Golden Globes: More fashion ... from somebody who actually knows what she's talking about
Go to the Daily News' Who Are You Wearing, where the features department's own Semhar Debessai has great pictures -- and she knows what she's looking at.
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Go to the Daily News' Who Are You Wearing, where the features department's own Semhar Debessai has great pictures -- and she knows what she's looking at.
First of all, is it Nicollette or Nicolette? One "l" or two? I feel as if I can't move on until I solve this dilemma.
Who am I kidding? Anyway, Michael Bolton has hurt us all in the past, but here he's doing his best James Caan impression. I'm surprised Jimmy Caan didn't find MB and either kiss him on the mouth ... or punch him in said orifice. And did I mention that his pants are too damn long. At least Nicollette's not dating Kenny G.
As for Ms. Sheridan, the black bow thing is not working. Can she even walk? Is he pushing her on a platform, Spike Lee style? Ah ... even I don't care.
What worked so well for Jennifer Love Hewitt works ... not at all ... for ex-"Friend" and current "Dirt"-y girl Courteney Cox. Have you seen "Dirt"? I have. Do not cross this woman. She will RUIN you. Watch out, Brangelina.
Salma Hayek ... her hotness speaks for itself, but the dress is a bit too Helen of Troy. Ditto for the shoes.
Penelope Cruz knows how to rock it. Love the classic black. Nice lines, nice flow. The only negative: the hair. Not loving the hair.
There's a certain elegance to Sandra Oh's gown. If the shimmery hangs right, it works, and the shimmery is definitely hanging right.
I don't know if you can see Eddie Murphy's all-black ensemble, but it's enough to get him my No. 2 best-dressed male award. And he won a Golden Globe too. I know that because he's holding one in this picture. That's why I'm a professional journalist.
Best-dressed man at the Golden Globes? How could it not be Sean "Puffy" "Puff Daddy" "P Diddy" "Diddy" "Doo Wah Diddy Wah Diddy Wah Doo" Combs? That blue textured tux totally, completely rocks.
Man ... Fabio is lookin' good these days.
Cher called. One of the costumes from "The Sonny and Cher Show," circa 1971, is missing. And no, she doesn't want it back.
Cameron Diaz is living on the edge of fashion. It's a scary edge. The jewelry is great. Handbag, great. But that bow? And the single shoulder strap? Again, it seems a bit see-through. That's the upside.
Jennifer Love Hewitt. Is this gown see-through? From far away there's a certain "championship wrestling belt" quality to the outfit, but that fades away up close. It's medieval, but in a good way. And asset appropriate.
I know Ali Larter is in "Heroes," in which her superpower is ... having a split personality. Hope that's working for her, and for the viewers of "Heroes." All I'm saying is she's absolutely smokin' hot. Not that hotness was in short supply on the Globes' red carpet, but the whole package, dress included, just exudes classic movie-star hotness ... and she is my best-dressed for this year's Golden Globes.
There, I've got that out of my system. Now where's my coffee?
How can you argue with the glamour, style and nonchalance of Brangelina? If there is American royalty, it's these two. But remember, Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith of our Celebrities column know: BRAD PITT IS BOX OFFICE POISON. He can't buy a hit (in movies that don't also feature Clooney, that is).
Tell me, in your heart -- deep within your cold, dark heart -- would you really want to traipse around the developing world with Angelina Jolie, adopting children willy nilly and all that? Well, you know your answer. Keep it to yourself, chippie.
I just wanted to use that headline, but really, doesn't America Ferrera look great? She's so good and so in character as the lead in "Ugly Betty" that I don't know what she "really" looks like. Well, here she is.
The shortened Oscar season has neutered the “influence� of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to the point of irrelevancy.
Still ... the search for MEANING continues.
Category by category ...
BEST PICTURE
Long the presumed frontrunner, “Dreamgirls� has been taking its hits lately. That’s the way it works when you’re in the lead – unless you’re Helen Mirren. Or Jennifer Hudson. Then everyone else is “just happy to be nominated.�
Tonight’s win solidifies “Dreamgirls’ �place at the table. Certainly, if “Little Miss Sunshine� had taken the comedy/musical category, you would have been reading scores of “little-engine-that-could� stories and more about the perceived flaws of Bill Condon’s musical. (As if “Sunshine,� itself an arty spin on “National Lampoon’s Vacation,� is a work of art.)
As it stands – and has stood since it became apparent that Academy members aren’t bothering to watch Clint Eastwood’s “Letters From Iwo Jima� – it’s a wide-open race between “Dreamgirls,� “Sunshine,� “The Departed,� “The Queen� and the HFPA’s drama winner “Babel.� (I don’t think much of “Babel� – its chances or its storytelling, for that matter.)
BEST ACTOR
Forrest Whitaker remains the front-runner. Sacha Baron Cohen maybe gets a nomination. (He should. His is the most artistically daring work in the category.) But don’t discount Will Smith, whose “Pursuit of Happyness� is the most widely-seen – and politically inoffensive (provided you’re not offended by the film’s bland inoffensiveness) – of the presumed nominees.
BEST ACTRESS
Helen Mirren.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Eddie Murphy’s win for his energetic Jackie Wilson / James Brown soul man in “Dreamgirls� confirms him as the man to beat. And if an Oscar is what it takes to remind Murphy that he can entertain without debasing his considerable talent, then, by all means, give the man the statue.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Hudson.
BEST DIRECTOR
God, it’s going to feel like a punch in the gut if Martin Scorsese loses again. Can he? Sure. But with Eastwood out of the picture, who’s going to beat him? Stephen Frears? Bill Condon? Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the least of “The Three Amigos�? The “Sunshine� newcomers?
