WINNERS OF THE 2025 GOLDEN GLOBES AWARDS

The 2025 Golden Globes have been presented in a ceremony that was a tasteful and glamourous event full of the expected star-power. Gone are the days of drunken antics, rude, off-color jokes and controversial statements. After years of debauched gatherings while still trying of be taken seriously, these Globes are apparently now meant to be halcyon affairs. Yet this award show has blended in to simply become routine, a deeply serious Golden Globes that has managed to make the Academy Awards seem like a wild and crazy party.

The Globes still has the distinction of being the first of the major award shows and the 83rd edition created buzz for the potential winners (and nominees) that will lead us to the close of award season with the still distinguished, all-important Oscars.

Nikki Glaser returned as host and once again delivered stinging yet harmless jokes at the glittering crowd, making sure to let them know she was kidding following her punchline. She brought some much needed levity to the staid ceremony but the only other moment really occurred when director Judd Apatow came out to present the Best Director prize, offering a rambling yet humorous stand-up routine. No musical numbers (Sorry, Nikki but your brief attempt at a musical-comedy segment, thankfully stopped by Fran Drescher, was strained at best) and not even a brief in-memoriam. All we got from the show was Glaser's brief comedy bits, the announcement of the award winners and their acceptance speeches.

Surprisingly, the tense and troubling political atmosphere we're currently in now made little noise at this event beyond the subtle "Be Good" buttons that some stars wore. I was really expecting somebody to go off, angry and defiant to deliver fiery words that would inspire and offer some much needed encouragement. But that did not happen. We just got people sounding off the traditional laundry list of thanking family members, work colleagues and their fellow nominees. Not only did the Golden Globes play it safe but so unexpectedly did Hollywood.

Here are a list the winners of the 2025 Golden Globes Awards (Motion Picture):

Best Picture (Drama): "Hamnet"
Best Picture (Musical or Comedy): "One Battle After Another"
Best Director (Motion Picture): Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"
Best Screenplay (Motion Picture): Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"
Best Performance By A Male Actor In A Motion Picture (Drama): Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent"
Best Performance By A Male Actor In A Motion Picture (Musical Or Comedy): Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"
Best Performance By A Female Actor In A Motion Picture (Drama): Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet"
Best Performance By A Female Actor In A Motion Picture (Musical Or Comedy): Rose Byrne, "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You"
Best Performance By A Male Actor In A Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture: Stellan Skarsgård, "Sentimental Value"
Best Performance By A Female Actor In A Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture: Teyana Taylor, "One Battle After Another"
Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language): "The Secret Agent" (Brazil)
Best Picture (Animated): "KPop Demon Hunters"
Best Original Song (Motion Picture): "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" (Music by: Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun Lyrics by: Kim Eun-jae (EJAE), Mark Sonnenblick)
Best Original Score (Motion Picture): Ludwig Göransson, "Sinners"
Cinematic And Box Office Achievement: "Sinners"

2025 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS

The 2025 Golden Globes were announced today and "One Battle After Another" continues it's domination of recognition, receiving the most nominations with nine including Best Picture (Drama). The horror-drama, "Sinners' also did well with seven nominations. But it was indie and international cinema that really made an impact this year. Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value", a moving drama from Norway, receiving the second most nominations with eight that included Best Picture (Drama) and Best International Film. Also receiving nominations in both of those categories was Jafar Panahi's drama based in Iran, "It Was Just an Accident" with a strong showing of a total of four nominations . "No Other Choice" from South Korea and the drama from Brazil, "The Secret Agent" each received three. 

Independent cinema was recognized in the major categories with "Hamnet", "Marty Supreme", "Bugonia", "Train Dreams", "Blue Moon" and "Nouvelle Vague" (both from director, Richard Linklater) all receiving multiple nominations. The more traditional studio fare was not ignored with the musical, "Wicked: For Good", Guillermo del Toro's reimaging of "Frankenstein" and the upcoming sequel, "Avatar: Fire and Ash" received several nominations. 

The 83rd annual Golden Globes will be presented on January 11, 2026 on CBS and Paramount+ with host, Nikki Glaser returning for a second consecutive time.

Here are the nominations of the 2025 Golden Globes (Film):

Best Picture (Drama):

"Frankenstein"
"Hamnet"
"It Was Just an Accident"
"The Secret Agent"
"Sentimental Value"
"Sinners"

Best Picture (Comedy Or Musical):

"Blue Moon"
"Bugonia" 

"Marty Supreme"
"No Other Choice"
"Nouvelle Vague" 

"One Battle After Another"

Best Director (Motion Picture):

Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"
Ryan Coogler, "Sinners"
Guillermo del Toro, "Frankenstein"
Jafar Panahi, "It Was Just an Accident"
Joachim Trier, "Sentimental Value"
Chloé Zhao, "Hamnet"

Best Screenplay (Motion Picture):

Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"
Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie, "Marty Supreme"
Ryan Coogler, "Sinners"
Jafar Panahi, "It Was Just an Accident"
Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier, "Sentimental Value"
Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell, "Hamnet"

Best Performance By a Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama):

Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Die My Love"
Renate Reinsve, "Sentimental Value"
Julia Roberts, "After the Hunt"
Tessa Thompson, "Hedda"
Eva Victor, "Sorry, Baby"

Best Performance By a Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Rose Byrne, "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You"
Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked: For Good"
Kate Hudson, "Song Sung Blue"
Chase Infiniti, "One Battle After Another"
Amanda Seyfried, "The Testament of Ann Lee"
Emma Stone, "Bugonia"

Best Performance By a Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama):

Joel Edgerton, "Train Dreams"
Oscar Isaac, "Frankenstein"
Dwayne Johnson, "The Smashing Machine"
Michael B. Jordan, "Sinners"
Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent"
Jeremy Allen White, "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere"

Best Performance By a Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"
George Clooney, "Jay Kelly"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "One Battle After Another"
Ethan Hawke, "Blue Moon"
Lee Byung-Hun, "No Other Choice"
Jesse Plemons, "Bugonia"

Best Performance By a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture:

Emily Blunt, "The Smashing Machine"
Elle Fanning, "Sentimental Value"
Ariana Grande, "Wicked: For Good"
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, "Sentimental Value"
Amy Madigan, "Weapons"
Teyana Taylor, "One Battle After Another"

Best Performance By a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture:

Benicio Del Toro, "One Battle After Another"
Jacob Elordi, "Frankenstein"
Paul Mescal, "Hamnet"
Sean Penn, "One Battle After Another"
Adam Sandler, "Jay Kelly"
Stellan Skarsgård, "Sentimental Value"

Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language):

"It Was Just an Accident" (France)
"No Other Choice" (South Korea)
"The Secret Agent" (Brazil)
"Sentimental Value" (Norway)
"Sirāt" (Spain)
"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" (Tunisia)

Best Picture (Animated):

"Arco"
"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle"
"Elio"
"KPop Demon Hunters"
"Little Amélie or the Character of Rain"
"Zootopia 2"

Best Original Score (Motion Picture):

Alexandre Desplat, "Frankenstein"
Ludwig Göransson, "Sinners"
Jonny Greenwood, "One Battle After Another"
Kangding Ray, "Sirāt"
Max Richter, "Hamnet"
Hans Zimmer, "F1"

Best Original Song (Motion Picture):

