Well done MTV...but are we ready for gender neutral awards?

On April 6, the nominations for the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards were announced with one glaring difference from other years and other award shows...the acting categories had gone gender neutral.

Both the Best Actor in a Movie and Best Actor in a Show categories this year contain both male and female nominees, a move that has not been seen before in major award shows (with the exception of the Grammys and Britain's National Television Awards). A split right down the middle occurred with the Film nominations with three male and three female actors in contention, while four females were nominated in the Television show category and two males. Although the MTV Awards do not carry the same prestige as other award shows (Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, etc.), it is a move that certainly shows a move forward in gender equality in Hollywood and the entertainment business.

While this move for the MTV Movie & TV Awards is a very positive one, it makes one ponder whether the idea could catch on and other award shows follow suit. It would definitely be a strong stand for women and one many would embrace and celebrate. MTV can be commended for making such a strong statement and as the awards are voted for by the public, it would not be a surprise to see Emma Watson, Hailee Steinfeld or Taraji P. Henson voted for as the winner for this reason.

However, could this move by MTV encourage other award shows to become gender neutral?

The answer isn't no...it is not yet.

This has nothing to do with the quality of male and female actors in the business. Talent wise both genders are without a doubt on par with one another. The problem lies with lack of substantial roles available to women in Hollywood, especially in film. This is not a new argument. Mary Pickford said in 1935 "It’s becoming a woman’s world, year by year, almost day by day". This still rings true, but more than 80 years later we are still fighting for gender equality in Hollywood in regards to the number of strong female roles among other issues. We have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go.

Believing that there should or should not be gender neutral acting categories when awards season rolls around has nothing to do with sexism or feminism, it has to do with fairness. While the quantity of these strong female roles is significantly less than that of males, it would make it a great deal harder for females to compete and win an Oscar or any other award with gender neutral categories.

For example, let's look at this years Oscars in the four acting categories. All four categories had wonderful performances by incredible actors, but the two male categories were seemingly more competitive than the female categories. Both the female categories had clear frontrunners for the majority of the awards season with the other eight nominees giving very good performances, but not strong enough to be competition. On the other hand, the male categories (especially Best Performance by an Actor in A Leading Role) went down to the line on the night as a result of the several incredible performances in strong and intense roles.

So this would have meant that this year Casey Affleck would have been directly competing with Emma Stone and Mahershala Ali with Viola Davis. These would have no doubt been intriguing and unpredictable competitions, but one would fear that the actual nomination fields would have consisted more of males than of females.

The good news is that things are changing in Hollywood as we speak....unfortunately just not as quickly as we would like. There may well be a chance in the future to combine the male and female acting categories at prestigious award shows, but that day is not today. If it was to happen, it would most definitely shorten the length of award shows, which would make many people happy. The other argument here is that many creatives prefer not to label themselves as male or female so eliminating gender specific categories is more politically and socially acceptable.

Without a doubt, it is a great move by MTV to make their awards gender neutral and they deserve praise for initiating a giant step towards gender equality in the film world. It may not be time for the bigger and more prestigious industry awards to do the same, but that day is coming.

What To Expect From The 2015 Golden Globes

 

Welcome to the official beginning of Movie Critical's 2015 awards coverage! January and February are the two most exciting months on the film calendar as the awards season is in full swing leading up to the grand finale that is the Academy Awards. As has been the case the last two years, Movie Critical will once again be heading to Hollywood for Oscars Week and will be keeping our readers informed as to the events taking place in the days leading up to the big night.

However, Hollywood's second biggest awards night, the Golden Globes is this Sunday January 11 2015. The night is somewhat a prelude to the Oscars with the same major categories and are often a good indication of the Academy Award winners. The difference between the two awards being that the Golden Globes are voted for by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Oscars being voted for by the member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Yet, the Golden Globes are a tad less formal than the Oscars. The fashion is still of the same elegant calibre, but the Globes are a sit down table affair with alcohol freely flowing and are tagged as Hollywood's biggest party of the year.

So what can we expect from the 2015 Golden Globes?