No, this is shaping up to be Marty’s year – at least, until they read first-timer Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris’ names for “Little Miss Sunshine� and the world spins off its axis, hurls itself toward the sun and God repays the Academy for all those times Scorsese got ripped off.
Damn! I was so hoping that "Bobby" would be the lame movie that wins the best picture Oscar this year.
Oh well, maybe "Little Miss Sunshine" still has a shot.
"Babel" managed to beat out "The Departed," "Bobby," "Little Children" and "The Queen." I'm not surprised since the movie had the most nominations and was clearly embraced by the Hollywood Foreign Press. Assn. It will be interesting to see how this effects its Oscar chances. I think "Dreamgirls" might have the edge come Oscar time. I was in the interview room when "Babel" won and it was a surreal expeirence. I rushed in and leaned against a wall and noticed that standing three feet away were Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson! I'm wondering what the heck they were doing there as the 'Grey's Anatomy" cast was on stage. Then I notice Eddie Murphy right behind me. He's so small! But he's cool. Very cool. When the producer Larry Marks and director Bill Condon show up, I realize they are there to talk about winning for best picture-musical or comedy.
Jennifer looks a little tired. Beyonce is energized calling it "a beautiful night."
Poor Forest Whitaker. He was so nervous that much of his speech for best actor in a drama for "The Last King of Scotland" was nearly inarticulate until he got himself together at the end and said "thank you to my ancestors for letting me stand on your shoulders."
Here is part of what he said: "This is great. Wow. Wow. OK. Thank you. Thank you for this award, for the best actor award. Um. I'm really happy to be in the company of Leo and Will"
Then it got painful before he was able to gathe himself. Just a bit overcome by the moment. He's the Oscar front-runner so I hope he will handle that occasion better...for his sake!!!
Backstage he was so much more relaxed and impressive as he talked about his craft and about how he feels like his best acting is still ahead of him: "There's so many places to go, so many things to do. I just figured out, I think, how to do my work."
Congrats to Forest!
Helen Mirren is the queen tonight and the thing is, you feel like she deserves it! She tells the audience how Queen EIizabeth II stepped into "the role of a lifetime" in 1952 when her father died and left her as monarch.
Mirren told the audience: "I honestly feel this award belongs to her because I think you fell in love with her not with me. i tried to make her as truthful to herself as possible."
Get that Oscar speech ready Helen!!!
Hooray! "Dreamgirls" wins in a category that also had one of my other favorite movies of 2006, "Little Miss Sunshine." Producer Larry Marks was giving a nice speech but since the show is running overtime, they started playing music to get him the heck off. He said: "I should tell you I'm not goinjg," he said to big laughs. He called the film's director Bill Condon "our hero. He knew how to crack this code. We appreciate this honor and I'm sure we'll be advertising it in about 10 seconds."
This is a popular win. Martin Scorsese wins for "The Departed." Finally wins one over Eastwood who beat him a few years back...he said:"What a time we had," working with Nicholson. Leo, our third picture together, I hope there are many more. I wanted to make a picture in the tradition pf old gangster films...thank you all, this is quite something." I'd have more but Scorsese was talking too damned fast!
Sacha Baron Cohen took the best actor in a comedy film prize for "Borat" and gave an acceptance speech that had the audience in serious stitches. It was very well-spoken and articulate which sort of obscured the gross things he was talking about such as his co-stars genitals.
"This movie was a life changing experience. i saw some amazing invigorating parts of America but i saw some dark parts of America...a side of America that rarely sees the time of day. I refer of course to the anus and testicles ofmy co-star...."
Refered to them as "two wrinkled Golden Globes...I thought to myself, I better win a bloody award for this...If it were not for that rancid bubble, I would not be here today..."
He concluded with saying: "Thank you to every American who has not sued me so far."
Not only has "Ugly Betty" won best comedy series, but its star America Ferrera just won best actress in a comedy series over some heavy-hitters. She was so emotional and natural, choking back tears: "Oh my God! I'm so sorry I'm such a mess right now."
It is lovely to see. she said she is proud "to bring a new face to television...such a beautiful message about beauty being beyond what you see."
She then thanked her her "mommy" who she credits for "everything I've ever accomplished in this life."
Backstage, she said winning "was a very out of body experience...I was amazed to look out and see a roomful of people who I've been so inspired by. To be on that stage and be welcomed by that community...it was really, really wonderful."
She's emotional again and now surrounded backstage by the show's cast including Vanessa Williams with her big Diana Ross hair.
"There are millions and millkions of ugly bettys in our own lives that we love and cherish and we need to stop using that word.," Fererra said. "What we need to be tellihg our future generations is to expore their talents and to explore their intelligence....and truly make this world a better place."
Clint Eastwood is on stage right now: Add another award to his very crowded shelf. He is still up for best director for this film AND "Flags of Our Fathers." For a man in his mid-70s, for a man of any age, I find Eastwood's continued creativity and productivity inspiring. In the last five years he has brought us "Flags," "Iwo Jima," "Mystic River" AND "Million Dollar Baby."
"I've been trying to take a vacation," Eastwood said backstage.
Warren Beatty is being honored with the Cecil B. DeMille award for life achievement. Since, unlike Eastwood, he rarely makes movies these days, it is astonishing to realize all that he has done as an actor, director, writer and producer: "Reds," "Bugsy," "Heaven Can Wait," "Shampoo." "Bonnie and Clyde," "McCabe and Mrs. Miller," "Dick Tracy," "Bullworth" and "Splendor in the Grass." My favorite of all is "Reds" in which he and Diane Keaton were at their best. We'll forgive him "Ishatar and "Love Affair."