"Dream as One" from "Avatar: Fire and Ash" (Music & Lyrics by: Miley Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt, Mark Ronson, Simon Franglen)
"Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" (Music by: Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun Lyrics by: Kim Eun-jae (EJAE), Mark Sonnenblick)
"I Lied to You" from "Sinners" (Music & Lyrics by: Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson)
"No Place Like Home" from "Wicked: For Good" (Music & Lyrics by: Stephen Schwartz)
"The Girl in the Bubble" from "Wicked: For Good" (Music & Lyrics by: Stephen Schwartz)
"Train Dreams" from "Train Dreams" (Music by: Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner Lyrics by: Nick Cave)

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement:

"Avatar: Fire and Ash"
"F1"
"KPop Demon Hunters"
"Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning"
"Sinners"
"Weapons"
"Wicked: For Good"
"Zootopia 2"

WINNERS OF THE 2024 GOLDEN GLOBES AND OTHER AWARD NEWS

The 2024 Golden Globes were given out on January 5th and you would have never known they had been away. Now in their 82nd year, the Globes have found their way back on solid ground once again after the last few years embroiled in messy scandals which had distracted them from their mission to glamorously kick off award season. The comedian, Nikki Glaser, making her debut as host of the Globes, proved to be a perfect fit, keeping the show upbeat and lively while gently teasing the stars in attendance with funny yet largely inoffensive jokes.

As for the awards, "Emilia Pérez" had entered this race with the most nominations with ten and took home four awards including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). Two unexpected yet well-deserved winners were Demi Moore receiving Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for the body-horror satire, "The Substance" and Fernanda Torres won Best Actress in a Drama for her turn in "Ainda Estou Aqui (I'm Still Here)", the Brazilian political drama from filmmaker, Walter Salles. Brady Corbet and his over three hour, dramatic epic, "The Brutalist" was another big winner receiving awards for Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Director and Best Actor for star, Adrien Brody. And the winner of the first "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement" movie category was "Wicked". I still have no clear idea what this dubious award really means ("It's not good enough for Best Drama or Best Musical or Comedy but it made money so it should get an award too") but congratulations to the witches.

Here is the list of winners from the 2024 Golden Globes (Motion Picture):

Best Motion Picture (Drama): "The Brutalist"
Best Motion Picture (Musical Or Comedy): "Emilia Pérez"
Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement: "Wicked"
Best Director (Motion Picture): Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"
Best Screenplay (Motion Picture): Peter Straughan, "Conclave"
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama): Fernanda Torres, "I’m Still Here"
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Demi Moore, "The Substance"
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture: Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama): Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Sebastian Stan, "A Different Man"
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture: Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language): "Emilia Pérez" (France)
Best Motion Picture (Animated): "Flow"
Best Original Song (Motion Picture): "El Mal" from "Emilia Pérez" Music & Lyrics By: Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard
Best Original Score (Motion Picture): Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, "Challengers"

The Screen Actors Guild announced their nominations on January 8th with these awards focused on honoring the best acting performances of the year. "Anora", "A Complete Unknown", "Emilia Pérez" and "Wicked" each received three nominations including Outstanding Performance By a Cast in a Motion Picture. "Conclave" is the other film in that category along with Ralph Fiennes as a nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor. The 31st Annual SAG Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 23, 2025 live on Netflix and hosted by actress Kristen Bell.

Here is the list of nominations of the 2024 SAG Awards (Film):

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:

"Anora"
"A Complete Unknown"
"Conclave"
"Emilia Pérez"
"Wicked"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:

Pamela Anderson, "The Last Showgirl"
Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked"
Karla Sofía Gascón, "Emilia Pérez"
Mikey Madison, "Anora"
Demi Moore, "The Substance"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:

Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"
Timothée Chalamet, "A Complete Unknown"
Daniel Craig, "Queer"
Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"
Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role:

Monica Barbaro, "A Complete Unknown"
Jamie Lee Curtis, "The Last Showgirl"
Danielle Deadwyler, "The Piano Lesson"
Ariana Grande, "Wicked"
Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:

Jonathan Bailey, "Wicked"
Yura Borisov, "Anora"
Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
Edward Norton, "A Complete Unknown"
Jeremy Strong, "The Apprentice"

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture:

"Deadpool & Wolverine"
"Dune: Part Two"
"The Fall Guy"
"Gladiator II"
"Wicked"

And the National Society of Film Critics, a group that counts amongst its members many of the country’s leading film critics, have made their selections of the best in the year of cinema. Announced on January 4th, the NSFC awarded "Nickel Boys", RaMell Ross' moving drama that follows the lives of two African-American boys who try to survive at an abusive reform school in 1960s Florida, as their pick of Best Picture with “All We Imagine as Light” and “Anora” as the runner-ups.

Here is the list of winners from the 2024 National Society of Film Critics:

Best Picture: "Nickel Boys"
Best Director: Payal Kapadia, "All We Imagine as Light"
Best Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg, "A Real Pain"
Best Actress: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, "Hard Truths"
Best Supporting Actress: Michele Austin, Hard Truths"
Best Actor: Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
Best Film Not in the English Language: "All We Imagine as Light"
Best Nonfiction Film: "No Other Land"
Best Experimental Film: "The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire"
Best Cinematography: Jomo Fray, Nickel Boys"
Film Heritage Award: To Save and Project: The MoMa International Festival of Film Preservation; IndieCollect and Scott Eyman

THE GOLDEN GLOBES NOMINATIONS AND MORE AWARD NEWS

Although they have lost some of their luster over the last few years due to several scandals, the Golden Globes are back to reclaim their status as the first major awards organization to start shaping the conversation for which films could potentially win awards. "Emilia Pérez" leads in film nominations with ten, following with "The Brutalist" at seven and "Conclave" with six. There is a new film category this year (which the Oscars had flirted with but backed away from a few years ago) with Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which apparently is supposed to honor movies that made a lot of money in theaters last year but wouldn't be recognized in the Best Motion Picture categories. I guess it's not much different from separating the Drama and Musical/Comedy in some of the categories but this addition still seems silly to me.

Viola Davis, the Oscar and a Golden Globe winning performer, will receive this year's Cecil B. DeMille Award. The 80th Golden Globes will be hosted by Nikki Glaser on January 5, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton and presented live on CBS.

Here is a partial list of the nominations for the 2024 Golden Globes Awards (Film):

Best Motion Picture – Drama:

"The Brutalist"
"A Complete Unknown"
"Conclave"
"Dune: Part Two"
"Nickel Boys"
"September 5"

Best Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy:

"Anora"
"Challengers"
"Emilia Pérez"
"A Real Pain"
"The Substance"
"Wicked"

Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement:

"Alien: Romulus"
"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"
"Deadpool & Wolverine"
"Gladiator II"
"Inside Out 2"
"Twisters"
"Wicked"
"The Wild Robot"

Best Director – Motion Picture:

Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez"
Sean Baker, "Anora"
Edward Berger, "Conclave"
Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"
Coralie Fargeat, "The Substance"
Payal Kapadia, "All We Imagine as Light"

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture:

Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez"
Sean Baker, "Anora"
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, "The Brutalist"
Jesse Eisenberg, "A Real Pain"
Coralie Fargeat, "The Substance"
Peter Straughan, "Conclave"

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama:

Pamela Anderson, "The Last Showgirl"
Angelina Jolie, "Maria"
Nicole Kidman, "Babygirl"
Tilda Swinton, "The Room Next Door"
Fernanda Torres, "I’m Still Here"
Kate Winslet, "Lee"

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:

