Some of the major winners at the 69th Golden Globes Awards last night.
- Best Motion Picture – Drama: The Descendants
- Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical: The Artist
- Best Actress – Drama: Meryl Streep (Iron Lady)
- Best Actor – Drama: George Clooney (The Descendants)
- Best Actress – Comedy or Musical: Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
- Best Actor – Comedy or Musical: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
- Best Director – Motion Picture: Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
- Best Screenplay – Motion Picture: Woody Allen, Midnight In Paris
I must say I’m not too excited about this year’s Golden Globes to start with. Main reason: how can they totally snub Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life? Not even one single nomination for that epic production! I hope the Academy Awards can correct that negligence.
But I’m glad though for The Artist winning Best Picture, Comedy or Musical. It offers me a unique experience: watching a silent movie made in 2011 in the theatre, a successful, nostalgic attempt paying homage to the golden era of Hollywood. Last night, Uggie got a chance to share the spotlight.
Michelle Williams is impressive as Marilyn Monroe. Just a look at her at the Golden Globes and you’ll know how acting and make-up can create a whole world of difference. The transformation of an understated actor into a legendary personality in a dreamscape is what’s so magical about the cinema.
George Clooney is good in The Descendants, a showcase for his acting talent. You can actually see a tear welling up in his eye then flow slowly down his cheek to the tip of his nose. That scene is so deeply imprinted in my memory.
Haven’t seen Iron Lady yet, but what I remember from last night Meryl Streep winning Best Actress is her presenter, the inimitable, ever poised (even more so this time… marvellous result of some great workout?): Colin Firth.
And last but not least, excited to see Woody Allen once again getting recognized for his talent, albeit not in directing, still a worthy nod, winning Best Screenplay with Midnight In Paris. And I must mention this: not too long ago I read a book entitled Insanity Defense: The Complete Prose by Woody Allen. In it I read a story called “A Twenties Memory”. O what a discovery! Of course! This piece of writing dating back to 1971 must be the original spark that later materialized into the script for Midnight In Paris, some forty years later. CLICK HERE to read “A Twenties Memory”. This just shows it’s never too late to bring ingenuity to life.
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For a full list of nominations and winners, CLICK HERE.
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Ripple Effects 
Thanks Arti for this … was going to look it up as we didn’t get it live here – at least not free-to-air but I did see some highlights on our news. I’ve seen all the Motion Picture – Drama nominations but would, I think, have gone for Hugo over The Descendants. The Artist and My Week with Marilyn haven’t been here yet, though I’ve seen trailers for them so maybe it will be soon, hopefully before the Oscars.
Good point re Tree of Life.
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WG,
I’ve seen all the Drama Category movies too, and don’t feel there’s anyone particularly stands out that deserves to win. Do watch out for The Artist and My Week with Marilyn… The former is likely to be an Oscar winner, the latter, totally enjoyable.
Arti
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I’m looking forward to seeing Iron Lady; my father saw it in Naples yesterday, and he said Meryl Streep was phenomenal. Which wouldn’t surprise us, I know. I have the greatest respect for her and for Helen Mirren (when she played the Queen). I’m absolutely thrilled that Downton Abbey won best mini-series. Even though I don’t hold much stock in the Golden Globes or the Oscars or very much film related. I’m not as knowledgeable as you, Arti, by any means, when it comes to film.
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Bellezza,
Thanks again for reminding me about Downton Abbey’s win! I was focusing mainly on the movies. But yes, so glad they got one Globe, too bad about not getting more. It was quite a night last night catching the GG for four hours and then to DA for another hr, and then started writing up this post.
Arti
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I have a greater appreciation, these days, for Woody Allen and others who write screenplays and stories, even without netting awards for “Best Screenplay” or best whatever, since I’m thick in the midst of reading a writing book on screenplays — perhaps, you know of Robert McKee’s “Story?”
Arti, I read this text, a chapter each day — in preparation for an upcoming writing course that begins next week –and I think of Linda of shoreacres (a born story-teller) and you (before your unfinished screenplay) and I feel…. oh, what do I feel? Something like awe, I suppose. This act of creating story to point towards something greater — well, it makes me feel very small. But in a good way, I hope.
I like the thought of how the seeds for “Midnight in Paris” may have grown out something smaller, written forty years before. Glad Woody won.
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Janell,
I’m just learning really, and feeling utterly inadequate. Linda is a born storyteller. But I need to find words. Also, screenwriting is a totally different kind of writing than prose. It’s kind of paradoxical, using words to bring out the visual. I admire how diligently you prepare for a writing course. I have not been studying Robert McKee’s method as much as I should. Are you aware he has a website?
