Monday, January 14, 2008

Award for"Atonement"


A lot of things can be imputed from the results of the recently concluded Golden Globes conference? meeting? ceremony? Or whatever term best fits its loss of glitter. There was nothing golden about the event nor anything global about its broadcast reach. People in other countries didn't even bother to tune in knowing there was nothing to miss. Everything will be published on the internet, and in the print media anyway.

One wonders though whether or not the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) were sending a message to the producers, the strikers, actors, and everyone else affected by the Writer's Guild strike.Consider the following:

Best Drama Award - "Atonement" - should Hollywood producers and writers make reparations for all the damages their rift has caused? Or is this directed to the producers to atone for their exploitation of the writers?

Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett - "I'm Not There" - naturally, the strike obtained the sympathy of the actors so no one has come to grace the awards. It could also refer to the advertisers, and most importantly, the bottom line profit.

Best Dramatic Actor-Daniel Day Lewis-"There Will Be Blood"- There will definitely be a lot of bad blood between the protagonists, but hopefully nothing really literal. It could be that both parties are seen as having to "bleed" the other into capitulation.

Best Actress-Glen Close-"Damages"- so much damage has been caused by the impasse. The shows, the ratings, the actors, the non-writer workers, their families, and the audience who are fed re-runs to latch on to their already damaged brains.

Best Series Musical or Comedy-HBO- "Extras"- may refer to the residual income the writers are asking for in the first place. These extras which the producers claim have zero profits.

Best Actor, Drama, Jon Hamm - "Mad Men"- by being obstinate and unreasonable in their respective bargaining positions, at the risk of ruining the industry, both sides are perhaps alluded to.

Best Original Song-Eddie Vedder- "Guaranteed"- the hope that all jobs will remain, all shows will continue, all agreements will be fulfilled, and no more hiding of margins and non-sharing with the creative talents of residual income from ideas they created.

Best Actor, Musical or Comedy-David Duchovny-"Californication"- This is the most serious message of all. It is a fear that there are no Guarantees agreements will be honored; that Hollywood types will always be Mad Men; that Extras will not be forthcoming since claims of heavy taxes will consume most of it; Damages will not be compensated; Blood will definitely spill; and continued support will not always be there. The unvarnished reality of the ultimate truth is that in Hollywood you will always be screwed!

Haaaarrrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

8 comments:

ZenDenizen said...

Thoughtful analysis. For the most part, I've been uninterested in anything that Hollywood has produced in the last 2 years.

Kim said...

I wasn't aware that the Golden Globes had been held!!
though I did catch a glimpse of Cate Blanchett on the TV last night...
a terrific rundown of the movies....Brad !!
and your individual critiques are very clever :)
Atonement is a film that I've heard varying reports on...some negative...and some positive...
so I will have to go along and judge for myself :)
have a terrific day :)

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Zen, Thanks. Now and then they do come up with good ones such as "Rendition", but I prefer mostly the indie and French films,Sundance Festival flicks, and the Asian horror genre. --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Thanks Kim, I was just contemplating on what the HFPA must be thinking since they were really hit. Perhaps the Oscars would be too!. Is the arm getting better?

Didn't I tell you to quit other activities so you can focus on the portrait? (he, he - just concerned).

Forget about the laundry, there are more important things to do! LOL! --Durano, done!

iamsorceress said...

I wonder when it will all end? It's sad, isn't it? So so sad. But then I think the writers have nailed their points. And nailed 'em deep! Now I can't wait for the Oscars.

But man, Glenn Close really rocks! I soooo love Damages. Reminds me of The Shield. But the lady sure knows how to make the characters that she play kick hardcore ass real hard.

And well, Cate Blanchett and Daniel Day Lewis are, like Close, expected to win anytime they're nominated. :D Thanks for dropping me a line.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Iamsorceress,welcome! I agree with you on the films, Cate Blanchett especially. But I feel that the Best Actor is a toss up between Daniel Day Lewis and Johnny Depp.

Ironocally, both abhor the Hollywood scene so we'll never know how those guild members will vote. Depp was superb in Sweeney Todd. I doubt if the cult following of Depp will make the movie a hit. Its basically an art film and rather dark, but this Tim Robbins film is really a bold stroke and as sharp as the razors used in telling the story. I recommend it to all intelligent and analytical thinking movie goers. So I say to you, don't let it pass! --Durano, done!

iamsorceress said...

I'm a huge fan of both Tim Robbins and Tim Burton, comrade. LOL. I will not miss their movies. :D Best regards!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Comrade,

I hadn't noticed your comment here until today.

Why would anyone miss the films of Tim Robbins and Tim Burton? They are two of the best that Hollywood can breed, aside from Quentin Tarantino!

If I cant afford to watch at the moment I want to, I get a pirated copy! :-) --Durano, done!