Amy Adams, "Nightbitch"
Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked"
Karla Sofía Gascón, "Emilia Pérez"
Mikey Madison, "Anora"
Demi Moore, "The Substance"
Zendaya, "Challengers"

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama:

Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"
Timothée Chalamet, "A Complete Unknown"
Daniel Craig, "Queer"
Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"
Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave"
Sebastian Stan, "The Apprentice"

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:

Jesse Eisenberg, "A Real Pain"
Hugh Grant, "Heretic"
Gabriel Labelle, "Saturday Night"
Jesse Plemons, "Kinds Of Kindness"
Glen Powell, "Hit Man"
Sebastian Stan, "A Different Man"

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture:

Selena Gomez, "Emilia Pérez"
Ariana Grande, "Wicked"
Felicity Jones, "The Brutalist"
Margaret Qualley, "The Substance"
Isabella Rossellini, "Conclave"
Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture:

Yura Borisov, "Anora"
Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
Edward Norton, "A Complete Unknown"
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist"
Jeremy Strong, "The Apprentice"
Denzel Washington, "Gladiator II"

Best Motion Picture – Animated:

"Flow"
"Inside Out 2"
"Memoir of a Snail" "Moana 2"
"Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl"
"The Wild Robot"

Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language:

"All We Imagine as Light" (USA/France/India)
"Emilia Pérez" (France)
"The Girl With The Needle" (Poland/Sweden/Denmark)
"I’m Still Here" (Brazil)
"The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (USA/Germany) 

"Vermiglio" (Italy)

Best Original Score – Motion Picture:

Volker Bertelmann, "Conclave"
Daniel Blumberg, "The Brutalist"
Kris Bowers, "The Wild Robot"
Clément Ducol and Camille, "Emilia Pérez"
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, "Challengers"
Hans Zimmer, "Dune: Part Two"

Best Original Song – Motion Picture:

"Beautiful That Way" from "The Last Showgirl" (Music & Lyrics By Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus and Lykke Zachrisson)
"Compress / Repress" from "Challengers" (Music & Lyrics By Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Luca Guadagnino)
"El Mal" from "Emilia Pérez" (Music & Lyrics By Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard)
"Forbidden Road" from "Better Man" (Music & Lyrics By Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler and Sacha Skarbek)
"Kiss the Sky" from "The Wild Robot" (Music & Lyrics By Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack and Ali Tamposi)
"Mi Camino" from "Emilia Pérez" (Music & Lyrics By: Clément Ducol and Camille)

For the 50th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, "Anora" went away with three awards including Best Picture. The film's star, Mickey Madison received Best Leading Performance along with Marianne Jean-Baptiste for her turn in "Hard Truths". The Best Supporting Performance went to Yura Borisov as a sympathetic thug in "Anora" and Kieran Culkin for his work in "A Real Pain".

Here are the winners of the 2024 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards:

Best Picture: "Anora"
Best Director: Mohammad Rasoulof, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig"
Best Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg, "A Real Pain"
Best Leading Performances: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, "Hard Truths" and Mikey Madison, "Anora"
Best Supporting Performances: Yura Borisov, "Anora" and Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
Best Film Not in English Language: "All We Imagine as Light"
Best Documentary/Non-Fiction Film: "No Other Land"
Best Animation: "Flow"
Best Cinematography: Jomo Fray, "Nickel Boys"
Best Editing (Tie): Nicholas Monsour, "Nickel Boys" and Hansjörg Weißbrich, "September 5"
Best Production Design: Judy Becker, "The Brutalist"
Best Music Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, "Challengers"
New Generation Award: Vera Drew, "The People’s Joker"
Career Achievement Award: John Carpenter

Jacques Audiard’s "Emilia Pérez" was the big winner at the 37th annual European Film Awards, winning all five of its nominations including Best Film. Held on December 7th in Lucerne, Switzerland, Audiard won Best Director and Best Screenplay while Karla Sofia Gascón received the Best Actress prize, making her the first trans actor to win this award.

Here are the winners of the 2024 European Film Awards:

Best European Film: "Emilia Pérez" (France)
Best European Director: Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez" (France)
Best European Screenplay: Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez" (France)
Best European Actress: Karla Sofía Gascón, "Emilia Pérez" (France)
Best European Actor: Abou Sangare, "L'Histoire de Souleymane (Souleymane's Story)" (France)
Best European Documentary: No Other Land (Palestine, Norway)
Best European Animated Feature Film: "Straume (Flow)" (Latvia, France, Belgium)
Best European Cinematography: Benjamin Kračun, "The Substance" (UK, United States, France)
Best European Editing: Juliette Welfling, "Emilia Pérez" (France)
Best European Production Design: Jagna Dobesz, "Pigen med nålen (The Girl With The Needle)" (Denmark, Poland, Sweden) 

Best European Original Score: Frederikke Hoffmeier, "Pigen med nålen (The Girl With The Needle)" (Denmark, Poland, Sweden)
Best European Sound: Marc-Olivier Brullé, Pierre Bariaud, Charlotte Butrak, Samuel Aïchoun and Rodrigo Diaz, "L'Histoire de Souleymane (Souleymane’s Story)" (France)
Best European Costume Design: Tanja Hausner, "Des Teufels Bad (The Devil's Bath)" (Germany)
Best European Make-up & Hair: Evalotte Oosterop, " Ljósbrot (When The Light Breaks)" (Iceland)
Best European Visual Effects: Bryan Jones, Pierre Procoudine-Gorsky, Chervin Shafaghi and Guillaume Le Gouez, "The Substance" (UK, United States, France)
European Achievement in World Cinema: Isabella Rossellini

And the Film Independent Spirit Awards, which honors the best of the year in indie cinema, unveiled their nominations with "Anora" and "I Saw the TV Glow" leading the field with six noms apiece including Best Feature. The other nominees for Best Feature are the historical drama based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Nickel Boys"; the prison reform through the arts drama, "Sing Sing" and the body-horror movie, "The Substance". The 40th annual Spirit Awards will be held on February 22, 2025, at the Santa Monica beach with former SNL member, Aidy Bryant returning as host.

Here are the 2024 nominations of the Film Independent Spirit Awards (Cinema):

Best Feature:

"Anora"
"I Saw The TV Glow"
"Nickel Boys"
"Sing Sing"
"The Substance"

Best Director:

Ali Abbasi, "The Apprentice"
Sean Baker, "Anora"
Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"
Alonso Ruizpalacios, "La Cocina"
Jane Schoenbrun, "I Saw the TV Glow"

Best Screenplay:

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, "Heretic"
Jesse Eisenberg, "A Real Pain"
Megan Park, "My Old Ass"
Aaron Schimberg, "A Different Man"
Jane Schoenbrun, "I Saw the TV Glow"

Best First Feature:

"Didi"
"In the Summers"
"Janet Planet"
"The Piano Lesson"
"Problemista"

Best First Screenplay:

Joanna Arnow, "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed"
Annie Baker, "Janet Planet"
India Donaldson, "Good One"
Julio Torres, "Problemista"
Sean Wang, "Dìdi"

Best Lead Performance:

Amy Adams, "Nightbitch"
Ryan Destiny, "The Fire Inside"
Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"
Keith Kupferer, "Ghostlight"
Mikey Madison, "Anora"
Demi Moore, "The Substance"
Hunter Schafer, "Cuckoo"
Justice Smith, "I Saw the TV Glow"
June Squibb, "Thelma"
Sebastian Stan, "The Apprentice"

