Awards Season

Awards Season Finale: The Oscars

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Folks! It finally came! The end to awards season, The Academy Awards. And they did not disappoint. I’m going to recap my thoughts, favorite and most awkward moments for you all below, as well as my thoughts on those that took home the hardware.

Despite not having a host this year, the show went pretty smooth in my opinion. No listening to jokes that might not land or an over the top opening number/monologue. Just getting straight into presenting awards after an opening performance from Queen with Adam Lambert. That performance fell a little flat for me, but I still enjoyed it.

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Awards Season Continued: 2019 Grammy Awards

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Full disclosure, I have not watched all of the Grammys yet, so you may see some updates here.

All in all, I didn’t think there were too many surprises with who took home trophies last night, but Top 40 isn’t totally my jam, so I can’t say for sure. I was a little disappointed that Underoath didn’t take home the Metal Performance award, and I was also a little bummed that Chris Cornell posthumously took home the Rock Performance (obviously he would, just like Bowie in 2016), only because the other nominees were great, too! In all my pre-Grammy research, the consensus was that Kacey Musgraves would take home the top honors because she was essentially the only country artist nominated; everyone else would be splitting hairs, and she did. Despite me not being a country fan, I have seen her perform live and she’s quite impressive, so kudos to her. Even though others deserved what they won, I was surprised that Post Malone got no love.

Speaking of Post Malone, let’s talk live performances of the night. I watched Post Malone “collaborate” with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Let’s be real. Those were two separate performances, except Post played guitar when the Chili Peppers were on. Eh. And as much as I love RHCP, why weren’t any of the other rock nominees out there performing with him?? Like Greta Van Fleet! That would be something to see! Lady Gaga was fine. A bit much for a soppy ballad. I read and accurate Twitter comment this morning: “If I muted Lady Gaga’s performance, I would have thought she was singing a metal song.” I also managed to catch Cardi B’s performance was very cabaret, but I enjoyed it!

In other controversial news, was Drake’s acceptance speech getting muted and then cut to commercial! Scandal! It seems to me like he got his point across, and I feel like the Grammys only aided him in his message. But to recap, he basically said that the awards don’t matter, that if you have people paying money to see you live or know the words to your songs than you are already succeeding. And I totally agree with that! I feel like the Grammys are just a Top 40 popularity contest/showcase, but it’s also not bad to get one either. Good for you, Drake!

Of all the major awards shows out there, this is one of my least favorite, so take this review with a grain of salt. For all award winners, check the link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/10/entertainment/grammy-winners-2019-list/index.html

Awards Season Review: Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG-AFTRA)

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Awards seasons continues with the last major ceremony before the Academy Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, so naturally I was excited to watch the 25th iteration of it last night! With that being said, Megan Mullally, the host, was seriously awkward, and I don’t know that I even heard chuckles from the audience for most of her jokes. Although I did like when she brought out Smitty from Will & Grace. Her opening monologue was so poor that I think she took away from what would have been a pretty good joke from Ricky Martin, who was a presenter of the first award of the night.

I apparently didn’t look too closely at who was nominated for each category before tuning in, because some were quite odd and surprising. It seems some people who were considered for supporting roles were considered for main ones here, Sam Rockwell got shut out of the supporting actor, and so did Vice for the best ensemble category. Some surprise wins for me included Emily Blunt for her silent role in A Quiet Place, John Krasinski’s nomination for best actor in a drama series, and This Is Us taking home the trophy for best drama over the last season of The Americans.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel swept all the categories it was nominated for, and Rami Malek further cemented his chances for best actor after he nabbed it again last night (did anyone else see Christian Bale’s face at that win?!). I was surprised, but not, to see Black Panther win best ensemble, especially since it was up against other crowd favorites like Crazy Rich Asians. I did notice that Roma had no nominations and A Star is Born got completely shut out again (not looking good, Oscars), so some other actors got some real chances. And this awards show is different in that the awards are voted on by their SAG peers – it’s almost like a superlatives show, although good actors know good acting, so I can’t ignore that.

