Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon and Doubt lead the nominations. Of these, Doubt could use the biggest boost, since the critics had been snubbing it. But Milk and The Dark Knight, which have been doing better with critics, were mostly shut out, save for a nomination here or there. Again, it’s important to remember that the Globes are good for one or two bumps for films here or there. Oscar watching, dubious pastime that it is, is about pulling from all of the various influences and sources and then adding a dash of AMPAS in there (favoritism, nepotism, loyalty, homophobia, lust, sloth, etc.) and at last, the picture is cleared.
Still, the Directors Guild holds the most weight, even if they haven’t been exactly on target. Usually, the movies attached to the nominated directors are nominated even if the directors themselves are not.
In the acting categories, a few nice surprises, especially the addition of Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet (a double nominee). After a slew of suffocated critics’ awards, it’s nice to see some of these great performances given a spotlight, no matter where it goes from here. Also, when Dave Karger said in Entertainment Weekly that Doubt’s prospects depended on whether or not all three actors received nominations his theory now holds some validity.
But of the films that got Globes recognition this morning, it remains to be seen which one will stick. The next phase after the critics, the guilds, should help as AMPAS voters await their ballots, which is now just a couple of weeks away.
This is what we like to think of as the ovulation period. This is when all of the movies shoot out in hopes of implantation, so that when they get their ballots they will know what to jot down. Even if they haven’t see everything, they will know. That the Globes noms come right now is key. Too early or too late and the fertilization fails. It looks like maximum impact has been reached.
The first week of January sees the biggies, like the DGA noms, the Critics Choice awards, etc. That is going to be perhaps indicative of how the votes are going to go but the influence won’t be as high as it is right now. This is just a theory that we’ll test out this year. We have to entertain ourselves somehow.
What these nominations do is give studios a reason to rally if they felt their film was down for the count. That means that a not-so-well reviewed movie like In Bruges or The Reader or Doubt can wash their ads with the nominations. This, in turn, will motivate voters in various organizations to watch a screener they might otherwise have discarded. That’s a good thing. Doubt, The Reader and Revolutionary Road, in particular, have what they need to start kicking their campaigns into high gear.
As for Milk, its snub might not mean anything except that it can’t splash its campaign with all of those nominations. Doesn’t really matter because it won the New York Film Critics award for Best Film – I think that trumps the lack of a Globe nod. They pushed harder for the films no one else has been voting for – this tests their influence more so than if they had just gone with the flow; now, if any of these mostly ignored films goes all the way, everyone will point to Globes for being there the moment the horse were changed mistream.
Tom Cruise got a much-deserved nomination for his GREAT work in Tropic Thunder, along with Robert Downey, Jr. For this, SAG needs to join in and even then it’s hard to imagine both getting nominated for the Oscar, especially with more dramatic supporting turns waiting in the wings. While it’s great Frances McDormand was nominated, John Malkovich and Brad Pitt for Burn After Reading were not.
Right now, I’m sure a lot of us would like to go back to bed. We have two more agonizing early morning nominations to go – SAG and Oscar. Until then, Oscar watchers.
No Response for "Globes Push Back"
Tom Cruise’s nomination much deserved??? Come on, really? He was Tom Cruise in a (really bad) fat suit doing nothing but screaming profanities….there were many more deserving actors that should have been nominated in that category – Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, James Franco, Josh Brolin….the list is long.
“This is when all of the movies shoot out in hopes of implantation.”
Never visualized it that way, until now: eggjaculation.
I think the lack of love for ‘Milk’ hurts it for attracting mainstream audiences which it sorely needs to have any shot at the Oscars. I don’t even know if it will be nominated for Best Picture or Director anymore.
The AFI Movies of the Year will be the next group of 10 in the Venn diagram. We’ll see what subset overlaps on Sunday.
Oh, this is 2005 all over again, where they nominate Capote for Actor and nothing else. Oscar will freak out like they did there, and rally behind Milk!
Tom Cruise was fantastic, especially the dance at the end. And as for waking up early? Well, I’m pissed that they always claim it will be on 8, when I have to leave for work at 8:20 and it’s still not on. We East Coasters are jumping on the forums from work.
SAG PREDICTIONS
Male Lead
EASTWOOD
JENKINS
LANGELLA
PENN
ROORKE
Female Lead
BLANCHETT – yes, still!
ANNE HATHAWAY
SALLY HAWKINS
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS
MERYL STREEP
They won’t watch RR …
Male Supporting
JOSH BROLIN – benefits a lot from the HFPA snub
JAMES FRANCO
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN
BILL IRWIN
HEATH LEDGER
Female Supporting
CRUZ
DAVIS
HENSON
TOMEI
WINSLET
There won’t be much correspondence. This year the Globes will do the same they did years ago – they won’t have much correspondence with Oscar!!!
Sasha, I just loved your analogy. So i guess we’ll have to wait to see which lucky picture ends up being the one that get’s Oscar “Knocked Up” this year.
TOM CRUISE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW. EW. EW. EW. You people are curazy.
Sasha – you are the BEST; thanks for a great response on the nominations and for your knowledgeable and incredible reflection on them!
And, while it is on my mind – I am almost sick to my stomach, thinking that Miley Cyrus, might get onto the Oscar Telecast should her song from BOLT be nominated! I am not a hater; just don’t care for her!
Yes, TWO more mornings of “craziness” – LOL! :–)
I am disappointed that Milk wasn’t nominated for Best Picture.
NBR
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
BURN AFTER READING
CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
DEFIANCE
FROST/NIXON
GRAN TORINO
MILK
WALL-E
THE WRESTLER
CCA
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
The Wrestler
GG
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Burn After Reading
Happy Go Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Films appearing on all 3 lists:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
“Tom Cruise was fantastic, especially the dance at the end”
Um….yeah, ok….so was the baby from Ally McBeal – where was his awards love?
& whither the Six Flags Guy?
Tom Cruise was funny, but he was just no where near nomination good. That was insane.
Tom Cruise is close to insane. In real life!
I love the love for VCB. But no screenplay nod for Woody Allen.
I was hoping Mamma Mia would have recognized Amanda Seyfert(?) as the daughter.
I’m saying NO to the metaphors in that post, with the head line of Pushing Back.
Hooray for In Bruges! I assumed everyone else had forgotten about that movie, but it’s really good.
… but how lovely to see Poppy popping up again!
I’m hoping the nominations for In Bruges will boost its chances at any oscar nomination.
And Cate Blanchett?
She was so good!! It’s unbeliveable!
http://takea-break.blogspot.com
Tom Cruise getting a nomination instead of Micheal Sheen is a travesty. It is ridiculous and insulting. And Frost/Nixon and no TDK? Please do not let this be a sign of further things to come.
Ryan, “technically” you could say that WALL-E appears in all three places too.
This is unfortunate for Milk, but I don’t think it helps The Reader, Doubt, or even Rev. Road unless they can build a bit of momentum with audiences. I think what we’re seeing is a glut of films in the marketplace, that, to the average filmgoer, seem like a chore. I’m not saying they aren’t worthy, well-made films. The problem is that none of them are breaking out of the pack.
In this economy, I’m not sure AMPAS is going to fill the BP nomination slots with more than one film that couldn’t find an audience. After last year’s ratings issues, they’ll be looking to rebound with films more palatable to general audiences. I think TDK will slip in there.
The GG voters (all five of them) have a different agenda. I wouldn’t count on a lot of correlation between the two this year.
Meryl Streep continues to impress…. She became the most nominated person in the 66 years of the Golden Globes today with her 22nd and 23rd nominations!!!
Go Streep!!! all the way to OSCAR!!!
I don’t think the good Globe showing for The Reader will really matter much one way or another, but the strong showing for Revolutionary Road might. It seems to me we have six movies fighting now for the five BP slots: Slumdog, Curious Case, Milk, TDK, Frost/Nixon, and Revolutionary Road.
And I’m still not convinced that Frost/Nixon has a BP slot sewed up.
Finally, both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie get nominations? The Jennifer Aniston-controlled media must have been asleep at the wheel!
I’m sorry, did Sasha just entertain the idea of Tom Cruise getting an Oscar nomination? Really?
Why don’t we just throw in Russell Brand, Danny McBride and that Indian guy in ‘Burn After Reading’ who says, “It was just lying there”…
I really hope there’s a formidable campaign for Wall-E for Best Picture. If foreign films can also be nominated for best picture, then why can’t animated features?
I really wish they would award the best of the best rather than just go for whatever made the most money.
Everyone needs to stop hating on Cruise just because he’s a gasbag who’s borderline insane. He was HILARIOUS in Tropic Thunder, playing a gasbag who’s borderline insane.
The Dark Knight snub is disappointing, but not unexpected. Only one nomination for Milk is completely unexpected. I thought that it was going to turn into the front runner.
