THE 17th GOLDEN MOON AWARDS EDITION
By Charlie Kiggs

THE HIGHLIGHTS

It’s Ralph Fiennes’ night! Yes, that could be the headline of this Edition of the Golden Moon Awards. James Bradley’s ‘Eye Of The Needle’ and its outstanding (and unexpected, at least for me) 10 nominations may turn the next GMA’s ceremony into a record breaking night. Here are the possible records to beat at the upcoming Gala:

-‘Eye Of The Needle’ has already become the second most nominated movie ever at the GMA. The first one still is ‘The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier And Clay’ with 11 nods. Bradley’s movie has a big chance to become the most awarded movie ever. That record is also owned by ‘Kavalier and Clay’ with 6 statues.

-Ralph Fiennes is the first talent ever to have been nominated at three different categories for the same work. Bill Murray got three nominations for ‘Life And Facts Of A Dirty Mind’ but it was for his work both as actor and director of the movie. So Fiennes might become too the first talent winning three statues for a single acting work.

-Both James Bradley and Joey Stark have been nominated not only as writers but also as movie directors. Other CMP’s writers like Matt Kubrick, Chad Taylor or Josh Collins have been nominated for Best Director too. This could finally be the first time that a CMP’s writer wins at this category.

-Kate Winslet has already won twice the Best Actress GMA. So this Edition she could become the first actress to win three times this award.

As you can see, this can be a night for the records!

The amazing number of nominations got by ‘Eye Of The Needle’ should not make us forget the 7 nominations got by ‘Alabama’. Not too many movies in CMP’s History have reached the 7 nods. The drama written by Chad Taylor and directed by Will Smith deserves to be highlighted for this brilliant achievement.

Natalie Portman also deserves a special mention. Two more nominations to add to her curriculum… and that makes a total of 7 nominations. Natalie already owns two statues and she already is one of the most nominated talents ever.

And I want to remark here the success of ‘The Question’. Superheroes movies have been traditionally ignored at the Golden Moon Awards. Cobb’s adaptation is the first superhero movie to get 4 nominations… including Best Picture!

THE IGNORED

As usual, I miss a few names at the list of nominees… As we usually say, there’s no room for everyone. But some absences are particularly remarkable… and unfair.

‘Alabama’ gets 7 nominations and Will Smith is ignored at the Best Actor and Best Director’s categories? Being only nominee at the Best Starring Couple category is not enough reward for his extraordinary work in this film both as actor and director. Why voters cannot admit that Smith is a brilliant moviemaker? It happened the same with his first directional job, ‘John And Tommie’. The movie also got a nomination for Best Picture but Smith was ignored for Best Director. Same story now. Extremely unfair, in my opinion.

I would have bet all I’ve got that Jamie Bell would be nominee at the Best Actor category. And I would have lost everything. No, GMA Winner Jamie Bell didn’t make it with ‘The Paper Man’. Big surprise. In fact, ‘The Paper Man’ – a movie that seemed conceived to win awards – has only got two nominations. I am sure that Joey Stark expected much more than that. At least, Stark is there both as writer and director. But I am sure that this personal success won’t be enough to hide Stark’s disappointment.

I also thought that Emma Stone would make it at the Best Actress category with ‘Kite’. But, at the end, I can understand that Portman, Jones and Winslet were too tough contenders for her.

And Adrian Brody and Michelle Rodriguez might have made it at the Best Starring Couple category with ‘Food And Other Languages’. I think they worked as starring couple very nicely. But maybe it was only me who thought so.

As a general comment, tradition was respected again: box office and nominations went their own separate ways once more. None of the five top box offices of the Season got a single nomination. I have always thought that ‘Mouse Guard’ or ‘Mouse Guard 2’ could have been the first animation movie to show up at the Best Picture category. But, again, maybe it was only me who thought so…

THE RETURNS

Although we have a higher number of new faces around than usual, there are also a few nominees that have been here before. And they are…

Previous Winners

KATE WINSLET

Working with James Bradley keeps being very profitable for her in terms of awards. She reaches the 7 nods this Edition. Already winner of two Best Actress awards: ‘Man In The Mirror’ (Season 6) and ‘Alice’ (Season 14). And three other nominations: ‘The Toymaker’ (Best Actress, Season 3), ‘Man In The Mirror’ (Best Starring Couple with Paul Giamatti, Season 6) and ‘Things I Forgot To Tell You’ (Best Supporting Actress, Season 9). All these movies were written by Bradley.

NATALIE PORTMAN

Natalie also reaches the 7 nods. And she has already won two GMA before: Best Starring Couple (with Jake Gyllenhaal, ‘Saving Samantha Moss, Season 3) and Best Supporting Actress (‘Metropolis’, Season 14). The other three nominations are: Best Starring Couple (with Jude Law, ‘Secret Sins’, Season 14), and two Best Actress nods (‘Secret Sins’ in Season 14 and ‘Pride And Prejudice And Zombies’ in Season 16). This is her second time in a row fighting for Best Actress, an award she has not won yet.