Notable speeches of the night included Rami Malek, Emily Blunt, and Life Achievement Award recipient Alan Alda. Go fishing through Youtube to find those – you’re welcome.

Awards Season has Commenced! – Golden Globes Special

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That’s right folks, you read that correctly! Awards season is upon us, and frankly this is my favorite time of the year (and the only thing that makes winter bearable). Since the Golden Globes, SAG, and Critics Choice awards all had similar nominees, below I’ll detail the nominees and my winners choice for the Golden Globes. Look out for a separate article for the Grammy nominees.

Golden Globes

Since the Golden Globes are the first awards show to air in the new year it is only right that they announced their nominees first. Below I will bold who I think should/will win the category and give my brief explanation. With all that, keep in mind that I have not seen every performance or film nominated, so my opinions will be biased.

Best Motion Picture – Drama:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star is Born

No contest here. Queen is a killer even if Bradley Cooper did a mean remake of A Star is Born. I have not seen If Beale Street Could Talk, but I really don’t think it would sway my choice here.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:
Vice
Crazy Rich Asians
The Favourite
Green Book
Mary Poppins Returns

Even though I haven’t seen it yet, my money is on Vice. It’s got all the makings of a winner – Adam McKay, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Sam Rockwell, and a political satire!

Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama:
Lady Gaga – A Star is Born
Nicole Kidman – Destroyer
Melissa McCarthy – Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Rosamund Pike – A Private War
Glenn Close – The Wife

I’m giving it to Nicole Kidman, because even though this film only just got released in New York and Los Angeles, I’m sure she freaking killed it. I’ve only seen A Star is Born from this list, but I’d give Glenn Close and Rosamund Pike an edge over Lady Gaga here.

Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama:
Bradley Cooper – A Star is Born
Willem Dafoe – A Eternity’s Gate
Lucas Hedges – Boy Erased
Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody
John David Washington – BlacKkKlansman

Tough category, but I give the edge to Rami Malek. As a big Mr. Robot fan I was nervous for him in this role, but not even halfway through the film I realized he completely transformed and I forgot who I was even watching. All performances were strong here, so no real loser for me either!

Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:
Emily Blunt – Mary Poppins Returns
Olivia Coleman – The Favourite
Elsie Fisher – Eighth Grade
Charlize Theron – Tully
Constance Wu – Crazy Rich Asians

Having not seen The Favourite, my vote is going for Elsie Fisher, although Charlize Theron is a close second. Elsie just gave the most genuinely awkward performance and it was hilariously wonderful. Bravo!

Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:
Christian Bale – Vice
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Mary Poppins Returns
Viggo Mortensen – Green Book
Robert Redford – Old Man & the Gun
John C. Reilly – Stan & Ollie

Talk about commitment! Gaining weight alone is enough for me to choose Christian Bale, but I’m sure the performance will be well worth it, too! Viggo Mortensen is a close second because being a fellow Italian, I loved his performance.

Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture:
Amy Adams – Vice
Claire Foy – First Man
Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone – The Favourite
Rachel Weisz – The Favourite

I assume that Emma Stone is sassy and biting in her role in The Favourite, and I just love that kind of thing. Amy Adams probably also should deserve this, but I guess we will see!

Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture:
Mahershala Ali – Green Book
Timothee Chalamet – Beautiful Boy
Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman
Richard E Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell – Vice

Until Moonlight a few years back I had never even heard of Marhershala Ali, so to see him totally transform between that film and Green Book is unreal to me. As much as I think Timothee Chalamet was robbed last year for Call Me By Your Name, this isn’t the film he’s going to win for (and once again an Armie Hammer snub!).

Best Director – Motion Picture:
Peter Farrlley – Green Book
Spike Lee – BlacKkKlansman
Adam McKay – Vice
Bradley Cooper – A Star is Born
Alfonso Cuaron – Roma

I’m assuming Alfonso will win this one, but I’m going with Bradley Cooper because dang if that wasn’t a spectacular first outing as a director!

Best Motion Picture – Animated:
Incredibles 2
Isle of Dogs
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

As a big Wes Anderson fan I loved and would love to see Isle of Dogs take the win, but based on reviews alone I know that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will take it.

