2021 Golden Globes Snubs and Surprises

Another year, another awards season. As tradition, we get nominations for the Golden Globes ceremony, which honor the best in film and TV. It is also tradition that we view the nominations and discuss the snubs and surprises. Instead of discussing who may win the awards, because I have not seen all the films nominated, here are the snubs and surprises of the 2021 Golden Globes nominations.

SNUB: Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee is no stranger to awards ceremonies. Having been nominated and even winning an Oscar for BlackKklansman, Lee should have been a shoe in for a couple nominations. Except, Lee’s Da 5 Bloods was completely shut out from the nominations. This begs the question as to why? Critics certainly were in awe of the film. The film was nominated in certain film critics awards ceremonies. It features the late Chadwick Boseman who brought interest to the film. It’s hard to say why the film received zero nominations, but here’s hoping its not shut out from the upcoming Oscars.

SURPRISE: Jared Leto for The Little Things

I recently saw The Little Things and I was baffled as to why so many critics disliked the film. Sure, it wasn’t amazing but it wasn’t awful either. I was more baffled as to why Jared Leto received a nominated for his role in The Little Things. Personally speaking, I didn’t care for his performance. It’s just Jared Leto doing Jared Leto. Nothing memorizing here and certainly nothing to get a nomination for.

SNUB: Ben Afflick for The Way Back

Ben Affleck starred in this almost forgotten film about an alcoholic who coaches a high school basketball team. It was released at the time when movie theaters were getting shut down due to the pandemic, so not too many audience members viewed the film. The Way Back features Affleck strongest performance in years, mostly due to Affleck being a real life former alcoholic. It’s a shame that the studio didn’t push harder for an acting nomination for Affleck because he would have certainly gotten a nomination for this film.

SURPRISE: Regina King for One Night in Miami

I love Regina King. She is a powerhouse actress that deserves more recognition. But I have to ask myself why was she nominated for directing One Night in Miami? King did not do a poor job as director, but the film isn’t too memorable. The best part of the film was the acting, not the directing. I think King will find her footing in directing a couple films in, if she decides to direct more films. In all honesty, her nomination slot should have been replaced by Spike Lee. Again, I have nothing for respect for Regina King, but her directorial efforts was not worthy of a nomination.

SNUB: Frank Langella for The Trial of Chicago 7

I’m glad to see The Trial of the Chicago 7 get some nominations, especially Sacha Baron Cohen getting a nomination for Supporting Actor, but there is one key actor who was not nominated: Frank Langella. Langella was the best part of the film and a very memorable villain. Every time he is present on screen, we loathe him because he is very biased in a role in which he is not supposed to. Langella stole every scene he was present in and its a shame he was not nominated.

SURPRISE: Hamilton

I enjoyed viewing the recent Hamilton film released on Disney +. However, I am a bit confused as to why it was nominated in multiple categories. This isn’t a film adaption from the musical, it is simply the Broadway musical getting film on stage. I do not think Hamilton should have gotten nominated as it simply does not qualify. I suppose the musical/comedy categories this year was very weak that Hamilton was able to sneak in.