well deserved. Same for Henson, and I’m just glad Eva Green was even nominated at all. Once again, though…severely lacking in Rhys, Russell, Mikkelsen, Dancy, Young, etc. etc. etc.
Best Actor/Actress-Musical or Comedy: I think 99.9% of people thought Jeffrey Tambor was going to win. Guess not! On the other side, I’ve heard good things about Rachel Bloom, but I haven’t gotten around to watching the show yet. Of course, I must give a shoutout to the phenomenal Aya Cash.
Best Actor/Actress-Miniseries or Television Film: I thought all was right in the world when Oscar Isaac won, and then I realized that was not the case when Lady Gaga won.
Best Supporting Actor/Actress: No problems with Maura Tierney’s win, and although I’d have preferred Ben Mendelsohn, I’m behind the decision to give it to Slater.
Best Miniseries/TV Film: I haven’t seen Wolf Hall, so I won’t pass judgment on that winning over Fargo (which I thought was good, not great).
Photo credit: 73rd Golden Globe Awards, NBC
Polar Bears Watch TV 
DiCaprio, Gaga, Isaac, Lawrence, and Morricone.
While I was thrilled with most of it..i.e., The Revenant, Leo, Sly etc.. and I truly saw only 1 complete travesty and that was Lady Gaga..whom I love music-wise, but truly, not even the hottness of Wittrock, Bomer & Jackson can save AHS from being a bad show, but that she won as she truly doesn’t act..except as herself – no stretch there. This will be known as the #PiaZadorawinnumbertwo forever.. ha! Also, I know you love Brie Larson..I’m still baffled by it, but it’s like Arquette of last year – and while I’m not mad as I predicted it, it still kinda saddens me that others much more deserving will miss out. And as the fact that you note the child Jacob Tremblay getting acclaim, which to be fair he was good for a child’s performance, but the fact that you..and most are not even mentioning Abraham Attah in this category as his was a performance of almost adult quality as a child. Now HE deserves to be nominated. But that film is such a hard watch, I guess many choose to overlook it. And while I love Oscar Isaac to pieces.. that was such a slow series.. Idris really deserved that award. Luther is just outstanding time & time again. I love Mr. Robot winning..worst name for the best show!!! tho was a bit baffled on the Christian Slater win, I do like when they change things up some. Like Sly..oh Sly.. that was quite emotional actually.. that’s my hardest category as they all deserve it so much. Also not a Son of Saul fan..Mustang was just simply wonderful & would be my pick..ahhh well.. I guess it’s not that bad as I only got 7 things wrong and those were mostly TV.. I did pretty well for the 1st awards show of the season!! 😀
Excellent call on Abraham Attah. I’ve been making my film performances list, and he’s steady in the top 10, maybe even top 5. And Idris was great in it as well (haven’t seen Luther though).
I will definitely have to see Mustang at some point! And as for Brie Larson, I have to say that her role was more difficult to pull off than Arquette’s last year…like you, I’m a little iffy on that performance.
100% agree on Gaga. I just don’t understand.