Best Supporting Performance:

Yura Borisov, "Anora"
Joan Chen, "Dìdi"
Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
Danielle Deadwyler, "The Piano Lesson"
Carol Kane, "Between the Temples"
Karren Karagulian, "Anora"
Kani Kusruti, "Girls Will Be Girls"
Brigette Lundy-Paine, "I Saw the TV Glow"
Clarence Maclin, "Sing Sing"
Adam Pearson, "A Different Man"

Best Breakthrough Performance:

Isaac Krasner, "Big Boys"
Katy O’Brian, "Love Lies Bleeding"
Mason Alexander Park, "National Anthem"
René Pérez Joglar, "In the Summers"
Maisy Stella, "My Old Ass"

Best International Film:

"All We Imagine as Light" (France, India, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
"Black Dog" (China)
"Flow" (Latvia, France, Belgium)
"Green Border" (Poland, France, Czech Republic, Belgium)
"Hard Truths" (United Kingdom)

Best Documentary:

"Gaucho Gaucho"
"Hummingbirds"
"No Other Land"
"Patrice: The Movie"
"Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat"

Best Cinematography:

Dinh Duy Hung, "Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell"
Jomo Fray, "Nickel Boys"
Maria von Hausswolff, "Janet Planet"
Juan Pablo Ramírez, "La Cocina"
Rina Yang, "The Fire Inside"

Best Editing:

Laura Colwell and Vanara Taing, "Jazzy"
Olivier Bugge Coutté and Olivia Neergaard-Holm, "The Apprentice"
Anne McCabe, "Nightbitch"
Hansjörg Weißbrich, "September 5"
Arielle Zakowski, "Dìdi"

The Producers Award:

Alex Coco
Sarah Winshall
Zoë Worth

Truer Than Fiction Award (presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition):

Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, "Sugarcane"
Carla Gutiérrez, "Frida"
Rachel Elizabeth Seed, "A Photographic Memory"

John Cassavettes Award (presented to the best feature made for under $1,000,000):

"Big Boys"
"Ghostlight"
"Girls Wille Be Girls"
"Jazzy"
"The People’s Joker"

Robert Altman Award (presented to one film’s director, casting director, and ensemble cast): "His Three Daughters"

MORE AWARD SEASON NEWS

As award season begins to kick into high gear, the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America have announced their nominations for awards. 

The nominations for the SAG Awards is always filled with the unexpected nods (Sterling K. Brown for "American Fiction"; Penélope Cruz in "Ferrari") and surprising snubs (the lead cast of "May December"; Fantasia Barrino for "The Color Purple"; Sandra Hüller for "Anatomy of a Fall"; Greta Lee in "Past Lives") but most of them are for the actors who have received plenty of award recognition since the start of the season. The 30th Annual SAG Awards will be presented on Saturday, February 24 at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles with the ceremony streaming live for the first time on Netflix. And the legendary performer, Barbra Streisand will receive this year's SAG Life Achievement Award. 

Here is the list of nominations for the 2024 SAG Awards (theatrical motion picture):

Best Outstanding Cast:

"American Fiction"
"Barbie"
"The Color Purple"
"Killers of the Flower Moon"
"Oppenheimer"

Best Actor in a Lead Role:

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
Colman Domingo, "Rustin"
Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"
Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"
Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Best Actress in a Lead Role:

Annette Bening, "Nyad"
Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"
Margot Robbie, "Barbie"
Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Sterling K. Brown, "American Fiction"
Willem Dafoe, "Poor Things"
Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"
Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"
Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
Penélope Cruz, "Ferrari"
Jodie Foster, "Nyad"
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Best Stunt Ensemble in a Movie:

"Barbie"
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"
"John Wick: Chapter 4"
"Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One"

After no women shockingly made the cut last year, Greta Gerwig received a nomination by the DGA for her work on the biggest box-office hit of 2023, "Barbie". And while this is only a minor improvement it's still welcomed but in the First-Time Theatrical Feature Film category, it is the exact opposite with four female directors impressively filling the five spots with Manuella Martelli ("Chile ’76"), Noora Niasari ("Shayda"), A.V. Rockwell ("A Thousand and One") and Celine Song ("Past Lives"). The 76th Annual DGA Awards will be handed out Saturday, February 10, at the Beverly Hilton. 

Here is the list of 2024 DGA nominees for motion pictures: 

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film:

Greta Gerwig, "Barbie"
Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"
Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"
Alexander Payne, "The Holdovers"
Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary Feature Film:

Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp, "Bobi Wine: The People's President"
Mstyslav Chernov, "20 Days in Mariupol"
Madeleine Gavin, "Beyond Utopia"
Davis Guggenheim, "Still: A Michael J Fox Movie"
D Smith, "Kokomo City"

Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film:

Cord Jefferson, "American Fiction"
Manuela Martelli, Chile ‘76"
Noora Niasari, "Shayda"
A.V. Rockwell, "A Thousand and One"
Celine Song, "Past Lives"

After the problematic couple of years behind the scenes of the Golden Globes involving a lack of diversity in the membership of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. and the group's ethics practices, it seemed like this long-time award show event might be over. But after the disbandment of the HFPA and turning the group into a for-profit organization, the Globes are back like nothing ever happened. With a new home on CBS and a slightly redesigned trophy, the Golden Globes returned on January 7th to give out awards and the stars came out in all their glittering finery to accept them. The show started off a bit wobbly with first time host, Jo Koy who really struggled to get laughs with painfully awkward jokes. I have to admit that I'm not familiar with Koy's work so he could actually be funny in a less stressful environment. But in all my years of watching various award shows, this comedian's set was truly one of the worst I've ever had to endure. Once the actors came on to hand out awards, it was slightly better although we still had to squirm through badly written chatter between the presenters (leave it to master comedians, Ray Romano, Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig to come in with some actual funny bits). Overall, it was business as usual with the Globes being the first of the televised award shows and helping to create buzz around certain films and performances.

Here is the list of nominations for the 2024 Golden Globes (Motion Picture) with the winners highlighted:

Best Film (Drama):

"Anatomy of a Fall"
"Killers of the Flower Moon"
"Maestro"
"Oppenheimer"
"Past Lives"
"The Zone of Interest"

Best Film (Musical or Comedy):

"Air"
"American Fiction"
"Barbie"
The Holdovers"
"May December"
"Poor Things"

Best Director:

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
Greta Gerwig, "Barbie"
Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"
Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"
Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Celine Song, "Past Lives"

Best Screenplay:

Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, "Anatomy of a Fall"
Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, "Barbie"
Tony McNamara, "Poor Things"
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer"
Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Celine Song, "Past Lives"

Best Actress (Drama):

Annette Bening, "Nyad"
Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"
Greta Lee, "Past Lives"
Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"
Cailee Spaeny, "Priscilla"

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy):

Fantasia Barrino, "The Color Purple"
Jennifer Lawrence, "No Hard Feelings"
Natalie Portman, "May December"
Alma Pöysti, "Fallen Leaves"
Margot Robbie, "Barbie"
Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Best Actor (Drama):

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
Leonardo Dicaprio, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Colman Domingo, "Rustin"
Barry Keoghan, "Saltburn"
Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"
Andrew Scott, "All of Us Strangers"

Best Actor (Musical or Comedy):

Nicolas Cage, "Dream Scenario"
Timothée Chalamet, "Wonka"
Matt Damon, "Air"
Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"
Joaquin Phoenix, "Beau Is Afraid"
Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Best Supporting Actress:

Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"
Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
Jodie Foster, "Nyad"
Julianne Moore, "May December"
Rosamund Pike, "Saltburn"
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Best Supporting Actor:

Willem Dafoe, "Poor Things"
Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"
Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"
Charles Melton, "May December"
Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Best Animated Film:

"The Boy and the Heron"
"Elemental"
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie"
"Suzume"
"Wish"

Best Foreign-Language Film:

"Anatomy of a Fall"
"Fallen Leaves"
"Io Capitano"
"Past Lives"
"Society of the Snow"
"The Zone of Interest"

Best Original Score:

Jerskin Fendrix, "Poor Things"
Ludwig Göransson, "Oppenheimer"
Joe Hisaishi, "The Boy and the Heron"
Mica Levi, "The Zone of Interest"
Daniel Pemberton, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"
Robbie Robertson, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Best Original Song:

Bruce Springsteen, "Addicted to Romance" from "She Came to Me" 
Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Dua Lipa and Caroline Ailin, "Dance the Night" from "Barbie" 
Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, "I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie" 
Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond and John Spiker, "Peaches" from "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" 
Lenny Kravitz, "Road to Freedom" from "Rustin" 
Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell , "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie"

Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement:

"Barbie"
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
"John Wick: Chapter 4"
"Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1"
"Oppenheimer"
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie"

Celine Song's romantic drama, "Past Lives" received the top prize from the National Society of Film Critics on January 6th. One of the most prestigious of the US film critics groups, which is now in their 58th year, began when several New York critics (which included well-known film reviewers for magazines, Pauline Kael, Joe Morgenstern and Richard Schickel) were refused memberships to the New York Film Critics Circle which preferred writers for mainstream newspapers. The NSFC is known for their judicious selections, usually favoring foreign-language and indie films and that is on display here with Jonathan Glazer receiving Best Director for his first film in ten years, "The Zone of Interest". Andrew Scott won Best Actor for his outstanding turn in Andrew Haigh's emotional, romantic fantasia, "All of Us Strangers". And German actress, Sandra Hüller winning for her stunning work in two films; as a defendant against the suspicious death of her husband in Justine Triet's courtroom drama, "Anatomy of a Fall" and as a SS officer's wife trying to maintain her dream home next to a concentration camp in "Zone of Interest".

Here is the complete of winners of the 2023 National Society of Film Critics:

Best Picture: "Past Lives"
Best Director: Jonathan Glazer, "The Zone of Interest"
Best Screenplay: Samy Burch, "May December"
Best Actress: Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Zone of Interest"
Best Actor: Andrew Scott, "All of Us Strangers"
Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"
Best Supporting Actor: Charles Melton, "May December"
Best Nonfiction Film: "Menus-Plaisirs — Les Troisgros"
Best Film Not in the English Language: "Fallen Leaves" (Finland)
Best Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Best Experimental Film: Jean Luc-Godard’s "Trailer of a Film That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars"
Film Heritage Award: Criterion Channel
Film Heritage Award: Facets, Kim’s Video, Scarecrow Video and Vidiots
Special Citation for a film awaiting U.S. distribution: Víctor Erice’s "Close Your Eyes"

WINNERS OF THE 2023 GOLDEN GLOBES AND OTHER AWARD NEWS

The Golden Globes were back after two years of disruptions (one that was out of their control due to the pandemic and the following year was over scandals involving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association) with the return of the glitzy, party atmosphere and the reappearance of many stars in-person yet still something was off. One thing was having the event, celebrating it's 80th year, on a Tuesday (a strange day of the week to do anything) with very little promotion.

And then there was first-time host, Jerrod Carmichael. Now I admit I'm not familiar with the comedian's work although I do know that he is celebrated rising performer with an award-winning comedy special. But I became concerned during his rambling, opening monologue where he goes into  long detail about the racist claims against the Globes that caused their cancellation last year, why he was approached for this gig and how much he got paid to host. After waiting patiently to hear something humorous or meaningful, nothing really materialized. As the show progressed, Carmichael's material got worse with cringey, awkward attempts at humor involving Tom Cruise and Scientology, Kanye West and his anti-Semitism and one particularly tasteless comment about Whitney Houston's death at the show's venue, the Beverly Hilton. The raucous party scene that usually comes with The Globes seemed muted this year. This show was lacking in levity overall with the HFPA being overly cautious with a respectful, serious vibe overtaking the room and carefully keeping alcohol out of sight.

Here is the list of winners from the 80th Golden Globes Awards (Motion Picture):

Best Motion Picture (Drama): "The Fabelmans"
Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Best Director (Motion Picture): Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans"
Best Screenplay (Motion Picture): Martin McDonagh, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama): Cate Blanchett, "Tár"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama): Austin Butler, "Elvis"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Colin Farrell, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture: Angela Bassett, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture: Ke Huy Quan, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Best Motion Picture (Animated): "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio"
Best Original Score (Motion Picture): Justin Hurwitz, "Babylon"
Best Original Song: Kala Bhairava, M.M. Keeravani and Rahul Sipligunj, "Naatu Naatu" from "RRR"

The Screen Actors Guild have announced their selections for their awards with two films that did well at the Globes, "The Banshees of Inisherin" and "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leading the field with five nominations each. The 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be held on February 26th at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. And after years being televised on TNT and TBS, the ceremony will be shown live on Netflix’s YouTube channel and then next year it has been arranged to be viewed live on Netflix.

Here is the list for the 2023 SAG Awards (in Motion Pictures):

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:

"Babylon"
"The Banshees of Inisherin"
"Everything Everywhere All at Once"
"The Fabelmans"
"Women Talking"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:

Cate Blanchett, "Tár"
Viola Davis, "The Woman King"
Ana de Armas, "Blonde"
Danielle Deadwyler, "Till"
Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:

Austin Butler, "Elvis"
Colin Farrell, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Brendan Fraser, "The Whale"
Bill Nighy, "Living"
Adam Sandler, "Hustle"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role:

Angela Bassett, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Hong Chau, "The Whale"
Kerry Condon, "The Banshees Of Inisherin"
Jamie Lee Curtis, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Stephanie Hsu, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:

Paul Dano, "The Fabelmans"
Brendan Gleeson, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Barry Keoghan, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Ke Huy Quan, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Eddie Redmayne,"The Good Nurse"

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture:

"Avatar: The Way of Water"
"The Batman"
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
"Top Gun: Maverick"
"The Woman King"

The Directors Guild of America have highlighted five filmmakers as nominees for Best Director for a Feature Film yet after making some headway in opening up to not only recognize male filmmakers in this category, women have once again been shut out. However, this has been balanced out in the First-time Director category with four women making the cut out of the five nominees. The winners of the 75th Annual WGA Awards will be announced on February 18th during the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Theatrical Feature Film:

Todd Field, "Tár"
Joseph Kosinski, "Top Gun: Maverick"
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Martin McDonagh, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Steven Spielberg, "The Fabelmans"

Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Director:

Alice Diop, "Saint Omer"
Audrey Diwan, "Happening"
John Patton Ford, "Emily the Criminal"
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, "Murina"
Charlotte Wells, "Aftersun"

And the American Society of Cinematographers have announced their nominations last week for the 37th annual awards which spotlights the best work in feature film, documentary and television cinematography.