COLIN FARELL

Two times nominee before. He won the Best Actor award back in Season 3 with ‘Hitman: Two Ways To Die’. And the following Season he was nominated again for Best Actor with ‘The Great War Series: Storm Breaks’. It has taken him 13 Seasons to be back at the GMAs.

RYAN GOSLING

Back in Season 14, Gosling won together with Ben McKenzie the Best Starring Couple award playing a gay couple in the very controversial ‘Hallelujah’. Before that, he had been nominee in Season 9 at the Best Villain category with ‘After The Storm’.

Previous Nominees

RALPH FIENNES

He only has one previous nomination. It was at the Best Villain category in Season 15 for ‘Assassin’s Creed II’.

WILL SMITH

15 Seasons ago, Smith got a nomination for Best Actor for his work in James Bradley’s ‘Chevrolet’. He had not been nominated again since then.

KIRSTEN DUNST

Kirsten will try to finally win a GMA again after three previous failed attempts. She has been nominated at three different categories before: Supporting Actress (‘Singles’, Season 1), Actress (‘South East’, Season 4) and Villain (‘Misplaced Affection’, Season 6). So 11 Seasons after her latest nomination, she is back on track again.

And The Screenwriters…

CHAD TAYLOR

Third Season in a row with Chad Taylor at the list of nominees. He made his debut as nominee in Season 12 with ‘The Beatles’. In Season 15, he won his first and only Best Screenplay award with ‘A Farewell To Arms’. That same Season, he was also nominee both as writer and director with ‘Amedia’. Past Season, he was back at the screenplay’s category with ‘Noon’.

JAMES BRADLEY

The undisputable king of the Golden Moon Awards. With these three new nominations (writer, director and producer of ‘Eye Of The Needle’), he reaches the unbeatable number of 15 nods! Let’s summarize that spectacular sheet of services: winner of 6 GMA (5 Best Screenplay awards and 1 as producer of the Best Picture winner with ‘The 6th Avenue Castaways’); another 5 nominations for Best Screenplay; and 1 previous nomination as Best Director for ‘Nude!’.

JOEY STARK

He also has a successful background at the GMAs. Stark reaches this Edition the 8 nods. He has won twice the Best Screenplay award (in Season 8, together with James Bradley, for ‘The Funeral Drum’ and in Season 14 with ‘A Jazz Tale’). He has also been nominated 4 more times at this category with ‘The Crusades’ (Season 1), ‘The Heirs’ (Season 1), ‘Warland’ (Season 4) and ‘The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier And Clay’ (Season 13). He had never been nominated for Best Director before.

THE PREDICTIONS

I can be mistaken (once more…), but I have the feeling that this is going to be Ralph Fiennes’ Edition. In fact, my feeling is that ‘Eye Of The Needle’ may easily break the 6 awards record and become the most awarded movie ever. So that’s the spirit of my predictions this time.

Anyway, remember as usual that these predictions are not trustable hints as they are written not knowing anything about the ongoing voting.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

KIRSTEN DUNST
In favor: She has always been a favorite for CMP’s authors, although she’s been away from CMP for some Seasons. After all the previous nominations, she is beginning to really deserve an award.
Against: Her character is less powerful than the ones played by her rivals.
All in All: I am afraid she will still have to wait…

MARCIA GAY HARDEN
In favor: Her acting prestige. She has this dramatic strength that made her perfect for her role in ‘American Way’.
Against: Toni and Kirsten are more popular than her in CMP’s world.
All in All: I think this is going to be a tight duel between her and Toni Collette.

TONI COLLETTE
In favor: She played a very interesting character in ‘Heavy Rain’ perfect to win at this category.
Against: Not much, besides Marcia’s acting prestige.
All in All: I think she will win that tight duel with Marcia.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

CHRIS COOPER
In favor: His disturbing screen presence in ‘American Way’. He plays one of those characters that leave a mark in the audience’s memory.
Against: Colin Firth
All in All: Big chances.

COLIN FIRTH
In favor: Right now, after ‘The King’s Speech’, he is probably the most prestigious actor in the world. Voting for him is almost a natural impulse.
Against: Nothing.
All in All: My bet for this category.

GARY OLDMAN
In favor: ‘The Importance Of Being Honest’ gave him a wonderful chance to show he can do more than just the usual villains he’s been playing in CMP’s films.
Against: The two tough rivals.
All in All: Nope, Gary, not this time…

BEST STARRING COUPLE

CAMERION BRIGHT & JOSH HUTCHERSON
In favor: They were perfect playing their characters in ‘Restraint’ and proving they are ready to move from childish characters to more demanding jobs.
Against: It feels strange to vote for them having big stars like Winslet, Fiennes, Smith and Portman around.
All in All: Being nominated already is a big success for these two young stars. Reward enough for their splendid work.

RALPH FIENNES & KATE WINSLET
In favor: Their amazing chemistry. You can feel the sexual tension between them as soon as they are together on screen.
Against: Maybe voters will support them in their others nominations and keep this one for Smith and Portman.
All in All: Big chances. But not a sure win.