Well, the rain is currently falling in Los Angeles which is surprisingly not uncommon when it comes to awards week weather there. Rain in Los Angeles isn't an overly common occurrence, but it is almost becoming a tradition when it comes to the week of awards. The past two years we have been in Los Angeles for the Oscars it has rained during the week. The below photo was posted on the official Golden Globes instagram account of the red carpet area outside The Beverly Hilton earlier today.

Rain, hail or shine, the show will go on. As expected, there will be some exquisite fashion on the red carpet as well as the occasional fashion disaster that no doubt the world's media will pounce on. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the awards for the third year in a row and that promises a night a hilarity as they have delivered in the past.

Always a star-studded night, presenters on the night will include Robert Downey Jr., Salma Hayek, Kate Hudson, Kevin Hart, Kristen Wiig, Ricky Gervais, Lily Tomlin, Anna Faris, Adrien Brody, Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wison, Chris Pratt, Amy Adams, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum, Katherine Heigel, Jeremy Renner, Harrison Ford, Kate Beckinsale, Kerry Washington, Adam Levine, Dakota Johnson, Jamie Doran, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita N'yongo, Bill Hader, Jennifer Lopez, Seth Meyers, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Jane Fonda, Bryan Cranston, Vince Vaughn, Melissa McCarthy, Clive Owen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Oprah Winfrey, Naomi Watts, Jared Leto and more.

As for the actual awards, the following are the nominees of each film category and we have our predictions as to who will take out the awards on the big night.

Best Motion Picture, Drama
Boyhood
Foxcatcher
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything

Our pick- Boyhood
It's hard to see past Richard Linklater's twelve year masterpiece, Boyhood taking out the most sought after award on the night. An incredibly ambitious product which is moving in the most subtle of ways and an amazing piece of cinema. Linklater deserves to be rewarded for his triumph.
Runner up- The Theory of Everything

Best Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy
Into The Woods
Birdman
The Grand Budapest Hotel
St. Vincent
Pride

Our pick- Birdman
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Birdman has all the elements it needs to take out this Golden Globe. With it's incredible screenplay, cinematography, direction and performances, it is exceptionally well made and is a favourite to win this category by many.
Runner up-The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Eddie Redmayne- The Theory of Everything
Steve Carell- Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch-  The Imitation Game
David Oweloyo- Selma
Jake Gyllenhaal- Nightcrawler

Our pick- Eddie Redmayne- The Theory of Everything
Although The Theory of Everything has yet to arrive in Australian cinemas, first time nominee Eddie Redmayne is the frontrunner for Best Actor this year. His performance as Stephen Hawking has everyone talking and was said to bring a tear to the real Stephen Hawking's eye when he watched the film.
Runner up- Benedict Cumberbatch- The Imitation Game

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Michael Keaton- Birdman
Bill Murray- St. Vincent
Ralph Fiennes- The Grand Budapest Hotel
Christoph Waltz- Big Eyes
Joaquin Phoenix- Inherent Vice

Our pick- Michael Keaton- Birdman
Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomas in Birdman is not only the best performance of his career, but also the best performance in this category of the year. Keaton is just brilliant in the film and leaves one speechless.
Runner up- Ralph Fiennes- The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Julianne Moore- Still Alice
Rosamund Pike- Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon- Wild
Felicity Jones- The Theory of Everything
Jennifer Aniston- Cake

 

Our pick- Julianne Moore- Still Alice

This is Julianne Moore's 9th Golden Globe nomination (she won in 2013 for Best Actress in a Mini-Series of Motion Picture Made For Television for her portrayal as Sarah Palin in Game Change), and she is the frontrunner by a mile. Moore's performance as a woman in the early stages of Alzheimer's is heartbreaking and is said to have brought a greater awareness to the disease in society.

Runner up- Felicity Jones- The Theory of Everything

 

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Julianne Moore- Maps To The Stars

Amy Adams- Big Eyes

Emily Blunt- Into The Woods

Helen Mirren- The Hundred Foot Journey

Quvenzhane Wallis- Annie

 

 

 

Our pick- Julianne Moore- Maps To The Stars

Julianne Moore could well make it a double this year. Her performance of damaged child of Hollywood Havana Segrand won her Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and although Maps To The Stars may not be to everyone's liking, her performance is universally admirable.