Woody Allen is a rare talent. I’ve been reading his essays as well as books about him. That’s part of my learning process: watch a lot of his films, then read the scripts. Before this, I was watching a lot of Bergman’s works, and found how Woody had adopted his style in some of his own movies, like Interiors, Hannah and Her Sisters, just to name a few.
I think you’ve stated eloquently the reason why we write: “…creating story to point towards something greater.” Beautiful… Thanks for the thought!
Arti
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I only understand most of this stuff through your eyes, LOL. My DIL just told me she and her mother went to see Iron Lady and really enjoyed Meryl Streep’s performance.
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Ellen,
I’ve heard how that movie has divided England. 🙂 There are a few you may enjoy too… I think you’ll like The Artist… a unique experience.
Arti
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Have you reviewed The Descendents and I’ve missed it? Or not put two and two together? Only I saw the poster for it in town today and was quite intrigued as to what it was about. I WILL see the Woody Allen – must look about for the DVD, which must surely be out soon. Thank you for compiling this list – I looked for the results online but found only news about Downton Abbey!!!
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litlove,
No, you haven’t missed it. I’m still thinking about whether I’ll write a review of The Descendants. When I was watching it in the theatre, the film suddenly got cut off visually almost at the climax, for about 5 mins. Horror! So, that certainly has reduced the effect it could have on me. So if I’m to write a post on it, I’m afraid I’ll have to watch the film again. But that image of the tear flowing down Clooney’s face I just couldn’t get it off my mind. 😉
As for the Woody article, pls. DO click on the link and read it. A real pleasure… appetizer for the main course… Midnight In Paris.
Arti
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I went back and forth between the Globes and Downton Abbey, so thanks for this! And thanks for the link to Woody’s earlier piece. Off to check that one out!
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Jeanie,
My advantage being in the West, time zone difference allowed me to watch GG and DA back to back without missing a beat. So glad this time I could do that. Yes, do read that WA story… and come back to let me know what you think. 😉
Arti
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Wonderful recap! Colin Firth looked marvelous, and I can’t wait to see Iron Lady. The Downton Abbey win was a highlight of the evening… as were your tweets.
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JoAnn,
Hey, thanks for the chat! It’s lovely to share great moments … and CF presenting is one of those last night!
Arti
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Arti, you and Janell are too kind – but that phrase, “born story-teller” has made me ponder. Over the years I’ve enjoyed verbal story-telling, but it’s taken me a couple of years to begin moving away from more analytical (and dare we say it? academic) sorts of writing toward a more natural narrative flow.
The trick in writing of any sort, I suspect, is learning how to dam, divert and pool that narrative flow so that it goes where you wish. I think the word for that is “craft”. Woody Allen is gifted with both – the stream of narrative and the means to direct it. (Oops! Pun not intended!) It’s no wonder he keeps winning awards.
Here’s a funny story for you and Janell. In the first comment on my current post, the reader said I’d produced a “great prose poem of a dénouement.” I didn’t have a clue what a dénouement might be. I had to google it. Live and learn, as they say. 😉
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Linda,
LOL! I needed to check on that too! Anyway, I hope to see WA’s screenplay get an Oscar nom. and sure, even winning. I mean, the man has been writing and producing one movie a year for 46 years, ought to receive some recognition.
Arti
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I agree with you about Tree of Life; it definitely deserves recognition. I haven’t seen any of the winners! That’s too bad — I’ll have to go out and see a movie soon 🙂
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Rebecca,
Yeah… and after the GG and BAFTA noms. and no nods for Tree of Life, I’m afraid it’s Oscar chance is slim.
Arti
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Colin Firth is looking good. Thanks for the recap. I’m glad Midnight in Paris won something, it is a wonderful movie. I haven’t seen any of the others yet because I always wait until they are on DVD. Please see Iron Lady and let us know what you think. I’ve heard good things about it on public radio but no I know had seen it yet.
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Stefanie,
Yes, I’ve seen Iron Lady… I’m thinking of writing a simple guide to all these acclaimed movies once the Oscar noms are out next Tues. Watch for it. 🙂
Arti
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I am excited to catch up on the movies I haven’t seen, which is most of these. I like hearing about Woody Allen’s book! I missed seeing the Golden Globes, but I won’t miss the Oscars.
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Ruth,
You can read his short story by clicking on the link. Hope to have some interesting and timely exchanges when the Oscars come. Maybe live tweet? 🙂
Arti
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