WILL SMITH & NATALIE PROTMAN
In favor: They were very much believable in their characters.
Against: I keep thinking this will be Fiennes and Winslet’s night.
All in All: Considering Smith has been unfairly ignored at the Best Actor and Best Director categories, he deserves to take at least this statue home.

BEST ACTRESS

JANUARY JONES
In favor: She has made a very impressive debut in CMP. ‘Woman’ has proved her screen presence works on the big screen as well as it does on TV.
Against: Winslet and Portman are a couple of heavy-weights for a CMP’s debutante like her.
All in All: Might be. I would not rule out her triumph.

KATE WINSLET
In favor: She is probably the most prestigious female star in CMP’s world. And her work in ‘Eye Of The Needle’ justified again that.
Against: Voters may be tired of voting for her once and again.
All in All: Deserved, as usual. Winslet is always a safe bet.

NATALIE PORTMAN
In favor: She is probably the second most prestigious female star in CMP’s world (after Winslet). And her work in ‘Alabama’ justified again that too.
Against: She has fought for this award three times in the four latest GMA’s editions. So voters may feel a bit tired too of having her around again.
All in All: Big chances… with the permission of Kate.

BEST ACTOR

JOHN TURTURRO
In favor: He offered the world a masterly acting lesson in ‘A View From The Bridge’.
Against: He has never been a popular star in CMP.
All in All: He deserves the statue. But I have the intuition that he is not going to win.

RALPH FIENNES
In favor: He was simply perfect as the dark cold blooded murder with a heart deep inside.
Against: If he wins the Starring Couple and the Villain’s awards, maybe voters will think it is too much voting for him for the third time here.
All in All: More than big chances. But it might depend on what happens with his other two nominations.

RYAN GOSLING
In favor: Nominations have confirmed that ‘The Question’ made a big impact on voters.
Against: It feels strange to vote for a Best Actor award to someone playing a comic superhero.
All in All: I was surprised to see him at this trio so no, I don’t think he will win.

BEST SCREENPLAY

CHAD TAYLOR
In favor: His prestige as screenwriter keeps growing in CMP… no matter ‘Gaga’, ‘Mario’ and other rarities…
Against: ‘Alabama’ was a very well written screenplay but maybe too cliché.
All in All: It’s hard to predict what will happen at this category. I’ll give him a 33% of chances to win.

JAMES BRADLEY
In favor: ‘Eye Of The Needle’ is a solid and perfectly structured story with a bit of everything: suspense, crime, action, sex…
Against: He has loyally adapted the book. It is not the most creative Bradley’s work at all.
All in All: If we do not make differences here between original concepts and adaptations, his screenplay can be considered as the best of the Season. 34% of chances.

JOEY STARK
In favor: It wasn’t easy to turn into a movie screenplay the life of Mathias Sindelar. Stark made a good job building up the story.
Against: ‘The Paper Man’ has been much less supported by voters than expected.
All in All: He is fighting against the two most nominated stories of the Season. That makes it only 32% of chances for him.

BEST DIRECTOR

JAMES BRADLEY
In favor: After directing only comedies before, Bradley has shown that he knows how to keep the intrigue and suspense of a complex story like this. He has taken a big step forward as movie director here.
Against: It may feel cooler for voters to support Greengrass and ‘Kite’ than this more classic story.
All in All: Bradley has big chances to become the first CMP’s writer to win a Best Director GMA.

JOEY STARK
In favor: ‘The Paper Man’ is a pretty artsy directional job very much suitable to win this award.
Against: Why do I have the feeling that voters are reluctant to vote CMP’s writers when they make it at the Best Director category?
All in All: Joey should feel happy enough with his two nominations, both as writer and director. That confirms ‘The Paper Man’ as a personal success for him. But I don’t think he will take any statue home this time.

PAUL GREENGRASS
In favor: ‘Kite’ was a daring creative bet. His directional style is much cooler and modern than Bradley’s and Stark’s.
Against: It will all depend if this is finally the big night of ‘Eye Of The Needle’ or not.
All in All: This might be one of the surprises of the night (depending if it finally turns out to be a night of surprises or not).

BEST PICTURE

ALABAMA
In favor: It is the typical solid drama to win a Best Picture award without surprising anyone.
Against: As said about the screenplay, the film leaves you with the feeling that you have been told that story before.
All in All: I may be wrong, but I have the feeling that ‘Alabama’ is going to be one of those movies that get a high number of nominations but not too many awards at the end.

EYE OF THE NEEDLE
In favor: It is the movie of the night. It would feel pretty strange if it does not win this award after all.
Against: It is a bit too classic movie and CMP’s world is supposed to be the world of superheroes movies, comic and video games adaptations and more contemporary concepts than a spies story during World War II. Or not?
All in All: Yes, I think it will win. But do not underestimate the chances of the other two contenders.

THE QUESTION
In favor: This superhero movie has instantly become a cult movie for CMP’s fans. And that could even mean a win at this category.
Against: It feels more than strange to reward a superhero movie with a Best Picture award.
All in All: It has more chances than it may seem at first sight to finally become the Big Surprise of the night.