Awards season is in full swing with members and voters determining the best films of the year. It’s currently a countdown to the biggest night of—The Academy Awards. Studios are campaigning left and right for their pictures to noticed by critics and viewers alike. With some of the same movies and actors getting noticed, we usually have a clue about who will be the big winners of the year.
This morning, the Hollywood Foreign Press announced their nominees for the 2017 Golden Globes, and it was semi predictable. While there were some picks that everyone could see from a mile away, there were some also big surprises and upsets. Here is the list of the biggest snubs and surprises of the 2017 nominations.
Movie Surprise: Lion for Best Motion Picture-Drama
Lion has been making its way around the festival circuits but had never really been in the talks for the Best picture awards. People thought that it was a tad melodramatic for their tastes and felt more superficial than anything else. But since Slumdog Millionaire was a big winner in 2008, it makes sense that this would get a little recognition.
Movie Snub: Arrival for Best Motion Picture-Drama
A lot of folks went into Arrival thinking it was going to be a cliche alien invasion blockbuster. What they got was an incredibly smart and symbolic piece that was hardly about monsters at all. Eric Heisserer and Denis Villeneuve teamed up to create a stunning experience in both direction and screenplay. It’s sad that, once again, a genre film could not break through the Oscar bait barrier.
Movie Surprise: Sing Street for Best Motion Picture- Comedy
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Sing Street is one of those gems that was unfairly hidden under the radar. This coming of age story had a plethora of catchy original songs and a cast of talented youngsters. It was funny, sad, and really illustrated the financial hardships that the Irish had to go through in the 1980’s. Maybe this nomination will finally get people to notice this amazing film. FYI: It’s currently on Netflix.
Movie Snub: The Nice Guys for Best Motion Picture- Comedy
Shane Black is the king of buddy cop comedies. His dialogue is so on point that you can’t help but wonder if he’s based his leads on real people. The Nice Guys was quickly overshadowed by the start of the blockbuster season, and it’s quite a shame.
Movie Surprise: Deadpool for Best Motion Picture- Comedy
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After last year’s backlash with The Martian winning in the comedy category, it looks like The Hollywood Foreign Press is looking to cover their bases. Deadpool is a very surprising pick for an awards show, but fitting for the comedy category. Deadpool had a clever script and accomplished a lot with a low budget. I’m happy that it’s at least getting recognized.
Movie Surprise: Viggo Mortensen for Best Actor in a Motion Picture- Drama
Could this be a sign of Viggo Mortensen’s comeback? Captain Fantastic was, in lack of a better a word, a fantastic film. Though the film went under the radar for moviegoers, the critics found it very charming. Even though he most likely doesn’t stand a chance against Casey Affleck or Denzel Washington, this goes to show that his performance didn’t go unnoticed.
Movie Snub: Adam Driver for Best Actor in a Motion Picture- Drama
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Adam Driver hasn’t been a stranger to Emmy nominations, but he had been raking in awards buzz for his role as the quiet bus driver in Paterson. Driver is very much a “facial actor” and uses his emotions to convey what he is saying. In a film that shows the beauty of normality and routine, Driver did so much with so little.
Movie Surprise: Ryan Reynolds for Best Actor in a Motion Picture- Comedy
Deadpool was Ryan Reynolds’ baby that he desperately wanted to get off the ground. After seeing his performance as the merc with the mouth, there’s no one else who could replace him. He embraces that sarcasm and dirty humor and truly makes that character his own. It’s not common for a superhero character to get nominated for the big awards, but Reynolds’ portrayal actually makes sense.
Television Snub: The Americans for Best Series- Drama
It’s been three seasons now; How long must The Americans suffer until they get a best series nomination? The Americans’ lack of popularity is most likely the key factor, but seeing as how the leads both got nominations, it’s about time that they get recognized in the big leagues.
Television Surprise: This is Us for Best Series- Drama
This is Us’s tearjerker ratings guaranteed it an eventual nomination but it’s surprising that it’s so soon. People were so quick to jump on board with this show and have grown to love the characters and storylines. It’s up against some pretty big contenders, but if it were to win, that would be a huge deal.
Movie Snub: Taraji P. Henson for Best Actress in a Motion Picture- Comedy
Hidden Figures costar, Octavia Spencer, was able to secure a nomination for best supporting actress in the based on a true story drama. Unfortunately, Taraji P. Henson was not so lucky even though this character is complete opposite of the dominant Cookie in Empire.
Movie Surprise: Hailee Steinfeld for Best Actress in a Motion Picture- Comedy
Even though Edge of Seventeen didn’t get the love it deserved, it’s great to see Hailee Steinfeld get some recognition. She had been on the down low for a few years after her debut in True Grit. Her portrayal as a teenager who’s trying to find her place in the world sounds cliche, but Steinfeld is able to separate herself from the stereotypical teenage roles.
