'1917', 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' win top Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS --  World War I movie "1917" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," set in 1960s Tinseltown, won the top movie prizes at the Golden Globes on Sunday on a night packed with upsets and hot-button issues at the start of Hollywood's awards season.

"1917" was named best drama and took best director, beating presumed front-runners "The Irishman" and "Marriage Story," both from Netflix Inc. The nostalgic "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" from Sony Pictures won for best comedy/ musical, and had the biggest Golden Globe haul, with three awards.

Martin Scorsese's high-profile and costly gangster epic for Netflix went home empty-handed on a disappointing night for the streaming service that could affect its Oscar chances in February.

Netflix took home just one Golden Globe in the movie race, for Laura Dern's supporting role as a ruthless divorce lawyer in "Marriage Story."

Apple Inc.'s new Apple TV+ streaming service, in its first award show, failed to make good on any of its three nominations for "The Morning Show."

British director Sam Mendes was named best director for his immersive "1917" from Universal Pictures, a dark horse with no big names that arrived in U.S. movie theaters only 10 days ago.

"That is a big surprise," said a stunned Mendes. "I really hope this means people will turn up and see it."

Joaquin Phoenix, who played a terrifying "Joker," and Renee Zellweger, who portrayed Judy Garland in "Judy," took the drama movie actor honors. Taron Egerton ("Rocketman") and Awkwafina ("The Farewell") were first-time winners in the comedy/musical field.

"We all know there is no ... competition between us," Phoenix told his fellow nominees, praising their "beautiful, mesmerizing work."

Tarantino won for the screenplay of his love letter to the industry, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," while Brad Pitt was a popular winner for playing a laid-back stunt double in the film.

"I wanted to bring my mom," quipped Pitt. "But any women I stand next to, they say I am dating."

GERVAIS GETS WICKED

British comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, hosting the awards ceremony for a fifth time, threw caution to the wind with expletives and jabs about the dominance of streaming platforms, diversity and Hollywood's sexual misconduct scandal, which drew mostly nervous laughter in the room of A-list celebrities.

Gervais noted that the room was packed with entertainment executives. "They are all terrified of Ronan Farrow. He's coming for you," he said, referring to the American journalist whose reports helped uncover the sexual misconduct scandal that has swept Hollywood over the past two years.

Gervais was not the only celebrity at the boozy dinner to get political.

Michelle Williams, winning limited TV series actress for "Fosse/Verdon," gave an impassioned speech about reproductive rights and encouraged women to vote.

She said she had built a career of her choosing and "wouldn't have been able to do this without employing a woman's right to choose. To choose when to have my children and with whom."

Others, including absent winner Russell Crowe, for television series "The Loudest Voice," spoke of the devastating bushfires in Australia and the dangers of global warming.

Patricia Arquette, winning for limited TV series "The Act," expressed fears over heightened tension in the Middle East following the U.S. killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.

In the television races, HBO's media dynasty show "Succession" and Amazon Studio's quirky British comedy "Fleabag" were the big winners.

British talent took multiple prizes. In addition to Mendes, they included "Succession" and "Fleabag" stars Brian Cox and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Olivia Colman for "The Crown," "Rocketman" actor Taron Egerton, and music duo Elton John and Bernie Taupin for original song "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'Revenant,' 'Martian' big Golden Globe winners

BEVERLY HILLS, California - Revenge drama "The Revenant" and space adventure "The Martian" won the top movie prizes at the Golden Globes on Sunday on a night of surprises, laughter and barbed comments from fourth-time host Ricky Gervais.

In a closely contested men's field, Leonardo DiCaprio won for his lead role as a fur trapper seeking retribution in "The Revenant," while Matt Damon's astronaut stranded on Mars in "The Martian" won the comedy acting award.

"The Revenant" also brought a directing prize for Alejandro Inarritu, who recalled the long arduous shoot in sub-zero temperatures.

"Pain is temporary, but a film is forever," Inarritu said.

Jennifer Lawrence won best comedy movie actress for her portrayal of the Miracle Mop inventor in "Joy," while Brie Larson, 26, beat veteran Cate Blanchett to take home her first major award for playing a young woman who is abducted and locked up for years in the movie drama "Room."

Lesbian drama "Carol" and Wall Street comedy "The Big Short," which had led nominations going into Sunday's ceremony, came home empty handed, as did admired Catholic Church sex abuse probe "Spotlight."

Other popular winners includes Sylvester Stallone, 69, who received a standing ovation as best supporting film actor for reprising his iconic role as boxer Rocky Balboa in "Creed," beating presumed frontrunner Mark Rylance for "Bridge of Spies."

"I want to thank my imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had," Stallone said.

"Steve Jobs," a controversial look at the late Apple co-founder that floundered at the box office despite warm reviews, took home Golden Globes for supporting actress Kate Winslet, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.

