The China Mail - 'Banshees of Inisherin' tops nominations as Golden Globes attempt comeback

The movie from Disney-owned Searchlight Pictures picked up eight nods, including nominations for its star Colin Farrell, director Martin McDonagh, and for best comedy or musical.

Surreal sci-fi "Everything Everywhere All at Once" earned six nominations, while raucous Hollywood Golden Age drama "Babylon" and Steven Spielberg's deeply personal "The Fabelmans" took five each.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organizes the film and television awards, has scrambled to reform itself since long-harbored criticisms of the group's practices went public in early 2021.

Tinseltown completely distanced itself from the Globes last January over voters' lack of diversity, alleged corruption and lack of professionalism, and the show took place behind closed doors.

But broadcaster NBC has gambled that it is time to bring back the glitzy gala, which will take place in Beverly Hills on January 10.

Tinseltown is waiting to see which stars will show up.

Brendan Fraser, who was nominated Monday for his starring role in "The Whale," a drama about a morbidly obese man, has already said he will not attend the awards.

"It's because of the history that I have with them. And my mother didn't raise a hypocrite," Fraser told GQ last month.

Fraser has alleged that a former HFPA president, Philip Berk, sexually assaulted him at an industry event in 2003. Berk denies the incident, and has since been expelled from the group for calling Black Lives Matter a "racist hate movement."

But Tom Cruise, who was widely seen as a strong contender in the acting categories this awards season for his lead role in "Top Gun: Maverick," was overlooked by Globes voters Monday.

Cruise last year returned his three Golden Globes to the HFPA in protest at its behavior.

- Spielberg leads pack -

"Lopez vs. Lopez" stars George Lopez and Mayan Lopez presented the nominations for the 80th Golden Globes on NBC's "Today" program Monday.

The Golden Globes honor both film and television. Unlike the Oscars, the show divides its movies into "drama" and "comedy or musical" categories -- hence boosting the star power by increasing the number of nominees.

Along with Spielberg's "The Fabelmans" and "Top Gun: Maverick," other films nominated for best drama included Baz Luhrmann's rock-and-roll biopic "Elvis," and James Cameron's eagerly awaited "Avatar" sci-fi sequel.

"Tar," which stars Cate Blanchett as a ruthless classical conductor, took the final drama spot.

In comedy or musical "Banshees," "Everything Everywhere" and "Babylon" were joined by whodunnit sequel "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" and Cannes festival Palme d'Or-winner "Triangle of Sadness."

On the television side, comedy "Abbott Elementary" led with five nominations, while Netflix's British royals drama "The Crown" was among several shows earning four nods.

- 'Not the old HFPA' -

In response to last year's controversy, the HFPA has expanded its voting body to include people with more diverse backgrounds, banned members from accepting gifts, and halted its in-person press conferences with stars, which were often derided for the improper behavior of some members.

"This is really not the old HFPA anymore," president Helen Hoehne recently told The Hollywood Reporter.

"I respect Brendan Fraser's decision... And I personally, sincerely hope there's a way for us to move forward and we are able to regain Mr Fraser's trust, along with the trust of the entire entertainment community," she added.

Still, powerful Hollywood publicists remain divided over the Globes, with some expressing skepticism about the reforms -- and a reluctance to return to the event with their stars.

A plan by US billionaire Todd Boehly to spin off the awards show into a for-profit entity and pay salaries to members has raised eyebrows.

B.Clarke--ThChM