"The truth is I haven't made a lot of movies. Someone once said of me that every single movie is a comeback. This is enough to make you want to go out and make another movie," Beatty said as he accepted his award.
"Of course I'm going to makie another movie," said the actor who won his first Golden Globe in 1962 when he was named most promsing newcomer.
But when he finally makes another movie, he wants to be the first person in the history of movies to win promising newcomer twice.
Yuk yuk.
I'm shameless.
Meryl Streep walked right by me in the interview room after taking questions and I couldn't help but say, "Congratulations." She stopped, turned, smiled and said, "Thank you."
I'd say we had a moment.
Here is some of what Meryl had to say backstage before our little moment:
On being emotional after winning: "I usually have a few drinks before my category comes up - so I was not really settled."
On her speech: "Did I speak for FOUR minutes? I hate people who do that!"
On landing the lead in "Mamma Mia" : "Vocally I'm not afraid but physically, there's a lot of dancing."
On post-show parties: "I hav e a 15 year old with me and I'm going to be watching everything she does."
A suck-up reporter, not me, tells Meryl how young and beautiful she looks. She says: You're so far in the back though!"
Odd couple on-stage: Tim Allen and Vanessa Williams with very, very wild hair. They have just presented best actor in a comedy to Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" which Allen had called "Third Rock." Baldwin says he just had hernia surgery Dec. 21. Thanks for sharing! He has just made Tina Fey stand up. I'm sure she is moritfied. Alec has just thought his daughter "for her artistic inspiration.' He didn't thank ex-wife Kim Basinger, who he has been battling in court for years now over custody arrangements.
Hillary Swank (and her flower) presented with Jake Gyllenhaal who is no longer in drag (he did Jennifer Hudson parody on SNL). They have just presented the best screenplay to "The Queen."
Emily Blunt has come backstage without her Golden Globe. "Do I need it? Does anhyone have one I can borrow?" Some idiot has just asked her what she is carrying in her little purse! Sheesh, they'll let any moron back here. What's next? "Emily, what is your favorite flavor of chewing gum?"
Sheesh...
Eddie Murphy's return from family films is complete. He has won the Globe for supporting actor in "Dreamgirls." He's backstage right now. From "Nutty Professor" and "Dr. Doollittle" an d "Daddy Day Care" he can do it all it seems.
"I do different stuff. If you look at my movies from '48 Hours' to now, it's pretty diverse."
Murphy says despite his win, he doesn't plan to revive his recording career: "Party All the Time 2" will not be happening.
It's nice to see him getting some respect.
Mirrem says "I had an incredible role" she says of the first Queen Elizabeth. We know that she will win later tonight for playing the other Queen Elizabeth in "The Queen." She was nominated three times tonight and just beat herself in the television category where she was also nominated for "Prime Suspect."
Great night! Meryl Streep wins for best actress-musical or comedy for "The Devil Wears Prada." "I'm realy thrilled. I think I've worked with everyone in the room." She takes out a written speech and the audience groans and she says, "Oh shut up! It's not that long."
Meryl paid tribute to all the other actresses who have made it "a fun year" for movies. "It makes you want to cry...until next year."
Streep says wardrobe was like special effects for their movie. She thanked her co-stars for "working so hard to make me seem like a monster." Ha!
Meryl encouraged people to ask their theater owners to run more of the movies like "Notes on a Scandal" and Oscar-caliber films. "It's amazing what you can accomplish if you ask calmly and authoritatively."
She then ended the speech by saying, "That's all."
She's so funny, so perfect. This is Streep's sixth Golden Globe Award. The Holywood Foreign Press Assn. has more appreciation for her than the Academy which has given her a mere two Oscars over such an unprecedented body of work dating back 30 years.
The president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has just pointed out that Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep were all nominated in the same categories 13 years ago as they are tonight. He made a refrence to Norma Desmond but it kinda fell flat. Streep and Nicholson, who must have 40 nominations between them, look like they don't know what the hell he's talking about. I'm figuring Eastwood was up for "The Unforgiven," Nicholson for supporting actor in "A Few Good Men" and Streep for "Death Becomes Her." I'll check the answers later.
Best actor in a drama: Hugh Laurie in "House" has won. He had stiff competition in Keifer Sutherland, Michael C. Hall, Bill Paxton and one more dude (I'm blank!) Laurie is funny in his speech saying that since everyone wants to give nominees everything for free in the weeks leading up to the Globes, he wonders why they don't offer a free acceptance speech.
Emily Blunt won for best suporting actress in a TV movie. She won for "Gideon's Trumpet" but is also nominated for "The Devil Wears Prada" as Emily, Meryl Streep's panicked first-assistant.
Security is intense. I coukdn't even bring a brownie back to the deadline room from the dining room where, I'm not one to name drop, but I was chatting with Harry Smith of the CBS Morning Show. Al Rokker walked by but he was in a big rush. Didn;t even have time to say, "Hey Al, howz the weather." Anyway, i stuck the brownie in my pocket and am snacking on it now.
So...back to the show...
Jeremy Irons won best supporting actor in a TV movie for "Elizabeth I" to go along with the Emmy he won last fall for the role. "This is a nightmare," he says. Says he can't remember anyone's name He is thanking Helen Mirren. Says the movies was ignored in England and didn't get any attention until it was shown in the U.S.
God Bless America...
Best TV Actress drama: KRYA SEDGWICK!!!!! At last. Well-deserved for "The Closer." "It means so much for me. This show has been such an amazing gift....I'm just so grateful for all of it." She thanks "my one and only, my only one, Kevin (Bacon) and my kids."
She's got Kevin Bacon AND a Golden Globe.