Best Cinematography in Theatrical Feature Films:

Roger Deakins, "Empire of Light"
Greig Fraser, "The Batman"
Darius Khondji, "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths"
Claudio Miranda, "Top Gun: Maverick"
Mandy Walker, "Elvis"

Spotlight Award in Theatrical Feature Films:

Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, "War Sailor"
Kate McCullough, "The Quiet Girl"
Andrew Wheeler, "God’s Country"

THE RETURN OF THE GOLDEN GLOBES AND OTHER AWARD NEWS

After going off the air last year due to the outrage over the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's controversial practices surrounding its governing and the make-up of their members, it appeared like the Golden Globes might be over. The group seemed to have made an effort to boost the racial and ethnic diversity of their membership and banning the practice of members accepting gifts but will it be enough to convince the industry that the HFPA has actually changed?

Regardless, the Golden Globes seem poised to return to business as usual with the announcement of their nominations for the year's best in film and television. In the motion picture section, "The Banshees of Inisherin", Martin McDonagh's Irish comedy, led with eight nominations, followed by the breakout indie, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" with six, the Brad Pitt/Margot Robbie period drama, "Babylon" and the Steven Spielberg-directed family drama, "The Fabelmans" with five.

One good thing about the Globes is that it does bring attention to great performances in little seen films that may get overlooked during award season. And they did not disappoint this year by recognizing the outstanding work of the British acting vets, Lesley Manville and Emma Thompson in their indie films, "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" and "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande"; Jeremy Pope's amazing turn in "The Inspection", the captivating Dolly De Leon in "Triangle of Sadness" and the fine supporting performances of Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan in "The Banshees of Inisherin".

Eddie Murphy was selected to receive this year's Cecil B. DeMille Award, celebrating the actor and stand-up comedian's lasting impact on film and television. And Ryan Murphy will be honored with the Carol Burnett Award. The writer, producer and director behind "Nip/Tuck", "Glee", "American Horror Story" and "Pose" was chosen for his body of work and the lasting impact of his television career achievements. The 80th annual Golden Globes will be held January 10, 2023 live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills with first-time host, Jerrod Carmichael. NBC and Peacock will air the ceremony although this is the final telecast under the HFPA's current contract with the network. No word at this time if it will be renewed.

Here is the list of the 2022 Golden Globes (Motion Picture):

Best Motion Picture (Drama):

"Avatar: The Way of Water"
"Elvis"
"The Fabelmans"
"Tár"
"Top Gun: Maverick"

Best Picture (Musical or Comedy):

"Babylon"
"The Banshees of Inisherin"
"Everything Everywhere All at Once"
"Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery"
"Triangle of Sadness"

Best Director (Motion Picture):

James Cameron, "Avatar: The Way of Water"
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Baz Luhrmann, "Elvis"
Martin McDonagh, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Steven Spielberg, "The Fabelmans"

Best Screenplay (Motion Picture):

Todd Field, "Tár"
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, " Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Martin McDonagh, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Sarah Polley, "Women Talking"
Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, "The Fabelmans"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama):

Cate Blanchett, "Tár"
Olivia Colman, "Empire of Light"
Viola Davis, "The Woman King"
Ana de Armas, "Blonde"
Michelle Williams, "The Fabelmans"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Lesley Manville, "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris"
Margot Robbie, "Babylon"
Anya Taylor-Joy, "The Menu"
Emma Thompson, "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande"
Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama):

Austin Butler, "Elvis"
Brendan Fraser, "The Whale"
Hugh Jackman, "The Son"
Bill Nighy, "Living"
Jeremy Pope, "The Inspection"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Diego Calva, "Babylon"
Daniel Craig, "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery"
Adam Driver, "White Noise"
Colin Farrell, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Ralph Fiennes, "The Menu"

Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture):

Angela Bassett, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Kerry Condon, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Jamie Lee Curtis, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Dolly De Leon, "Triangle of Sadness"
Carey Mulligan, "She Said"

Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture):

Brendan Gleeson, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Barry Keoghan, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Brad Pitt, "Babylon"
Ke Huy Quan, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Eddie Redmayne, "The Good Nurse"

Best Picture (Non-English Language):

"All Quiet on the Western Front" (Germany)
"Argentina, 1985" (Argentina)
"Close" (Belgium)
"Decision to Leave" (South Korea)
"RRR" (India)

Best Motion Picture (Animated):

"Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio"
"Inu-Oh"
"Marcel the Shell With Shoes On"
"Puss in Boots: The Last Wish"
"Turning Red"

Best Original Score (Motion Picture):

Carter Burwell, "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Alexandre Desplat, "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio"
Hildur Guðnadóttir, "Women Talking"
Justin Hurwitz, "Babylon"
John Williams, "The Fabelmans"

Best Original Song (Motion Picture):

Taylor Swift, "Carolina" from "Where the Crawdads Sing"
Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz and Guillermo del Toro, "Ciao Papa" from "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio"
Lady Gaga, BloodPop and Benjamin Rice, "Hold My Hand" from "Top Gun: Maverick"
Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler, "Lift Me Up" from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani and Rahul Sipligunj, "Naatu Naatu" from "RRR"

The Los Angeles Film Critics had a tie in Best Picture this year with "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Tár" sharing the prize, making this the fourth time the group had a tie in their forty-eight year history. The LAFC also introduced gender-neutral acting categories this year but selected a male and a female winner in Lead Performance and Supporting Performance, making this not really much different from previous years.

Here are the winners of the 2022 Los Angeles Film Critics Association:

Best Picture: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Tár" (tie)
Best Director: Todd Field, "Tár"
Best Screenplay: Todd Field, "Tár"
Leading Performances: Cate Blanchett, "Tár" and Bill Nighy, "Living"
Supporting Performances: Dolly De Leon, "Triangle of Sadness" and Ke Huy Quan, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Best Foreign Language: "EO"
Best Documentary/Non-Fiction Film: "All the Beauty and the Bloodshed"
Best Animation: "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio"
Best Cinematography: Michal Dymek, "EO"
Best Editing: Blair McClendon, "Aftersun"
Best Production Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter, "Avatar: The Way of Water"
Best Music Score: M.M. Keeravani, "RRR"
New Generation Award: Davy Chou and Park Ji-Min, "Return to Seoul"
Career Achievement Award: Claire Denis

Ruben Östlund and his black comedy satire involving class and the wealthy, "Triangle of Sadness" was the big winner at the 35th annual European Film Awards, handed out on December 10th in Reykjavík, Iceland, winning four awards including Best Film. Vicky Krieps received Best European Actress for her irreverent turn as Empress Elisabeth of Austria in "Corsage", a historical drama which is due to be released in the US on December 23rd. And German actress and filmmaker, Margarethe von Trotta received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Here are the winners of the 2022 European Film Awards:

Best European Film: "Triangle of Sadness"
Best European Director: Ruben Östlund, "Triangle of Sadness"
Best European Screenwriter: Ruben Östlund, "Triangle of Sadness"
Best European Actor: Zlatko Burić, "Triangle of Sadness"
Best European Actress: Vicky Krieps, "Corsage"
Best European Comedy: "The Good Boss"
Best European Documentary: "Mariupolis 2"
Best European Animated Feature Film: "No Dogs or Italians Allowed"
Best European Short Film: "Granny’s Sexual Life"

MORE AWARD SEASON NEWS

The National Society of Film Critics have selected their picks for the best of 2021. This prestigious group, established in 1966, is made up of critics that write for a variety of weekly and daily newspapers along with major publications and media outlets. The NSFC are well-known for their high-brow picks and this year, they did not disappoint. Ryusuke Hamaguchi and his three-hour long drama, "Drive My Car" were selected as Best Film and Director along with star, Hidetoshi Nishijima as Best Actor. Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, the film deals with a a theater director about to stage a production of Chekhov's play "Uncle Vanya" while grappling with loss and grief and makes a connection with his driver. Penélope Cruz received Best Actress for her work in the latest from Pedro Almodóvar in "Parallel Mothers". Ruth Negga was recognized as Best Supporting Actress for her outstanding turn in "Passing". And Anders Danielsen Lie won Best Supporting Actor for his part in the Norwegian romantic-dark comedy, "Verdens verste menneske (The Worst Person in the World)". The NSFC also selected the late filmmakers, Bernard Tavernier and Peter Bogdanovich and Maya Cade with the Black Film Archive as winners of the Film Heritage Award.

