Golden Globes Wrap Up

The Golden Globes, which honor both film and television, have been handed out. (The Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, HFPA.)

Below is the full list of winners but first, as always, the fashion.

Let's start off with my runner up for best dressed, Cate Blanchett. The Oscar winning actress (who can now be seen in Blue Jasmine) wore a beautiful Armani black lace gown. She looked statuesque in the great red carpet-ready dress, with its high neck and detailed cut. And that was before we even saw the back, which featured a daring cut out. Blanchett looked sophisticated and poised, and I dug her tucked-under hair. 


Next are a few column(ish) dresses. From left to right, Kata Mara in J Mendel; Kerry Washington in Balenciaga; and Margot Robbie in Gucci. Mara (House of Cards) shows off her new blonde tresses and some serious curves in this stunning silver number. Washington (Scandal) shows off her baby bump in the Balenciaga frock. It's fitting properly so you can see the bump but it doesn't look like the dress is pulling, and the fly-away vest-like bodice adds a nice balance to the dress. Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street) simply shows off her hot bod. She's a beautiful woman and there were probably tons of stylists urging her to do more, but I like this simple understated look; it's sexy and glamorous but Robbie is still the star, not the dress.


Now for a trend: the color block dress. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Above left is Amy Adams in a gorgeous Valentino two-toned red dress. Adams (American Hustle) said of the look that she was inspired by her character. She's a vision in red, and the Lorraine Schwartz jewelry complements the look. But the color block doesn't always work. Above right is Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation). This purple dress isn't all bad. In fact, it represents a pretty decent effort. I like the simple, natural hair and make up and the bright, jewel-toned purple looks lovely on her. But the skirt of the dress doesn't work for me. It looks ill-fitting and wrinkled. Good effort, but this misses the mark.

Our next trend is the black and white look, done here is three different ways. First is it-girl Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) in Dior. Her pixie cut looks chic and the deep red lips add some glamour, but I don't like the dress. It looks like a poorly-made knock off of the dress she wore last year when she won her Oscar. It also looks like it's falling off of her, something unforgivable for a star of her status. Next is Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) in Dolce and Gabbana. Sharon Stone called, and she wants her look back. Roberts looks as if she had a terrific, simple black column gown and then threw on a white oxford for... I don't know, warmth? It dresses down the look leaving Roberts looking like any other lady, not an Academy Award-winning movie star. Finally we have Downton Abbey's Laura Carmichael. In her Viktor and Rolf dress, she looks oodles more glamourous than her dowdy character, Lady Edith. I like the fit of the bodice, but while I like the idea of the way the black is incorporated, I don't like the execution. It's too severe and should flow out of the white, instead.



Let's take a break from the ladies at look at some men looking good. Starting off on the top left, we have Leonardo DiCaprio in Armani. Maybe I'm bias but I think the The Wolf of Wall Street star looks perfect. He goes for a classic tuxedo and adds a little personal style with the buttons. Nice touch. Top right is Usher, who wears Calvin Klein Collection. I like that he went for something a little different. The deep maroon helps him stand out amidst a sea of safe black tuxedos. Not that there's anything wrong with a classic black tuxedo, as proven by Chris Pine (bottom left, in Zegna) and Bradley Cooper (bottom right, in Tom Ford). Both look quite handsome in their well-tailored classic looks. Cooper (American Hustle) wore Tom Ford for all of the last award season, and it worked. I'm glad to see he's sticking with it. And Pine is set to play Cinderella's prince in the upcoming film adaptation of Into the Woods. Yep, I'd fall for him, too.



Now we have black done two ways. On the left is Leslie Mann in Dolce and Gabbana. She looks stunning. The laser-cut lace lays nicely up top and then the waist cinches in before going out into a peplum, which overlays a terrifically fitted skirt. Mann pairs the appealing look with soft, natural side-swept hair that suggests she's ready to play. Meanwhile Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) branches out slightly from her typical silhouette in this Zac Posen gown. She doesn't often opt for poof and princess skirts, but that's exactly what helps make this a statement dress. (I also like the turquoise statement necklace.)

Is anyone looking for some pretty, pretty princesses? Here we have three. From left: Zooey Deschannel (New Girl) in Oscar de la Renta; Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave) in Marchesa; and Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) in Oscar de la Renta. I don't often like Deschannel's red carpet looks, but I think this one is a winner. It strikes the right balance between cute + whimsical and vintage without entering costume territory. Paulson looks great in the feathery look. This strikes me as a difficult dress to wear, but Paulson pulls it off. Dockery looks nice, particularly from the waist up. However, the hem of the dress makes the tall Dockery appear short and squat, two things she is not.