She wins supporting actress for "Dreamgirls." She said: "I've always dreamed, but never, ever this big." She's crying now. "You don't know what this does for my confidence." Says she feels like an actress now and part of the community. She thanks director Bill Condon who without "I couild not have created Effie.'
"I cannot believe this moment right now!"
And a wonderfull touch: Hudson dedicates her award "to a lady who never really got a fair chance. this award is for Florence Ballard. You will never, ever be forgotten."
Ballard is the former member of the Supremes on whom Effie is based. Ballard died in 1976 in poverty.
Now it's time for the big stars to show up. I see Sean Combs, Justin Timberlake, Will Smith, Naomi Watts. There's Courtney Cox and David Arquette, awe....Cate Blanchett looks stunning. Will Farrell's hair is very big and curly, not unlike the woman from "Extra." OK. Jack Nicholson has just arrived with a really young blonde. I'd think he was a perv buit it's his 16-year-old daughter who is this year's Miss Golden Globe. She is the one who will hand the trophies to the winner. As usual, Jada Pinkett Smith is one of the best-dressed women on the red carpet. Emilio Estevez has arrived. He looks three feet tall. Salma Hayek is causing a rukus because she is gorgeous... BRAD and ANGIE!!! They just walked in. They look like perfection. He's all blonde and moviestar like and she is beyond gorgeous. When they are not in Africa, they clean up goooooooood.
Brad is nominated tonight for "Babel" and actually won a Globe ages ago for "12 Monkeys" I think. Jolie, of course, has won a few incluidng one for "Girl...Interrupted."
OK, now it's Warren and Annette. Beatty is taking the Cecil B. Demille so we know they are winning something since Annette will likely lose in both her categories. Hillary Swank is here. She's got a flower in her hair. It looks kinds stupid. Joan Rivers is gonna make fun of her as soon as she turns her back.
Beyonce arrives behind Swank, they hug and air kiss. Renee Zellweger was here a minute ago doing her red carpet posing and preening. She's put on a few pounds though, looks better.
Jamie Foxx is here and justgave Sharon Stone a kiss. Sharon looks like an old-fashioned movie star tonight. But why is she hear with Dominick Dunne? I thought she was dating Christian Slater. Those tabloids...
I just saw Marty Scorsese! He's gonna win tonight for "The Departed." I know it....Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon are here with one of their kids I think. They are going on 20 years of marriage and seem as tight as ever....Speaking of couples, I spotted Nicollete Sheridan and Michael Bolton getting interviewed. When the HELL are they gonna get married? They've been engaged for about three decades now. Time to get hitched! I also spotted Robert Duvall getting interviewed standing next to Patricia Arquette who is quite beautiful...
So, I got hurried along out of the lobby. They leave you alone as long as you keep moving but sheesh, I kept stopping to scribble down a note or two and they busted me!
I'm backstage now and they are inrterviewing Donald Trump! Arrrrrrrg! He is SO overexposed. I'm not sure if he got his hair done or if a squirrell died on his head. Watching on a monitor and eating a piece of cheese now. I see Forrest Whitaker on the monitor looking like a winner...Spielberg is here and oh, there is Jason Lee. I'll bet he wants to shave off that stinkin mustache. McDreamy is now in the house. I just spotted Patrick Dempsey. Women and gay men are fainting as he makes his way by. There's nominee Mark Walhberg whose come a long ways from being on a billboard in his underwear.
It's getting to be like the "Minority Report" at the hotel. Every time you go into a secure area, they scan your badge and your face pops up on their screen. It's like Tom Cruise's eyeballs in "Minority." So, Alec Baldwin just walked by me in the lobby. He looks very red. I don't know if he is sunburnt or if he is mad at someone. Ya never know...You can tell that "Lost" star Josh Holloway used to be a model. He is perfect in posing for the camera and very gracious and friendly in his interviews. His long flowing hair is perfect and he's got the ideal stubble. Who know rhat sulky Sawyer was such a ham!...I spotted the always friendly James Denton who is one of the more down-to-Earth TV stars around...I'm most excited about seeing Aaron Eckhart, a nominee for "Thank You for Smoking." He's always overlooked but he's here tonight and he looks like a real movie star...David Spade walked past real fast with people around him. I feel like saying to him, "and you are?????"...Peter Horton is here as one of the producers of "Grey's Anatomy" but he'll always be Gary from "Thirtysomething" to me! Remember when he died on the show? My roomate at the time was a wreck over it. He kept saying, "Gary died."
So, they have finally fed us! I may just watch the arrivals on the TV now because the lobby is getting awfully security-heavy.
Back in a bit....
I've been strolling around seeing what I can see. No stars on the red carpet yet but I spotted some of the TV hosts. The great Joan Rivers and her annoying daughter/sidekick Mellissa Rivers made a grand entrance wearing mermaid-like dresses. Joan has a pretty good figure for a 70-something woman. Mellissa was walking behind Joan on their way to the TV Giide booth...forever in her mother's shadow...
...Vanessa Minello just walked by me in the lobby of the hotel. Wow! She's a stunner and I think her boyfriend Nick Lachey came out on the winning end of that Jessica Simpson split. He's upgraded for sure! Spotted Lara Spencer of "The Insider" wearing a red gown, she always looks reliably good but never knockout like Vanessa....Saw some of the infotainment guys including Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight" who is so used to these things it's like a day at the park.And there was Mark McGrath in his tuxedo getting ready to go on for "Estra." He's a long ways from his days on Sugar Ray. What a transformation. I'd rather be a rock star tho...Pat O'Brien still looks rail-thin, as I noted last week from the People's Choice Awards. Somebody take this man to In-N-Out Burger before the show! He's gotta keep up his strength!
