Not to take anything away from Golden Globe noms The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (my second favorite movie of the year), Doubt and Frost/Nixon -- all fine films that led with five nominations going in, and all completely shut out -- but it was gratifying to see Slumdog Millionaire (which we've hailed on this blog as the little movie that should) sweep its categories, winning best screenplay, score, director and picture. If you haven't seen it, this should prompt you to catch it ASAP. But if the Globes weren't enough, just wait for the Oscar noms. Greater things are still upcoming for this tale of an impoverished kid from Mumbai.
A few more observations about this year's ceremony...was comeback kid Robert Downey Jr. really wearing sunglasses during certain parts of the show? Maybe it's just me, but that look only works indoors on Jack Nicholson...also, kudos to Tina Fey for the best acceptance speech of the night, telling specific online detractors to "suck it"...and speaking of naysayers, Mickey Rourke's win for best actor for The Wrestler was a nice rebuttal to all those who had written him off. It was refreshing to hear his unpolished, constantly bleeped speech, thanking everyone from his dogs to Bruce Springsteen to Axl Rose (too bad us west coasters missed the part where his director, Darren Aronofsky, playfully flipped him the bird).
For the film buffs, it was good, too, to hear the thoughts of lifetime achievement winner Steven Spielberg, who had probably altered the career paths of most everyone in the room, and inspires a lot of us who cover movies. His message to stay true to the art of film was honest, and, well, inspiring.
Lastly, you can always count on Sacha Baron Cohen to add some irreverent comedy to the night. Sure, he took potshots at Victoria Beckham's appetite, Charlie Sheen's sex life and Madonna's and Guy Ritchie's relationship, but he also cracked on himself. All in all, it was an OK broadcast (no completely unforgettable moments like Christine Lahti in the loo...but we really love the Slumdog wins)...and at least there was a show (a vast improvement over last year's GG press conference, necessary due to the writers strike). For more commentary, check out our Awards Watch, and let us know your most memorable and/or bizarre moments (Sting's Grizzly Adams beard? Renee Zellweger's outfit? Demi Moore's reprimand to daughter/Globe girl Rumer to stop slouching?)
Slumdog's director Danny Boyle and stars Freida Pinto and Dev Patel.