Curious to know, too lazy to check: how rare is it for not a single nominee in best picture – comedy at the Globes to end up being a best picture contender at the Oscars? Also, it seems to me that such years are the most likely in which to find the drama category populated by films that don’t make it to the Oscars. (Ex. the year neither Capote nor Munich were nominated by GG.)
Tom Cruise rocked TROPIC THUNDER, as did Mr. Downey. Mr. Franco’s nomination was also wonderful for PINEAPPLE EXPRESS. It’s great to see these guys get nominated for terrific comedic character work. These awards can become a bit stale if they’re not rewarding all sorts of great work.
This is, quite clearly, the most blatant case of homophobia since the notorious Oscar snub of “Brokeback Mountain” in favor of “Crash” as AMPAS’ choice for the best picture of 2005.
In that year, AMPAS, along with the Chicago Film Critics, were the weird voices alone championing “Crash,” oblivious to their own prejudice. “Brokeback” remains a masterpiece; “Crash” will be relegated to the scrap-heap of Oscar’s worst choices, such as the choice of “The Greatest Show on Earth” over “High Noon” for the year 1952.
“Brokeback” was also the clear choice of the Golden Globe voters in 2005. How then to arrive at their new-found homophobia regarding the absolute best picture of 2008 (God bless the New York FIlm Critics–who called it right once again–they don’t represent the nation’s true cultural capital for nothing)? It is not so difficult to comprehend. To the Hollywood Foreign Press, those stodgy, aging foreign-pushers of Hollywood product, “Brokeback” was about Hollywood cowboy iconography, even if the principal characters were lifelong male lovers. “Milk” however, is a very contemporary political statement about a seminal historical gay-related tragedy, and the HFP would have nothing of it!
It is the time that the gay community, integral to the motion picture industry from its outset, cease to endure this blatant prejudice. The gay community largely stood steadfast in President-elect Obama’s efforts to take California in a landslide, only to endure prejudice from communities gay men and women thought they could count upon in defeating Proposition #8.
The gay community should endure this prejudice no more. Put the Hollywood Foreign Press out of business until they own up to their prejudice. Sean Penn, clearly this year’s best actor as Harvey Milk, can lead such a protest, perhaps joined by many sympathizers in the Hollywood community, in boycotting this year’s Globes.
Make the Globes irrelevant. Cancel their “Hollywood party,” until they acknowledge their own prejudice. Only when all communities cease to endure blatant prejudice can the United States community be brilliantly proud of its presumed signature constitutional guarantee of equal protection and equal rights under the law.
SaltireFlower: Michael Sheen is leading, he is being campaigned as such and I’m sure the globes classified him there, though Cruise getting in over one of the Milk actors is a surprise.
Anyway right now I’m predicting this line-up Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Frost/Nixon, Benjamin Button, Wall-E as the 5th slot that is very vulnerable; obviously the guilds will give us a better picture (though it will be hard to judge Wall-E’s strength since I believe at some of the guilds it won’t be eligible for normal top prizes they way it wasn’t at the globes).
Curious to know, too lazy to check: how rare is it for not a single nominee in best picture – comedy at the Globes to end up being a best picture contender at the Oscars?
Five times in the past ten years. Is that a little or a lot?
qwiggles: To answer your question, it’s happened four times since 1990 that not a single nominee for Globe Musical/Comedy has ended up on the Oscar BP slate. 2005, 1999, 1993, 1992. I’m not sure how often it happened pre-1990.
In short, it’s unusual but not exactly rare.
“This is unfortunate for Milk, but I don’t think it helps The Reader, Doubt, or even Rev. Road unless they can build a bit of momentum with audiences.”
We won’t know that until these movies open – which they haven’t yet….
I have this sneaking suspicion that SaltireFlower may have been thinking of Michael Shannon – that’s what I thought when I read his post….could be wrong….
Can we not mention Tom Cruise and Oscar in the same sentence again. His nomination was ridiculous. He wasn’t even all that good in Tropic Thunder. Like someone said already, he was Cruise in a fat suit.
These nominations are kind of upsetting. No love for The Dark Knight? One would expect the GG’s to go crazy all over a film like that.
Ben M.:
Sigh…I had forgotten about that. Worst. Idea. Ever.
This is also, quite clearly, the most blatant case of chiroptophobia since the notorious Oscar snub of Adam West in favor of everyone nominated for an acting award in 1966.
What does this snub do for Milk’s chances of winning a BP Oscar?
A movie without a Golden Globe nod rarely wins a bp.
Maybe, after the Brokeback tragedy, Globes are setting up for Milk to be a winner (just like Crash). lol.
I would LOVE it if Fran McDormand got an Oscar nom for Best Actress!
Hello !
I am VERY HAPPY with this line-up !!!!!!
Very happy to see peoples like :
Mickey Rourke, Sean Penn, Collin Farrel (YES !!!!), Brendan Gleeson, Dustin Hoffman, Anne Hathaway, KST, ate Winslet, Marisa Tomei, Tom Cruise (YES !!!!!), Robert Downey Jr, Ralph Fiennes.
and happy to see some love for “In Bruges” and good old Woody with Vicky Christina Barcelona.
And NO Milk, and NO TDK !!!!
NO !!!!!!!!
Harry could you cool down a little bit ? I think you are kidding.
Milk will have more than it probably deserves when Sean Penn will go on stage to take his best actor oscar at the next Academy award ceremony.
Even though it’s only a limited release 5 GG nominations should help Doubt when it opens this weekend.
Oh, come on you’re way overreacting. Milk got snubbed, it happens with all kind of films, it has nothing to do with its plot. The HFPA is clearly not homophobic, look back at 2006 – 4 awards for Brokeback Mountain including best picture and director, best actor award for P.S. Hoffman for playing a gay writer and best actress award for Felicity Huffman for playing a transsexual man.
So stop all the drama please, Milk is still a very, very strong contender in the best picture race, so there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
“5 GG nominations should help Doubt when it opens this weekend.”
amanda, it should also help that the TV ads for Doubt make it look like The Exorcist Wears Prada.
unfair to Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchet instead of Melissa Leo?
Melissa had to be nominated.
After all the precursors storm my oscar predictions go this way…
Picture
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
FROST/NIXON
MILK
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Director
DANNY BOYLE
STEPHEN DALDRY/THE READER
RON HOWARD
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
GUS VAN SANT
Actor
CLINT EASTWOOD
RICHARD JENKINS
FRANK LANGELLA
SEAN PENN
MICKEY ROURKE
Actress
ANNE HATHAWAY
SALLY HAWKINS
MELISSA LEO
MERYL STREEP
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS
Supp Actor
JOSH BROLIN
ROBERT DOWNEY JR.
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN
HEATH LEDGER
MICHAEL SHANNON
Supp Actress
PENELOPE CRUZ
VIOLA DAVIS
ROSEMARIE DEWITT
MARISA TOMEI
KATE WINSLET
Original Screenplay
HAPPY GO-LUCKY
MILK
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
THE VISITOR
Adapted Screenplay
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
FROST/NIXON
THE READER
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Cinematography
AUSTRALIA
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Film Editing
THE DARK KNIGHT
FROST/NIXON
MILK
THE READER
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
I’m sorry, but I thought Tom Cruise was embarrassingly bad in Tropic Thunder…grotesque, thoroughly unfunny and Mike Myers-esque in every respect. Do. not. get. at all.
I don’t get it either Harry.
I’m starting to question whether The Dark Knight still has a shot at Best Picture. These awards have only been rewarding Heath Ledger.
It could easily come down to…
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Let’s see what happens with the SAG’s next week.
I’m very disappointed there wasn’t more attention given to Rachel Getting Married. No Demme, no DeWitt, no Winger, no Irwin, no Lumet (!) only the Hathaway nomination. It feels like the film didn’t exist.
Yea…it was incredible how none of the Rachel Getting Married women made the cut in supporting actress. hell, i would have been glad to see bill irwin instead of that tom cruise.
Which awards, JR? LAFCA had it as a runner-up in picture/director, Critics Choice gave it 6 noms, including picture/director, and NBR had it in the top 10.
This is feeling to me like one of those years where the Globes are a poor predictor. They always have one or two wonkey nominations in drama, but usually cover all BP bases with at least one slot in comedy. Not so in a year where all of the big contenders are dramas.
What a boring banch of nominees? Melissa Leo > Angelina Jolie; James Franco > Tom Cruise; Josh Brolin > Tom Cruise; Emile Hirsch > Tom Cruise;
James Franco got nominated, but for another movie.
Aside: what does everyone suppose will win Comedy? Happy-Go-Lucky seems small compared to their usual fare here, but can you imagine In Bruges winning?
