Bring on the Awards

So it's that time of year again. Today the Golden Globe nominations were announced (to be handed out Sunday, January 11th). Some thoughts:

1. Loyal readers will remember that in my assessment of Slumdog Millionaire, I commented that I had had to think back to last January's In Bruges to come up with my next favorite film of 2008. Much to my glee and surprise, the foreign press also remembered In Bruges, honoring it with a Best Comedy/Musical film and two Best Actor Comedy/Musical nods (for Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson)! It's on DVD folks - do catch up!

2. Another great entry in the Best Actor Comedy/Musical category is James Franco for Pineapple Express. His musings certainly were the best part of that film. In fact, I would say Best Actor Comedy/Musical is now my favorite category although I would put my money on Javier Bardem of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (another favorite of mine) to win.

3. I love that Tom Cruise got a nod for Tropic Thunder (although no love for Valkyrie) but it's unfortunate that he's pitted against Robert Downey Jr. for the same film in the supporting category. I would love to see either one of them win but now they will certainly cancel each other out. Not that either alone would ever really have a chance against the sorely missed Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight - although I hated that film, I do appreciate that it was one hell of a performance.

4. No Milk in the Best Film Drama?!? I would have thought that it would be a shoo-in with Slumdog Millionaire (which I really hope wins), Frost/Nixon (which perhaps could have been supplanted by Doubt), Revolutionary Road and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. But The Reader made the cut instead which seems odd since every review I read this week pointed out that it severely and offensively undercuts the magnitude of personal accountability which should be assessed to a concentration camp guard. Whatever the Foreign Press was thinking, I'm sure this odd nomination switch is one that will be corrected by the Academy come Oscar time.

5. I excited to see Happy Go Lucky get some love in the Best Comedy/Musical film and Best Actress Comedy/Musical categories and I do hope the Oscars remember the wonderful performance by Sally Hawkins.

6. Where have all the actress parts gone? With the caveat that I have not seen (or not yet been able to see) a number of the films, it seems to me that the Foreign Press had to scramble to find a full fifteen actresses to nominate while the fifteen actor slots all went to powerhouse performances. I will say that I think there are three worthy actress winners, namely, Anne Hathaway, Sally Hawkins and Penelope Cruz but we'll see what happens.

7. I am way behind on my foreign films! Usually by this time of year I have seen at least a couple of the foreign film nominees but right now I have seen none of them. Of course, I've been meaning to see Kristen Scott Thomas in I've Loved You So Long (better go this weekend before The Wrestler kicks it out at Lincoln Plaza) and Waltz With Bashir hasn't opened yet so hopefully I will catch up by Oscar time.

8. TV: As always, the less said the better. I am continually amazed by the poor taste of all nominating organizations when it comes to TV awards and the tradition continues. There are always a few worthy nominees, sure (I can get behind Mad Men and 30 Rock), but the amount of garbage that manages to overshadow the gems is scandalous. Kevin Connolly as Best Actor in a comedy series, seriously? He has no funny lines and one facial expression. Someone send the Foreign Press copies of Psych and Flight of the Conchords stat.

Check out the nominees for yourself and let me know what you think: http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/104