...I know that Matt Lauer and Al Roker are here from "The Today Shoiw" but they were not in their red carpet booth when I swung by...
That's all for now. Will write more in a bit although I think my access might get more limited.
These picks are based on what I know about a show, what the pundits say, my own wishful thinking and gut feeling.So here we go:
Drama series: "24" I'd rather see it go to "Big Love" but "24" has all kinds of momentum. It would be ironic though since Fox is airing part 2 of its season premiere of "24" opposite the Globes and is likely to cut into the ratings of the kudofest. On second thought, maybe they'll give it to "Grey's Anatomy."
Actress in Drama: Kyra Sedgwick in "The Closer." If she doesn't win, I'll be ticked. Hers is THE best performance by an actress in any series. Compeition is solid with the wonderful Patricia Arquette and Edie Falco. I don't give Evangiline Lilly much chance and what the heck is Ellem Pompeo doing in this category? There are many terrific female performances on "Grey's Anatomy" but her's is just so-so.
Actor in Drama: I'm thinking Michael C. Hall for "Dexter" is most deserving in a tough category. But Hugh Laurie (House) or Kiefer Sutherland (24) could easily win.
Best Comedy: I think it will go to "Ugly Betty" for some reason. And I wouldn't mind one bit since "Scrubs" isn't even on the list. I am also quite fond of "Weeds."
Comedy Actress: You can't lose with whoever wins here, all are great. I'm giving the edge to America Ferrera for "Ugly Betty" but Julia Louis-Dreyfus" won the Emmy for "Old Christine." Marcia Cross is always overlooked for "Desperate Housewives" for what is, week-after-week, a terrific comic performance.
Comedy Actor: Zach Braff!!! He kills me. They gotta give it to the star of "Scrubs." Tony Shalhoub wins too many of these things for "Monk" and I have had it with that! Steve Carell could very well win for "The Office" but Braff is my pick.
TV Movie or Miniseries: Dunno. Only saw "Mrs. Harris" and it was fine but not the best I'm sure. I'll pick Elizabeth 1" because anything Helen Mirren touches this year will turn to gold.
Actress/Movie: Helen Mirren is up against herself for "Elizabeth" and "Prime Suspect: The Final Act." I think she wins for "Elizabeth" because, after all, she IS the queen.
Actor/Movie: This is one of those real 'I have noooooooooooo idea' things so I will pick Ben Kingsley for "Mrs. Harris" because I saw it and he was quite good. Robert Duvall is said to be terrific in "Broken Trail" so if noit Kingsley, maybe Duvall.
Supporting actor in TV (they absurdly mix the series, miniseries and TV movie nominees all in one category): I'll say Jeremy Piven in "Entourage" but I want to see Justin Kirk win for "Weeds."
Supporting actress in TV: They must, must, MUST give this to Elizabeth Perkins for her scary/funny performance on "Weeds." She is brilliant week after week.
Trust me, it's a big pain in the rear just getting to the Globes with street closures then having to be shuttled from Century City to the Beverly Hilton to pick up my press pass by 1 p.m. So now that I'm here and in a tux, there is about three hours until showtime. So what to do?
I got it, I'll give you my predictions before I start to wander around and see what I can see.
Best Picture/Drama: Babel
Best Picture/Musical or Comedy: Dreamgirls
Best Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
Best Actress/Drama: Helen Mirren (The Queen)
Best Actress/Musical or Comedy: Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
Best Actor/Drama: Forrest Whittaker (The Last King of Scotland)
Best Actor/Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat)
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
Foreign Film: "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Screenplay: Peter Morgan ("The Queen")
Original Score: "Babel"
Original Song: "Listen" from "Dreamgirls"
We'll see how I fare! Coming soon: Greg's television predictions...
Sorry, technical difficulties. Final thoughts on the 63rd annual Golden Globes:
Don’t you hate it when the Oscar horserace is finished before the ballots are even in? “Brokeback Mountain� was considered the Best Picture frontrunner; it won big tonight (besides Best Picture/Drama, Ang Lee took home the Best Director trophy and it also won for Best Screenplay, wins likely to be repeated come Oscar night, as well as Best Song). “Capote’s� Philip Seymour Hoffman and “Walk the Line’s� Reese Witherspoon were prior favorites for the Best Actor and Actress Oscars: Done, and done. Outside of a quirky upset, don't expect major deviations in all the upcoming awards ceremonies, which will seem increasingly redundant as the season unfolds.
The only major Oscars that might deviate from the Globes tonight are the supporting acting categories; George Clooney and Rachel Weisz appeared in films that the Motion Picture Academy might have trouble warming up to.
That said, “Brokeback Mountain� certainly is the Zeitgeist movie of the moment. Films like “Good Night, and Good Luck.�, “Syriana� and “Munich� all cried out to be vociferously debated on the nation’s op-ed pages – they all, to different extents, comment on current political travails. But I’ve seen more op-ed pieces on “Brokeback Mountain� than those three films combined.
Perhaps those movies wore their agendas on their sleeves too much. “Brokeback Mountain� was intent merely to tell its heartbreaking story, without editorial commentary. And the fact that, despite what some pundits may have suggested, the film is being embraced in places it could have been eschewed is a testament to the power of its filmmakers.
That would be Anything But BrokeBack.
With both the vast majority of legitimate critics and now the starstruck moron groups (Broadcast Critics, Hollywood Foreign Press Association) declaring the gay western 2005's best movie, academy members have an extremely limited pool of pictures to choose from if they want to maintain the illusion that they're not influenced by organizations that are either smarter or dumber than they are.