Television Snub: Divorce for Best Television Series- Comedy
Divorce hasn’t been doing too well in regards to ratings, but critics and its devoted fanbase seem to love it. It’s strange that this show wasn’t nominated, considering that Sarah Jessica Parker got a nomination for Best Actress.
Television Surprise: Riz Ahmed for Best Actor in a Mini Series
In terms of diversity, television has vastly improved compared to film. There have been many more recognitions for actors of color whether it be in Blackish or Atlanta. Riz Ahmed is a great surprise because Middle Eastern actors have yet to get their time to shine. He’s a genuinely talented individual, and hopefully his recognition paves the way for more Middle Eastern actors to get their chance.
Movie Snub: Michael Shannon for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Nocturnal Animals had plenty of problems but Michael Shannon wasn’t one of them. As a crusty, rogue detective, his ideas for exacting revenge weren’t exactly in the books. Bordering on satirical, Shannon proved that he also excels in the pulpy and hardboiled crime genre.
Movie Surprise: Jeff Bridges for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Even though Hell or High Water got a couple of nominations, Jeff Bridges kind of came out nowhere. He put on a wonderful performance as usual, but either Ben Foster or Chris Pine should have gotten the spot.
Television Snub: Anthony Hopkins for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Role
Best supporting actor was probably one of the hardest categories to qualify for in television. Everyone listed was worthy of a nomination, but there were still so many who could have been on there. One big snub was Anthony Hopkins. He had two roles this year that he could have qualified for (Westworld and The Dresser) but he couldn’t get a bite from either of them.
Television Snub: Lakeith Stanfield for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Role
Donald Glover and his show, Atlanta have garnered their own nominations this year, but breakout actor Lakeith Stanfield was sadly ignored. Will he pull a Kanye West and take the mic from the winner like he did at last weekend’s Critic’s Choice Awards?
Movie Surprise: Aaron Taylor Johnson for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
I almost feel bad for loving Aaron Taylor Johnson’s performance Nocturnal Animals. He was so menacing and slimy that I wanted to look away but couldn’t. As someone who is usually known for franchises, this is a nomination is a positive step for his career. He proved that he can be more than just a wooden character, and he more than deserves this recognition.
Movie Surprise: Mel Gibson for Best Director
After being in movie jail for over ten years, Mel Gibson is finally back in the director’s seat with his critically acclaimed Hacksaw Ridge. People are calling it one of the best war films of all time and that Gibson’s direction is one of the biggest reasons for it. But will his past be forgotten by voters?
Movie Snub: Denis Villeneuve for Best Director
What does the Hollywood Foreign Press have against Denis Villeneuve? He has been continuously snubbed for fantastic films such as Prisoners and Sicario. I’ve got to give props to him though; he has not succumbed to “Oscar bait” films yet, and has continuously made wonderful genre pictures. One day, the voters will appreciate that.
Movie Surprise: City of Stars for Best Original Song
Now I’m not surprised that La La Land got a nomination for original song (I was completely expecting it), but I was thinking that they would go with one of their bigger ensemble pieces. “City of Stars” is a very intimate song but one of the weaker selections compared to “Another Day of Sun” or “Someone in the Crowd.” Because of that, the competition between that and Moana’s “We Know the Way” might be closer than anticipated.
Movie Snub: Martin Scorsese for Best Director
After all of the trouble getting Silence released in time for awards season, it seems that Martin Scorsese is leaving empty handed. It’s a little sad on account that this was his 23 year old passion project and it had been getting great reviews. The Golden Globes aren’t the Oscars so this may not be any sweat off Scorsese’s back, but it’s still a little surprising.
Movie Surprise: My Life as a Zucchini for Best Animated Feature
It feels like forever since the last time Pixar was not nominated for Best animated Feature. So to see Finding Dory’s spot taken by a little film called My Life as a Zucchini is a huge deal. The French film is a claymation piece, told through the eyes of a nine year old boy named Courgette. After the death of his alcoholic mother, he’s put into a foster home and has to learn to trust once more. It certainly packs the emotional punch of a Pixar film so this odd replacement is certainly a pleasant surprise.
Movie Snub: Drive it Like You Stole it for Best Original Song
I’m currently shaking my head while writing this entry. It was a big surprise that Sing Street was considered for Best Comedy, but why not the category that should have been a no brainer for them? Sing Street has plenty of original songs, but their most famous is “Drive it Like You Stole it.” It’s so catchy and doesn’t even sound like it was made for a film. You could hear this song on the radio and you wouldn’t have any idea that it wasn’t sung by a real band.
Movie Snub: Your Name for Best Animated Feature
Your Name can be an acquired taste, but those who understand anime and Japanese culture will love it. In some critics association, it’s been exceeding expectations and winning against Zootopia and Moana. It’s a shame that The Hollywood Foreign Press didn’t give it recognition, but since it didn’t have a lot of screenings in the U.S., it’s not that surprising.
