Well…the Golden Globe awards have come and gone, and just like every Golden Globe ceremony that has come and gone before it, it came chock full of surprises and exemplary moments.
First, I want to point out that this is probably the first time in any awards show, mainly the Golden Globes, where I have not seen a single “In Memoriam” segment. I was flabbergasted by this because, usually, many awards ceremonies would’ve taken the time to squeeze in some recognition for the beloved stars and crew members who passed on. I suspect this was cut out for time given, among other things, the two Golden Globe categories the show introduced this year: the Best Supporting Performance in a Television Series – Musical-Comedy or Drama and Best Supporting Performance in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film. But still, couldn’t the show have extended to another hour to include that, too?
Another moment I must speak of is the segment of Billy Porter honoring Ryan Murphy with the Carol Burnett Award. Having watched Pose and bits and pieces of Glee, it was remarkable to watch Porter recognize the man as the true artist and speaker of LGBTQ communities that he was. And I was also humbled by Murphy’s insistence for everyone to give a big round of applause to MJ Rodriguez for her portrayal as Blanca in Pose. Last year, she made history as the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe. However, last year’s Golden Globes could not have been televised due to COVID. Plenty of other issues hounded it, sure, but I’m still convinced that that’s why it wasn’t televised. So, I’m a bit grateful to see her get the recognition I feel she deserves.
And the recipient of the Cecil B Demille Award is none other than Eddie Murphy. He left behind an eclectic comedic lineup on his cinematic resume, from Saturday Night Live to Mulan and Shrek and to Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor. Despite not having the most consistently successful formulas in his films, his comedic showmanship had never diminished and left flavorful imprints on the movies that used his talents to their advantage. And having known him in some of his biggest hit films, I’m happy to see him given credit where credit is due.
Let’s also salute the sequels that made it big at the Golden Globes tonight: Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water. These two films emerged and took us completely by surprise with what they added to each classic film they followed. In doing so, they became classics in their own right, being honored with two nominations apiece, including one for Best Motion Picture - Drama.
The Banshees of Inisherin made it big at the Golden Globes today, for it walked home with the Golden Globe Awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor in a Comedy or Music Film for Colin Firth, and most of all, Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Having seen it, I found it a genuinely droll yet inquisitively disturbing film. Congratulations to Martin McDonough, Colin Firth, and all the cast and crew who made it big tonight with this movie!
However, while my mind is still fresh on the outcomes of the Golden Globes today, I want to personally congratulate four creative powerhouses who reigned supreme with their Golden Globe trophies and deserved them for what they achieved.
First, a big round of applause to Angela Bassett for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Once the news of Chadwick Boseman’s death spread, I knew that Bassett and many of her coworkers were in deep shock and sadness over losing a dear and talented friend. And I can imagine there being plenty on Bassett’s shoulders as she had to express it as such through Ramonda, T’Challa’s mother. For what she gave us, she proved herself a tour de force with the emotional and vocal prowess of a woman grieving the loss of her son while also tackling her newfound responsibilities as the Queen of Wakanda. Congratulations, Angela Bassett.
The second actor I want to congratulate is Kevin Costner for his role as John Dutton in Yellowstone.
My family and I have tuned into the show since season one, especially since there’s enough strong word of mouth from within our community to talk us into watching this show. Now, we’re halfway into season five. And Kevin Costner rode onto his role like a master cowboy, perfecting every iota of his performance as the Dutton patriarch who did everything it took to maintain the legacy his ancestors upheld on the Dutton Ranch in Montana. As the show’s spinoffs, 1883 and 1923, have demonstrated, it lasted over a century, and each inhibitor risked life and limb to keep its legacy alive. Congratulations, Kevin Costner, and may you continue to do your character wonders while Yellowstone is still on the air.
Thirdly, I want to congratulate Austin Butler for his portrayal of Elvis Presley.
I must admit, we’re in an age where plenty of musical biopics are emerging that shed new light on some of the most famous musicians in modern times, from Bohemian Rhapsody with Queen and RocketMan with Elton John. In Elvis’ biographical film, Austin Butler conveyed every talented, hunky, but also troubled angle of a young man who rose to fame with his music and became one of the most heralded and iconic rock stars the world has ever known. Austin Butler sank into the depths of Elvis Presley’s characterizations, as I’m sure Presley generally was in real life, and his performance helped breathe new life into the rock star after he left the building. Congratulations, Austin Butler.
And last but not least, I want to tip my hat to Steven Spielberg.
As I’ve witnessed from The Fabelmans, Spielberg had a generally unsteady life as he and his family navigated his way around the mess that ensued in light of his parents’ eroding marriage. So I can understand it all being a super tough situation for him to address, let alone via film. Speilberg mentioned that the closest he ever came to coming out about it was with Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. But I still admire his courage to remain honest and upfront about it with The Fabelmans. And he did so by allowing Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord and Gabriel LaBelle to portray him as Sammy Fabelman, a young man with a spark that was ignited thanks to the magic of movies and held onto that dream when things started to unravel around him. For that reason, the Golden Globes he received for Best Director and Best Motion Picture – Drama, both for The Fabelmans, felt very much deserved.
Congratulations to the four artists and all the other artists and actors who made a breakthrough with their trophies today.
Keep making great movies, and I’ll see you all at next year’s Golden Globe Awards and especially at the forthcoming Oscars! :)
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