Golden Globes Nods and Snubs

(Reuters)

The envelope please … well at least the nominations.  This morning we learned which TV shows, films and celebs are in the running for a cherished Golden Globe.  And wow … were there some SHOCKERS!

Always a predecessor to Hollywood’s highest honors, an Academy Award, the Globes can be seen as a good gauge of what to expect this awards season (even though this year Oscar noms will be made BEFORE the Globes’ ceremony). Plus, toss in some booze and a couple of rowdy hosts (Amy Poehler and Tina Fey) and we got ourselves an award show!  So who got a nod and who got snubbed?

Right off the bat … a major slap in the face for "The Master" in the Best Motion Picture Drama category. Sure, both Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman got nods for their roles, but the movie itself was beautifully shot, well crafted, and a force to be reckoned with. And what about PT Anderson for best director?  Nope.

The usual suspects got their moment in the spotlight. Tom Hooper’s live -to-film musical adaption of “Les Miserables,” Katherine Bigelow’s hunt for Bin Laden shoe-in “Zero Dark Thirty,” Ben Affleck’s Iran-hostage crisis story, “Argo” and of course, Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” The race for top slot is going to be tight.  I’m afraid to give my two cents, but everyone loves a good American success story, so I’m putting my money are “Zero Dark Thirty.”

Best actor?  Again a toss-up. I think Joaquin Phoenix blew this one out of the park in “The Master,” but did you see “Lincoln?” If Daniel Day doesn’t get it, that’s robbery.

And where’s the love for Batman?  Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster trilogy rewrote the book on comic flicks … and “The Dark Knight Rises” was a force in 2012. I’m not saying it would have locked in a best picture nod, but give it something!

Here's a  real beast of a snub! Eight-year-old “Beasts of the Southern Wild” star, Quvenzhané Wallis got nothing.  I didn’t think Miss Wallis (who is non-union, a big no-no in Tinseltown) was going to get recognized, but come on. And to top it all off, the flick got completely ignored.

And another disappointment…  what happened to “Perks of Being a Wallflower?” A great adapted screen-play and dramedy this year, that was very under the radar. Where’s Wallflowers time in the sun?

Looks like the Hollywood Foreign Press Association just wanted to make sure that Meryl Streep was showing up this year … a nomination for “Hope Springs?”  Come on, I can give you five other flicks that deserved a nod.  And Ewan McGregor for “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.” Sure, it was a high-quality flick … but really?! I would have tossed some love to Brad Pitt for “Killing Them Softly” instead.

No “Hobbit” no “Skyfall” no “Magic Mike.” And “Paranormal” for animation but “Hotel Transylvania?!”

Let’s talk TV.

Again the usual suspects made their mark, from "Mad Men" to "Homeland," "Breaking Bad," "30 Rock" and "Louie." And props to "Smash" for making it on the list (too bad none of the star studded cast got a nod). 

Snubbed?  ABC’s Happy Endings (another dark horse).

And I’m a little upset about “Parks and Recreation” not getting a Best Comedy nod. Critically acclaimed and consistently funny, Hollywood seems to be out for the NBC comedy.  But yes, Amy Poehler (also a co-host for the awards ceremony) did get recognized.

For miniseries, it’s nice to see USA’s “Political Animals,” with a nod, but going up against the History Channel’s show-stopping “Hatfield and McCoys,” it'll need a little luck!  And don’t dismiss HBO’s Hitchcock piece “The Girl.”

Well, it’s going to be interesting.  Between the SAGs, Globes, and soon to be Oscars – awards season is under way.  So get watching the noms you haven’t seen yet, and get your picks in now!