Golden Globes Snubs and Surprises

This was a very big day for Netflix as the two films with the most Golden Globe nominations were distributed by the streaming giant. David Fincher‘s “Mank” (6 noms) and Aaron Sorkin‘s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (5 noms). Cue in the millions of people who will now sign into their Netflix accounts and watch these two movies.

Spike Lee‘s “Da 5 Bloods” was the big loser, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s distaste for the film was relayed to me a few days ago, I expected this, as not even Delroy Lindo got nominated in the Actor category. It’s going to be an awkward Golden Globes for Lee, as his two kids, Satchel and Jackson Lee, had earlier been selected as special presenters for the ceremony.

You expect out-of-left-field stuff from the Globes, but having James Corden‘s flamboyant performance in “The Prom” nominated the Supporting Actor category is a total farce. Ditto Sacha Baron Cohen‘s retread, all-too-obvious work in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” Cohen was also nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance in ‘Chicago 7’ but that was expected.

On the, somewhat, positive side, you get three female directors nominated in the directing category. Too bad Regina King (“One Night in Miami”) doesn’t deserve to be in the same company as Emerald Fennell (“Promising Young Woman”) and Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland”). Even worse, the two best female directors of 2020 were nowhere to be found, nor were their films; Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow.”

Also, giving Jared Leto a Supporting Actor nomination for “The Little Things” What?! And you snub the year’s best supporting turn, Paul Raci’s work in “The Sound of Metal,” for that token serial killer role/performance? Someone give me an aspirin.

Hey, at least Zendaya (“Malcolm and Marie”) didn’t get nominated for her awful and overpraised performance.

Best Motion Picture – Drama / “The Father” (Sony Pictures Classics), “Mank” (Netflix). “Nomadland” (Searchlight Pictures). “Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features), “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) 

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama / Riz Ahmed, “The Sound of Metal” / Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” / Anthony Hopkins, “The Father” / Gary Oldman, “Mank” / Tahar Rahim, “The Mauritanian”

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama / Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”); Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”); Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”); Frances McDormand(“Nomadland”); Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”) 

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy / Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”). James Corden (“The Prom”), Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”); Dev Patel (“The Personal History of David Copperfield”); Andy Samberg (“Palm Springs”).

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture / Sacha Baron Cohen (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”), Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas and the Black Messiah”), Jared Leto (“The Little Things”), Bill Murray (“On the Rocks”), Leslie Odom, Jr. (“One Night in Miami”) 

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy / “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (Amazon Studios); “Hamilton” (Walt Disney Pictures); “Palm Springs” (Neon); “Music” (Vertical Entertainment); “The Prom” (Netflix) 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture / Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”); Olivia Colman (“The Father”); Jodie Foster (“The Mauritanian”); Amanda Seyfried (“Mank”); Helena Zengel (“News of the World”).

Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language / “Another Round” (Samuel Goldwyn Films); “La Llorona” (Shudder); “The Life Ahead” (Netflix); “Minari” (A24); “Two of Us” (Magnolia Pictures)