The Golden Globes were handed out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at a glitzy Beverly Hills dinner packed with A-list celebrities.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Awards season kicks into high gear with Golden Globes

LOS ANGELES -- Hollywood's awards season kicks into high gear on Sunday (Monday morning in Manila) at the Golden Globes, with a movie about reporters investigating abuse in the Catholic Church and Leonardo DiCaprio touted as likely winners.

The show, the industry's biggest party of the year, is seen as a good indicator of films and actors destined for Oscars glory on February 28.

This year the show promises not to disappoint as British comedian Ricky Gervais returns to dish out his biting jokes, sparing none of the stars guzzling champagne at the gala, or even members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which picks the Globe winners.

Pundits said that while predictions indicate that "Spotlight" -- a movie about the Boston Globe journalists who uncovered sexual abuse in the Catholic Church -- will win for best drama, the race was really up in the air.

"I think 'Spotlight' is going to win partly because it's a celebration of journalism and there is some 90 journalists who are voting on this," said Timothy Gray, awards editor for trade magazine Variety.

"But I wouldn't bet my money on it because there are other possibilities," he said. "This year there is genuine suspense."

Other films vying for top honors include the lesbian romance "Carol" starring Cate Blanchett, epic survival thriller "The Revenant" with Leonardo DiCaprio, the harrowing kidnap tale "Room," and the summer blockbuster "Mad Max: Fury Road."

The frontrunner for best comedy is "The Big Short," based on a book about the financial crisis of 2007-2008.

Also running in that category are the dramedy "Joy," space blockbuster "The Martian," zany caper "Spy," and Amy Schumer's breakout film "Trainwreck."

DiCaprio appears well ahead in the race for best actor in a drama for his strong performance as fur trapper Hugh Glass in "The Revenant."

Critics are widely predicting the 41-year-old actor will take home his first Oscar for the role.

"There is a feeling that it's his year," said Tom O'Neil, founder of awards tracker GoldDerby.com. "All 17 GoldDerby experts have him unanimously out front to win."

Also nominated for best actor in a drama are Bryan Cranston as a blacklisted 1940s screenwriter in "Trumbo," Eddie Redmayne for the transgender tale "The Danish Girl," and Will Smith for the hard-hitting sports drama "Concussion."

For best actress in a drama the nominees are Blanchett and her co-star Rooney Mara in "Carol," Brie Larson for "Room," and Alicia Vikander who plays alongside Redmayne in "The Danish Girl."

'Edgy and naughty'

Unlike the Oscars, the Golden Globes also honors television shows, and two nominated series are creating a buzz: "Mr Robot," about a computer programmer and vigilante hacker, and "Narcos," Netflix's take on the infamous Medellin drug cartel.

Other nominated TV series include Netflix's women's prison show "Orange is the New Black," HBO's fantasy epic "Game of Thrones," and the transgender comedy "Transparent."

In the best foreign movie category, four European films and one from Latin American are vying for an award, including Hungarian Holocaust drama "Son of Saul," and "Mustang," a French production about the life of subjugation of five Turkish sisters.

Movies aside, all eyes will be on Gervais, who raised eyebrows for his off-color jokes when he hosted the show for three years starting in 2010.

The caustic comedian, who takes over from co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, comes with a reputation of fearlessly poking fun at A-listers from Mel Gibson to Angelina Jolie and even the Hollywood Foreign Press. No one expects him to hold back this year.

Gervais has apologized in advance for what he will say, and has been asking fans on his Twitter account for advice on who his victims should be this year.

"I think he is going to touch on politics and show business," Gray said. "But people kind of enjoy him because he is so edgy and naughty."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ricky Gervais keeps Golden Globe targets under wraps

LOS ANGELES - Ricky Gervais said on Friday he has already come up with jokes against "specific targets" for his weekend Golden Globe Awards hosting gig -- and that he will stand by every gag.

But the comedian said he had felt no enmity with any of the A-list Hollywood stars who will be attending Sunday's televised awards dinner and ceremony, and knew no-one who was upset by his acerbic comments last year.

"I know what I'm going to say outside the odd ad lib. I can justify it. I stand by it as I do every joke I did last year," Gervais told television reporters.

But he kept mum about which celebrities would feel his acid tongue on his third stint at hosting the Golden Globes. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Meryl Streep are among the nominees and are expected to attend.

"I have specific targets. I've written the gags, although targets isn't the word I'd use -- subjects maybe."

"I've got nothing against anyone in the room, I've worked with many of them, I like many of them, I admire most of them. They're just gags. I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings or give them a bad name or undermine the moral fabric of America. I'm a comedian, I rather they laugh than gasp but I'll cherish the laughs along with the gasps," he said.

Gervais said he didn't think his jokes last year offended any of the movie and TV stars he made fun of. He has since worked with Johnny Depp, whose film "The Tourist" Gervais ridiculed last year.

"I don't know anyone who was outraged last year, because everyone I spoke to who I made a joke about was cool about it," he said.

Gervais, who created the TV mockumentary "The Office", was invited to host the Golden Globes for a third time despite organizers saying last year he would never be invited back. - Reuters

source:gmanetwork.com