SAG PREDICTIONS
Ensemble
THE DARK KNIGHT
DOUBT
FROST/NIXON
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
MILK
Actor
LEONARDO DICAPRIO
RICHARD JENKINS
FRANK LANGELLA
SEAN PENN
MICKEY ROURKE
Actress
ANNE HATHAWAY
MELISSA LEO
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS
MERYL STREEP
KATE WINSLET
Supporting Actor
JOSH BROLIN
BILL IRWIN
HEATH LEDGER
DEV PATEL
MICHAEL SHANNON
Supporting Actress
PENELOPE CRUZ
VIOLA DAVIS
ROSEMARIE DEWITT
MARISA TOMEI
DEBRA WINGER
Maybe we all should not overestimate the influence of the GGs. Back in the early 90s when I started following the oscar season, the Globes have been a very intresting barometer to see how the race is emerging, but during the last couple of years there have been some curious cases of silly nominations and inexpicably snubs.
I guess the Academy recognizes this group, but feels totally free to award their own choices.
In this case, I bet the Academy is a bit less peculiar and will nominate a consensus critical darling like “Milk”, for example.
Don´t expect Tom Cruise to get nominated- the Hollywood Foreign Press is crazy about him.
Well HFPA just gave Sean Penn a reason to hate them even more! LOL He is not going to show up to the awards ceremony. He never does.
GG Best Picture (Drama) snubs that got Oscar BP nods (eight in the past ten years):
2006 – Letters from Iwo Jima
2005 – Crash (the winner, for better or worse), Capote
2000 – Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (and winner of Best Foreign Language Film)
1999 – The Cider House Rules, The Sixth Sense, The Green Mile
1998 – The Thin Red Line
I couldn’t stand that song from “Bolt”. It was one-dimensional and grating. This is a classic case of HFPA starfucking at its worst. Ridiculous.
But now I’m worried about this song making an Oscar run. Miley Cyrus an Academy Award nominee? Such a thought should only exist in scary stories told around a campfire.
Lou Lumenick in today’s NY Post claims that there are only six movies “credibly vying” for BP (although he goes on to name seven?)
1) Curious Case (the frontrunner, he says) 2) Milk, which poses a “serious challenge” to CCoBB 3) Slumdog Millionaire, which he considers the third entry in essentially a three-way battle for the win 4) Revolutionary Road and 5) he gives the edge to Doubt over 6) Frost/Nixon, although he acknowledges it could easily go the other way.
He mentions 7) The Dark Knight at the end of the article, saying it’s “less likely, but not impossible” for it to get a BP nod. He says Ledger seems assured of a nomination, and Nolan could end up with a nod as well.
For what it’s worth. I’m sticking to my guns that Doubt will not make the BP list. Have to go with my gut on this one.
Miley Cyrus? Oscars? Oh the horror…
I still think Blanchett will get in over Scott Thomas. Her movie is just too strong to miss.
The Globes mojo as the Oscars precursor really faded in the last years. But you know that? Like a lot, a lot, the award for the cerimony itself: has a cool, easy-going format, unexpected, full of infomality. Christine Lahti is in the bathroom, Robin Williams jumps in the stage takes the mic to call her, Ving Rhames giving his trophy to Jack Lemmon, Lemmons coming to the get it, (doubt if happens in the Oscar, Emmy, etc), etc. It’s a good contrapostion to our estimated Academy Awards.
@Christopher #64 – and the Academy loves Cate Blanchett. She got a double nod from them last year.
For what it’s worth. I’m sticking to my guns that Doubt will not make the BP list. Have to go with my gut on this one.
I would be totally shocked if Doubt climbed back in the BP race at this point. I suppose it’s possible to get an ensemble nom at SAGs, but the the reviews have been lackluster (57 on Metacritic). It took a real hit from the New Yorker. I’m assuming (correct me if I’m wrong) that GG voted before the reviews on Doubt and The Reader.
I think the DGA, PGA, and SAG will recognize Milk. Unless the DGA has something against Van Sant, I don’t know how they could not recognize the fine work he has done this year. And Milk is such an actors’ film, though it’s true it doesn’t have as many female actors.
I don’t think Doubt has a chance to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars. Too many other films that are better.
Paramount & Dreamworks should be thanking Katie Martin Kelly for her lobbying expertise with the HFPA on behalf of “Revolutionary Road”
the golden globes are morons, they just pick whatever looks the most award worthy, without any actual taste. the only risk they took of course was nominating Tom Cruise… not a coincidence he’s a 20 mil movie star
very bad list, dark knight and milk being snubbed is just silly
VERY upset about “Milk” I feel like cutting and pasting Larry’s well-written rant right here. But go check above^
Not that I didn’t see this coming…
Also, they are in the business of SELLING TABLES and getting stars to pose for pictures with EACH MEMBER after their big screening for HFPA and if they don’t attend, and don’t pose and then ALSO don’t autograph said pictures…Well…And Sean doesn’t do any of this…
I for one though thought TC HILARIOUS in “Tropic Thunder”! And they nominate James Franco but for ANOTHER movie!!! Now, that’s a slap, not a snap.
Hey Alison,
Cate didn’t get a double nod. She was nominated for the Golden Age last year and for Notes on a Scandal the year before.
Also, I must say that the HFPA is not homophobic. That is ridiculous. It is just a case of them not caring for Milk as much as the other five. With Brokeback winning so many a couple of years ago, I just cannot believe that theory.
Again, as I said in the other post, these nominations are irrelevant and the Oscar line up will be much different, and better. There will be surprises, to be sure (I want a Keisha Castle Hughes kind of surprise this year!)
Prejudice is most discernible, and here it is beyond obvious. “Milk” opened to near universal ecstatic reviews; it has made as many year’s best lists as any other film, and it is brilliantly timely, which most of the Golden Globe nominees in 2008 are clearly not.
This was homophobia, pure and plain and at its ugliest. It is not “dramatizing” to argue this point. Nor can the Foreign Press be forgiven because in 2005 they concurred that “Brokeback Mountain” was the best of its year. Again, that film involved iconic Hollywood figures–cowboys–even if in that case the principals happened to be lifelong gay lovers as well.
But “Milk” is as topical as a film can be, concerning blatant prejudice against gays. It deals with historical facts, but its relevance in the aftermath of the passage of California’s Proposition 8 could not be more apropos.
To even suggest that lesser films, with far more uneven if not far less enthusiastic reviews, such as in the case of “Frost/Nixon,” “Revolutionary Road,” and “The Reader” should be there in the absence of “Milk” speaks volumes–volumes of ugly hatred toward championing the rights of a long too put-down minority.
Just as the selection of “Crash” over the near-universally acclaimed “Brokeback Mountain” in 2005 forever tarnished the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, so too will this year’s omission of “Milk”” to be considered the best of 2008, forever hereafter tarnish the Hollywood Foreign Press.
Commentators above may be dismissive, as they were of the “Crash” selection in 2005, but the gay community has been spat upon and labeled as “drama queens” far too much of late.
Indeed, this a very big deal, not just a difference of critical opinion. The Globes should be shattered, and their “big party” boycotted. In that respect, the gay community has more power than perhaps they themselves realize.
Only when the motion picture community truly acknowledges that the gay community has been integral to the industry from the outset will they tread carefully in considering future awards selections, free of any possibility of racial, ethnic, or same-sex coupling prejudice.
The omission of “Milk” by the HFP in 2008 is not just a critical blunder; it is much deeper. It demands retribution, however dismissive of that omission some commentators above may
All the nominations for In Bruges, one of the best movies of the year, have me overlooking the weird novelty nominations (Tom Cruise, Franco for PE). Brendan Gleeson is astounding in that movie, one of the best performances of the year. And he stands a real shot at winning, which is marvelousl
“The omission of “Milk” by the HFP in 2008 is not just a critical blunder; it is much deeper. It demands retribution,”
Larry, you sound like a pretentous fool. What now, gonna boycott the Golden Globes? Picket outside? Boo hoo. Where were you when the Globes ignored Into The Wild, Iwo Jima, etc. Get over it. The Globes frequently do this. They gave best picture to Brokeback Mountain and have awarded many, many gay films in the recent past.
Take your soapbox to another corner, and let us get on with discussion movies rationally.
Who is getting the Cecil B. DeMille award this year? Has Clint gotten it before?
Cate Blanchett missing a nod – did I read that right? I can’t believe it if that is the case. I love Cate.
In the TV show category I am so happy that my 5 fave shows were nominated. I don’t watch TV very much but I never miss these.
True Blood
Dexter
24
Californication
Entourage
Yahoo!
Paul–
you forgot about MUNICH in 2005 as well. And the Globe snubs to films that go on to reap multiple nominations including Best Picture goes way back. DANGEROUS LIAISONS received no Globe love back in 1988.
And Larry–
As much as your fervor is appreciated (MILK is my favorite film of the year and the CRASH/BROKEBACK debacle still has me disgusted)…it is quite possible MILK was overlooked simply because Penn and Van Sant do not play the ass-sucking games the HFPA usually demand for recognition.