The Hollywood Foreign Press proved there’re no hard feelings to “Desperate Housewives,� even though the latter kicked the Globes’ hindquarters last year in the ratings (thus necessitating the Globes moving to Monday this year), and named it Best TV Comedy again.
S. Epatha Merkerson had her (lengthy) acceptance speech mostly etched in her memory (she lost it down her dress at the Emmys and had to improvise) when she was named Best Actress in a TV Film or Miniseries for “Lackawanna Blues.� Best Actor in a TV Film or Miniseries went to Jonathan Rhys Meyers for playing “Elvis� – Elvis has an Irish accent?
Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana continued “Brokeback Mountain’s� march to Oscar glory in winning the Best Screenplay Globe. Presenter Harrison Ford couldn’t be bothered to put his drink down to appear before the camera. (OK, another nice gown: co-presenter Virginia Madsen’s).
Inspired commercial to run during an awards ceremony: A promo for NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.�
Would they stop referring to this as “the party of the year?� A, it’s not true, and B, even if it were true, all the tagline does is remind us that we weren’t invited and make us bitter and resentful and not want to watch anymore.
Reese Witherspoon began her march to an Oscar with her Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical Globe win for “Walk the Line.�
Mary-Louise Parker blew past all the “Desperate Housewives� to win the Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy for her role as a pot-dealing suburban mom, even though presenter Chris Rock noted that while “Housewives� is viewed by all of America, “‘Weeds’ is only watched by Snoop Doggy Dogg.�
Steve Carrell was named Best Actor in a TV Comedy for “The Office.� He did a funny bit reading an acceptance speech he claimed was written by his wife, which thanked her copiously and pointed out a few of his flaws.
Oh, this is interesting – not the Globes, where “Empire Falls� won for Best TV Movie or Miniseries – but this article in yesterday’s New York Times about the LA Philharmonic and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Who’d’ve thunk the NY Times would admit LA Phil is a world-class outfit?
Just a thought – on a day that offers a former Vice President of the United States accusing the current President of breaking the law “repeatedly and persistently� in addition to the Globes and Shaq/Kobe II (or IV, depending on how you count it), what do you think Los Angeles will be talking about tomorrow?
Have to say, not a big fan of the majority of the gowns tonight. Mary-Louise Parker’s dress was understated in a way too many of the others aren’t. Michelle Williams, too.
Early winners include:
George Clooney was named Best Supporting Actor for “Syriana:� He declared, “I want to thank Jack Abramoff, just because.� (Abramoff just pled guilty to all sorts of corrupt behavior in Washington, which threatens to bring down a whole bunch of politicians, most of which share an ideology at odds with Clooney’s own liberal sensibility.)
Rachel Weisz won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for “The Constant Gardener.� As great as she was in the film, her makeup looked kind of odd and there was a bow the size of a Buick on the front of her dress and she’ll probably appear as part of tomorrow’s fashion don’t’s.
Not only was Geena Davis named “Commander in Chief,� she also received the Globe for Best Actress in a TV Drama and got a big laugh, besides. She told a heart-warming tale of feeling a tug at her skirt on the red carpet and seeing a young girl who told her she wanted to be President someday. After the appropriate pause, she added, “Well, that didn’t actually happen.�
Hugh Laurie bested a group of ladykillers to be named Best Actor/Drama for “House.� Noting he made a list of winners that extended to 172 names, he said he had put three on individual slips of paper and would thanks those whose names were on the three he drew at random: “The rest can just lump it.�
Best Supporting Actor in a TV movie/series/miniseries was, predictably, Paul Newman for “Empire Falls.� Predictably, he was a no-show.
“Grey’s Anatomy’s� Sandra Oh gave the requisite gushy speech when she was named Best Supporting Actress in a TV movie/series/miniseries. She seemed to get lost on her way to the stage, weaving back and forth between the star-studded tables, then announced, “I feel like someone set me on fire.� She thanked her support staff with a heartfelt, “Oh, God, I don’t remember any of your names.�
NBC’s telecast of the 63rd annual Golden Globes began with what they considered “highlights� of their red-carpet interviews. If these were their best moments, just imagine how jaw-droppingly insipid the other conversations must've been:
Mariah Carey, on her past year: “It’s been amazing. It’s been a blessing.�
Asked his favorite role, Anthony Hopkins answered, “There’ve been so many; I don’t know.�
Johnny Depp on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:� “We had a wonderful time making that film.�
The opening song, a Weird-Al Yankovic-style, Globes-themed version of Pussycat Dolls’ “Don’t Cha?� was so determinedly unhip, you’d swear they cut away from the Globes to an AARP rally.
Queen Latifah opened the ceremony dedicating it to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. Because, you know, he was always really concerned with who won the Globes.
The good news about the Globes is that there’s no host. The bad thing is there’s no host to make fun of.
There seemed to be more mextrosexual actors than actresses scooping up freebies at the Platinum Guild International Jewelry Preview at the Luxe Hotel in Bev Hills this afternoon. LA.COMfidential reports that Rex Lee, who plays Jeremy Piven's witty assistant on “Entourageâ€? (left), was sprawled on a bed, enjoying an organic Jurlique facial. Ashton Holmes, who plays Viggo Mortensen's son in "A History of Violence," had a one hand dipped in a frothy bowl of warm milk—part of The Paint Shop's chai latte manicure. "Superman Returns" star Brandon Routh (right) was perfecting his smile with a Zoom II teeth whitening treatment, made famous by Dr. Sherri Worth on “The Swan.â€? (We’ll see if his choppers look brighter this Monday when he presents an award at the Golden Globes. We know the rest of him will sparkle; he snagged a $42,000 platinum watch and an $8,000 ring to wear on the red carpet.) Routh's girlfriend, indie actress Courtney Ford, also opened wide for a treatment. She divulged that she met her super guy at Lucky Strike, where Routh was working as a bartender!
