The Golden Globes Are Bullshit

But I'll still post my reactions to the winners and losers. I didn't watch the show tonight, as I had tickets for The Arcade Fire at the Troubadour (an incredible show I'll review tomorrow). But I've found a roundup of the results.

Before we get to the awards, I thought you all might not know The Truth about the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocation, the organization putting on these so-called awards. The Truth is, they're just a bunch of Los Angeles journalists/junket whores who enjoy all the free swag and goodies studios have to offer come award season. To quote TV Barn:

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which stages the Golden Globes, is comprised of between seven- and eight-dozen part- or full-time reporters, all of whom are based in Los Angeles for international publications. The organization has limited its membership to a fraction of the number of foreign reporters who cover the entertainment industry. In large part, this has been done to prevent its rather substantial kitty – from which benefits and travel expenses are drawn (and charitable donations) -- from being sliced too thin.

As a whole, the HFPA is a rather cranky, unkempt and demanding lot. The studios accord to its membership exclusive screenings, press conferences and access to stars of movies and TV shows at private receptions. Members are free to participate in all-expenses-paid junkets to exotic locations and, until recently, as much swag as they could fit into their closets.

The most famous example of HFPA "payola" involved Pia Zadora. She won "Best New Star" in 1982 for Butterfly, a film which everyone on Earth basically agreed was awful. She's the only woman to win both the Golden Globe and The Razzie in the same year for the same film. And, of course, it came out that her billionaire husband had "donated" a good deal of money to the HFPA around the same time as Zadora's unexpected win. Hmmm...

So, anyway, the Golden Globes are bullshit. Meaningless as anything other than an early predictor of who will win the Oscars. The only people who should care at all about this crap are Hollywood PR types. But, anyway, here's my thoughts on some of the winners:

Best Motion Picture - Drama
THE AVIATOR

A fine selection. I hope this film does well at the Oscars. Along with Sideways, it's the major player in contention for big awards that's actually a great film I enjoyed. Please note, I still have not seen Million Dollar Baby, though I fully intend to soon.

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture - Drama
HILARY SWANK, MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Haven't seen it. I'm sure Swank is great. But I'm disappointed that Uma Thurman didn't win for Kill Bill 2 after her surprise nomination.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture - Drama
LEONARDO DICAPRIO, THE AVIATOR

I had read some analyst earlier this week theorizing Depp would win for Finding Neverland. Thank God that shitkicker was shut out.

Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy
SIDEWAYS

Out of the nominees, I'd have gone with Eternal Sunshine, but this would have been my second choice. A great film, and one of my favorites this year. Now, if only Giamatti's performance had won.

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy
ANNETTE BENING, BEING JULIA

Did not see this film. In fact, the only actress nominated from a film I've seen was Kate Winslet for Eternal Sunshine.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture -Musical Or Comedy
JAMIE FOXX, RAY

Duh. This one was an easy call, though both Jim Carrey and Paul Giamatti did exceptional work this year.

Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture
NATALIE PORTMAN, CLOSER

This is a surprise. Portman edged out favorite Virginia Madsen from Sideways and the amazing Cate Blanchett from Aviator. She was great in this role, however, and it kind of introduced her as a grown-up, mature actress. Plus, you get to see her in a thong, which is award-worthy in and of itself.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture
CLIVE OWEN, CLOSER

Clive is finally getting the recognition he deserves Stateside. He would have been my pick out of this category, as much as it pains me to overlook Carradine and Thomas Haden Church.

Best Director - Motion Picture
CLINT EASTWOOD, MILLION DOLLAR BABY

The only nominated director whose film I have not seen. I'll have to get to it some day soon.

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
ALEXANDER PAYNE & JIM TAYLOR, SIDEWAYS

Again, I'd have probably picked Eternal Sunshine, but this would be the silver medal. Fortunately, the two best scripts of the year won't have to compete head-on at the Oscars. Sideways will compete as an adaptation, while Eternal Sunshine is an original screenplay by Charlie Kaufman.

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
HOWARD SHORE, THE AVIATOR

I preferred Rolfe Kent's jazz score from Sideways or Explosions in the Sky's unnominated work from Friday Night Lights.

Best Television Series - Drama
NIP/TUCK

I like Nip/Tuck, but it's not as good as Sopranos or Deadwood.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Drama
IAN MCSHANE, DEADWOOD

Most deserving performer on television this season, hands down. McShane makes this already great show even more stellar. Swearengen is a classic, classic character, a villain who's also the most relatable, likable character on the entire show.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
JASON BATEMAN, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

Bateman's good on Arrested Development. But I'm just so thankful that Zach Braff didn't win this for Scrubs. Can you believe he was nominated? Didn't I tell you the Golden Globes were bullshit?