Even though the Hollywood Foreign Press often does a better job of picking the winners than The Academy, it's hard to shake the vibe of the Golden Globes feeling slightly rigged, especially with their nominations. Case in point: Tom Cruise being nominated for his performance in THE LAST SAMURAI. Sure, Cruise got the job done, but there's a reason he hasn't been acknowledged by any other critics or awards groups.

The members who comprise the Hollywood Foreign Press are so desperate to have a "real American superstar" show up to their little shin-dig that they'd probably nominate Cruise for reading a phone book. As much as I admire how they went out on a limb and awarded Jim Carrey not once but twice (first for THE TRUMAN SHOW, then for MAN ON THE MOON), I'm starting to wonder if they nominated him in the first place because he's a big star and they knew he'd show up. Don't get me wrong, I think both performances by Carrey were actually quite underrated and the Academy should have at least nominated him once, but there's definitely reason to question this group's intentions, especially as they continue to attempt to raise their profile and bring higher ratings to the annual NBC telecast. The Academy Awards can be pathetic when it comes to handing out their little gold men, but you have to respect the whole "we don't give a damn what you think" attitude they have about it.


So what am I getting at with all of this? The Globes are trying to gain more respect, despite no longer being able to claim they have an effect on Oscar voters (as all Oscar ballots must be completed two days earlier). So instead of everything going to THE RETURN OF THE KING and COLD MOUNTAIN (which will battle it out for Best Drama), don't be surprised if LOST IN TRANSLATION wins more than Best Comedy or Musical. It could be a good night for both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, and possibly director Sofia Coppola as well.

Posted January 19, 2004 | link