Golden Globes 2010!

So by now the Golden Globes have come and gone and all that's left are the remains of a pretty interesting awards show. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the GG's are the award shoe equivalent of dipping your toes into the water to test it: this is just the beginning, and it's a sign of what's to come. So let's get right down to the winners (note that I'm only going to cover the film categories...if I did tv I'd be here all night...)Oh and before I begin, let me say that Ricky Gervais was a bloody brilliant host. Just his one joke of 'I like a beer as much as the next guy...unless the next guy's Mel Gibson!' was worth watching the entire show for. Let's hope that Baldwin and Martin can live up to it when they co-host the Oscars together in February. MOVING RIGHT ALONG!

The Cecil B. DeMille Award
Martin Scorsese
I can honestly say that the introduction/tribute that DiCaprio did for this was truly one of the most heartfelt things that I've ever heard. DeNiro's was also good, but there was a quality to DiCaprio's that just screamed 'you are my hero'. The following video and speech by Martin himself was also great, and you can watch all of it here (sadly the DeNiro part is cut out).

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Avatar
Wow, who saw this one coming, right? It seems to me that the Golden Globes is the award show that's catered to the audiences of the world, and the Oscars are the award show for the true film lovers and critics. That being said, it's easy to see how Avatar beat out The Hurt Locker for this one, which shocked both no one and everyone at the same time. If you know your film, you know this should've gone to something else, and if you're a casual movie goer, you were content to see James Cameron hit a home run once again. Speaking of Cameron, his acceptance speech was far from the 'King of the World!' stint he did at Oscars when he won for Titanic. Seems Cameron (as apparent after thanking the whole room for making such great art) had quite a few slices of humble pie during his hiatus.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Sandra Bullock (for The Blind Side)
Can I be the first to say that I am so sick of hearing about this film? While it is true that yes, I haven't seen it, I hate the type of movie that it is. You know the kind that I mean: the feel good movie that can appeal mildly to critics and veraciously to audiences? The 'based of a true story' up-lifter on the list that captures the hearts of housewives? Yeah, that's the kind of movie that this is. I would've liked to have seen Gabourey Sidibe win for Precious, but hey, why shine light on a movie about a young black girls struggle when you could shine light on an already highly advertised movie about a white woman that graciously lends her time and help to a struggling young black man? Oh I'm sorry, was that too political?


Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture- Drama
Jeff Bridges (for Crazy Hear)
The dude abides! Yes I know that joke has been tweeted about a thousand times over but I just had to say it too. Sadly I haven't had the chance to check out this film yet, but from what I hear its simply amazing. What can I say? Out of the group of nominees, I'm happy to see Bridges win this one.


Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
The Hangover
Okay let me start by saying why the hell are musicals and comedy's tied in together in one category? I can kind of understand that not many musicals get released per year, but really? We're talking about two completely different genres! Don't believe me? Nine (based off of the classic Fellini film 8 1/2) is a film about a tormented artist, and it was up against It's Complicated, a 50 and up sex comedy. Really? No one else sees anything wrong with that? Okay, moving on: what else can really be said about The Hangover? It's hilarious, and a must see of 2009. Really, even my dad saw it and just had to tell me about it: 'Hey, have you seen that movie The Hangover? It's hilarious! Well....it's kind of vulgar...I don't know if I really want you seeing it...but it's sooo funny!'
Thanks Dad.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Well, T Bone Streep has done it again! And I must say that this one really is well deserved. Maybe it's because I'm a total 'foodie' but I fell in love with this movie. And it's not just the fantastic story (of Julia Child, that is. In my opinion, Amy Adams' plot could've been totally cut out) but it's also the fact that Streep completely becomes Child herself, it's completely uncanny. In her speech, Streep said 'I portray so many great women, that I get mistaken for one myself.' I beg to disagree, Ms.Streep.