Runner up- Amy Adams- Big Eyes

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Ethan Hawke- Boyhood

Robert Duvall- The Judge

Edward Norton- Birdman

J. K. Simmons- Whiplash

Mark Ruffalo- Foxcatcher

 

 

 

Our pick- J.K. Simmons- Whiplash

J.K. Simmons was absolutely terrifying as hardcore music teacher, Fletcher in Whiplash and has every viewer shaking in their boots. It is a true talent to put so much terror into someone when they are not capable of violence as they are just a character on screen.

Runner up- Robert Duvall- The Judge

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Jessica Chastain- A Most Violent Year

Keira Knightley- The Imitation Game

Patricia Arquette- Boyhood

Meryl Streep- Into The Woods

Emma Stone- Birdman

 

 

Our pick- Patricia Arquette- Boyhood

Patricia Arquette as Mason's mother, Olivia is twelve years worth of acting with a character that changes and develops just as her on screen son does. Audiences took to Olivia with open arms as she could be any mother trying to make her way in the world and provide for her children.

Runner up- Emma Stone- Birdman

 

Best Director

Ava DuVernay- Selma

Wes Anderson- The Grand Budapest Hotel

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu- Birdman

David Fincher- Gone Girl

Richard Linklater- Boyhood

 

 

Our pick- Richard Linklater- Boyhood

We've said it before and we will say it again, how can you not reward someone for putting twelve years of your life into the direction of a film? Not only the fact that it was twelve years, but Richard Linklater has made a truly beautiful film about the most natural thing in the world, growing up.

Runner up- Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu- Birdman

 

Happy Golden Globes everyone!

 



Golden Globe Nominations and Predictions

And so here it is! The beginning of the awards season and the “who’s going to take home the big one” guessing game! The Golden Globe nominations were released at the early hour of 5am this morning in Los Angeles. The Golden Globe’s won’t be awarded until the 17th of January 2010, so that gives us a whole month to speculate who will take home the honours and who may be destined for Oscar glory on the 7th of March 2010. So here at Movie Critical we have the list of nominees for you and our tips for the winners.
Best Motion Picture- Drama
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious: Based On The Novel Push by Sapphire
Up In The Air

Movie Critical says: This year’s category is really strong. There are several movies that have been left out of the category, such as “Invictus”, “An Education” and “Bright Star”, which people have been predicting to be nominated. However, the Oscars will have 10 nominees in their Best Picture category this year rather than 5, so chances are they will be there. It’s hard to pick a winner from these 5 (especially since only two have been released here in Australia thus far). Both “Up In The Air” and “Precious: Based On The Novel Push by Sapphire” and getting some astonishing reviews in the states and may be the two fighting it out for the Golden Globe. “Avatar” is too receiving some amazing reviews, but is it too commercial to be the Golden Globe winner? “Up In The Air” is our pick.

Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy
(500) Days Of Summer
The Hangover
It’s Complicated
Julie & Julia
Nine


Movie Critical says: This is an interesting category this year. Before “Nine” was actually released in the states, it was the front runner from this category. However, it is not living up to its expectations. It still may be in contention though. As hilarious as “The Hangover” is, it probably will not get a look in here as it is not quite as well made as some of the others in this category. It’s a hard one to pick. “(500) Days Of Summer” is clever, witty and original and “Julie & Julia” has a stellar performance by the one and only Meryl Streep. Our pick, “Nine” may still be the winner for its combination of its musical score, cinematography and visuals.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture- Drama
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart"
George Clooney in “Up In The Air”
Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
Tobey Maguire in “Brothers”

Movie Critical says: Again, quite a challenge for Movie Critical to predict a winner considering none of these films have been released in Australia as of yet. Judging by what American critics have been saying Colin Firth and George Clooney are the front runners for this award. From the looks of it, those two will definitely be the ones to beat. However, Clooney is our pick.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture- Drama
Emily Blunt in “The Young Victoria”
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe for "Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire”