Hollywood's glamorous ladies usually want everything just so before they set their perfectly pedicured feet on a red carpet. But at the Jan. 16 Golden Globes, they may be inspired to touch up their lips on camera.
Tom O'Neil is the guy who almost single-handedly transformed awards season from a glowing consideration of artistic merit into nothing more than a crass horserace, sort of the way network news steamrollered issues in favor of mere polling during Presidential elections (O’Neil was ably assisted by the folks at the Golden Globes, though). His breathless website (camping over on the competition’s bandwidth) virtually hyperventilates after each and every screening he attends, and he handicaps all the major races again and again, after every little twitch that signifies a potential sea change, and then he thoughtfully spams you with his impressive insights -- I wonder, even if you're not in or covering the entertainment industry, does he track down your Email and send his every prediction to you, too? Anyway, congrats to Tom for a sterling array of predictions this year -- he's guaranteed to be right somewhere, because by my (admittedly addled at this point) estimations, he's predicted that practically every film will win some award. Another guy who's annoying like this is Roger Ebert (whose 2005 Top-10 list features, no fooling, a whopping SIXTY-THREE MOVIES, one of which he calls “one of the most delightful films EVER MADE� and yet it’s not even in his Top, Top-10). Ebert trolls the red carpet on Oscar night and tells anyone he can get within spittle-flinging distance of that he KNEW the very SECOND he saw their film that they would get nominated. (Pretty safe bet to mention it at that point, no?) His Channel-7 red-carpet co-hort, George Puppethead or whatever his name might be, is even worse, his tiny little over-caffeinated noggin unfettered by any actual useful knowledge about film history or aesthetics. Others who cover awards season at least admit they’re there simply for the glamour and the gowns – these three pretend they’re bringing hefty discourse to the proceedings, but all they’re really doing is perpetuating the giddy idiocy.
See Ebert’s Top-63 list:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/COMMENTARY/512180302
There was a short-lived TV series a few years back called "City of Angels," about an inner-city hospital. As such, the show was far more earnest than it needed to be (and, given the talent assembled -- Paris Barclay was an EP, as, I believe, was Steven Bochco, and Blair Underwood starred -- it wasn't quite good enough) -- apparently on TV if you have a predominantly white hospital like on "House" you can just mouth off all day long but if your hospital is in the inner-city you have to be all serious. Except for this one episode -- this one scene, really -- in which a guy is admitted to the hospital and he has something stuck where the sun refuses to shine and it just happens to be his Golden Globe and someone cracks, "Good a place as any for it."
You will be unsurprised to hear that "City of Angels" received zero Golden Globe nominations during its brief run on CBS.
No sooner do I kvetch about one overpraised movie ("A History of Violence," below) than another comes along -- Woody Allen's "Match Point," or, as I like to call it, "Woody Allen Thinks About Scarlett Johansson in That Way -- Ewww."
Continue reading "Globes: The Point of 'Match Point' (spoilers!)" »
I generally get where critics are coming from, even if I disagree with their assessments. But there was one movie this year whose reviews still having me scratching my head, and now that it's figuring into the Awards picture, I'll let my lone-voice-in-the-wilderness (or my revealing-my-ignorance) riff out into the ether and see if anyone else agrees or can at least explain what I apparently missed. The movie: David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence," AKA "A History in Which the 62-Year-Old Auteur Proves He's All Grown Up Because He Doesn't Display Any Disfigured Sexual Organs For Once, but He Does Display William Hurt, Which Arguably is Worse."
Continue reading "Globes: A History of Hygiene (spoilers!)" »
"Syriana" is an urgent movie about highly charged subject matter unafraid of challenging its viewers, but who wants to bet that the DVD will feature "Bonus Extra: The Entire Actual Film That Fills In All Those Things You Were Unclear On During Your First (or Second, or Third) Viewings"?
"Brokeback Mountain" is undeniably a beautiful film whose laconicism somehow makes its love story all the more affecting. What I wonder about is how the seemingly endless parade of stories (Frank Rich weighed in nicely today in The New York Times) about whether the allegedly close-minded heartland will open up enough to make this a hit and/or its significance as an artistic and cultural bellwether might not be obfuscating to those who have yet to see it. "Brokeback" has become an "important" film, when, in fact, every bone in its metaphorical body strains against that very thing.
Continue reading "Breaking "Brokeback's" back with talk of "importance"" »
His Golden Globe nomination secure, "My Name is Earl" star Jason Lee was at work in the SFV Friday outside a car wash at the corner of Reseda boulevard and Saticoy.
It's an old saw that comedies and comic actors tend to get short shrift when it comes to awards, but with this year's Golden Globes nominees, comedies and comic performers can't even get nominated in their own categories.
Continue reading "Globes: Dying is easy, comedy is even harder than you imagined" »
Most years, the Golden Globes are all about allowing members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to rub elbows with the likes of Eva Longoria or Madonna or whoever the It Girl of the moment may be. This year, the HFPA -- representing publications in all the foreign countries that currently fear or loathe America -- is all about sending us Americans a stern political message. Or two, or three.
One of the promotional items sent out by the folks at "Good Night, and Good Luck." was a bottle of 12-year-old Glenlivet Scotch. So one wonders, precisely, about the state of mind of Hollywood Foreign Press members when they were casting their ballots. I'm just saying.
No truth to the rumor, we think, that the makers of "Syriana" were considering sending out a barrel of crude and a home refinery kit to all Academy members who own Lincoln Navigators.
The nominations have touched off all the prep and planning. Who will be the actress designers are itching most to dress? Reese? Keira? Ziyi? Charlize?