Best Performance by an Actor - Musical or Comedy
Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)
My man Downey! Now I hate to say it, but I'm a bit biased on this one because it's a fact that I am in fact, completely in love with Robert Downey Jr. I know that I'm supposed to have journalistic integrity and all that, but everyone has their kryptonite. But here's where my heart is torn: my other (not so guilty) guilty pleasure is the incredible Joesph Gordon Levitt, who, coincidentally, was also nominated in this category for the indie darling of 2009, (500) Days of Summer, the turned on it's head, realistic rom com that captured the hearts of thousands (my review of it will be up soon!) So you can understand that I was both over joyed and depressed when Robert won over Joesph. But with his acting ability, I'm sure that Gordon-Levitt will get his gold in the near future.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Mo'nique (for Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire)
Now I'm one of those people that read the book, and judging by that alone, Mo'nique must have given her all in order to do this role right (and judging by her award, I'm guessing she did, and she did it right). I have yet to experience the film for myself, but I'm sure that it will completely move me when I do. I'm almost emotionally physc-ing myself up for this one, because I know there will be tears. And lots of 'em.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Christopher Waltz (for Inglorious Basterds)
Tarintino's bloody, twisted, World War II epic has yet to capture my imagination, but I have to say that I am so excited to see it. There are two camps of people on this one: the ones who love it for the dialogue-rich sequences that show case Quentin's knowledge of film, and the ones that hate it for that. I'm interested to see where my opinion will land.


Best Animated Feature film
Up
To the surprise of absolutely no one I was thrilled by this. While I love Wes Anderson's old school take on stop motion animation in Fantastic Mr.Fox (a story that I read when I was a kid) my heart will forever be with Up. In case you didn't already know my thoughts on this, I am of the opinion that this is not just one of the best animated films of all time, it's one the best films of all time. Period. Full review here.


Best Foreign Language Film
The White Ribbon (Germany)
Now I can honestly say that I hadn't heard about this film before last night. Last year, I had a little bit of knowledge of a few of the films nominated, but this one is completely (mind the pun) foreign to me. But from the small clip and brief overview that was made last night, I am genuinely interested in seeing it. Germany on the brink of World War I with kids? Genius.


Best Director - Motion Picture
James Cameron (for Avatar)
Again, this came as a surprise to no one and everyone. Most people thought that at least either this, or best motion picture would go to the Hurt Locker, but no, it seems that the world has gone Avatarded (sorry) for Cameron's latest outer space epic. Like the governor said 'If you haven't seen the film, the numbers show that you're pretty much the only one that hasn't'. My review here.


Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (for Up in the Air)
I have to say that this is one of the movies that I'm excited to see. I love everything else that Reitman's done, and I have yet to hear something bad about Up in the Air, so this is definitely on my 'to do' list. I think that quite a few people were surprised that this one didn't go to Inglorious Basterds, though. Surely Tarintino would win something for his version of WWII right? Well, wrong. Apparently.


Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Micheal Giacchino (for Up)
Yes. Yes yes yes yes. I'm so happy about this, despite my love for Karen O, because the music for Up is, simply put, brilliant, and fits the film to a tee. The best example of this is the other day, when I was writing and had the score for Up playing in the background. At one of the sadder, heavier parts in the music, I had to stop writing because I was so over come with emotion. Tears welled up and I almost cried just from the MUSIC. Awhile later, when I pulled it together, the films main, cheery film came on and I felt a huge sense of elation that I haven't experienced in a long time...all from just a few notes strung together! Re-watching the film also made me see how brilliantly the music fits it. As I sit here typing this, I'm listening to it right now, and I'm still feeling that sense of elation and joy. Only a true genius could do this, so my hat is tipped to Giacchino for creating something that could evoke this kind of emotion.


Best Original Song - Motion Picture
The Weary Kind (theme from 'Crazy Heart')
What can I say about this? I haven't seen the movie, I haven't heard the song! I'll get back to you when I have a good idea of what the other contenders sound like!


So that's it! Those were the 2010 Golden Globes! Were you happy with the outcomes? Sad? Enraged? Tired beyond all belief because it's 12:30 and you're writing a blog about what happened last night? Oh wait, maybe not all of those apply to you....but anyway, the point is that the HFPA put on a damn good show every year, and they manage to make a great jumping off point for this whole crazy time we call Awards Season. Next stop, The Oscars!