Here we have "77th Golden Globe Awards" that aired just two days ago and you could probably say that this is the second biggest (visual) awards show of the year as the best from both television and movies was honored during these 3 hours. Well, actually it ran for 2 hours 15 minutes approximately and the rest was commercials. The host was Ricky Gervais and I like him a lot, so I was thrilled when I heard he will return and host the show one final (really?) time. I even saw him live not too long ago here in Berlin, so he is definitely among my favorite stand-up comedians. But sadly he disappointed me a bit here. Maybe it was just people really watching his material closely because they were scared he would be too offensive, but I did not like him too much this time and maybe it is better if he does not return to hosting again. Most of all, what was up with that Judi Dench quote? Now that was just strange, he is so much better and funnier than that usually. His opening felt really rushed and he seemed lackluster throughout the show. I know this is his routine, but it actually felt real this time. The Weinstein reference wasn't particularly funny and neither was him acting scared of the hunky Momoa. Quite a disappointment, also that he felt barely even there the longer the show went. I still liked his words about the Hollywood Foreign Press not being able to speak English and also he looks really good for almost 60 I think. But still maybe going hostless is not the worst choice for the future. Okay now about the show itself and the winners. First of all, as always politics and non-film topics were a subject here too. There are several references about the bushfires in Australia. Russell Crowe won a Golden Globe, but he was absent "protecting his family". What? I like him, but really? Jennifer Aniston's serious face when she read Crowe's climate change message was also not eactly a delight. This was messed up really. He should have recorded a video message or so instead. Others mentioned the bushfires too, such as Cate Blanchett for whom it's probably been a while since she was maybe the last place in her category in terms of votes. I liked her film though. Anyway, President Trump also got his fair share and from Patricia Arquette's comments we see the election is moving closer again. But would Joe Biden really be a better choice? I genuinely doubt it. Way worse actually. Anyway, this shall not be about my political attitude, so let's leave it at that. Away from that, I never liked Arquette, even if I think she is a talented actress, even if awards bodies like her way too much generally too. She seems to be pretty full of herself too almost always and in general I don't care about outfits at award shows, but this one really had zero class and subtlety to it and was probably just picked to get her in the headlines even more.
As for the show itself, I somehow felt it was more bland than usual. And from other perspectives pretty much the same as usual. In terms of the people announcing the winners, I am still confused why the likes of Vergara and Hayek are invited every year. At least that is what it feels like. Or Zoe Kravitz or Chopra and Jonas. Oh well I guess you get what I mean. I am still somewhat glad that Maya Rudolph wasn't around this time. She is the worst. Lifetime achievement awards went to Tom Hanks (incredibly deserving and really nice speech, almost a lecture) and Ellen DeGeneres. I think she is not undeserving either as really she is still one of not too many female comedians who can be pretty funny at times, even if I personally don't like her too much. Her speech also went on for way too long and her shoving into our faces that she can speak as long as she wants was not funny, but sadly very true. As for the competitive winners, I already wrote in the title of my review that I liked some of them quite a bit. Joaquin Phoenix has probably 10 films that I like more than his one here (the director nomination is a joke) and also maybe 5 performances that I consider better, but I am still happy for him and I hope he gets his Oscar that is in fact long overdue (kinda expected after Joker winning Score a bit surprisingly that Phoneix would prevail). Admittedly, I also liked most of the other winners in the years when he was nominated. The other male acting GG went to Taron Egerton. Not a big surprise, but a little one and it probably puts an end again to eddie Murphy's Oscar hopes. He was the front runner I suppose, or at least on par with Egerton, while Phoenix was the frontrunner too, but especially Driver had a chance to upset.
