JM: John Mendiola, A&E Writer
MS: Maddie Smith, A&E Writer
MW: Mason Walker, A&E Columnist
What did you consider the biggest oversight?
JM: A friend of mine would want me to mention “Fruitvale Station” for this category, but I have yet to see itso the movie I would nominate for this category would be “The Way Way Back.” It was a wonderfully charming and moving story about an awkward boy. Plus, it made me hate Steve Carell which I did not expect.
MS: I think Steve Coogan deserved some love for “Philomena.” It was witty, tragic and heartwarming. I hope he continues making more films because after this and “The Trip,” people are beginning to view him in a more serious light. I think Greta Gerwig did an amazing job in “Francis Ha” and should have been recognized more thoroughly for it. I guess you should never go up against Jennifer Lawrence, though.
MW: “Fruitvale Station”, one of my favorite films of last year, has not attracted the attention of the culture in the way “12 Years A Slave” has, but it is as vivid and vital a chronicle of the African-American experience as that film is, even if its budget is smaller and its ambitions lower. Michael B. Jordan should have been nominated for”” and won”” Best Actor in a Drama.
What film was completely overrated?
JM: People will not shut up about “Frozen.” I thought it was a great movie, but people talk as if it is the second coming of Disney movies. Or Jesus. I would also probably put “American Hustle” here because no one I personally know loved that movie.
MS: Again, I do not think “American Hustle” deserves nearly the amount of praise it is receiving. I also think that “Gravity” is the classic case of people being taken aback by all the pretty pictures on screen and genuinely believing that they are watching a good film.
MW: As someone whose reaction to “Gravity” was at first apathy and then serious and prolonged agitation, I remain floored that this thematically flimsy, emotionally manipulative 3D tilt-a-whirl of a movie is still grabbing awards left and right. I have rooted for Alfonso Cuaron before, but when he won Best Director for this film, I was, to say the least, not pleased.
What was the most upsetting moment?
JM: How did “Her” end up in the Musical or Comedy section? Regardless, why did it not win whatever (and all) categories they chose to lump it in?
MS: I genuinely don’t think “American Hustle” was that fantastic of a movie. I also think that Robert Redford’s ability to deliver about three lines, but still give an amazing performance should be noted. Matthew McConaughey may be reinventing himself, but Redford is one of the most prolific actors of all time.
MW: This seemed like a two-man race between soulful up-and-comer Chiwetel Ejiofor and grizzled veteran Robert Redford. How astonishing, then, that the guy from “Fool’s Gold” and “The Wedding Planner” stole the trophy away from both of them. Nicely done, McConaughey”” and, it would seem, well-deserved.
What surprised you the most?
JM: Probably the TV section of the Golden Globes. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” won for best Musical or Comedy category? The trailer for this show looked awful, but maybe I wrote it off too soon.
MS: I’m surprised that Spike Jonze won best screenplay for “Her”. I personally thought the dialogue was okay, but nothing compared to “12 Years a Slave”.
MW: For me, the most surprising moment of the night was when I realized that even after “The Sopranos,” “Mad Men,” and “The Wire” the TV honorees were still sitting in the back, and their awards were rushed through in the early portion of the show. Even in the golden age of TV, the people working in that industry are treated like second-class artists at the Globes.
What was your favorite moment of the night?
MS: Anytime I saw the entire cast of “Breaking Bad” was awesome. I loved P. Diddy’s line about how everyone should just “keep drinking”” it’ll be over soon.” And Emma Thompson is now my spirit animal for chucking those disgusting shoes with a martini in her hand.
MW: Watching a sloshed Jacqueline Bissett string out her acceptance speech over five stupefying minutes was certainly compelling, in a car-wreck kind of way. Also, watching Amy Poehler turn the perfunctory “Miss Golden Globe” segment into a debaucherous delight was certainly memorable. But the real highlight for me was watching Leonardo DiCaprio graciously accept his Globe after years of hugely unfair neglect from almost every major awards show.
