by Brian Zitzelman
The Golden Globes take the spotlight again tomorrow night, however briefly. As the Oscars shine with prestige, the Globes remain its bratty little brother; he seems well behaved, but does enough wild things (drinks, watches too much tv, dresses down) that he'll never escape his elder sibling's shadow. And annually he let's strange nominees slip out the gate...
This is not to say that Oscar doesn’t occasionally include films and performances that are immediately forgotten or unworthy, but nobody beats the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for oddball picks, both deserving and not. So, if you’re curious why the Globes are such an easy punching bag for movie hounds, while nonetheless being a delight for their originality, here are a few of the most peculiar nods of this century. Not all of these are laughably bad -some reveal a daring and interest in films outside the 'prestige' norm, yet in the world of film awards, they are indeed odd...
2000 – Jim Carrey nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy/Musical in How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Foreign Press loves Carrey, nominating him year-after-year in this period, beginning with Liar Liar. Coming off two straight wins in this category, Carrey got a nod for this atrocious, gawky work. A film best left ignored.
2001 – John Cameron Mitchell nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy/Musical in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Kicking off 2001 with a Sundance win and earning more accolades from regional critics and even the Independent Spirit Awards, Mitchell getting this more glamorous nod helped introduce a cult classic to a number of its devotees. The Academy however likes its LGBT characters in more traditionally tragic affairs.
2003 (and 2004)– Uma Thurman nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama for Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2
Some fans thought Thurman lost out on Oscar recognition due to the Tarantino revenge drama being split in two; Globe voters felt generous and opted to show admiration to each part.
2003 – Jamie Lee Curtis nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy/Musical Freaky Friday
Comedy isn’t respected the same way dramas are but the Globes get to show their admiration with a full slate of work that leans that way. This allows for fun, fantastic pieces of acting like Curtis’ to be discussed and valued as something more than a passing fancy.
2004 – The Phantom of the Opera nominated for Best Picture-Comedy/Musical
If there’s one thing the Foreign Press does more than nominate prestige dramas that make no waves elsewhere, it’s nominate prestige musicals that make no waves elsewhere.
2005 – The Producers nominated for Best Picture-Comedy/Musical
Wash, repeat.
2006 – Bobby nominated for Best Picture-Drama
This Emilio Estivez directorial effort centered on those living, loving and working in the vicinity of Bobby Kennedy on the night of his death came and went to little fanfare. It did, however, manage this Best Picture shout-out, along with being able to brag that it got Nick Cannon, Lindsay Lohan, Ashton Kutcher, Helen Hunt, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Fishburne, Demi Moore, Martin Sheen, Sharon Stone and many more all in one project together.
2007 – John C Reilly nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy/Musical in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
In the recent history of screwy, showy comedic turns, Reilly’s idiot-musician doesn't resonate as loudly as most. The film did subpar box-office and the general lack of nominations for all thing Apatow makes this one’s recognition all the more noticeable.
2009 – Nine nominated for Best Picture-Comedy/Musical
See Producers, The.
2010 – Everyone other than the winner in Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical (Alice in Wonderland, Burlesque, Red, The Tourist)
I mean, what the hell happened this year?
2011 – Brendan Gleeson nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy/Musical in The Guard
Another prime notice of solid work in a movie too peculiar for Oscar admiration, Gleeson was also nominated in 2008 for his magnificent In Bruges performance.
2012 – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen nominated for Best Picture-Comedy/Musical
A film made by airplanes, for airplanes.
2013 – Kate Winslet nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama in Labor Day
Most never saw Jason Reitman’s first flop, as those that did largely laughed at in the wrong way. One can’t help but think Winslet made it into this five as a sign of career-quality versus film-quality.
2014 – Christoph Waltz nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy/Musical in Big Eyes
Because he’s a 2-time Oscar winner dammit (?)
What are some of your favorite examples of odd Globe nominations, deserving or otherwise? And which do you think qualify this year from the nomination slate?