As for the girls, I don't like Awkwafina or her music, but her performance was solid, so it's not completely undeserving. The Farewell is also a good film that not too many people speak about this year because of another Asian film. Blanchett deserved it more though, but was held back because the critics did not go easy on her (and Linklater's) movie. In general, not a strong year for Best Actress Musical/Comedy. Renée Zellweger won for Drama in another category where the lead from "Marriage Story" could have managed an upset. I don't want to talk about Zellweger's looks really, but as for her craft I am really surprised that she seems on course to winning a second Oscar now, even if of course Judy Garland is pure awards bait and from what I have seen it is one gigantic showpiece for Zellweger. Not too long ago, Marie Bäumer dominated the German Film Awards for playing Romy Schneider at a similar stage in her career like Zellweger does when it comes to Garland's and I think Bäumer is also not a good actress at all, so still from this perspective all this success for Zellweger does not come unexpected. I'll still be rooting for Scar-Jo at the Oscars. She just has to get in this year. Pretty ridiculous anyway that this would be her first acting nomination. Now as for the supporting categories: Pitt was the frontrunner over the two Irishman guys and he took it (over 4 genuine legends, all Oscar winners, a bit similar to Kingsley back then at the Oscars, even if Pitt is also far from a rookie of course), is well on course to win his first acting Oscar. He actually gave a really dreadful performance (maybe the worst of his career) in the film he won an Oscar for producing. But his one here in 2020 would not be undeserved. Female supporting winner was Laura Dern and while I am not a huge fan of her, it's nice to see Marriage Story win at least something. Gotta watch this one asap. So probably Dern will also finally get an Oscar, something her dad has not achieved (yet), but as the only other option (despite Robbie's career year) is Jenifer Lopez, Dern would not be a bad pick. Now one big winner that night, actually the only film with 3 wins, was Quentin Tarantino. He came short for Best Direcctor, but took home screenplay and Best Comedy/Musical. I love the man and it is a good film, so I was genuinely happy. Also rooting for him at the Oscars. The Best Director Award went to Sam Mendes and that was at least a little surprise as many thought it would be Tarantino or Scorsese, maybe even Joon-ho. As a consequence, 1917 even won for Best Drama. Now that was a big surprise. It makes me curious about the film, even if it is not my genre. Still I just cannot see it win Best Picture at the Oscars. But it's maybe good it won because it probably means that The Irishman also won't win Best Picture and I thought it was nowhere near Scorsese's best. Still pretty surprising that this one did not win a single category. Maybe Gervais was right that it is just too long for many.
Elton John won a Golden Globe, which was definitely the more expected Rocketman triumph. I also want to emphasize again that Egerton sang an Elton John song first in the awesome animated film Sing. Speaking of singing, one announcer's musical introduction to his category was just as bad as people rambling about animation and how it sucks. I know it was not meant to be taken seriously, but it wasn't funny either. Amy Poehler just isn't funny. But Will Ferrell is. He was maybe the funniest that night. How about him as a host? His drooling and comments about Pierce Brosnan were so awkwardly hilarious, also how Brosnan took them, even if I think he has aged a lot really by now. But it's alright. His Bond era is long gone and he is not the youngest anymore. Anyway, speaking of animation, "Missing Link" was certainly not expected to win over the newest Frozen and Toy Story sequels. But I am not unhappy about it because I think it is not worse than these two big blockbusters. Nice pick, very inspired and I am really curious if it can pull through at the Oscars too. As for the Oscars, "Parasite" is an absolute safe win. It's not a bad film, but maybe a bit overrated and overhyped. Almodóvar would be a better winner I think. Oh well, first of all let's hope Banderas can finally get a nomination. That would be a success too. Now a few words on the television awards finally. I have not seen most of it, so I can really not talk too much about it, but I like the attention for Chernobyl because it's something that should not be forgotten what happened back then in the face of recent race struggles that are handled in a way that is pretty exaggerated. Besides, how can you not love Harris and Skarsgard (forgive me for not including the circle above the a). Fleabag is beginning to annoy me a bit I must say, even if I like Andrew Scott. Shame he lost. Russell Crowe I already said I am fond of and good for him, but yeah what happened after his name was announced was really messed-up. On Arquette I commented too already. Successcion/Cox I cannot say anything about really. Same for Ramy I have no clue who he is and what his show is about. definitely got a lot to catch up with when it comes to the small screen. Great there is so much high-quality stuff out there. I would not call the 2020 Golden Globe Awards high quality though, just okay.
As for the show itself, I somehow felt it was more bland than usual. And from other perspectives pretty much the same as usual. In terms of the people announcing the winners, I am still confused why the likes of Vergara and Hayek are invited every year. At least that is what it feels like. Or Zoe Kravitz or Chopra and Jonas. Oh well I guess you get what I mean. I am still somewhat glad that Maya Rudolph wasn't around this time. She is the worst. Lifetime achievement awards went to Tom Hanks (incredibly deserving and really nice speech, almost a lecture) and Ellen DeGeneres. I think she is not undeserving either as really she is still one of not too many female comedians who can be pretty funny at times, even if I personally don't like her too much. Her speech also went on for way too long and her shoving into our faces that she can speak as long as she wants was not funny, but sadly very true. As for the competitive winners, I already wrote in the title of my review that I liked some of them quite a bit. Joaquin Phoenix has probably 10 films that I like more than his one here (the director nomination is a joke) and also maybe 5 performances that I consider better, but I am still happy for him and I hope he gets his Oscar that is in fact long overdue (kinda expected after Joker winning Score a bit surprisingly that Phoneix would prevail). Admittedly, I also liked most of the other winners in the years when he was nominated. The other male acting GG went to Taron Egerton. Not a big surprise, but a little one and it probably puts an end again to eddie Murphy's Oscar hopes. He was the front runner I suppose, or at least on par with Egerton, while Phoenix was the frontrunner too, but especially Driver had a chance to upset.
