I don’t have a ton of time today, but as I have yet to weigh in on any of the critics’ awards, I obviously couldn’t let a whole day go by without commenting on today’s announcement of this year’s Golden Globe nominations. I’ve often been hard on the Hollywood Foreign Press, mostly because they’re a ridiculous organization with clout due more to to the fact that they lay out a nice red carpet than any other real judgment or influence, but a cursory examination of this year’s selection of nominees (at least on the film side) leaves me without too many complaints.
I still have to see Brokeback Mountain, Match Point and all the Best Musical/Comedy nominees other than The Squid and the Whale, but I’m happy that with the exception of Batman Begins, which as predicted and expected will — to my mind, at least — go down as the most underrated film of 2005 and maybe even the decade when all is said and done — most of my top films of the year (so far) received recognition. The Squid and the Whale, Good Night, and Good Luck, A History of Violence and The Constant Gardener will all be making my eventual Top 10 unless I’m surprised by several of the films I have yet to see but intend to get to.
I’m also pleasantly surprised that the two films quickly earning my title for “Most overrated of 2005” did not receive nominations in categories for which they don’t deserve. I haven’t seen Munich yet so, Time magazine brouhaha not withstanding, that’s not one of the films I’m talking about. I do mean Syriana, however, a film that was awards bait if I’ve ever seen one. I keep planning to write about Syriana and why it bugs me that so many critics seem to thing complexity for complexity’s sake is a good thing. Syriana is not a bad movie by any means, and it does attack some pretty major and important issues in today’s world, but it’s also so heavy-handed and preachy not to mention all over the place that I was constantly annoyed and bored, and occasionally confused. (I am happy to see George Clooney receive a Supporting Actor nod for his performance. All the performances were excellent.)
I’m even happier, however, to see Capote shut-out of the Best Picture, Director and Screenplay categories. As I wrote a couple weeks ago after Capote won its Gotham Awards, I don’t think it’s a bad film, but I do think it’s poorly directed and rises above mediocrity solely due to its performances. So I’m all for Philip Seymour Hoffman getting nominated (and even possibly winning) for his brilliant turn as Truman Capote, but director Bennett Miller already received more recognition for his work than he or the film deserved.
I am disappointed that Noah Baumbach did not receive a Directing nod or, especially, a Screenwriting nod for The Squid and the Whale, a film that has stuck with me ever since I saw it at the New York Film Festival and that keeps moving up my list. I certainly think it is more deserving for a writing nomination than Crash, another film which I liked but I found a bit heavy-handed and obvious in trying to transmit its message much of the time.
I’ll have more to say about all these nominations once I’ve finished seeing the films and before the actual awards. Unlike most people, I’m in no rush to announce my top of the year list — I haven’t seen everything I want/need to see, and until I do, I won’t put my list together. I hope to finish it before the Golden Globe Awards actually take place, though.
Meanwhile, and very briefly, the TV side did leave me a bit wanting, but that’s no surprise. All six of the comedy series nominees are deserving, but where’s Arrested Development? I don’t care if it has already been unofficially cancelled — it’s still the best show on all of television. And on the drama side, Grey’s Anatomy and Commander-in-Chief? Are you kidding me? I actually watch the latter and enjoy it, but a great show it isn’t. At least not yet. And Grey’s Anatomy — I can’t even watch it. I know a lot of people love it, and I’m still trying to figure out why. I’m actually still convinced that for the majority of the show’s audience (i.e., women in their late-20s to early 40s), it’s simply Patrick Dempsey. When the show first came on the air, the only thing anybody had to say about it is, “Oh Patrick Dempsey is so hot.” The show has a great cast, but every time I watch it, I can’t help but roll my eyes at how absurd the situations and the dialogue is.
I also enjoy Prison Break, but is it really one of the best shows of the year? I mean, where is Veronica Mars? I’ll tell you — it’s accepting the Buffy the Vampire Slayer mantle for best show to never receive the critical recognition it deserves. Veronica Mars is probably the best show on TV not called Arrested Development or Lost.
OK, gotta run. More later … some time.
Out of Focus 
dang, mr mortensen is mesmerizing in a history of violence..
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Yeah, you are right, you wouldn’t get it.
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OK, Liz or Harrison or Rick or J Siegel or whatever fake name you choose to use today. I have no problem with people disagreeing with me on my site and leaving comments that state as much. I do have a problem with idiots (yeah, that was a personal comment at you, but you have proven worthy of the title) who keep leaving anonymous comments that don’t say anything except make very uncreative and pointless criticisms. And, Idiot, since that is your new name, learn about the internet and IP addresses. I know you’ve commented from at least two. You’ll have to use the other one from now on, because this one is banned.
Thanks for playing. Now go away. I don’t need your site traffic.
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Oh, and “guile,” you’re totally right. Viggo was amazing in A History of Violence and deserved credit. I just was writing very quickly that morning and didn’t register that he didn’t get a nomination. His performance was awesome, especially the scene of confrontation with Ed Harris where he made a huge character shift silently and you totally buy it. So yeah, mesmerizing is almost an understatement for what he did in that film. You’re right.
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