Let's take a look at two ladies who wore color. On the left is Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black). I absolutely love the color - rich, saturated jewel tones are my jam and green is my favorite color. But the top looks like lingerie, like a slip. I get that it's a soft look but it's one for the bedroom, not the red carpet. On the right is Girls creator Lena Dunham in Zac Posen. I applaud her for embracing the glam and wearing such a bold color. I just wish it fit better.

If you think the nominees get all the attention, get a load of presenter Reese Witherspoon. The mother of three stuns in this teal Calvin Klein dress. She looks simple, sleek and svelte. Plus her short, blunt bob adds just a little edge to this otherwise soft look. Witherspoon might not have been up for an award last night, but she's one of my best dressed nominees. 

But alas, not everything on the red carpet was great or close to it. Some looks were just wrong. My pick for worst dressed is Paula Patton in a ridiculous Stephane Rolland get up. I've been watching award shows (and Joan Rivers's Fashion Police) long enough to understand that some dresses are meant for the red carpet and so it's not that the growth on Patton's left side bothers me in principle. (Charlize Theron has pulled off high fashion, concept dresses like this.) The problem with the growth is that it's way too much. It completely overpowers her. Yes, she's a tall woman, but she doesn't have that star quality that shines through regardless of the dress. And if you look closely, you'll see that at the seam of the growth, particularly as it nears her shoulder, there's a discoloration. I have to think that's meant to be a fashion detail and not actual discoloration, but it just looks like the couture equivalent of pit stains.

On the other end of the spectrum is my pick for best dressed, the gorgeous Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave) in Ralph Lauren. Lauren's dresses are typically simple with classic lines, which is why I typically like them. (My prom dress was actually Ralph Lauren, and, if it fit, I could still wear it today and be perfectly fashionable.) Nyong'o's dress fits that simple and classic template, with the main part of the dress being nothing more than a column gown. But that cape that drapes off her shoulders makes a statement. (This is an example of a high fashion, concept dress working.) This dress is Nyong'o saying, "I have arrived." She's wowed on the red carpet before but this dress will launch her into fashion icon status. Plus, she's incredibly talented (and, I think, should have won the Globe). So, basically, she's ready to conquer the world!

And now, onto the awards. Herein, the winners. (Winners are notated with an asterisk and are in boldface type.)

Film


Best Motion Picture, Drama:
Yes!!!!! This is absolutely the right choice.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama:
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
  • Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club*
  • Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
  • Robert Redford, All is Lost
  • Idris Elba, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Boo. I wish Ejiofor had won. But McConaughey has been campaigning hard and he lost 40 pounds for the role. Awards voters eat that stuff up.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama:
  • Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine*
  • Sandra Bullock, Gravity
  • Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks
  • Judi Dench, Philomena
  • Kate Winslet, Labor Day
What a delightfully loopy speech from the lovely Blanchett.

Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical:
Eh. This isn't surprising, especially after two of the film's actors won Globes, but it still wasn't a great film. Oh well.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical:
My Leo won!!!! Isaac and Phoenix gave terrific performances but DiCaprio did some of the best work of his already illustrious career in Wolf. Plus, he gave a great, classy speech, genuinely acknowledging his fellow nominees, film history and Martin Scorsese's place in it, honoring the creatives - by name -  who worked on the film, thanking his parents and even getting a congratulations to his friends (I'm guessing) Bob and Sandy. So proud of my favorite actor. (Also, did you see Bradley Cooper giving Leo a standing ovation as Leo took the stage?)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical:
  • Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Enough Said 
  • Amy Adams, American Hustle*
  • Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
  • Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha
Yay!!!!!!! Adams is so good all the time. She lets loose and goes full camp in American Hustle and I'm so happy she won. Plus, she gave a lovely, classy speech, thanking the manager she's been with for 15 years, and warning the orchestra she will not be played off when talking about her daughter. She then went on to thank her daughter for teaching her to accept joy and let go of fear. Amen!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:
  • Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
  • Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle*
  • Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
  • June Squibb, Nebraska
  • Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Lawrence was good, and just as wonderfully campy as her co-stars, but I was really rooting for Nyong'o.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:
Well, I was rooting for Fassbender, but this isn't surprising or entirely undeserving. Also, now Jordan Catalano has won a Golden Globe. Plus, there was this from Leto's speech: "And to the Rayons of the world: Thank you for the inspiration."