Movie Critical says: Again, another very strong category. This is Sandra Bullock’s first Golden Globe nomination despite her being in the spotlight now for over 15 years. “The Blind Side” is supposed to be the best role of her career thus far, but unfortunately the company she is in in this category is too strong for her to take home the award. The front runners, according to critics, are Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe here. Emily Blunt was divine in “The Young Victoria”, but not as strong as other performances in this category. Helen Mirren may be up there, but not much has been said about her performance in “The Last Station”. Movie Critical has reviewed Mulligan in “An Education” and she is definitely worthy of an honour for it. However, Sidibe is supposed to be amazing in “Precious”. From what we have seen, Mulligan is our pick, but from what we’ve heard Sidibe is our pick. Definately a hard category to pick.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy
Matt Damon in “The Informant!”
Daniel Day-Lewis in “Nine”
Robert Downey Jr. in “Sherlock Holmes”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in “(500) Days Of Summer”
Michael Stuhlerg in “A Serious Man”

Movie Critical says: Another interesting category. As much as Robert Downey Jr. And Joseph Gordon-Levitt are crowd favourites, they will most likely not get a sincere look in here. Matt Damon, Daniel Day-Lewis and Michael Stuhlberg are all strong contenders here. Our pick here, is Daniel Day-Lewis, though he is not a clear front runner. Damon and Stuhlberg are right behind him.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy
Sandra Bullock in “The Proposal”
Marion Cotillard in “Nine”
Julia Roberts in “Duplicity”
Meryl Streep in “It’s Complicated”
Meryl Streep” in “Julie & Julia”

Movie Critical says: Our pick, clear and simple, Meryl Streep for “Julie & Julia”. She is the favourite for this category and it is going to be a controversy if she does not take home the Golden Globe. She gave a fine performance as Julia Child and should definitely be rewarded. It will be interesting to see Marion Cotillard in “Nine”, when it is eventually released here, as she is known for her amazing performances.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Matt Damon in “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
Christopher Waltz in “Inglorious Basterds”

Movie Critical says: Although Australia is yet to see all but one of these movies, we can make the pick of Christopher Waltz in “Inglorious Basterds”. He was superb in his role and the critics are still raving about him.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Penelope Cruz in “Nine”
Vera Farmiga in “Up In The Air”
Anna Kendrick in “Up In The Air”
Mo’nique in “Precious: Based On The Novel Push by Sapphire”
Julianne Moore in “A Single Man”

Movie Critical says: Another one of the interesting categories this year. There has been strong Awards whispers around Anna Kendrick for her performance in “Up In The Air” and she was the favourite until “Precious” hit cinemas in the states. Mo’nique is now the front runner for this category for her performance as the abusive mother, and she is said to be extremely hard to beat. So Mo’nique is our pick, but we would love to see Kendrick get up there to be rid of her “Twilight” tag.

Best Director- Motion Picture
Kathryn Bigelow- “The Hurt Locker”
James Cameron- “Avatar”
Clint Eastwood- “Invictus”
Jason Reitman- “Up In The Air”
Quentin Tarantino- “Inglorious Basterds”


Movie Critical says: What a category. This category will be watched with great interest. Very rarely will a director win when their film is not nominated for best picture, so with this fact in mind, one would think that Kathryn Bigelow and Clint Eastwood are out of the running here. Although “Invictus” is nominated in other categories, so that may still put him in the race. James Cameron could win for his masterpiece “Avatar”, but we think that it will be a competition mainly between Jason Reitman and Quentin Tarantino. Our tip here is Tarantino.

So there are our tips for the upcoming Golden Globes! Unfortunately it’s not the easiest trying to decide who will win when all the films haven’t been released yet, but from reading articles and reviews on each of the movies, these are what seem to be the whispers as of late. Our tips for the Oscars will be a bit more informed as all the films would have been out in Australia by then. In the meantime, enjoy Awards season and please comment if you have anything to add!

Peoples Choice Awards

Remember to vote for your favourite movie and movie stars in the 34th Peoples Choice Awards!

http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/votenow.jsp