The Golden Globes nominationswere announced today, and as if right on cue, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced to the world their intention to keep it weird every single time. This small, secretive voting body has a tendency to make some outside-the-box picks (remember whenThe Touristwas nominated for Best Picture?) and 2021 was no different.
There were expected nominees to be sure. Prestige dramas likeNomadlandandMankracked up their presumed nominations and continue to barrel towards the Oscars. But then there were also some head-scratchers – both in terms of what was left out and what made the cut. So without taking the Globestooseriously, let’s break down the weirdest, silliest snubs and surprises of the 2021 Golden Globes Nominations.
What in the World Is ‘Music’?
The first WTF nomination came in the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy category, whereKate Hudsonlanded a nod for a movie calledMusic. And then, lo and behold,Musicgot nominated for Best Picture Musical or Comedy – despite pretty much everyone never having heard of this movie in the first place. Written and directed bySia, it’s only been released in Australia so far, and is getting a limited IMAX release in the United States on February 10th before a VOD release. Granted some other nominees haven’t been released yet (likeNomadlandandJudas and the Black Messiah), but those were at least on peoples’ radar. This literally came outta nowhere. Keep it weird, HFPA.
Where’s Delroy Lindo and ‘Da 5 Bloods’?
It’s hard to get upset about “snubs” at the Golden Globes because the awards themselves are kind of a joke, but not seeingSpike Lee’s Netflix dramaDa 5 Bloodsanywhere was kind of a bummer. At the very least,Delroy Lindodeserved a Best Supporting Actor nomination – especially considering whodidget nominated in his stead. Or how about a Best Score nodforTerence Blanchard? Alas, the Vietnam War drama was nowhere to be found. Here’s hoping the Oscars don’t follow suit.
James Corden Is the Only Acting Nominee from ‘The Prom’
Okay soRyan Murphy’s Netflix musicalThe Promis pretty much Golden Globes catnip. It’s big and colorful and full of A-list stars. So it’s kind of hilarious that, in addition to a Best Picture Musical or Comedy nod, the film’s only acting nomination went toJames Cordenover the likes ofMeryl StreepandNicole Kidmanand evenAndrew Rannells. Corden got some blowback from the LGBTQ community for his, uh,exaggeratedperformance of a gay Broadway star in the film, so the nomination was surprising to say the least. Is this some kind of practical joke they’re playing on Corden? Is it payback forCats? Who’s to say.
Creepy Jared Leto Sneaks Into Supporting Actor
Speaking of, the Supporting Actor category is chaotic as hell and I’m kind of here for it. In addition to the aforementioned Corden,Jared Letogot nominated for his creepy performance in the Warner Bros./HBO Max thrillerThe Little Things. Yes, the movie that was just released last weekend, and for which Leto’s drawn some criticism. Now Leto is far from a bad actor – he’s been genuinely great in a number of things, and his Oscar win forDallas Buyers Clubwas deserved – butThe Little Things? Really? Over Delroy Lindo? You couldn’t even spring for aJ.K. SimmonsinPalm Springsor something?
‘Emily in Paris’ Finds Love
The Globes aren’t exclusively weird to movies. One of the most predictable trends every year is that they will go gaga over some big brand new series regardless of its critical reception, and this year was no different. Netflix’sEmily in Pariswas kind of critically scorned despite audiences seeming to mostly dig it, so leave it to the HFPA to nominate this very silly show for Best TV Series Musical or Comedy and for Best Actress, forLily Collins. Similarly, Netflix’sRatchedlanded a Best TV Series Drama nomination despite also not being very well-received critically. That’s not to say this trend is a fully bad thing – it led to wins for freshman shows likeBrooklyn Nine-NineandMr. Robot, and this year some very good new shows likePerry MasonandThe Flight Attendantgot nominated. It’s just funny to see something somewhat trivial likeEmily in Parisalongside a critical darling likeTed Lasso.
As always, the HFPA remains an absolutely chaotic organization. You can’t say they’re not committed to the bit.
For a look at how the Oscars, a more respectable organization, are shaping up, check outmy Best Picture predictions.
The 2021 Golden Globes airs live on NBC on February 28th, hosted byTina FeyandAmy Poehler.
