Snub: “Maniac”
A snub, but maybe not a snub? Cary Fukunaga’s limited series certainly had its detractors, but no one expected Emma Stone to get overlooked in the Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie category. SAG will tell the guild tale on this one next week, but the one slight blemish for what was overall a great morning for Netflix (they have spent a lot on campaigning this show).
Snub: Somehow “The Handmaid’s Tale” wasn’t worthy
At some point “This is Us” was always going to outlast its usefulness, but overlooking “The Handmaid’s Tale” for “Bodyguard”? Luckily, the HFPA didn’t look like idiots by snubbing Elisabeth Moss or Yvonne Strahovski in the acting categories. Still, this is an eye-roller of epic proportions even for the Globes.
Surprise: “A Private War”
There was some buzz the HFPA loved Rosamund Pike in what is somehow still an under-the-radar indie drama, but even that was dicey with Felicity Jones (“On the Basis of Sex”) seemingly set for the fifth nod in the Best Actress-Drama category. What was the true surprise was that Annie Lennox’s song “Requiem for a Private War” would earn a nomination in the Best Original Song category in a crazy competitive year (and over songs from “Mary Poppins Returns,” no less).
Not-So Surprise: “Green Book”
Universal is no doubt smarting that its two nominations for “First Man” were Claire Foy in Supporting Actress and Justin Hurwitz in Original Score (a relief for them actually), but the studio has to be overjoyed for the success of “Green Book” which still has a shot to be a moneymaker in theaters. Expected were Best Picture – Musical or Comedy and acting nods for Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Unexpected or unclear was a Directing nomination for Peter Farrelly and a Screenplay nod. That gives “Green Book” five nods tying it with “A Star is Born” and “The Favourite.” Speaking of the latter…
Snub: Yorgos Lanthimos for “The Favourite”
The Fox Searchlight hit earned nods for all three of its leading ladies (Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz), a Screenplay nod and a Best Motion Picture – Drama nomination. The only other category it seemed a shoo-in for was Best Director. Bizarrely, that didn’t come to pass and will clearly become the focus of Searchlight’s campaign for DGA and Oscar in the weeks to come. Yes, 2018 where every nomination is a fight to the bitter end.
Snub: When you’re “Mary Poppins Returns” and you don’t get a Best Song nomination
Sure, Marc Shaiman landed an Original Score nomination and we’ve already noted numerous times how competitive Best Original Song is across the board this year. That being said, the only two movies that have seemed like locks in this race were “A Star is Born” and “Poppins.” This snub should be a huge red flag to Disney that an Oscar nod is potentially a dicey proposition.
Surprise: Elsie Fisher helps A24 make the cut
We’re going to be honest with you, a little bird told us the indie distributor didn’t hold out much hope for any love from the HFPA this morning and in terms of critics favorite “First Reformed,” they kne what was coming. What had an outside chance and is one of the most heartwarming stories of the Globes nods is that “Eighth Grade” star Elsie Fisher earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. The 15-year-old gets to go from a little movie at Sundance to sitting alongside fellow nominees such as Emily Blunt, Charlize Theron and Constance Wu on one of the biggest awards stages in the world. Pretty, cool, no?
Surprise: “Bodyguard”
It’s a Netflix favorite, but not necessarily universally beloved by critics. Now it’s another Drama Series player for Netflix as it also earned a Best Actor – Drama Series nod for breakout star Richard Madden. How many series are they going to be campaigning in Drama Series next year? Talk about an abundance of riches.
Not-so Surprise, pt. 1: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
We told you they loved it. Rami Malek was a given and so was the Best Picture – Musical or Comedy nod. Now the big question is does Fox or the HFPA let the film’s credited director, Bryan Singer, attend the ceremony? Wait, too soon?
Not-so Surprise, pt. 2: Nicole Kidman, “Destroyer”
We told you they loved Kidman in this performance too. A much-needed boost for Kidman’s incredible work. If she is snubbed by The Academy, which seems likely at this point, it will be a historic mistake. Simply one of the top three performances of her already incredible career.
Surprise: “Black Panther”
Perhaps a “whew” is more appropriate. Ryan Coogler‘s blockbuster only earned a Best Picture – Drama, Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson) and Best Original Song (“All the Stars”) nods, but the former was key as Disney makes the case for a Best Picture Oscar nomination. It’s a marathon with this one with Marvel Studios keeping the pace and still looking like it’ll make the cut.
Surprise: “BlacKkKlansman”
The biggest fear this writer had was that the HFPA would do something categorically stupid, as they often do, and snub Spike Lee. Instead, they not only nominated Lee for Best Director but the Focus Features release earned three other nods including Best Picture – Drama and acting nods for both John David Washington and Adam Driver. The fact both actors earned nods in incredibly competitive categories made Focus’ year-end awards hopes that much brighter.
What other snubs and surprises are you still gawking over after the Golden Globe Awards nominations were announced?