Movie Snub: The Handmaiden for Best Foreign Language Feature
It’s such a shame that a film as beautiful as The Handmaiden didn’t make the cut. The stunning symbolism and cinematography make the three hour runtime speed by. With how hard Amazon is campaigning for this hard, hopefully they’ll have better luck at the Oscars.
The Golden Globes airs on NBC on January 8. Here is the full list of this year’s nominees:
Best Motion Picture, Drama
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“Hell or High Water”
“Lion”
“Manchester by the Sea”
“Moonlight”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Amy Adams, “Arrival”
Jessica Chastain, “Miss Sloane”
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
Ruth Negga, “Loving”
Natalie Portman, “Jackie”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Casey Affleck, “Manchester By the Sea”
Joel Edgerton, “Loving”
Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”
Denzel Washington, “Fences”
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
“20th Century Women”
“Deadpool”
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“La La Land”
“Sing Street”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical orComedy
Annette Bening, “20th Century Women”
Lily Collins, “Rules Don’t Apply”
Hailee Steinfeld, “The Edge of Seventeen”
Emma Stone, “La La Land”
Meryl Streep, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Colin Farrell, “The Lobster”
Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”
Hugh Grant, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Jonah Hill, “War Dogs”
Ryan Reynolds, “Deadpool”
Best Motion Picture, Animated
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Moana”
“My Life as a Zucchini”
“Sing”
“Zootopia”
Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language
“Divines” (France)
“Elle” (France)
“Neruda” (Chile)
“The Salesman” (Iran / France)
“Toni Erdmann” (Germany)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in AnyMotion Picture
Viola Davis, “Fences”
Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”
Nicole Kidman, “Lion”
Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”
Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in AnyMotion Picture
Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”
Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
Simon Helberg, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Dev Patel, “Lion”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, “Nocturnal Animals”
Best Director, Motion Picture
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Mel Gibson, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Best Screenplay, Motion Picture
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Taylor Sheridan, “Hell or High Water”
Best Original Score, Motion Picture
Nicholas Britell, “Moonlight”
Justin Hurwitz, “La La Land”
Johann Johannsson, “Arrival”
Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka, “Lion”
Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams and Benjamin Wallfisch, “Hidden Figures”
Best Original Song, Motion Picture
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” — “Trolls”
“City of Stars” — “La La Land”
“Faith” — “Sing”
“Gold” — “Gold”
“How Far I’ll Go” — “Moana”
Best Television Series, Drama
“The Crown,” Netflix
“Game of Thrones,” HBO
“Stranger Things,” Netflix
“This Is Us,” NBC
“Westworld,” HBO
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama
Caitriona Balfe, “Outlander”
Claire Foy, “The Crown”
Keri Russell, “The Americans”
Winona Ryder, “Stranger Things”
Evan Rachel Wood, “Westworld”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama
Rami Malek, “Mr. Robot”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”
Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Goliath”
Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy
“Atlanta,” FX
“black-ish,” ABC
“Mozart in the Jungle,” Amazon
“Transparent,” Amazon
“Veep,” HBO
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy
Rachel Bloom, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Sarah Jessica Parker, “Divorce”
Issa Rae, “Insecure”
Gina Rodriguez, “Jane the Virgin”
Tracee Ellis Ross, “black-ish”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy
Anthony Anderson, “black-ish”
Gael García Bernal, “Mozart in the Jungle”
Donald Glover, “Atlanta”
Nick Nolte, “Graves”
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”
Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made forTelevision
“American Crime,” ABC
“The Dresser,” Starz
“The Night Manager,” AMC
“The Night Of,” HBO
“The People v. O. J. Simpson:
“American Crime Story” FX
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion
Picture Made for Television
Felicity Huffman, “American Crime”
Riley Keough, “The Girlfriend Experience”
Sarah Paulson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson:
American Crime Story”
Charlotte Rampling, “London Spy”
Kerry Washington, “Confirmation”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion
Picture Made for Television
Riz Ahmed, “The Night Of”
Bryan Cranston, “All the Way”
Tom Hiddleston, “The Night Manager”
John Turturro, “The Night Of”
Courtney B. Vance, “The People v. O.J. Simpson:
American Crime Story”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a
Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Olivia Colman, “The Night Manager”
Lena Headey, “Game Of Thrones”
Chrissy Metz, “This Is Us”
Mandy Moore, “This Is Us”
Thandie Newton, “Westworld”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series,
Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Sterling K. Brown, “The People v. O. J. Simpson:
American Crime Story”
Hugh Laurie, “The Night Manager”
John Lithgow, “The Crown”
Christian Slater, “Mr. Robot”
John Travolta, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”
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