Late actor Heath Ledger was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. His father, Kim Ledger, told People Magazine: “This nomination is deeply appreciated and is not lost on those of us who continue to love and miss him. We are so proud our boy’s work is being recognized in this way.” Photo credit: WENN.
With the release of this year’s Golden Globe Award nominations, the movie award season is now getting into full swing. There were some surprises – Tom Cruise got a supporting nom for his demented turn as a Hollywood agent in “Tropic Thunder,” Robert Downey Jr. was also recognized for his far-out role in that film as an Australian actor playing a black man. Heath Ledger picked up his third posthumous acting nomination for his role as The Joker in “The Dark Knight,” and Mickey Rourke was nominated for “The Wrestler.”
But overall, it’s who you’d expect. Angelina Jolie was nominated for “Changeling,” and her life partner Brad Pitt was nominated for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Isn’t that cute? And it looks like Meryl Streep is keeping up her amazing run as the most nominated actress in history – she was nominated for her work in both “Doubt” and “Mamma Mia!” Kate Winslet seems to be following in Streep’s footsteps – she was nominated for her roles in “Revolutionary Road” and “The Reader.”
However, the nominees aren’t as surprising as who was left off the list. While Sean Penn picked up a Best Actor nomination for “Milk,” the movie itself was left out of the “Best Picture” category and director Gus Van Sant was passed over in the director category. Heath Ledger is the sole representative of “The Dark Knight,” a disappointment for those who thought that a comic-book adaptation would finally get some love. And James Franco was left out of the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama category despite his rave reviews as Harvey Milk’s long-suffering boyfriend, but he was recognized in the Comedy/Musical category for his hippy stoner dude in “Pineapple Express.”
Here’s the full list of film nominations:
Best Motion Picture – Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog MillionaireBest Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”
Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
Kristin Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”
Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn, “Milk”
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”Best Picture – Comedy or Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy Go Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina BarcelonaBest Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Rebecca Hall, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Sally Hawkins, “Happy Go Lucky”
Frances McDormand, “Burn After Reading”
Meryl Streep, “Mamma Mia!”
Emma Thompson, “Last Chance Harvey”Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Colin Farrell, “In Bruges”
James Franco, “Pineapple Express”
Brendan Gleeson, “In Bruges”
Dustin Hoffman, “Last Chance Harvey”Best Animated Feature Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-EBest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams, “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis, “Doubt”
Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”
Kate Winslet, “The Reader”Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise, “Tropic Thunder”
Robert Downey, Jr., “Tropic Thunder”
Ralph Fiennes, “The Duchess”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”Best Director – Motion Picture
Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”
David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
Sam Mendes, “Revolutionary Road”
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast live on January 11, 2009.
A gallery of nominees: Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Mickey Rourke, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Angelina Jolie, Ron Howard, Robert Downey, Jr. and Tom Cruise. Photo credits: WENN.
Looks like a good list. What is this “Last Chance Harvey” movie starring my girl Emma Thompson? I haven’t read anything about it. *must investigate*
Also MIA – Nicole Kidman and “Australia.” Not a single nomination for that turkey.
I see big wins for Revolutionary Road and The Reader, and so excited to see Colin F & Brendon Gleason in there for In Bruges! (my money’s on Brendan.) Good also to see Burn After Reading with a couple of noms and, although I haven’t seen The Wrestler yet, would so love to see Marisa Tomei doing well.
If Heath Ledger doesn’t win, something is wrong. He was absolutely amazing-almost unrecognizable. Is it weird to say I miss him? I can see it now….everyone standing up applauding his win. They all know he deserves it for his mezmorizing portrayal as the Joker. No one in the audiences around the country could take their eyes off him. That speaks wonders.
Academy-do him justice please.
I think it’s The Year of Winslet, honestly. It’s her “turn”.
Also MIA – “Defiance” – that depressing-looking Holocaust movie starring Daniel Craig.
I disagree, death sympathy tipping the balance for a Batman movie character? It was a good performance, not the Second Coming of Christ.
please delete
It would be cool if Frank Langella won for Frost/Nixon.
I’ve thought he was creepy/cool ever since he played Dracula in some miniseries in the late seventies. 8)
I really want to see “The Wrestler”, but I’m concerned about the long-term effects of being exposed to Mickey’s face for that long without a break.
Thank you vdantev. I’m glad someone finally said it. I’m so tired of these pity awards. First Britney at the VMA’s and now this. It’s always sad when a young person dies before their time but death should not equal automatic awards. It’s not fair to the people this year who actually deserve it
@Codzilla – Mickey was doing the publicity rounds in the UK recently and he was interviewed on a number of shows and profile pieces. Now I know he’s not pretty(!) but I ended up really liking him, he was very funny and searingly honest, no feeling sorry for himself or blaming others for his career crash etc. I’m really rooting for him and hope this will be a comeback for him (and Marisa!).
