FRI 30 JAN 2004
Golden Globes whets appetite for Oscars
By Chris MartinArgonaut Staff
The verdict, as they say, is in. And the Golden Globes have shown us who to look for when the Academy throws in its ballots and the Oscar winners are read Sunday, Feb. 29.
The biggest word around is that “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” (with 11 Academy Award Nominations) is holding the most water ever since it won Best Picture Drama at the Globes. But who can say? The Academy might decide, quite unfortunately, that since “Return” won at the Globes it will pass the Best Picture onto another film, like “Mystic River” or even “Lost in Translation.”
The latter performed quite well at the Globes with three wins: Bill Murray for best actor in a comedy or musical, Sofia Coppola for best screenplay, and best motion picture comedy or musical. One couldn’t help but be impressed with director, writer and producer Sofia Coppola’s track record thus far in her career.
“Mystic River” did well also, with a win for Sean Penn for best actor in a drama and another for Tim Robbins for best actor in a supporting role.
However, the biggest winner at the Golden Globes was the two-part HBO movie “Angels in America” with five Globes, outshooting every other nominee by at least two.
One of the major highlights of the Globes was Michael Douglas becoming the 2004 recipient of the Cecil DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. This puts two DeMille awards in the hands of the Douglas family; his father Kirk Douglas received the award in 1968. The remembrance of his past roles was entertaining and impressive.
But the Globes are not all fun, games and candy. I am not a fan of the victory speeches. The short ones only give leeway for the longer ones to drag on. This year many of the recipients of awards went on to spout lengthy and painful thank-you speeches and made terrible jokes. Many even made known that NBC was flashing the “wrap it up” light, so we’d feel sorry for them and that their lives are so hard. Surprisingly, Charlize Theron won for her performance in “Monster.” She was more surprised than anyone else, and so she took at least 10 minutes to get off the stage.
The award for most giggly outfit goes to Mary Louise Parker and her itsy, revealing … er … dress thing. So important was her dress that she went on stage and made an ass of herself for $1,000 as a bet to one of her friends. What a joke. I really hope she didn’t get paid for that. If I’d get paid, I’d wear something like that for $1,000, sheesh. Second place goes to Jennifer Aniston, with a titillating black outfit, but second doesn’t count, now does it Aniston?
The Golden Globes is all about actors and actresses out of their element in order to show the world what all those pretty people are really like. Of course, deep down, they’re all more or less as crazy as you or me. No amount of awards can sway me to believe otherwise.
As far as Oscar considerations, I was disappointed that “Big Fish” wasn’t nominated for best picture, and that “Return of the King” received no nominations for best actor. I am still leaning towards “Return” for best picture, many technical awards and even best director. Close at director Peter Jackson’s heels is “Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World” with nine nominations, “Mystic River” with five nominations, and “Cold Mountain” with six.
I hope Ken Watanabe wins for best supporting actor for his role as Katsumoto in “The Last Samurai,” but I have this feeling the Academy will give it to Tim Robbins. This isn’t bad; Robbins is a wonderful actor and deserves the award, but I’d like to see Watanabe come away with it.
The biggest disappointment would be if “Seabiscuit” won best picture. Sure it was a nice, uplifting film, but “Seabiscuit” is out of its league in this category.
If nothing else, we’ll see drunken actors and actresses at the Academy Awards. Maybe we’ll hear a few lengthy speeches, maybe see a few skimpy or ugly dresses, but mostly we’ll ogle our favorite actors and actresses in their own element as we root for them at home.
Schedule for Eastside Cinemas
“The Big Bounce” — PG-13 (12:50) (2:55) 5, 7:05, 9:10 p.m.“You Got Served” — PG-13 (12:40) (2:50) 5, 7:10, 9:20 p.m.
“Mystic River” R (12:25) — (3:20) 6:15, 9:10 p.m.
“The Butterfly Effect” — R (noon) (2:25) 4:50, 7:15, 9:40 p.m.
“Master and Commander” — PG-13 (2:30) 9:30 p.m.
“Cheaper By The Dozen” — PG (12:20) 5:10, 7:20 p.m.
U4 Cinema Schedule
“Return of the King” — PG-13 (2:45) and 7 p.m.“Big Fish” — PG-13 (1), 4, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
“Torque” — PG-13 (1), (4), 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
“Along Came Polly” — PG-13 (1), 4, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Showtimes in ( ) are for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
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