More importantly — who is this years Mr. or Mrs. Golden Globes?
steamfreshmeals
I would venture that the studios behind EVERY FILM on the GG Best Film list have people to ‘thank’ for their ‘lobbying on their behalf’ with the HFPA
I am sooo happy about the list! Love Mickey Rourke hope he wins!
RR was an amazing movie. Kate W. may finally have her well deserved Oscar.
Just saw MIlk yesterday, and it definitely was one of the year’s best, and so sad to see such an important film getting snubbed. But I do understand why it was not nominated as well. First, it’s apologetically gay in every aspects (Just like a movie about civil rights movement movie will be apologetically african-american). Second, it’s not a flashy or loud movie (unlike Slumdog), but everything it’s so subtle and quiet and powerful. Also, it is also a very experimental mainstream movie, with documentary footages and other cool stuff going on (yes, I”m not a film critic). Also, Sean Penn’s character is not necessarily a saint (which adds dimension to his character) when he wants to kick out Dan White. Also, it’s more of a political movie to me rather than a biopic. And some people already starts calling it the gay politics movie (just like the gay cowboy movie), when it is basically just a movie about hope and acceptance of differences. Hey, did Obama just copy his message or …..? LOL
I actually like the franco nom for PE – he gave a wonderfully comic performance….I’m glad this category exists to allow for that sort of recognition
Alison is right of course. Cate’s double nod last year:
Best Actress – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Best Supporting Actress – I’m Not There
Hey Alex (#74) – Cate got a double nod last year – Golden Age for lead, I’m Not There for Supporting.
And all of you ranting homophobia, please, relax.
Are the Indies homophobic because they didn’t nominate Milk for Picture?
The homophobia comments regarding the Academy are because: 1 – they went last and everyone had already concluded Brokeback was the best film of the year – even without winning every award, it reaped the most kudos from every single group (Critics, IS, BFCA, GS, GG, BAFTA, guilds). The only film in history to do so. and 2 – Idiots like Borgnine and Tony Curtis flat out were saying things like “John Wayne is spinning in his grave” because of the “gay cowboys.” You had people flat out saying homophobic things about the film before the votes were all in. We’ve got nothing like that coming out about Milk. So, please, relax. All of us who support the film, both for its quality and its content are upset about it being snubbed, but let’s not overreact.
Calm down about Milk. Quite frankly I was a little bored through the movie.
Hey Erik–
I agree Larry should ‘relax’ a bit with the cries of homophobia
but there are some folks here who are telling him his opinion doesn’t matter and he should just leave the site…he has every right to voice his opinion as everyone else does.
I also want to say that I am thrilled REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is finally getting some love! To be blunt the HFPA made a lot of good choices this morning. It’s a shame they blundered with the MILK omission (especially in favor of Opie)…but I feel AMPAS will recognize MILK as well as the also overlooked–DARK KNIGHT!
Frank, I couldn’t agree more. I think, for the most part, these were fantastic choices (on the Movie and TV sides). It’s sad to see that MILK was overlooked, but I’m thrilled Penn got recognized. Also incredibly psyched for Kate W. and Leo. I fully expect The Dark Knight to come back full force, though.
My bad Alison, Paul, and Erik…when someone says “The Academy” I am set on default to think of the real academy…AMPAS.
Also, I think Alison’s response was to an earlier post that stated that Blanchett would get in over Scott Thomas…meaning at the Oscars, no?
Although I disagree with your, Larry, I think you should be free to express your opinion, like everyone else here.
Alex, we are referring to AMPAS:
Best Actress – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Best Supporting Actress – I’m Not There
The fact that both Milk and TDK were snubbed for Best Picture only shows what discriminating shallow people the golden globes people are. They only like the old stuff and when one (or two) great movie(s) come(s) along, they don’t even know it unless it bit ‘em in the ass. And, saying this as a film-lover and NOT a bat-boy fan, the snubbing of The Dark Knight was a gigantic blunder. I’ll see Milk this weekend, so I think that will add up to two gigantic blunders.
“Who is getting the Cecil B. DeMille award this year? Has Clint gotten it before?”
If I remember correctly it’s going to be Spielberg, he was supposed to get it last year but they pushed him to this year because of the strike.
and i believe the same goes for Miss GG..which will be Rumor Willis.
I am especially sensitive to racism and homophobia and have often been told I see them where they don’t exist, but I’m sorry, I don’t see HFPA’s snub of Milk as homophobic. I consider it a lapse in taste, but that’s not a (hate) crime.
Hey. We have to remember that last year they totally snubbed Into the Wild, another Sean Penn film. Maybe they don’t like him, because he never attended the ceremonies…
Damian–
I think you totally hit the nail on the proverbial head with the MILK snub!
Hey HFPA, a nutless monkey could do your job.
Onward to much better and more interesting things: THE OSCARS!!
The snub for The Dark Knight is unforgivable. This is the last straw, I refuse to watch the golden globes from now on.
Paul Outlaw,
My god… I am so stupid! Of course Cate was double nominated last year. I am so out of it!
Too much awards watching is blunting my brain.
Really happy about the nomination for Kristin Scott Thomas. Now, if she can get a SAG nom as well……
Although I am VERY sad about the “Milk” snub – I have complete faith that it will show up big at the Oscars. I still think it’s Benjamin Button vs. Milk vs. Slumdog. If “Milk” does win – it will be the first film since “Crash” to win the Oscar without a Globe nomination. How funny and ironic would that be? Anyways, thank God for the NYFCC yesterday – and keep the faith. Go Milk! Go Winslet!
FOR ALL ANGIE HATERS!!
STOP TO HATE ANGELINA FOR HER PERSONAL LIFE, SHE IS SUCH A GREAT ACTRESS AND ALL THE PREDICTIONS AT THIS POINT IS THAT ANGELINA GOING TO WIN THE GOLDEN GLOBE, SO GETTIN USED TO THE IDEA THAT SHE GONNA GET AN OSCAR NOMINATION BECAUSE ITS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND NO!!! SALLY HAWKINS? NOT GONNA HAPPENED U WILL SEE! SO, OPEN UR EYES U PEOPLE TOSEE THE TALENT, AND FORGET THE PERSONAL LIFE!
Gregoire #78
It is Rumor Willis for Miss GG
There is not a Mr. GG this year.
This is kind of off topic, but in the original song category, does anyone know if “Little Person” from Synecdoche, NY is eligible? I thought it was original, but now I’m second-guessing myself. Surely it’s more worthy of a nom than Miley Cyrus.
“homophobia…at its ugliest”? Please. Let’s just remember that all of this is completely subjective. Milk may, in the longer run, be a very important film, but there’s no way anyone can know that now. It’s only in hindsight that history is made. So a group of people not liking a film as much as another group of people is not indicative of prejudice. There are a million factors to consider, and to boil it down to one dramatic reason just insults everyone’s intelligence.
From Frank Avella :
“it is quite possible MILK was overlooked simply because Penn and Van Sant do not play the ass-sucking games the HFPA usually demand for recognition”
From Jordan Cron :
“Hey HFPA, a nutless monkey could do your job”.
Why are you insulting these peoples ?
The GG’s line-up only shows that tastes are becoming increasingly different, not only between America and the rest of the world, but also inside America itself.
You should get over it, that’s all and it is not a reason to insult peoples.
Why can’t people complain about Milk NOT getting nominated?
If Halle Berry didn’t win the Oscar for Monster’s Ball, do you think people will say she was robbed because she was black? I would definitely be the first one to say yes, PARTLY because of her race.
I don’t mind ppl complain about snubbing of TDK even though I think the movie is only ok.
“The GG’s line-up only shows that tastes are becoming increasingly different, not only between America and the rest of the world, but also inside America itself.”
And by “tastes”, you obviously mean “gifts from studios”, correct?
Doubt got four stars from ever-generous Roger Ebert (no surprise there), more importantly, he singles out the confrontation between Streep and Davis as one of the best scenes of the year.
Rumor Willis, LOL, I can’t imagine she volunteered for this embarrassing function.
I thought Milk was a very good not great movie. I understand the love it’s garnered and won’t be in the least bit distressed if it does well with the Academy. But really, as long as Sean Penn got recognition for his great work in the film (which he did), I don’t view it as a snub.
For me, I think the biggest gaffe is nominating Tom Cruise for wearing Jew face while overlooking something like Brad Pitt’s work in Burn After Reading, Danny McBride in Pineapple Express or Eddie Marsan in Happy-Go-Lucky. Talk about a star f***ing move….
Sorry if this has been said elsewhere, but have y’all seen the reviews adding up for The Reader on Metacritic? It ain’t pretty. I’m kind of surprised it has wrangled as much love as it has. I doubt we’ll be seeing much of it at the rest of the critics’ awards and the guilds (except Winslet, maybe).
Gentle Benj,
The Reader is not a surprise because it is from Weinstein who is very good at getting his films GG nominations. He also got Bobby a GG drama nom a few years ago.Harvey Weinstein is the man who got Chocolate a BP Oscar nomination. Never underestimate him.