ARGGGG, I see that Kate (whom I love) has gone blonder and discovered the tanning bed, ala Uma. She was smokin’ “hot” before. Kate: step AWAY from the tanning bed. You’ve come this far without caving and becoming another anorexic, fake blond, shake n bake actress, don’t give in now! 😆
How is it a pity award? When he was still alive people were talking about it. It’s sad that people have to view a good performance..and say its only because he died that hes getting recognition. Thats ignorant and simply not true. If he were alive people would be raving about his performance too. No other person nominated dove into their character as deep as he did. Johnny Cash didn’t win awards for his song ‘hurt’ because he died…no because it was a work of art that deserved to be recognized whether he be dead or alive. Get off your high horse.
And to the comment on the batman movie…the movie itself didn’t get nominated…but the performance did. And rightly so.
And I’m wondering…did you people see the same performance as me? Doesn’t seem like it
Here’s the thing. I think Heath’s performance was great, if he was still living, he would still probably have been nominated, but he never would have won an Oscar for this role. Never. The other thing is, let’s face it, it makes no difference to him whatsoever. Give the award to someone who can enjoy the moment.
I was surprised that there were no “Sex and the City” noms esp for Kristen Davis and Cynthia Nixon. Both turned in really good performances in that movie. Perhaps the TV Stigma there. Also, I was really surprised that Milk was not in the Best Pic and that Emile Hirsh and James Franco were not in supporting actor and that Taraji Henson is missing in supporting actress for Benjamin Button…..
Autstalia looks beautiful, but it’s too long and lacks emotionla connection with the audience. that’s the problem with sweeping epics like that, and why Titanic did so well years ago. People love the spectical, but want to feel involved.
And…Mamma Mia…oh jeeeeeeeeez! Did they actually see that movie and feel it was worth nominating it. We obviously need some better musicals or comedies.
I guess you are Cassie. It was a Batman movie- period. There are finer performers and better films out there they deserve the cred.
ANgelina?Why?One of her worst movies,she doesnt play in the movie,she stands there watching others act.And Brad Pitt?Why?His move just was released.I hope the Oscar nominations would be much better.
Cassie, you’re not the only one. I was skeptical about Ledger as the Joker in the beginning. But then I saw the film and was blown away.
There are always going to be snobs who think it’s not acting unless you’re playing someone disabled or using a foreign accent.
Let’s not forget that this is not Ledger’s first nomination. Was his nomination for Brokeback Mountain also a sympathy vote?
I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with recognizing the work of someone who is no longer with us. They gave the Oscar to Henry Fonda – long overdue if you ask me – posthumously for his work in On Golden Pond. He deserved it.
HEATH LEDGER ALL THE WAY!
He brought The Joker to life. HE IS THE JOKER.
Fonda was still alive when his daughter accepted the award for him
Cassie: tell it how it is!
Ah blast – the wrong comment got deleted earlier.
To recap:
Kaiser, have you watched “In Bruges” yet? I need everyone I can to rally the troops for the BRENDAN GLEESON TO WIN campaign.
Mairead – I’m already on it. See above. 8)
WTF? Who is comparing Britney to Heath? Britney is a no talent hack. Heath does deserve this award. The Dark Knight was a good movie. It wasn’t just a “Batman movie” People who think he didn’t deserve the award should really watch Candy, Brokeback Mountain, and The Dark Knight to see how different/versatile he was.
Cool geronimo 8)
Y’know, if we had the time, money and inclination, we should saturate the net with clips of his turns in films such as The Treaty; Troy (best thing about it, even above Eric Bana and Sean Bean); I Went Down; 28 Days Later; (mmm… irradiated) and Breakfast on Pluto; (a distruntled Womble with a special dance… genius!) 😆
(he’s in loads more but I haven’t seen anything Harry Potter, Beowulf or Cold Mountain)
I LOVE Brendan Gleeson!
Especially in Lake Placid.
yes Kristin! Thank you. He was AMAZING in Candy. Broke my heart. And good point MSAT..lets ask again, Was his nomination in Brokeback mountain a sypathy vote as well?
Anybody who watched The Dark Knight and saw only a Batman movie did not see the movie for what it was meant to be. It has a powerful message. And on top of that a completely out of this world performance by Ledger. This role was daring and original. And not the same old stuff we see with the likes of Dicaprio and such. Don’t get me wrong, every performance nominated is worthy of it. But it shouldnt be a question who should win in my book.
But no need to argue. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just hate that people say he’s only nominated because he died. That just simply is NOT true.
