It’s hard to believe it but the 2019 Award Season honoring 2018 films is on its way with the 76th Golden Globes airing Sunday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. First time co-hosts Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg will be taking the reins, both having won previous Golden Globes and are nominees themselves currently in the television category.
Unlike the Oscars, the Globes have broader categories with regards to the Best Films segregating Drama from Musical or Comedy. The films nominated in the Drama grouping are Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, If Beale Street Could Talk and A Star is Born. In the Musical or Comedy classification, Crazy Rich Asians, The Favourite, Green Book, Mary Poppins Returns and Vice have been selected. Many of these films are still playing in your local theaters otherwise they can be found on DVD.
The following are just a few that you can choose from.
BlacKkKlansman (R) debuted in August and was directed by Spike Lee. The film stars John David Washington, Adam Driver and Laura Harner and is based on true events from the 2014 memoir Black Klansman, written by Ron Stallworth. Stallworth, an African-American police officer residing in Colorado Springs enlists the help of a Jewish surrogate in infiltrating the local KuKlux Klan. Lee has been nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Director category while Washington and Driver have been selected for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively.
If Beale Street Could Talk (R) debuted on Christmas Day and is based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same name. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the movie stars Kiki Lane, Stephan James, Dave Franco and Regina King. A pregnant married woman frantically attempts to prove her husband’s innocence as he is erroneously accused of a crime. A very riveting movie.
The Favourite (R) came to theaters in late November and was directed by Vorgos Lanthimos. It stars Olivia Corman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone and is based on Queen Anne’s rule of England in the early 18th century and her close confidante Sarah Churchill, who was the real voice governing the country. When Sarah’s younger and poorer cousin comes to work at the castle, the two women engage in a rivalry for the Queen’s affections. Corman is up for Best Actress while both Weisz and Stone are competing in the Supporting Actress category. Superb acting with a lot of laughs.
Green Book (PG-13) opened in December directed by Peter Farrelly and stars Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Based on true events, the movie follows the journeys of pianist Don Shirley, an African-American touring the Deep South in the 1960s who employs Tony Vallelonga, an Italian-American bouncer/driver to protect him. This unlikely pairing develop a lifelong friendship in this brilliant movie, with Mortensen deservedly being nominated for Best Actor, Ali for Best Supporting and Farrelly for Best Director.
Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13) saw Rami Malek’s dazzling performance as Freddie Mercury and I strongly suggest you see it too. Then you will understand why he was nominated for Best Actor in that role. The film follows the celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer, Freddie Mercury.
Also, still out in theaters, A Star is Born gives Lady Gaga her first movie acting role where she nails the character of struggling artist Ally, earning her a Best Actress. Her nomination comes along with Bradley Cooper’s Best Acting and Best Director in his directorial debut.
So grab some popcorn and a soda, see what all the buzz is about and decide if the critics have it right.
