2018 Golden Globe Nominations: The Biggest Snubs and Surprises
As this morning's Golden Globe nominations announcement suggested, it's going to be a weird awards season.
The current rebellion in Hollywood -- marked by the drive for inclusive representation in front of and behind the camera, and the toppling-domino takedown of power players accused of sexual harassment or assault -- means that all bets are off when it comes to predicting whom Globe voters still favor and who they don't want showing up on the red carpet at their televised party on January 7. Here, then, are some of the selections and omissions that baffled us this morning.
MOVIES
Unlike the Oscars, the Globes divide movies into two categories: dramas and comedies or musicals. That allows for twice the nominees in several fields, as well as providing recognition for movies the Academy seldom considers weighty enough to recognize. And yet... where the heck is "Holly Hunter.
Also completely snubbed was "Emma Watson just to see her dazzle on the red carpet, but nope.
Indeed, the Globe comedy/musical categories are often a weird grab bag. This year, they decided that satirical horror film "Jordan Peele's whip-smart screenplay or his sharp direction.
In fact, "Get Out" should consider itself lucky to be nominated at all, given the HFPA's sudden hostility toward genre movies. Last year, they gave a nod to "Deadpool," but this year's "Mudbound"), and Kathryn Bigelow ("Detroit"). And nothing for other acclaimed performances in genre movies, like Patrick Stewart in "Logan" or Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner 2049." Although "Baby Driver" wheelman Ansel Elgort outraced such potential Best Comedy/Musical actor nominees as Nanjiani, Adam Sandler ("The Meyerowitz Stories"), Matt Damon ("Downsizing"), and Channing Tatum ("Logan Lucky").
Then again, no one faced a more drastic omission this year than Kevin Spacey. When it was his turn to be implicated as an alleged serial sexual assailant, his completed performance in "Christopher Plummer in reshoots.
Now, to add insult to injury, Plummer has landed a ing Actor nomination, over such likelier prospects as Mark Rylance ("Dunkirk"), Ben Mendelsohn ("Darkest Hour") and Michael Stuhlbarg ("Call Me By Your Name"). The film also saw a somewhat surprising Best Actress nomination for Michelle Williams, over such prospects as Gadot and Kate Winslet ("Wonder Wheel"). Maybe the HFPA just doesn't like movies with "Wonder" in the title; the current Julia Roberts drama hit by that name got nothing either.
Still, the HFPA will always love The Leisure Seeker," which few critics have seen and which won't be released stateside until January. But both the Best Actor and Actress fields are so shallow this year that it's hard to say who got pushed out -- "Stronger"'s Jake Gyllenhaal, maybe? Emma Watson or Zoe Kazan?
Given the Foreign Press's fondness for foreign directors this year (the only American on the list is Steven Spielberg for "The Post"), you'd think they could have found room for Call Me by Your Name") or Joe Wright ("Darkest Hour").
Oh, and if you're a fan of "The Secret of Kells" and "Song of the Sea."
TV
For all the Emmy love shown over the years to "Veep" and Curb Your Enthusiasm" didn't make an impression either.
The even longer-awaited return of "Twin Peaks" may have been the most critically beloved show of the year, but it landed a nomination only for star Will & Grace" enough to nominate the show for Best Comedy and Eric McCormack for Best Actor, but none of the other three stars made the cut.
"Stranger Things" got a nod for Best Drama and for co-star Godless" and "Mindhunter."
The Hollywood purge of accused sexual harassers has made past Globe favorites Spacey and Jeffrey Tambor unwelcome at this year's awards, along with their shows, "House of Cards" and "Transparent."
At least "Transparent" streamer Amazon is represented by "I Love Dick" (with a nod for co-star Kevin Bacon) and recent release "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (nominated for Best Comedy Series and Best Comedy Actress, for Master of None," and "The Handmaid's Tale" that speak to the current moment and practice inclusivity -- if you're comfortable enough to spare a few extra bucks per month for streaming subscriptions.