If there’s a sympathy nomination among any of these, I’d say it’s Tom Cruise. Yes, his performance was funny in Tropic Thunder but it was little more than a cameo in a fat suit. I think voters feel sorry because Tommy Boy’s star power isn’t what it used to be and this is his only hit movie in years. Notice that “Valkyrie” is nowhere to be seen on this list.
I also think that Heath’s deserves the nomination- in death or in life.
He was any amazing actor. I hope he wins. And I’m quite certain it would mean a lot to his family (to see him recoginized for his work and for people to see him besides a drug addict).
Exactly Cassie. He was very talented and people brushing it off and saying it is a sympathy win is, in my opinion, disgusting.
Heath was good as the joker don’t get me wrong, infact he was great. But it wasn’t a very multi dimensional role. Yes he got the mindset right, but there wasn’t really much character development, there’s no varying aspects to The Joker, he’s a unforgiving, un repentant sociopath, and unlike Anton in No Country For Old Men, he’s not very human at all. Aton was harrowing as a character because he was still very human, he could be a guy passing you in the street.
So while I think Heath deserves a nomination for the transformation he undertook (Make-Up helps) and the twitches and things he integrated into the character, I’m not entirely convinced he deserves to win an oscar per say.
Heath was amazing as the joker, it’s a shame that he died, and if they put someone else in the role…. i don’t know what i’ll do. I’m absurdly happy that he got the nod.. and I honestly believe he should win. I haven’t seen the other movies nominated in that category, so I can’t be sure he will, but he DOESN’T deserve it because he died. He deserves it because he was amazing. He took a character that is very strictly defined and made it his own.
So, I saw ‘In Bruges’ and turned it off after half an hour becuase it was truly one of the worst and stupidest movies I’ve ever (partly) seen.
If THAT deserves a nomination, I have no respect for any of these choices.
Frankly, Ledger should have won an Oscar for “Brokeback Mountain” which was brilliant. I think if he wins a Golden Globe or an Oscar for the Joker, it will be partially because many feel he was cheated out of an Oscar for Brokeback.
And, really, I am not a fan, but I think Tom Cruise deserves some kind of acknowledgement for his hilarious role in “Tropic Thunder”. I just watched the movie recently, and I thought he did such a funny against-type performance, that it made the whole movie for me. If he doesn’t win, at least he deserved the nomination!!
I saw The Dark Knight, and even in IMAX, I was underwhelmed. The most over-hyped movie of the decade.
That said, Heath Ledger’s performance was memorable.
I just watched Dark Knight last night for the first time. I ADORED Batman Begins, Bale looked healthy and prepared for the role, even though he has very little time to prepare after The Machinist. His acting was spot on, he just seemed in tune with character. In DK, Bale seemed disinterested, tired and correct if I’m wrong, not even one shirtless shot! It’s the little things.
But, that’s not my point. I felt Ledger’s performance was inconsistent and just too campy. One minute he would act lucid, the next he would be twitchy – like someone mentally deranged like the character he was playing could actually do that. I didn’t like the performance at all. I didn’t like the movie at all. Totally didn’t live up to the hype.
czarina, In Bruges was fabulous. Are you a Catherine Heigl/Kate Hudson fan? Just a guess.
Anne–I don’t think I’ve ever seen Catherine Heigl or Kate Hudson in anything (CH is on a TV show isn’t she?) I’m not sure what they have to do with the absolutely horrendous In Bruges movie, though. Were either of them in it? Remember, I was only able to stomach about a half an hour of that garbage before I refused to allow it to waste another second of my life!
@czarina – lol! each to their own, you hated In Bruges, not a problem, just not to your taste.
But how you can dismiss one of the most touching, funny, beautifully drawn and moving relationships between two very troubled men as garbage is just beyond me! It’s one of Brendan Gleason’s best ever screen performances.
Although slightly flawed in places, this film is an absolute gem and more than deserves whatever accolades come its way.
Anne-thats what made his role as the Joker so unique and disturbing because it showed how unstable he was. It was an amazing performance BECAUSE of the things you pointed out. And like someone else said previously..he made something that was already clearly defined and made it his own. THATS acting
Ben, good point. But “The Joker” is a comic book character, in a different world, while Anton is a real world character.
Ledger deserves the nomination. He grabbed the mentality of the comic book “Joker”…who once went out of his way to go after a villain, like himself, who solved the identity of Batman. Joker went after him to protect Batman’s identity because what fun would it be if he knows his greatest foe?
Now that is the mind of a sociopath. And Ledger nailed it.
I’m no comic book geek. But I do like Batman. And trust me, the modern day version is not a guy in a cape battling robots and space aliens!
“Arkham Asylum” is a great graphic novel. It argues if Batman is just as insane as the criminals he put away.
This is a modern day comic book adaption.