This started as a Facebook post, but the more I kept typing, the more I had to accept that this needed to be on the website. Lots has changed in my life this year and at some point I’ll write with an update, but for now, enjoy my early morning thoughts on the kickoff of awards season!

Mixed thoughts on this year’s Golden Globe nominations:

-How/why did Joker receive so many nominations? It ate up the spot that could have gone to films like Parasite, Little Women, or The Farewell (although I think that one was submitted under comedy). While I liked The Irishman, for me it wouldn’t land in the best pic category. I’ve heard The Two Popes has some great acting, but I’m wondering if the film itself is that good. Looking forward to watching that one. Parasite? Little Women? Both worthy inclusions on the list.

-While I’m sad Parasite didn’t get any best picture love, it was nice to see it receive nominations in both directing and screen writing. This movie has stuck with me for months and I want it to win all the awards. Go Bong Joon-ho!

-Maybe this is the year that Netflix finally gets a win in a major category at the Oscars. They have two big contenders in Marriage Story and The Irishman (although I think Marriage Story is the better film).

-Yay Cynthia Erivo for picking up a nom for Harriet! I haven’t seen the film yet, but I got to watch her live in The Color Purple. That was the best live performance I have ever seen by an actor. Full stop. She’s that good.

– RIght now I’m team Adam Driver for Marriage Story. He’s always been an actor that fascinates me, and this is some of his best work.

-Wow, there are some strong contenders under Comedy best picture! I was especially delighted to see Knives Out show up on the list. It’s not your typical awards season film, but was fantastic. Jojo and Once Upon a Time are on my personal top 10 of the year, so I was also glad to see them receive some nominations.

-And yay for Roman Griffin Davis, who played Jojo. It’s so rare to find a child actor who isn’t a “child actor”. I’ve seen the film twice now and was impressed by his acting, especially in a film that changes tone throughout the film. It’s mainly the director who is handling that (great job Taika), but it doesn’t work if your actors can’t go there too.

-And dang that lineup for Best Actress in a movie comedy is no joke! I mean, we have acting royalty with Cate Blanchett and Emma Thompson. Then, we get some great performances from some up and comers. I wasn’t familiar with Ana de Armas, but she stood out in Knives Out – which is saying something with a film that is packed with a phenomenal cast. Also, I loved The Farewell, so seeing Awkwafina receive a nomination, made my heart happy. I was sad to not see any other nominations for it besides a Best Foreign Picture nomination.

-Interesting that they’re classifying The Lion King as animated. In the ad campaign, it was called a live action motion picture, despite the fact that all of the animals were computer generated. I guess it fits better under the animation category? Or Disney is really good at working the system (more likely answer). I’m assuming Toy Story 4 has this in the bag.

-And that’s a great lineup for best supporting actress, although I had heard that Florence Pugh in Little Women brought new depth to Amy, so was sad to see her not show up on the list. However, that is a lineup of fierce female actresses.

-I liked The Irishman, I think it’s a good movie, just not my top in a year that has some fantastic films. What stood out to me in all of it was Joe Pesci’s performance. Sure, De Niro and Pacino are good, but the performance that made me stand up and notice was Pesci’s. It’s a smaller performance than other films in his career, but the energy is still there. It fit the tone of the film perfectly and I was incredibly impressed.

-But I’m also torn, because I love Brad Pitt’s performance in Once Upon a Time. There is one expression he gives towards the end of the film that sealed it for me. He’s reacting to a break in while having just experimented with some drugs and the look on his face is both perfect and hilarious.

-No female directing nominations? No Lulu Wang? No Greta Gerwig? No Marielle Heller? Come on! We can do better than that, especially in years when there are some worthy candidates.

-Randy Newman did the score for Marriage Story – that actually makes sense now.

-Poor Cats could only pull out a nomination for Best Song. Further proof that this is going to be a dumpster fire of a movie.

I’m stopping here, because I don’t have all day. It should be an interesting award’s season. Let me know your thoughts on this year’s Golden Globe nominations.