Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Bob Russell Takes on the Critics Choice and the Golden Globes

Our Executive Director, Bob Russell shares a few of his personal reactions as the awards season begins. Hit it, Bob...

The televised film awards season has officially kicked-off with the announcements of both the Critics Choice and Golden Globe winners. It was a great weekend for a few folks, especially those who scored “a double”—walking home with awards from each ceremony. Jeff Bridges was honored as Best Actor for his performance in “Crazy Heart” (which opens at The Little on February 29), Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor as the “Want to Hate Him but Secretly Love Him” Col. Hans Landa in “Inglourious Basterds” and Mo'Nique was recognized for her strong, breakout dramatic performance in “Precious”.

I felt the Critics Choice Movie Awards deserved a better production than bad jokes and bland presenters. I was very disappointed that the Best Foreign Language Film award, which was given to “Broken Embraces” (now at The Little), was not presented live, but in a pre-announcement.

I was thrilled to see Kathryn Bigelow become the first female ever to be honored with the Best Directing award for her amazing film “The Hurt Locker”, which was also named Best Picture.

And I’m wondering if the Meryl Streep/Sandra Bullock kiss will receive as much media attention as the Madonna/Britney kiss did?

The Golden Globes had its share of memorable moments, as usual. Though I must ask – was it necessary for the Red Carpet “reporters” to ask every star about the rain?

Highlights:
  • Best Acceptance Speech: Robert Downey Jr. “refusing” to thank anyone, especially…
  • Most Heartfelt Acceptance Speech: Mo'Nique
  • Most Glamorous Presenter: Sophia Loren
  • Best Foreign Language Film Award: “The White Ribbon” (opens at The Little on February 19).
  • Best Drama: “Avatar”—Really? Best Drama winner over “The Hurt Locker” or “Precious”? Really?

2 comments:

  1. I enjoyed the Golden Globes program this year, and agree with your choices of the highlights, Bob. "Avatar" for best drama? As for the kiss between Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep, I had to snicker when I saw it in the paper the next morning. Seems like kind of a non-event compared to Madonna and Britney. Times have changed I guess, huh?
    On an unrelated note, I want to urge folks to see A SINGLE MAN now showing at the Little. I saw it last night and thought it was very well done. Kudos to Tom Ford on his very first film,
    and cheers to Colin Firth for a superb performance.

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  2. I consider Avatar to be an exceptional film that definitely deserves the award, although it seems many disagree. Not to say films like The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air don't deserve the award, but I consider Avatar one of the best movie going experiences of the past five years myself.

    Either way, the Globes were fairly interesting, but also fairly predictable. Shame The Hurt Locker didn't get much love, but we'll see how it does come Oscar time.

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