@ #62, Robert
Lou Lumenick in today’s NY Post claims that there are only six movies “credibly vying” for BP (although he goes on to name seven?)
I want to believe Lumenik is right about
Benjamin Button
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Revolutionary Road
But if the 5th slot can’t be The Dark Knight, I hope it’s not a battle of the overblown Broadway waxworks, both rehashed by hacks.
How sweet would it be to see something fresh and organic like Rachel Getting Married in the final 5?
=====
@ # 75, daveylow
Who is getting the Cecil B. DeMille award this year?
Sharon Stone? Bound to be, someday soon.
@ #78, Gregoire
More importantly — who is this years Mr. or Mrs. Golden Globes?
Maddox and Zahara?
didn’t mean to aggravate ya there frederic lyon. that was a tom cruise line from tropic thunder. i felt it appropriate for today’s announcement.
in reality, i am quite satisfied with these GG nominations. outside of the Milk snub, nothing seems to insulting. at least to me.
I’ve been trying to muster up enthusiasm for the Golden Showers all afternoon and I’ve failed utterly.
I’m still surprised by the TDK snub though. Not disappointed (that would require a degree of actually caring), but surprised. I thought they’d fall hard for it.
It’s like not being asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance by the ugly girl. You’re not looking for it, but not getting it makes you wonder if maybe there really is something wrong with you.
Frost/Nixon
Benji Button
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Those are locked. People don’t want to accept that Frost/Nixon is one of the best reviewed films in the awards shortlist.
Ryan (from #112):
very sweet
It’s like not being asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance by the ugly girl. You’re not looking for it, but not getting it makes you wonder if maybe there really is something wrong with you.
cj, Sally Hawkins is the new Sadie Hawkins.
“Benji Button”
aw, I love that, Alfredo.
How about Milky?
Slummy Milly
Frosty/Dicky… ok, maybe not.
Hahaha…I’d go to the Sally Hawkins dance though.
Alfredo, I can accept that F/N is one of the best reviewed films in the Oscar short list, but I don’t have to like it!
I dunno about all this talk about Benjamin Button as the frontrunner. It gives me Dreamgirls vibes. It seems like those who have seen it, love it, but they all love some other movie even more (Wall-E, Slumdog, Milk, The Dark Knight, even Rev. Road). Can it survive preferential balloting? I have my doubts.
Also, Button more than any other contender will have to deal with awards season fatigue. Being branded as an early frontrunner is never good, unless you’re a ROTK or a Titanic. Add an overexposed celebrity and a perma-nominee in the starring roles, and you’re going to see a lot of people deliberately looking elsewhere.
I’m thinking:
THE DARK KNIGHT (The guilds will tell the tale on this one, but I think the love is there in AMPAS)
FROST/NIXON (This is THE old-timer choice of the year. Do not underestimate the old-timers! After Slumdog, I think it’s the safest nominee)
MILK (Its absence at the Globes hurts it very little. Again, the guilds will be telling)
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (There’s no way it will miss. This, not Button, is your mortal lock for a nod)
WALL-E (This is the riskiest pick, obviously. But the movie is breaking all kinds of barriers that normally confine animated films. The LAFCA win, in particular, tells us something about the way they feel about the movie in Tinseltown. I think there are going to be a lot of ballots with WALL-E at #1–enough for a shocker nomination. Once again, the guilds may clue us in. if Andrew Stanton gets a nod from the DGA, heads up)
In a weird way, Best Director feels easier to call at this point. Boyle, Demme, Howard, Leigh, van Sant. With Christopher Nolan nipping at their heels.
I am just happy Sally Hawkins was nominated for Happy-Go-Lucky.
I accept the 79 score for F/N on metacritic too, Alfredo.
But note that score is lower than Michael Clayton’s 82, and Juno’s 81 (the 4th and 5th rungs on last year’s ladder)
Also it’s lower than Rachel Getting Married’s 82, TDK’s 82, and even Happy-Go-Lucky’s 84. And we don’t know yet how high (or not-so-high) Revolutionary Road and Benji Button will score.
I’d rather see H-G-L nominated for BP over F/N (though they both have fussy punctuation, and the odds I’d ever watch either of them a second time is 0%.)
===
also, Frost/Nixon’s average is boosted by only 4 perfect 100s (3 from TV Guide, “the staff” of Premiere, and Santa Ebert). Rachel Getting Married has 8 perfect scores of 100 from critics I trust more (again, including Ebert)
Actually, know what’s a better analogy for Button than Dreamgirls? Cold Mountain. Present at the NBR and the BFCA, and a HUGE deal at the Globes. Potential nominees for Actor, Actress, and Supporting Actress. Overexposed star, and a star with a recent Oscar win (in this case, both Nicole Kidman). Prestigious source material. Perceived by some viewers to be emotionally detached. And so on.
HFPA isn’t homophobic, Larry. They didn’t like “Milk”. That’s all. They rewarded “Brokeback Mountain”, “The Hours”, “Angels in America”, nominated “Mullholland Drive” in recent years. They’re not like AMPAS -thank God!!!
Except Cold Mountain was the same year as ROTK which crushed everything in its path. There is no film this year that will dominate like ROTK. “Button” looks like Babel to me only with an eventual BP Oscar win.
“Present at the NBR and the BFCA, and a HUGE deal at the Globes. Potential nominees for Actor, Actress, and Supporting Actress.”
Describes about 40% of all BP nominees though, Benj.
Also, Hollywood got tired of the Miramax yearly push with what they felt was the same old expensive historical romantic period bullshit, you know?
COLD MOUNTAIN was when they backlashed against the Weinstein Clan, fairly or not against that film.
As for the GG nominees…….why didn’t David Fincher get nominated?
Come on Hollywood, quit holding ALIEN 3 against him!
Yeah, I guess you’re right, Ryan. My source is Rottentomatoes and Frost/Nixon have 91%. Maybe I should check Metacritic more often.
Oh, and Milky is alright too i guess.
“HFPA isn’t homophobic”
I suspect HFPA is homophobic the way The Village People are homophobic.
several people have already correctly diagnosed the lactose intolerance. HFPA is Pennophobic. It’s mutual snubbishness.
I mean, you’re right not to dismiss it, Alfredo. It’s healthy enough to be a player.
But I actually had to go find a list of BP nominees for the past few years racking my brain trying to think of a movie I think is a weaker nominee. I finally found one, from 7 years ago. In the Bedroom.
But it’s got enough bullish oomph to bluff its way in, I’ll agree.
When a group of talented filmmakers take a questionable work of fiction and make it into a film, you never know what to expect. If you’re lucky, you get The Bridges of Madison County, a quiet picture with some of Eastwood’s best late career acting work and a sexy Streep.
But just as easily you can get The Reader, a “scrupulously tasteful” (Manohla Dargis) rendering of Bernhard Schlink’s bestseller, described as “Kulturpornographie” (you don’t need to speak German to understand this word) by a respected German daily. (A friend of mine who happens to be both Jewish and German told me this was a heinous book that never should have been written. After seeing the movie earlier this week, I get what he meant.)
Great performances abound (watch for Lena Olin) in this classy production, but it will make me madder than Walt Kowalski on Diversity Day if this perfumed pig snatches a truckload of Oscar nods. The LA & NY critics’ groups ignored it, but it’s already gotten past the HPFA to take four Golden Globe nominations.
I love you Kate, but…
I really enjoyed the first section of the novel, Paul. All ready to snuggle down and wallow in the evocative perversity.
But then it took a sharp turn down Guilt Trip Boulevard, and pummeled me with a brutal scolding for something I didn’t do.
I can see how it might resonate for another generation in the country of origin, but can’t figure out how it became an international bestseller — except that it was mercifully short.
Good news for George Bush though: illiteracy absolves the most heinous crimes?
[edit: your "heinous" was contagious.]
The analogy goes on, though. When people quibble about Benjamin Button, their complaints tend towards these three:
1. It’s too damn long
2. It’s not cohesive
3. It feels chilly
Those are the same problems that people had with Cold Mountain, Dreamgirls, and another Oscar also-ran, Big Fish. Granted, Big Fish didn’t have the critics on its side either, but still.
I know I’m being awfully insistent about this, and really I’m just trying to substantiate a hunch. I just think that, having been gobsmacked by “sure things” in the past, we may be able to spot the warning signs.
[edit: your "heinous" was contagious. Ewww...]
Larry, the film industry and movie critics are not homophobic. Don’t kid yourself for a second. ‘Crash’ was just a better movie then ‘Brokeback.’ (Both did have moments of melodrama.) Out of all my casual movie going friends who saw both ‘Brokeback’ and ‘Crash,’ (I’ll name you over a dozen) they liked ‘Crash’ and thought ‘Brokeback’ was overrated…AND I agree with them. People still talk about ‘Crash’ to this day. Hell, they made it into a TV show.