Best Director, Motion Picture
Hmmm. Having not seen Gravity I can't say this isn't deserved. There's been a lot of talk about how Cuaron, in the process of developing and directing the film, pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. That's a fairly good reason to call someone a great director.

Best Screenplay:
Yes! Especially since this isn't divided into original and adapted screenplay, I'm so glad Jonze won. (It's actually his first screenplay.) Her is original and heartfelt and an instant classic. Bravo!

Best Original Score:
  • Steven Price, Gravity
  • John Williams, The Book Thief
  • Hans Zimmer, 12 Years a Slave
  • Alex Ebert, All is Lost*
  • Alex Heffes, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Best Original Song:
  • "Atlas," The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
  • "Let it Go," Frozen
  • "Ordinary Love," Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom*
  • "Please Mr. Kennedy," Inside Llewyn Davis
  • "Sweeter than Fiction," One Chance
I was hoping "Please Mr. Kennedy" would take home the honor, but it's the HFPA and they like awarding non-Americans, like U2. (This is U2's second win.) I liked that in the Edge's speech, he noted U2's connection to the late Nelson Mandela.
Best Animated Feature Film:
  • Frozen*
  • The Croods
  • Despicable Me 2
You know what I like about Frozen winning? The music playing as the winners walked up features Idina Menzel singing!

Best Foreign Language Film:
  • Blue is the Warmest Color
  • The Past
  • The Hunt
  • The Wind Rises
  • The Great Beauty*

Television

Best Television Series, Drama:
  • Breaking Bad*
  • Downton Abbey
  • House of Cards
  • Masters of Sex
  • The Good Wife
I love House of Cards, and The Good Wife is having a great year and Downton Abbey is always a treat, but this is absolutely the right choice. It's the show's final season and it was an incredible season, featuring a series finale that actually satisfies. Bravo!

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama:
  • Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
  • Kerry Washington, Scandal
  • Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
  • Robin Wright, House of Cards*
  • Taylor Schilling, Orange is the New Black
Hell yeah, Robin Wright! (Love the way she ran up there since the TV actors were sequestered in the back, plus she gave the HFPA some sass!)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama:
  • Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad*
  • Michael Sheen, Masters of Sex
  • Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
  • James Spader, The Blacklist
  • Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan 
Hooray for Cranston!!! Cranston has been nominated for this award but has never won until this year. Quite well-deserved!!!!

Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical:
  • The Big Bang Theory
  • Modern Family
  • Girls
  • Brooklyn Nine Nine*
  • Parks and Recreation
Word. Brooklyn represent!

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical:
  • Zooey Deschannel, New Girl
  • Lena Dunham, Girls
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
  • Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation*
  • Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Yay - some love for Amy Poehler!!! It's about time this hilarious woman won for this hilarious show. Also, if you look below, you'll see that this means that SNL alumni won both lead actor in a comedy awards.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical:
  • Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
  • Don Cheadle, House of Lies
  • Michael J. Fox, The Michael J. Fox Show
  • Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
  • Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine Nine*
Maybe one of the most genuine speeches of the night. The show is hilarious so if you're not watching, tune in! This isn't entirely unexpected because the HFPA likes to be the first to award someone/something.

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:
  • American Horror Story
  • Behind the Candelabra*
  • Dancing on the Edge
  • Top of the Lake
  • White Queen
Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV:
  • Helena Bonham Carter, Burton and Taylor
  • Rebecca Ferguson, White Queen
  • Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
  • Helen Mirren, Phil Spector
  • Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake*
Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV:
  • Matt Damon, Behind the Candelabra
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dancing on the Edge
  • Idris Elba, Luther
  • Al Pacino, Phil Spector
  • Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra*
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV:
  • Hayden Panetierre, Nashville
  • Jacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge*
  • Janet McTeer, White Queen
  • Monica Potter, Parenthood
  • Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV:
  • Rob Lowe, Behind the Candelabra
  • Josh Charles, The Good Wife
  • Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
  • Corey Stoll, House of Cards
  • Jon Voight, Ray Donovan*
What? With Charles, Paul and Stoll in contention the HFPA chooses Voight? Does anyone watch Ray Donovan? What happened?

And there you have it: the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards winners.

(Keep in mind: though they've become an "important" event in award season, the Globes are administered by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which is comprised of all sorts of foreign press outlets, including tabloid rags. The voters aren't exactly Roger Ebert, may he rest in peace.)

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