Best Television Series – Drama:
The Americans
Bodyguard
Homecoming
Killing Eve
Pose

I only saw Homecoming off of this list, and no offense to Sam Esmail, I think I fell asleep to every single episode. I know Killing Eve is hot, and of course Pose is the first Ryan Murphy show I haven’t watched (pissed about it), but I’m giving the seniority vote to The Americans.

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy:
The Good Place
Kidding
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Barry

Bill Hader is comedy gold, so obviously my vote is with Barry. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Kidding take home the win – as long as it’s NOT the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (sick of everything they’re winning, it reminds me of Transparent, barf).

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:
The Alienist
The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Escape at Dannemora
Sharp Objects
A Very English Scandal

Holy crap what a great category! I pick The Alienist because I think it was extremely underrated in terms of viewership and I just love Daniel Bruhl! Sharp Objects was also a fantastic adaptation of the book – what a knock-out year for Amy Adams!

Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:
Patricia Arquette – Escape at Dannemora
Connie Britton – Dirty John
Laura Dern – The Tale
Regina King – Seven Seconds
Amy Adams – Sharp Objects

Having listened to the podcast of Dirty John I’d have to say Connie Britton nails her performance! Truthfully I’d be fine with any one of these talented ladies winning this category.

Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:
Antonio Banderas – Genius: Picasson
Daniel Bruhl – The Alienist
Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Benedict Cumberbatch – Patrick Melrose
Hugh Grant – A Very English Scandal

I just liked The Alienist so much! Darren Criss gave a very unsettling and definitely award-worthy performance, so he could take it, too.

Actress in a Television Series – Drama:
Caitriona Balfe – Outlander
Elizabeth Moss – The Handmaid’s Tale
Sandra Oh – Killing Eve
Julia Roberts – Homecoming
Kerri Russell – The Americans

My money is on Sandra Oh. I think she’s about due and she’s co-hosting which definitely doesn’t hurt. Julia Roberts could sneak in with a win based on sheer star-power alone, but you can also never count out Caitriona or Elizabeth, and it being the last season of The Americans Kerri Russell could come out on top, too!

Actor in a Television Series – Drama:
Jason Bateman – Ozarks
Stephen James – Homecoming
Richard Madden – Bodyguard
Billy Porter – Pose
Matthew Rhys – The Americans

No contest here: it’s going to Matthew Rhys.

Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy:
Alison Brie – GLOW
Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Debra Messing – Will & Grace
Kristen Bell – The Good Place
Candice Bergen – Murphy Brown

While The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cleaned house at the Emmy’s, I’d sure like to see Kristen Bell win. I gave up on The Good Place this season, but as a former Veronica Mars fan she’s just great and deserves it! Debra Messing would be my #2, for sure.

Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy:
Sacha Baron Cohen – Who is America?
Jim Carrey – Kidding
Michael Douglas – The Kominsky Method
Donald Glover – Atlanta
Bill Hader – Barry

Can it be a three-way tie??? I have never seen Atlanta since it’s been running, but I did randomly catch the Teddy Perkins episode, and let’s just say that sh** stays with you. I also have equal love for Jim Carrey and Bill Hader! But since there are no ties in life except for sports sometimes, I vote Jim Carrey.

Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series:
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Patricia Clarkson – Sharp Objects
Penelope Cruz – The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Thandie Newton – Westworld
Yvonne Strahvoski – The Handmaid’s Tale

Another easy one for me: Patricia Clarkson. She was ruthless as the Southern Belle mother to Amy Adams’ Camille in Sharp Objects. Just as unsettling as the book portrayed her.

Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series:
Ben Winshaw – A Very English Scandal
Henry Winkler – Barry
Alan Arkin – The Kominsky Method
Kieran Culkin – Succession
Edgar Ramirez – The Assassination of Gianni Versace

Loved Ben Winshaw and Kieran Culkin in other performances (London Spy, Fargo), and I was really impressed with Edgar Ramirez’s performance as the titular Gianni Versace, but it seems like it’s Henry Winkler’s award to lose.