The last thing I want to hear this Oscar season is being called homophobic because I liked ‘Batman,’ ‘Frost/Nixon’ and ‘Slumdog’ over ‘Milk.’
Sorry, I’m sick of cliche bio-pics and Sean Penn, but I deeply care about my gay and lesbian friends and family member (cousin). I understand Propisition 8 has upset a lot of people, but refrain from accusations straight out of the Salem Witch Trials. Stick to the movies.
I still think ‘Milk’ could win the Best Picture Oscar BECAUSE of Prop 8.
People still talk about ‘Crash’ to this day. Hell, they made it into a TV show.
Well, that says it all.
ha! Paul,
I’ve always felt Stargate was robbed of its Best Picture Oscar, but at least the endless TV spinoffs redeem its place in film history.
Crash was great a first viewing. Sufferend a lot upon a second. Disliked it by the third. Have it on DVD but didn’t even finish it.
Brokeback I’ve seen again recently and it is truly a masterpiece.
Sorry miles, but you and your friends = bad taste
Brokeback is still being talked about. People are still upset at its losing, not just in the gay community but in the film community. The shock of Crash’s win hasn’t really been dulled. Brokeback Mountain is, undeniably, a masterpiece. You just need to watch it, really watch it.
The secret to enjoying Brokeback is to agree to immerse yourself in its characters, to not only believe the hype but understand it too. The plot of Brokeback is not driven by events but by characters and emotions. If you believe in the characters and thus allow yourself to feel their emotions as they do, it resonates on a level that you almost feel cinema ought not to. It touched me that much.
I feel so left out every time the Crash vs. Brokeback argument breaks out. I didn’t think either one was about the things it claimed to be about.
Crash is supposed to be about race relations, but it really is just about a lot of annoying people with incredibly short tempers. The movie ALMOST acknowledges that in the scene where Sandra Bullock is on the phone… and then poof! Gone.
Brokeback thinks it’s about tr00 luv, but it’s really about humorless ennui–more than two hours of it, all the while hearing that damn guitar phrase 1,462 times.
I was a Capote booster. Which feels very Ralph Nader.
Tufas,
You hit it on the head. Crash had me saying “omg”, this is so profound the first time. The second time, I was rolling my eyes at many parts. And the third time, I saw it for the sham it was. Maybe I was influenced by AwardsDaily.com, but I don’t think so. Crash is pure sensationalism.
Brokeback, on the other hand, is poetry, pure and simple. For those who found it boring, I think that SOME of them were just to lazy to follow a story that takes time to unfold. The first time I saw the movie I really liked it. The second time, I found it incredibly heartbreaking and unfair that these two guys couldn’t be together. And the third, I started to concentrate on the filmmaking and acting even more, which is superlative to Crash in all possible ways.
I’m always amused by people who claim one movie is better than another because they think so and “all their friends” think so.
Well, mileshigh, all my friends like Brokeback over Crash. I don’t think that proves anything other than your friends have similar tastes as you do, and my friends have similar tastes to what I do. That’s probably why they’re our friends!
Again, birds of a feather and all that…
The Golden Globes nominations reek of a desperate attempt at respectibilty and end up solidifying their almost utter irrelevance. The Dark Knight and Milk should have been among the highest nominated films, and yet they were both regulated to acting nominations. Homophobia towards the gay rights themed Milk and elitish snobbery towards the superhero blockbuster The Dark Knight.
Gentle Benj,
I think it is debateable that Brokeback Mountain is about true love. Myself, I think the movie is about the fact that Jack and Ennis cannot be truly in love. Jack thinks he is, and Ennis is very complicated about his feelings. The point is that societial barriers thwart their attempts to love one another. Only when Jack is dead does Ennis really understand their true love, I think. That makes the film all the more sad.
So, some of that ennui you speak of is, I would argue, in the film on purpose. It is frustrating that these two men cannot really move on or do anything with their lives other than meet in half-assed attempts at romance.
And, you are right, Capote rocked! If Capote had won, I would have not complained at all.
I think the ennui is totally intentional. And that can work, but for me there was not enough payback for all the investment. In the end I found nothing in it beyond “life sucks and then your lover dies.” If y’all got more out of it, that’s awesome, truly. But in ol’ Truman’s words, “frankly I don’t see what all the fuss is about.” Except Ledger’s performance. That was dynamite.
I know that I speak for many who profoundly disagree. This omission was, indeed, all about homophobia, and nothing more.
“Frost/Nixon” does not even constitute a motion picture–it is more of a badly filmed stage play; and many of “The Reader”’s reviews read painfully indeed.
No other dramatic (and not animated) film this year, save possibly “Slumdog Millionaire” (and I include “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” whose true assessments were pale reminders of its early hype; it is, in the end, a more glorified piece of fluff than ever was “Forrest Gump,” also adapted by Eric Roth) was more acclaimed than “Milk.”
It is beyond silly to suggest that the venerable New York Film Critics, who are among the oldest of such judging bodies, could quite boldly proclaim “MIlk” to be the best of 2008, just a day before the Hollywood Foreign Press decided to overlook “Milk” entirely except for Sean Penn’s tour-de-force performance in the title role.
No, sorry, this is all about homophobia, and “Crash” was indeed a disastrous choice–both as a motion picture and an even worse television rendering.
This time, The Hollywood Foreign Press has done the dirty work for the Film Academy by choosing to all but ignore “Milk,” so that any stings of omission by the Academy come Oscar time can this time appear as having had precedent.
This was certainly not the case in 2005. The American Film Academy and the Chicago film critics were about the only major groups to disagree with the concensus that “Brokeback Mountain” was in fact a masterpiece and the best of 2005.
This is not to suggest that any of the commentators above are homophobic, or that any of your own assessments are any less cogent than my own.
But here the analogy certainly applies: if it looks like a duck…
And in a year in which a film makes as many ten bests lists as any other and garners the highest accolades of the New York Film Critics–surely among the toughest and most venerable of the film bodies–there is something more than critical dissent driving the Hollywood Foreign Press when it all but ignores that same film.
Sasha Stone is to be commended for having been herself one of the great voices who in 2005 took umbrage with that very bad AMPAS decision, and who acknowledged the obvious homophobia. At that time, one film website even closed down entirely out of protest.
This year, it is my hope that the gay community and those who sympathize with their savage mistreatment either by way of the passage of Proposition 8 or by any blatant acts of homophobia such as occurred today, do indeed “crash” the Golden Globe party in 2009.
We have elected the first African-American United States President. It is now time to shatter prejudice against any group in any form, wherever that prejudice rears its ugly head.
And when it comes to film-making, it is time that the industry itself acknowledge just how seminal a role the gay community has played from the outset, and how spitting upon that community just won’t be allowed anymore.
“Not no-way, not no-how!”
Rule: If you are not at least nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Picture, then you do NOT win the Oscar for Best Picture.
Only 2 exceptions since 1943, the first year of the Globes. The first was The Sting in 1973, which supposedly missed out on a nomination because it split its own vote between the Drama and Comedy prizes -category confusion. This makes sense since Sting was already the National Board of Review Best Pic winner, a Globe nominee for Screenplay, and eventual winner of the Directors Guild Award.
The second exception is Crash. The Hollywood Foreign Press announces its nominees early, and only looks to (a) itself, for its own opinions, and attempts to muster star power, and (b) the earlier crix prizes, like New York and Los Angeles, which Brokeback Mountain was sweeping in a powerhouse way matched only by Schindler’s List. Crash was not a player, not even a runner-up at any of the crix prizes, until much later, after the Globes, where the Roger Ebert- Richard Roeper award went to Crash over Brokeback, the only award which Crash won over Brokeback out of about 30 prizes (at least 10 of which are more prestigious and important as precursors than Chicago – my apologies to the superb Michael Wilmington). Crash only became a nomination player when it did well at the Guild nominations – though I remind you that Brokeback won the Directors Producers and Writers Guilds, the only film to ever do so without winning the Oscar Best Picture prize. I also remind you that SAG Ensemble is NOT a Best Picture prize, they do not pretend that it is, non-nominees and non-contenders like Birdcage and Fully Monty and Gosford Park etc. have won SAG ensemble. Anyhow, the point is, it was not a surprise that Crash didn’t get a Globe nomination, because the 5 nominated Globe dramas were stronger: Brokeback, A History of Violence, The Constant Gardner, Match Point, and Good Night and Good Luck (early on, based on reviews and public response, the only true competition for Brokeback, since most perceived Munich as disappointing). The only mildly dubious nominee in that bunch was the superbly reviewed Match Point, not quite as strongly reviewed as Capote.
Of course Brokeback swept the Globes, one of very few in their 65 year history to win Picture, Director and Screenplay (plus Song, which the Academy ruled ineligible for reasons that remain completely inconsistent with their past and present rules). Therefore, I do NOT consider the snubbing of Milk to be homophobic in any way. HFPA has always been gay friendly, their awards to Brokeback and previously Philadelphia (Hanks, yuk) and nominations for others prove it. In addition, it is important to remember that the Globes do not always nominate the New York Film Critics winner – Far From Heaven won that prize then was snubbed in Hollywood. Personally, I think Milk was very fine, but so were the other nominees this year, not to mention cultural bonanza Dark Knight. So yeah, the snubbing of Milk is a surprise and disappointment, but Sean Penn is still likely gonna win actor at the Globes, and maybe the Oscars, depending on how Rourke fares over the next few weeks. And, once again, Crash is a mediocre film at best that opened to mediocre reviews at best with a tepid audience reaction except for a certain sector of the population that loved it – a vocal minority to be sure. Brokeback, on the other hand, is an acknowledged masterpiece, was a cultural zeitgeist, a box office star (#1 film of 2005 at boxofficemojo, almost $200m worldwide, 50% more money that Crash, etc.).
Personal Best Picture so far this year: Wall-E, with contenders Button & Revolutionary Road still to be seen.
Button differs from Dreamgirls and Cold Mountain in one major respect: It is truly brilliant. As I’ve been saying for weeks, I’m Not There is the film to compare it to. And while it’s already doing much better than the Haynes masterpiece in this awards season, I’m still nervous.
This is as good a place as any to list my top ten American flicks of the year (unless Valkyie, Cadillac Records or Last Chance Harvey surprise me):
#1. (tie) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
WALL-E
#4. Trouble the Water
#5. The Wrestler
#6. Che (US-FR-ES)
#7. Synecdoche, New York
#8. In Bruges (US-UK)
#9. Married Life (US-CA)
#10. Slumdog Millionaire (US-UK)
Honorable Mention to these: Iron Man, Frost/Nixon (US-UK-FR), Defiance, Quantum of Solace (US-UK), Man on Wire (US-UK)
(I did say American films, which is why I didn’t include I’ve Loved You So Long and several others.)
@ #111 Hera
Don’t forget, the Weinsteins were also responsible for killing many animated movies like ‘Doogal’ and (most tragically) ‘The Thief and the Cobbler.’
Into the wild was snubbed by the globes last year and now Milk….did Penn upset the HFPA?
Mileshigh, stick your head in the sand, but with Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, “all their friends” (to quote them), the overwhelming precedents that were never previously broken for Brokeback to win, Brokeback’s box office and cultural domination and more, there is an OJ style mountain of evidence to prove the Hollywood homophobia (oh yeah, OJ was acquitted, despite the DNA…but now he’s on his way to jail at last). And the passing of Prop 8 kind of confirms that Hollywood isn’t such a liberal place either. I know and represent many people in the film community, and many admit there is not so much personal homophobia, but fear of themselves as being perceived as gay and too-gay-friendly for red-state America, where much of the box office lies. But again, Brokeback is the only film to win Directors Producers and Writers Guilds to lose the Oscar. Its the only film to win, NY, LA and have the most nominations and lose the Oscar. There are many many more permutations and cominations of “onlys” when it comes to Brokeback’s loss and Crash’s shocking win. Crash also happens to be the least pre-Oscars honored film to ever win (in no small part because Brokeback easily beat it for everything), the lowest NOMINEE ever at metacritic, a poor 69, etc.
So, of course you are certainly entitled to your opinion to prefer Crash, just as anyone can prefer any film they like – but that’s NOT how the Oscars have ever ever worked, and you know it. And I have to tell you, apart from the post-Oscars Newsweek poll of over half million people that preferred Brokeback to Crash by an almost 3-1 margin, all but one of my friends preferred Brokeback, and the large majority are straight, so who cares what we and our respective friends prefer, it is a moot argument. Name me your dozen friends, big whoop, I’ll give you 50, including about a dozen members of AMPAS (and including two African American members of AMPAS who remain upset that Brokeback loss, for what its worth). As for Crash being made into a tv series – which is as critically lambashed as the overblown, overwrought, in your face, simplistic, unintentionally funny, ridiculously inconsistent and flawed film that spawned it – who cares, plenty of bad movies have been turned into tv series, some successful, some not. Another Oscar winner that dealt with race relations was also a tv series, In the Heat of the Night, in no small part because race relations is a very important topic and, in some instances, like Night and the great Do the Right Thing, the stuff of great drama. But very few serious film people think Night deserved its Oscar either, not in a year with The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde (not to mention several foreign masterpieces like Persona, Weekend, Playtime, Two or Three Things I Know About Her, etc. – but the Academy has never been international like it pretends). Politics as usual at the Oscars.
But the fact remains, the internet remains abuzz with the biggest Oscar upset ever, a solid 75%-80% still appalled, many of whom no longer even watch the Oscars on account of its occurrence. Count me among them.
i totally agree with Cruise’s nomination. he was incredible and totally hilarious. for me he was the biggest reason to like Tropic Thunder. a really deserving nomination. i really hope he gets Oscar nod too.
For what it’s worth, I was NOT bowled over by ‘Frost/Nixon’ today. I don’t know how anyone could be.
It’s very well acted, handsomely mounted, etc. But it’s just a decent regurgitation of things we saw/experienced in 1977.
There’s very little insight or depth into who the 2 heavyweights really are/were.
A morsel here, a morsel there. That’s it. I ‘get’ the love it’s getting lately, but I don’t necessarily agree with it.
Didn’t know about that “rule”. Very interesting. I am huge fan of “Munich” (masterpiece) myself, but everybody who likes, no that has zero chance of winning Best Picture. Far from being a politically correct person (the contrary), to me it pretty clear that “Brokeback” (very good movie) defeat has homophobic tones. To deny that, it will be to deny reality.
C’mon people, when does a movie with such momentum (box office, awards, coverage of the media, etc), so clear that is the virtual winner, lost the Academy Award for Best Picture as “Brokeback” did? And the main problem (as Tony Curtis “what John Wayne would thought abot that statement made clear), is not wth homossexuality itslef, but with two cowboys being gay.
And contradicting myeslf, I have to say that: even if “Milk” wins 10 Oscar, it will a more “safe” choice. Harvey Milk is a important public person with a tragic destiny. He is not two fictious characters who hurt Hollywood mystique towarhd the manhood of the cinema cowboys.
They choose “Crash”, IMO, so puerile as full of good intentions, and truly a bad movie (still think that the worst parts of tle last two Bonds, the excellent “Royale” and the lame “Solace”, are due to a “Paul Haggis touch”), as a way of both staying on social controversy issues, and sticking to a safe mold (“everybody guilty” profile of the person portraited, the movie-panel of characters structure, etc).
Remeber Jack Nichsolson saying “Crash” when he anounces Best Picture. In my memory (saw the scene three times in the days following the cerimony) the tone of his voice has both surprise and irony, and he did some gest with his hands, like, saying “people, prepare yourself to a surprise; and it’s noy my fault”, the look behind his dark glasses on the stage, well, we cant’ see it. “Brokeback” victory is such a lock, that there is people out there who like conspiracy theories (Jack Palance was drunk and mistakely read “Marisa Tomei”), thinking that Nicholson somehow anounces the wrong winner
Paul Outlaw-
Did you see RR? If so, what did you think? I’ve seen your name many times on this forum, so I’m a bit curious?
Sasha said, “Still, the Directors Guild holds the most weight, even if they haven’t been exactly on target. Usually, the movies attached to the nominated directors are nominated even if the directors themselves are not.”
So I’m hopeful that the DGA will recognize a favorite son, Demme, which then, following Sasha’s logic might put Rachel Getting Married in to the “Best Picture nomination even though the Golden Globes didn’t notice it” category.
Hi Yvette,
I wasn’t crazy about Revolutionary Road. I liked several of the performances, especially Winslet, Shannon, Harbour and Hahn. But DiCaprio really missed the mark for me. I am in the minority on this, but so be it. I’ve liked his work better in at least five other films. I also didn’t like the way he was directed or photographed. All in all, the movie felt really long (and it’s not).
Interesting…thank you. I really loved it. I thought Kate was really great and Leo was good. I liked him in Blood Diamond a lot more than RR.
Thanks again.
Whoa, caused quite the commotion! ‘Head in the sand, huh!?’
So I have a confession to make… When ‘Crash’ came out I was in college and an intern at my local newspaper who wrote numerous articles during the summers including reviewing DVD’s. (The column even had my picture)
I had randomly seen ‘Crash’ the previous semester at school and it had come out on DVD around the end of summer. I wanted to let everyone know about it. No one in my small town (Chillicothe, ’smack-dab-in-rural-red-state’ Ohio) had heard of it. I reviewed it and gave it an Grade A. Months after I recommended it, I ran into people while on Holiday break. Some had even stopped me no matter where I was (grocery store, gym, UPS route, church, movie theater), to tell me I was a good writer, and raved about my recommendation for ‘Crash.’
At college during winter semester, ‘Brokeback’ was released amongst the hoopla and hype and disappointed a lot of people, (even people in the O.U. film department) including myself.
Comparing the two film’s box office receipts is unfair, “Crash” was released during the summer against massive blockbusters and no publicity and “Brokeback” was released primarily in January/February with a lot of attention.
My final thought for why I liked “Crash” over “Brokeback:” Its easier to walk into a theater not knowing anything about ‘Crash’ and loving it vs. hearing how I’m supposed to love ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ but didn’t.
Also, I cannot stand that a movie has to wait to the end of the year to be released to be recognized as the years best. If it is one of the year’s best, it should have been remembered by years end, no matter when its released. I would prefer that to be discussed on this website instead of being subjected to name calling. Thanks!
Gentle Benj – I do agree with you that I question people saying that BENJAMIN BUTTON is a lock.
I can see it happening, but I wouldn’t bet my money on it locking like say I would with MILK or maybe even SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
Oh and in 2005, I was A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE booster…and that got me nowhere!
FUCK!
Still, back to BB, I just have this….I just can’t buy the idea of the AMPAS, the mainstream, willing to nominate a badboy outsider like David Fincher. You all that know me, remember that I’ve repeatedly called Fincher the Kubrick of our epoch, I won’t go through that speech again.
But then again, there is trouble folks when you all confuse your opinions with that of fact.
After seeing A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, I was mother fucking assured I thouight that the great David Cronenberg would get an Oscar nod for AHOV.
That didn’t happen.
After EASTERN PROMISES, I thought the same.
Didn’t happen.
All I’m saying is, I think THE DARK KNIGHT should be considered in the Top 5 in general, regardless of genre or its origins. (Such discrimination is un-liberal, you know?
)
I also think that I see either BENJAMIN BUTTON scoring a shitload of Oscar nods, or none at all (or just a token tech nod or something).
Again, MILK and SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE are the locks in the BP race at this rate. The 3 other spots, its up in the air.
Also, I doubt we’ll see DOUBT in the final 5.
mileshigh – Your problem, as with many people, is that you seem easily swayed by external factors that have nothing to do with a film’s inner-quality, good or bad.
What logic is there to penalize a film because it’s pretty popular, or likewise reward something because it’s not?
A film is good/worthwhile, or its not.
I mean such nonsense you’re so concerned about, I mean look at summer 1982. You had two great masterpieces as far as I’m concerned, John Carpenter’s THE THING and Ridley Scott’s BLADE RUNNER.
Both flopped, and both carried for a few years that stigma of failure, of not worth anyone’s goddamn time, that sort of thing. Then people ACTUALLY watched them on video, and many realize: Holy shit, these are great fucking films.
Now they’re seen as masterpieces of their respective genres, but the lesson we need to always remember, is NOT to get lost in the short-term race race we’re in right now with the OScars and shit.
I mean yeah Heath Ledger was terrific in TDK, maybe even worthy of the Supporting Oscar, but if there is someone else out there better than him, I would pimp him hard.
Paul… “MILK?”
No love for Milk! Why, HFPA, why?
But kudos for acknowledging In Bruges.
Yay for Robert Downey jnr too; boo Cruise (though he is funny).
So is Penelope Cruz is the Oscar fave now? Why exactly? Where’s Rosemarie DeWitt’s love?
And Sally Hawkins must be firming for an Oscar nod now. A SAG nom and she’s in. No Angelina but maybe Melissa Leo?
Saw Benjamin Button last night and don’t think Blanchett will get an Oscar nod; she really doesn’t do that much. Pitt’s character is also rather passive and could miss out on an Oscar nod, even if BB gets a BP nom. Don’t think Henson warrants all that much attention either. But I liked the film – not as much as I had hoped – honest I did!
the globes are an EMBARASSMENT. Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder, give me a break!
Very good post Jay. I will say that I was surprised that Milk failed to get a best picture nod, even though I didn’t love it. I liked it but found it clumsy in parts and a little too obvious. I did and do love brokeback and no doubt in my mind that it is indeed a masterpiece and will out shine Crash for years to come. I didn’t like crash when I saw it, and I think yes that brokeback was a victim of homophobia big time. How else to explain it’s losing the best pic. award, and its win came as a huge shock to most, will we ever forget Nicholson’s look as it announced the winner. Who the hell knows why Milk was left out, but I’m certain it will be nominated for best film, winning it is another matter altogether. And lets just remember folks that these awards rarely ever get it right and I’m including the Oscars. Look at all the great films that didn’t even get nominated for picture over the years, and we moan and groan about this every year on this list.
Well, this did put “Rev Road” back in the race…AND “Doubt” but neither of them could end up nominated for Best Picture…
You could call these nominations – Awards for the Most Famous People We Like Who Had Big Parts This Year…
I think the smallest amount of screentime was – Viola Davis, the least known of all these people…And, yes, she is unforgettable in “Doubt” and really the only one who knocked it out of the ballpark…IMHO…
Of course, there’s also the possiblity that there won’t even BE a Golden Globes again this year. IF the Actor’s Strike…
Every year they become more and more like the NBR. SELL THOSE TABLES, BOYS!
@ Jay – Crash isn’t the lowest-scoring nominee ever at Metacritic. Moulin Rouge shows a 66. There might be others but I’m not gonna look ‘em up; i just remembered the MR score offhand.
By the way, I rebel against this idea that if a film is honored by several groups, and can be clearly tied to a particular demographic, then every other group must also honor that film or be accused of hate. The Globes, the Oscars, or whoever, can nominate whoever they want, and they don’t need y’all telling them which movies must be included on ethical/political grounds. It’s none of your damn business.
If spotting bigotry were as easy as looking at a list of favorite movies, we’d live in a much simpler world, y’all.
mileshigh: Is it really so important that “people still talk about ‘Crash’”? Well: they talk about “Saw” too, but it doesn’t mean that “Saw” should’ve won some Oscars. “Crash” was a good movie -and that’s all. “Brokeback Mountain” is a masterpiece. And -yeah: AMPAS IS HOMOPHOBIC. There’s no other explanation of “Brokeback Mountain” loss.
The Natural wrote: Paul… “MILK?”
Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
(Now I know how Sasha felt a couple of days ago.)
Well, Slumdog just fell out of my top 10 and into honorable mention:
#1. (tie) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
WALL-E
Milk
#5. Trouble the Water
#6. The Wrestler
#7. Che (US-FR-ES)
#8. Synecdoche, New York
#9. In Bruges (US-UK)
#10. Married Life (US-CA)
Good thing Munich didn’t beat Brokeback Mountain (as absurd as that suggestion is), or the blogosphere would have elided Spielberg into a homophobe by now. I think we’re veering into a land where everyone who, say, doesn’t see Milk is anti-gay. That makes about as much sense as claiming that Paul Haggis’ Best Picture-winning speech on Oscar night was interrupted by pro-gay activist editors in the booth.
Personally, I thought Brokeback Mountain was a far superior film to Crash – and yes, of course Brokeback deserved to win Picture.
Was homophobia a factor in BM’s loss to Crash? Yes. Were there other factors? Yes. Pro-LA bias, relentless DVD pushes, anti-Ang Lee bias (which has many permutations, including Hulk-hating), a you-better-like-this-or-else-ness from some of BM’s proponents that isn’t always helpful, a sort of under-30-ness (I know Ennis ages, but the point stands) that also isn’t helpful for BP winners…I wonder, if Boys Don’t Cry had somehow been in the final five, would everyone have nursed the same grudge against American Beauty? Boys Don’t Cry is just as outstanding a film as Brokeback, to me. And that ain’t apples and oranges. That’s Wyoming apples and Nebraska apples.
No one can say with statistical certainty that homophobia was the decisive factor in BM’s loss. But speaking of decisive factors, and many people are…I recommend people bring down the heat on this vote-for-Milk-or-you’re-bigoted stuff just a notch, not just here but on other posts. Crash wouldn’t have been made but for Don Cheadle…right or wrong, it was a triumph of African-American influence in Hollywood. And at a moment when some pro-gay activists are pointing at blacks regarding Prop 8 (or as I call it, Prop Hate)…we can all take a deep breath and remember that there are a lot of recondite, near-inscrutable factors that go through the minds of Academy voters.
Oh by the way I loved Milk. I even cried at the one moment when Sean Penn cried – even though that was also the *one* moment of the film where I was like, oh yeah, it’s Sean Penn doing something very Sean Penny. I’d vote for Milk if I were in the Academy. But if I were, my mind would be a lot harder to read, wouldn’t it?
They weren’t homophobic, they were taking care of their image, taht’s the difference.
HaroldsMaude, I completely agree!
Ryan Adams , I also want to see more love for Rachel Getting Married and the cast ( Dewitt, Irwin, & Winger).
Even the charming Mather Zickel who is so delightful & funny ( the new George Clooney) .
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