As for the girls, I don't like Awkwafina or her music, but her performance was solid, so it's not completely undeserving. The Farewell is also a good film that not too many people speak about this year because of another Asian film. Blanchett deserved it more though, but was held back because the critics did not go easy on her (and Linklater's) movie. In general, not a strong year for Best Actress Musical/Comedy. Renée Zellweger won for Drama in another category where the lead from "Marriage Story" could have managed an upset. I don't want to talk about Zellweger's looks really, but as for her craft I am really surprised that she seems on course to winning a second Oscar now, even if of course Judy Garland is pure awards bait and from what I have seen it is one gigantic showpiece for Zellweger. Not too long ago, Marie Bäumer dominated the German Film Awards for playing Romy Schneider at a similar stage in her career like Zellweger does when it comes to Garland's and I think Bäumer is also not a good actress at all, so still from this perspective all this success for Zellweger does not come unexpected. I'll still be rooting for Scar-Jo at the Oscars. She just has to get in this year. Pretty ridiculous anyway that this would be her first acting nomination. Now as for the supporting categories: Pitt was the frontrunner over the two Irishman guys and he took it (over 4 genuine legends, all Oscar winners, a bit similar to Kingsley back then at the Oscars, even if Pitt is also far from a rookie of course), is well on course to win his first acting Oscar. He actually gave a really dreadful performance (maybe the worst of his career) in the film he won an Oscar for producing. But his one here in 2020 would not be undeserved. Female supporting winner was Laura Dern and while I am not a huge fan of her, it's nice to see Marriage Story win at least something. Gotta watch this one asap. So probably Dern will also finally get an Oscar, something her dad has not achieved (yet), but as the only other option (despite Robbie's career year) is Jenifer Lopez, Dern would not be a bad pick. Now one big winner that night, actually the only film with 3 wins, was Quentin Tarantino. He came short for Best Direcctor, but took home screenplay and Best Comedy/Musical. I love the man and it is a good film, so I was genuinely happy. Also rooting for him at the Oscars. The Best Director Award went to Sam Mendes and that was at least a little surprise as many thought it would be Tarantino or Scorsese, maybe even Joon-ho. As a consequence, 1917 even won for Best Drama. Now that was a big surprise. It makes me curious about the film, even if it is not my genre. Still I just cannot see it win Best Picture at the Oscars. But it's maybe good it won because it probably means that The Irishman also won't win Best Picture and I thought it was nowhere near Scorsese's best. Still pretty surprising that this one did not win a single category. Maybe Gervais was right that it is just too long for many.
Elton John won a Golden Globe, which was definitely the more expected Rocketman triumph. I also want to emphasize again that Egerton sang an Elton John song first in the awesome animated film Sing. Speaking of singing, one announcer's musical introduction to his category was just as bad as people rambling about animation and how it sucks. I know it was not meant to be taken seriously, but it wasn't funny either. Amy Poehler just isn't funny. But Will Ferrell is. He was maybe the funniest that night. How about him as a host? His drooling and comments about Pierce Brosnan were so awkwardly hilarious, also how Brosnan took them, even if I think he has aged a lot really by now. But it's alright. His Bond era is long gone and he is not the youngest anymore. Anyway, speaking of animation, "Missing Link" was certainly not expected to win over the newest Frozen and Toy Story sequels. But I am not unhappy about it because I think it is not worse than these two big blockbusters. Nice pick, very inspired and I am really curious if it can pull through at the Oscars too. As for the Oscars, "Parasite" is an absolute safe win. It's not a bad film, but maybe a bit overrated and overhyped. Almodóvar would be a better winner I think. Oh well, first of all let's hope Banderas can finally get a nomination. That would be a success too. Now a few words on the television awards finally. I have not seen most of it, so I can really not talk too much about it, but I like the attention for Chernobyl because it's something that should not be forgotten what happened back then in the face of recent race struggles that are handled in a way that is pretty exaggerated. Besides, how can you not love Harris and Skarsgard (forgive me for not including the circle above the a). Fleabag is beginning to annoy me a bit I must say, even if I like Andrew Scott. Shame he lost. Russell Crowe I already said I am fond of and good for him, but yeah what happened after his name was announced was really messed-up. On Arquette I commented too already. Successcion/Cox I cannot say anything about really. Same for Ramy I have no clue who he is and what his show is about. definitely got a lot to catch up with when it comes to the small screen. Great there is so much high-quality stuff out there. I would not call the 2020 Golden Globe Awards high quality though, just okay.