Which brings me to something that crossed my mind last January while watching Golden Globe arrivals from a seat backstage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. A small group of entertainment reporters from around the world for one night control millions of dollars.
Think about it: This micro-economy of gowns, jewels, limos, publicity, catering, flowers, TV rights, production costs, media expenses, travel and more is set into motion by 80-90 individuals -- some of whom hold other jobs because the ones that got them into the Hollywood Foreign Press Association don't pay a decent living. Is this part of what's great about Hollywood or part of what's wrong with it?
In the just-out Dec. 19 issue of In Touch Weekly, awards guru Tom O'Neil predicted a disastrous run-in -- or a tabloid jackpot, depending on your point of view -- at the Golden Globes. "You can count on both Jen (Aniston) and Brad (Pitt) getting nominated,'' he wrote, thinking Aniston was a sure thing for "Rumor Has It," while Pitt would contend with "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." Oops. Not even their respective squeezes -- Vince Vaughn and Angelina Jolie -- made the cut when nominations were announced today. Looks like we may have to wait a while longer for that crash-and-burn moment.
Dec. 5, 2005: Oscar winner and awards favorite Dame Judi Dench on the buzz surrounding potential accolades for her role in "Mrs. Henderson Presents."
"It is speculation and speculation goes on about lots and lots of people. I think it's rather dangerous to have it said about you. I don't want it to distance anything and nothing actually could add to the fantastic time we had doing this film. We really did have the most extraordinarily infectiously terrific time."
Dec. 13, 2005: Newly Golden Globe nominated Dame Judi Dench
"I am absolutely thrilled, delighted and terribly honoured."
Note the "u" in honored. Veddy British, that.
OK, so Oscar winner Frances McDormand apparently needed some persuasion to join the cast of "North Country." Director Niki Caro already had Charlize Theron and was closing in on Sissy Spacek and Woody Harrelson.
McDormand, on the other hand, was decidedly undecided. Caro even got vibes that F.M. was leaning toward never doing another film.
So with the studio urging her to start casting around for a second choice to play union leader Glory, Caro asked for the weekend to play her last remaining ace.
"I live in New Zealand, and there's this wild and remote beach where there happened to be a raging storm that weekend," says Caro. "However, I got my husband and my friends to write in letters 50 feet high, "Say Yes, Fran" like a big marriage proposal."
The tides were not always cooperative and the storm made things extra tricky. Apparently, there were casualties. Caro's husband broke his toe and their two children got ear infections. However, Caro filmed the beach message with a digital camera from a nearby mountain and e-mailed the footage off to McDormand.
"I figured if that doesn't do it, it can't be done," said Caro.
The next morning, Caro found an e-mail reply from the actress: "Jesus Christ. I surrender!"
Which makes you wonder what it would take to get McDormand _ who just got a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actress _ to do Caro's next film. Skywriting anyone?
Yes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. threw a couple of bones to Steven Spielberg's "Munich." But no best picture nomination? "Munich"'s Oscar chances aren't as dead as those of "Memoirs of a Geisha." Yet. But no one is calling "Munich" the front-runner any longer, either. Including Spielberg among the group's list of six directors is hilarious. HFPA members don't like "Munich" enough to put it among its 10 nominated pictures, but Spielberg is Spielberg and his mug on TV will boost viewership more than David Cronenberg's. It's all about the ratings isn't it?
I'll leave the ritual bashing of the Golden Globes nominations to my able colleagues today. Me, I think it's time to mention a few positive things about the much-made-fun-of Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
For example, I personally know two people in that group who understand film as an art form as well as any of my fellow Los Angeles Film Critics Association members. They'll remain nameless, though, just in case that's a breach of some HFPA bylaw.
No kidding, now: The nonprofit HFPA donates significant portions of its TV show earnings to film preservation and similar worthy efforts. All movie lovers, even hardcore cineaste snobs, owe the group gratitude for that.
But a nomination for Will Ferrell and none for Vince Vaughn? That's just pathetic. Not bashing the Globes, just stating fact.
Surprisingly serious batch of small, smart films in the Golden Globes drama category. Which leads me to worry: will anyone watch the TV show? I mean, c'mon; the Globes are about ratings, not recognizing quality. What's happening to the world? Oh wait; they also nominated some pretty actresses (Charlize Theron, Ziyi Zhang, Gwyneth Paltrow) from bad movies. Whew! That ought to draw some eyeballs next Martin Luther King Day. Thank heavens the HFPA hasn't entirely misplaced its priorities.
This year, it seems, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has inverted its usual pattern: Films receiving top Golden Globe nominations are more of the independent and/or cutting-edge sensibility, while the TV nominees fall more squarely in the realm of highly commercial, good-old-fashioned entertainment.
Best TV drama nominees are “Commander In Chief,� “Grey’s Anatomy,� “Lost� (all ABC) “Prison Break� (Fox) and “Rome� (HBO). TV Comedy nominees are “Curb Your Enthusiasm,� “Entourage� (HBO), “Desperate Housewives� (ABC), “Everybody Hates Chris� (UPN), “My Name is Earl� (NBC) and “Weeds� (Showtime).
Hey, everybody! Want to hang out with, say, Lindsay Lohan for an evening? Then throw together a group of friends and call yourselves the Consortium for Aesthetic Appreciation or some such and rent out a nice hall and hire a caterer (it doesn't even have to be a good one) and contact Lindsay's people and tell them you want to give her your prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. You might even be able to score Michael Keaton or Jamie Lee Curtis or Hilary Duff (well, probably not her) to give appreciative speeches.
That's pretty much how these other awards groups, particularly the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, did it.
