Oh, boy. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association somehow managed to spread the love as much as possible with their 2019 Golden Globe nominations and still make almost every studio and network in town want to scream. Well, unless you’re Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. or Annapurna Pictures. If you’re Disney it’s pretty much a great morning especially when you take into account the success of future acquisition Fox Searchlight this rainy LA morning, too.
READ MORE: 2019 Golden Globes Nominations – Full List
Originally, this post was going to be a Best and Worst look at the HFPA’s choices, but it was so clear with so many snubs and surprises that didn’t make sense. On the television side, the esteemed foreign press has basically turned Best Comedy Series and Best Drama Series into “Best New Comedy Series” and “Best New Drama Series.” They’ve always leaned toward anointing the next hot thing and there is a plethora of content to choose from in this era of Peak TV, but a majority their choices this year are simply shall we say, “suspicious.”
The movie side was less surprising except where it wasn’t. The HFPA made some strange choices in these categories as well and this is when we remind all readers the choices of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association do not always or often reflect those of the industry guilds let alone the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Taking that all into account, here are your 2019 Golden Globe snubs and surprises
Surprise: “Vice” leads the way
It was a very good day for Annapurna Pictures as Adam McKay‘s drama took six nominations including Best Picture Musical or Comedy, Best Director (McKay), Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Christian Bale), Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Amy Adams), Best Supporting Actor (Sam Rockwell) and Original Score. A number of these were expected, but Screenplay, Supporting Actor and Score were iffy at best. Annapurna can now give their late December entry a huge PR boost after being ignored by most of the early critics’ groups awards.
Snub: Steve Carell
The one “Vice” star who didn’t earn a nod was Carell. The buzz was the longtime HFPA favorite would actually earn a Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama nod for “Beautiful Boy.” Instead, “Boy Erased’s” Lucas Hedges and/or “BlacKkKlansman’s” John David Washington (take your pick) took that spot. In Supporting Actor his “Vice” co-star, Sam Rockwell, earned a nomination helping knock Carell’s chances as only one or the two will likely earn an Oscar nod in the same category.
Not-so Surprise: It’s gonna be a “Sharp Objects” vs. “Assassination of Gianni Versace” showdown
HBO’s summer series took three nods including ones for Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson and Best Television Limited Series or Movie. Ryan Murphy‘s spring hit also earned the later along with nominations for Darren Criss, Edgar Ramirez and Penelope Cruz. Will “Versace’s” Emmy domination continue next month or will the HFPA get distracted by a shiny, newer…”Object”?
Surprise and Snub: “Girl” in, “Cold War” out
The fact the Belgian entry “Girl” earned a not was only somewhat of a surprise. Netflix has hired more consultants to work on that campaign than any foreign language film in recent memory. The shocker was that Cannes winner “Cold War,” one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year that Academy members seemingly adore, was snubbed from the category. Amazon Studios is likely scratching their heads about this one and are justifiably frustrated. “Girl,” on the other hand, is finally receiving some of the backlash from the Trans community this writer predicted way back in Cannes. Is it enough to stop what would be an embarrassing Oscar nomination at this point? We’ll learn more when the FLF shortlist is released later this month.
Snub: “Atlanta” somehow isn’t a Best TV Series – Comedy nominee
I mean. Sigh, just crazy.
Surprise: “Roma” is loved
One of the rumors you’d hear across the board this year was how the HFPA did not adore “Roma.” Granted, they wouldn’t dare snub the Netflix title in Foreign Language Film, but Director and Screenplay weren’t necessarily locks for a nomination. Sure, newcomer Yalitza Aparicio didn’t make the cut in the Best Actress – Drama category, but Alfonso Cuaron came through in the other two. Considering the competition and who was snubbed (Barry Jenkins, Yorgos Lanthimos, Ryan Coogler in the former, “First Reformed” in the latter) that’s more notable than it might initially appear. Netflix’s new awards team did their job and came through in what was likely their toughest job of the season.
Snub: Viola Davis
Listen, “Widows” has faced a tough, uphill battle this awards season after a disappointing box office run. That being said, Viola Davis‘ snub in the Best Actress – Drama race was quite disheartening. The former Globe winner and five-time nominee overall gave an incredible performance in McQueen’s nuanced thriller that is too quickly being forgotten.
Snubs: Issae Rae and Tracee Ellis Ross
We’re thrilled “The Good Place’s” Kristen Bell and “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s” Rachel Brosnahan were recognized in for Best Actress in a Comedy Series – Musical or Comedy, but “Murphy Brown’s” Candice Bergen? “Will & Grace’s” Debra Messing? Over the sublime work of “Insecure’s” Issae Rae and “Black-ish’s” Tracee Ellis Ross? And not one actress of color in this category? Lord.
Surprise: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” swung in just in time
It was a late screener for the HFPA, but they did not ignore the achievement of Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” in Best Animated Feature. A big win for Sony as they make their Oscar push.
Surprise: “Pose”
Well, maybe more relief than anything else. FX’s “Pose” made the Drama Series five which will help its profile when it begins its long Emmy campaign in just a few short months (eke!). Moreover, it’s the Best Actor in a Drama Series nod for Billy Porter which was the true shocker. The Tony Award winner absolutely deserved it and here’s hoping for more love from his SAG peers next week.