Here is the list of 2022 winners from The National Society of Film Critics:

Best Picture: "Drive My Car"
Best Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, "Drive My Car"
Best Screenplay: Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe, "Drive My Car"
Best Actress: Penélope Cruz, "Parallel Mothers"
Best Actor: Hidetoshi Nishijima, "Drive My Car"
Best Supporting Actress: Ruth Negga, "Passing"
Best Supporting Actor: Anders Danielsen Lie, "The Worst Person in the World"
Best Cinematography: Andrew Droz Palermo, "The Green Knight"
Best Non-Fiction Film: "Flee"

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association had also selected "Drive My Car" as their Best Picture on December 18th. Some other winners crossed over with the NSFC but the LAFCA went their own way with Simon Rex for Best Actor in "Red Rocket" for his performance as a washed-up LA porn star returning to his small Texas hometown to start over; Best Supporting Actress went to Ariana DeBose for her turn as Anita in "West Side Story"; a tie between for Best Supporting Actor with Vincent Lindon for his performance in the surreal French drama, "Titane" and a mesmerizing Kodi Smit-McPhee for "The Power of the Dog" and one of favorite films of 2021, "Summer of Soul" won for Best Documentary.

Here is the List of 2022 winners from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association:

Best Picture: "Drive My Car"
Best Director: Jane Campion, "The Power of the Dog"
Best Screenplay: Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe, "Drive My Car"
Best Actress: Penélope Cruz, "Parallel Mothers"
Best Actor: Simon Rex, "Red Rocket"
Best Supporting Actress: Ariana DeBose, "West Side Story"
Best Supporting Actor (tie): Vincent Lindon, "Titane" and Kodi Smit-McPhee, "The Power of the Dog"
Best Documentary: "Summer of Soul"
Best Film Not in the English Language: "Petite Maman"
Best Animation: "Flee"
Best Cinematography: Ari Wegner, "The Power of the Dog"
Best Editing: Joshua L. Pearson, "Summer of Soul"
Best Production Design: Steve Saklad, "Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar"
Best Music/Score: Alberto Iglesias, "Parallel Mothers"
Career Achievement Award: Mel Brooks

And the Golden Globes used to be the first major televised award show to kick off the season with a riotous party serving dinner and drinks for the attendees. But that has changed this year due the controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association with no one willing to attend nor present at their event. The awards will still be handed out but there will be no formal show that will be shown on television. Trying to fix their damaged image, they will be focusing on their philanthropy work and humanitarian causes during the ceremony. As for the awards; "The Power of the Dog" and "West Side Story" were the big winners of the Globes with each winning three. Jane Campion's psychological western won for Best Motion Picture (drama), Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Kodi Smit-McPhee while Steven Spielberg's re-imagining of the Broadway musical received wins for Best Motion Picture (comedy) with Rachel Zegler (in her first film role) and Ariana DeBose receiving Best Actress (musical or comedy) and Best Supporting Actress.

Here is the complete list of winners of the 79th Annual Golden Globes Awards (Motion Picture):

Best Motion Picture (Drama): "The Power of the Dog"
Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): "West Side Story"
Best Director (Motion Picture): Jane Campion, "The Power of the Dog"
Best Screenplay (Motion Picture): Kenneth Branagh, "Belfast"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama): Nicole Kidman, "Being the Ricardos"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Rachel Zegler, "West Side Story"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama): Will Smith, "King Richard"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Andrew Garfield, "Tick, Tick … Boom!"
Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture): Ariana DeBose, "West Side Story"
Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture): Kodi Smit-McPhee, "The Power of the Dog"
Best Motion Picture (Foreign Language): "Drive My Car" (Japan)
Best Motion Picture (Animated): "Encanto"
Best Original Score (Motion Picture): Hans Zimmer, "Dune"
Best Original Song (Motion Picture): Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, "No Time to Die" from "No Time to Die"

AWARD SEASON NEWS

The 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced and "Zola", Janicza Bravo's dark comedy about a stripper's trip to Florida that takes a very ugly turn, leads the field with seven noms including Best Feature. The other films vying for the top prize include "The Novice" a twisted thriller of an obsessive college freshman joining her university's rowing team, that received five nominations; "The Lost Daughter", actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut with an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel, scored four nominations; "A Chiara" an Italian-language family drama and the latest from Mike Mills, "C’mon C’mon" which stars Joaquin Phoenix as a radio journalist traveling the country and his relationship with his young nephew. In order to be eligible for a Spirit Award, films must be under the specific budget of $22.5 million. The 2021 Spirit Awards are planned to return to an in-person event on March 6th at the beach in Santa Monica and broadcast live on IFC.

Here is the complete list of the nominations of the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards:

Best Feature:

"A Chiara"
"C’mon C’mon"
"The Lost Daughter"
"The Novice"
"Zola"

Best Director:

Janicza Bravo, "Zola"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "The Lost Daughter"
Lauren Hadaway, "The Novice"
Mike Mills, "C’mon C’mon"
Ninja Thyberg, "Pleasure"

Best Screenplay:

Nikole Beckwith, "Together Together"
Janicza Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris, "Zola"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "The Lost Daughter"
Mike Mills, "C’mon C’mon"
Todd Stephens, "Swan Song"

Best Female Lead:

Isabelle Fuhrman, "The Novice"
Brittany S. Hall, "Test Pattern"
Patti Harrison, "Together Together"
Taylour Paige, "Zola"
Kali Reis, "Catch the Fair One"

Best Male Lead:

Clifton Collins Jr., "Jockey"
Frankie Faison, "Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain"
Michael Greyeyes, "Wild Indian"
Udo Kier, "Swan Song"
Simon Rex, "Red Rocket"

Best Supporting Female:

Jessie Buckley, "The Lost Daughter"
Amy Forsyth, "The Novice"
Ruth Negga, "Passing"
Revika Reustle, "Pleasure"
Suzanna Son, "Red Rocket"

Best Supporting Male:

Colman Domingo, "Zola"
Meeko Gattuso, "Queen of Glory"
Troy Kotsur, "CODA"
Will Patton, "Sweet Thing"
Chaske Spencer, "Wild Indian"

Best International Film:

"Compartment No. 6" (Finland/Russia)
"Drive My Car" (Japan)
"Parallel Mothers" (Spain)
"Pebbles" (India)
"Petite Maman" (France)
"Prayers for the Stolen" (Mexico)

Best Documentary:

"Ascension"
"Flee"
"In The Same Breath"
"Procession"
"Summer of Soul"

Best Cinematography:

Ante Cheng and Matthew Chuang, "Blue Bayou"
Lol Crawley, "The Humans"
Tim Curtin, "A Chiara"
Edu Grau, "Passing"
Ari Wegner, "Zola"

Best Editing:

Affonso Gonçalves,"A Chiara"
Ali Greer, "The Nowhere Inn"
Lauren Hadaway and Nathan Nugent, "The Novice"
Joi McMillon, "Zola"
Enrico Natale, "The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain"

Best First Feature:

"7 Days"
"Holler"
"Queen of Glory"
"Test Pattern"
"Wild Indian"

Best First Screenplay:

Lyle Mitchell Corbine, Jr., "Wild Indian"
Matt Fifer, Story by Sheldon D. Brown, “Cicada"
Shatara Michelle Ford, "Test Pattern"
Fran Kranz, "Mass"
Michael Sarnoski, Story by Vanessa Block and Michael Sarnoski, "Pig"

John Cassavetes Award (awarded to the best feature made for under $500,000):

"Cryptozoo"
"Jockey"
"Shiva Baby"
"Sweet Thing"
"This is Not a War Story"

The Someone to Watch Award (recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition):

Alex Camilleri, "Luzzu"
Gillian Wallace Horvat, "I Blame Society"
Michael Sarnoski, "Pig"

The Truer Than Fiction Award (awarded to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition):

Angelo Madsen Minax, "North By Current"
Jessica Beshir, "Faya Dayi"
Debbie Lum, "Try Harder!"

Robert Altman Award (awarded to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast) "Mass"

Jasmila Žbanić’s "Quo Vadis, Aida?" was the big winner at the 34th annual European Film Awards, receiving the Best European Film as well as Best European Director and Best European Actress for lead, Jasna Đuričić. This drama, which was nominated for a Best International Feature Oscar at last year's Academy Awards, tells the story of a brave woman’s fight to save her family during the Bosnian War genocide in Srebrenica. Anthony Hopkins won Best European Actor for his brilliant performance in "The Father" along with the film's screenwriters, Florian Zeller and Christopher Hampton For Best European Screenwriter, all winning Oscars for their work earlier this year. And "Flee", the animated documentary from Danish filmmaker, Jonas Poher Rasmussen, took both Best European Animated Feature Film and Best European Documentary. This film about a man originally from Afghanistan who shares his hidden past about the arduous journey of fleeing his country could potentially repeat this feat at this year's Oscars as it is shortlisted in both categories as well as Best International Feature.

Here is the list of winners from the 2021 European Film Awards:

Best European Film: "Quo Vadis, Aida?"
Best European Director: Jasmila Žbanić, "Quo Vadis, Aida?"
Best European Screenwriter: Florian Zeller & Christopher Hampton, "The Father"
Best European Actress: Jasna Đuričić, "Quo Vadis, Aida?"
Best European Actor: Anthony Hopkins, "The Father"
Best European Comedy: "Ninjababy"
Best European Documentary: "Flee"
Best European Animated Feature Film: "Flee"
Best European Cinematography: Crystel Fournier, "Great Freedom"
Best European Editing: Mukharam Kabulova, "Unclenching The Fists"
Best European Production Design: Marton Agh, "Natural Light"
Best European Original Score: Nils Petter Molvaer and Peter Brotz-Mann, "Great Freedom"
Best European Sound: Gisle Tveito and Gustaf Berger, "The Innocents"
Best European Visual Effects: Peter Hjorth and Fredrik Nord, "Lamb"
Best European Costume Design: Michael O’Connor, "Ammonite"
Best European Make-Up & Hair: Flore Masson, Olivier Alfonso and Antoine Mancini, "Titane"
Best European Discovery (Prix Fipresci): Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman"

And the scandal-plagued Hollywood Foreign Press Association have announced their nominations for the 2022 Golden Globe Awards. This secretive group of international critics had run in to trouble earlier in the year due to a long history of corruption in the group and their lack of diversity amongst their ranks. They tried to repair the damage with a series of reforms including admitting new members and hiring a new chief diversity officer. But despite their efforts, the HFPA have continued to struggle with their event. NBC is apparently declining to air the award show along with agents and publicists still planning on having their clients boycott the Globes. I guess we will have to see how this will shake out as the Golden Globes will be announcing their winners on January 9th in some capacity.

Here is the complete list of the 2022 Golden Globe nominations in film:

Best Motion Picture (Drama):

"Belfast"
"CODA"
"Dune"
"King Richard"
"The Power of the Dog"

Best Picture (Musical or Comedy):

"Cyrano"
"Don’t Look Up"
"Licorice Pizza"
"Tick, Tick … Boom!"
“West Side Story"

Best Director (Motion Picture):

Kenneth Branagh, "Belfast"
Jane Campion, "The Power of the Dog"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "The Lost Daughter"
Steven Spielberg, "West Side Story"
Denis Villeneuve, "Dune"

Best Screenplay (Motion Picture):

Paul Thomas Anderson, "Licorice Pizza"
Kenneth Branagh, "Belfast"
Jane Campion, "The Power of the Dog"
Adam McKay, "Don’t Look Up"
Aaron Sorkin, "Being the Ricardos"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama)

Jessica Chastain, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"
Olivia Colman, "The Lost Daughter"
Nicole Kidman, "Being the Ricardos"
Lady Gaga, "House of Gucci"
Kristen Stewart, "Spencer"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Marion Cotillard, "Annette"
Alana Haim, "Licorice Pizza"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Don’t Look Up"
Emma Stone, "Cruella"
Rachel Zegler, "West Side Story"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama):

Mahershala Ali, "Swan Song"
Javier Bardem, "Being the Ricardos"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Power of the Dog"
Will Smith, "King Richard"
Denzel Washington, "The Tragedy of Macbeth"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Leonardo DiCaprio, "Don’t Look Up"
Peter Dinklage, "Cyrano"
Andrew Garfield, "Tick, Tick … Boom!"
Cooper Hoffman, "Licorice Pizza"
Anthony Ramos, "In the Heights"

Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture):

Ben Affleck, "he Tender Bar"
Jamie Dornan, "Belfast"
Ciarán Hinds, "Belfast"
Troy Kotsur, "CODA"
Kodi Smit-McPhee, "The Power of the Dog"

Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture):

Caitríona Balfe, "“Belfast"
Ariana DeBose. "West Side Story"
Kirsten Dunst, "The Power of the Dog"
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard"
Ruth Negga, "Passing"

Best Picture (Foreign Language):

“Compartment No. 6” (Finland/Russia/Germany)
“Drive My Car” (Japan)
“The Hand of God” (Italy)
"A Hero" (France/Iran)
"Parallel Mothers" (Spain)

Best Motion Picture (Animated):

"Encanto"
"Flee"
"Luca"
"My Sunny Maad"
"Raya and the Last Dragon"

Best Original Score (Motion Picture):

Alexandre Desplat, "The French Dispatch"
Germaine Franco, "Encanto"
Jonny Greenwood, "The Power of The Dog"
Alberto Iglesias, "Parallel Mothers"
Hans Zimmer, "Dune"

Best Original Song (Motion Picture):

"Be Alive" from “King Richard” -  Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Dixson
"Dos Orugitas" from "Encanto"  - Lin-Manuel Miranda
"Down to Joy" from "Belfast"  - Van Morrison
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" from "Respect"  - Jamie Hartman, Jennifer Hudson and Carole King
"No Time to Die" from "No Time to Die"  - Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell