Golden Globe Nominations – Why Are You Shocked By Snubs And Surprises
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the Golden Globe nominations this morning. As suspected, there are snubs and surprises. And,
Toni Gonzales
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the Golden Globe nominations this morning. As suspected, there are snubs and surprises. And, of course, there are some interesting headlines.
One example is in the Best Actor race. Brendan Fraser was nominated for this role in “The Whale,” (not shocking, it is a stellar performance), but the star has already said he would not attend. The decision stems from an incident in which Fraser said he was groped by Philip Berk, a former HFPA member and former president of the organization in 2003. Fraser went public with the incident in 2018 and again addressed it a few weeks ago in an interview with GQ magazine.
“I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association,” Fraser said in the interview. ”No, I will not participate. “It’s because of the history that I have with them,” Fraser added on. “And my mother didn’t raise a hypocrite. You can call me a lot of things, but not that.”
An actor taking a stance against an awards show?
Now that is shocking.
But perhaps, we should be making more of the fact that we are taken by surprise with anything surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. We certainly are not.
But, For those still residing in the town of Idealism along with Peter Pan and the Easter Bunny, we can share with you five big shockers (wink, wink) from this morning’s film nominations.
Women Were Silenced
Females certainly did a lot of gabbing in “Women Talking,” and man oh man was what they had to say hella important. However, the HFPA would rather have them be silent. At least, that is how it certainly appears. The film has been part of the awards show conversation since Telluride, then again at the Toronto International Film Festival.
But, the Globes gave it little thought evidently. “Women Talking” was shut out of the Best Picture -Drama category, all of the acting categories and the Best Director race (more on that later).
While we want to question whether or not HFPA even screened the film, we have to assume so as it did earn a couple of noms in the screenplay and score races.
Still though.
Boys Club
Over in the Best Directors category are some of the finest fellas to ever call the shots on a film. But, that’s about all – not a single woman was nominated in this race.
Not to take away from James Cameron(“Avatar: The Way of Water”), Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Baz Luhrmann (“Elvis”), Daniel Kwan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), and Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”), but there were some just as fine, if not finer females at the helm of some great flicks too.
Sarah Polley who directed “Women Talking” and Gina Prince-Bythewood who called the shots on “The Woman King” were both shut out in the directing categories and in the Best Picture race.
Sans Sandler?
This one was perhaps the one that incited the most anger from yours truly. Adam Sandler is a g-damn national treasure. Anyone who can fight on screen with Bob Barker, write and sing songs about everything from lunch ladies to red hoodies and then deliver the best performances with his last two roles in a dramatic role, should get a VIP invite from HFPA.
Not many can do that, but Adam Sandler can and does.
Call us bitter from his HFPA shutout for his role as Howard Ratner in “Uncut Gems” – a phenomenal performance in 2019, but he scored a stellar performance as Stanley in “Hustle.” As upsetting as not having Sandler in the Best Actor Nominations Group, sadly, it’s not shocking.
Names expected to be a shoe in were also given the door knocker to the face. They includes Tom Hanks for “Elvis” and yes, Will Smith for “Emancipation.”
That’s the Globes for ya.
Golden Globe Nominations Show The Winner is … Not Diversity
With all of the headlines and all of the controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association last year about both their ethical indiscretions and lack of diversity, not much is different from a nominations stand point. Though the needle has moved, it’s moved only as far as a single needle can – which is to say, not a lot.
As the saying goes, numbers don’t lie and this mornings nominations don’t either.
The HFPA’s 2023 Black nominees totaled 13, down from 16 last year. For Latinos it wasn’t much better. In 2023 eight actors got some love from the Globes including Anya Taylor-Joy, (Best Actress Comedy Feature, “The Menu”), Diego Calva (Best Actor Musical or Comedy Feature, “Babylon”), Guillermo del Toro (original song “Ciao Papa” from Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio”), Diego Luna (Best Actor TV Drama, “Andor”), Selena Gomez (Best Actress TV Musical or Comedy series, “Murders in the Building”), Jenna Ortega (Best Actress Musical or Comedy TV Series, “Wednesday”), and Aubrey Plaza (TV Supporting Actress Limited Series, “White Lotus”). But that is still down one from last years 2022.
The Asian community did see an upward trend though, a big one. In 2022 there were two Asian nominees. This year there are nine. That is largely due to A24’s “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
Golden Globes – Where to Watch
The 80th Annual Golden Globes will air on January 10. It is hosted by stand-up comedian and former SNL star Jerrod Carmichael. They will air on NBC at 8 pm EST.