HFPA president Aida Takla O’Reilly at the nominations announcement of the 70th Golden Globe Awards. Photo: Ruben V. Nepales
BEVERLY HILLS – After Megan Fox, Jessica Alba and Ed Helms were done announcing the nominations for the 70th Golden Globe Awards last Thursday morning here at the Beverly Hilton, someone’s birthday just became more special.
“What an amazing, unexpected present!” exclaimed Taylor Swift, who woke up on her 23rd birthday with a best song nod for “Safe & Sound” (from “The Hunger Games”) which she shared with T Bone Burnett, John Paul White and Joy Williams.
Taylor added in a statement: “I’m blown away by my first-ever Golden Globe nomination, and so honored to be nominated with T Bone Burnett and The Civil Wars. Writing music for ‘The Hunger Games’ was a labor of love—I was a fan of the stories and the characters, and we all wanted the music to have an authenticity that matched the tone of the movie and the emotions expressed in the book.”
Another award-winning singer, Adele, also earned her first Globe nomination with Paul Epworth for their song, “Skyfall” from the latest hit James Bond movie of the same title. Adele, on hiatus from singing since giving birth to her first baby in October, was inspired to give a public statement: “Thank you so much for the honor of being included in something as brilliant as the Golden Globes! Never in a million years did I think I’d come close to such a thing! Truly wonderful! And thank you to the Bond family.”
Other best song nominees include “Miss Saigon” composers Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil for “Suddenly” (a new song from “Les Miserables”), Jon Bon Jovi for “Not Running Anymore” (“Stand Up Guys”), and Keith Urban and Monty Powell for “For You” (“Act of Valor”).
Bon Jovi said in a statement: “It’s been a great experience songwriting for film again. I’m pleased and humbled to be recognized with this nomination. The minute I read the script for ‘Stand Up Guys,’ I was inspired—who wouldn’t be excited to work with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin and Fisher Stevens?”
Keith, whose wife Nicole Kidman cinched two acting nods for “The Paperboy” and “Hemingway & Gellhorn,” said: “The most rewarding gift for me as a songwriter is knowing that the song has somehow made a connection. I’ve been fortunate and moved to hear firsthand how it has impacted others’ lives. For that, and for this nomination, I’m so very grateful and honored. To wake up to this news, as well as to Nic’s two nominations, is absolutely beautiful. What a way to start the day!”
More reactions
The following are the reaction statements of some of the nominees:
Steven Spielberg
Director, “Lincoln”
“Seven has never been a more lucky number than it is for me today. I was delighted to hear that the HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) has chosen to recognize Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Tony Kushner, John Williams, Kathy Kennedy and me so generously. Bringing ‘Lincoln’ to the screen has been the opportunity of a lifetime, a distinct privilege.
“The story is quintessentially American, but we hope it’s a movie that can speak to audiences worldwide. After all, Lincoln ended his most famous speech looking beyond national boundaries to justice and peace for all nations. That’s one reason why it’s especially meaningful for me that the HFPA has honored us with these nominations.”
O’REILLY, Megan Fox, Ed Helms and Jessica Alba photo:Ruben V. Nepales
Anne Hathaway
Supporting actress
“Les Miserables”
“What a great way to wake up! I couldn’t be happier or more grateful for this news. Congratulations to Hugh Jackman and everyone who worked on ‘Les Mis’ for their contribution to the best picture nomination!”
Ben Affleck
Director, “Argo”
“These nominations reflect the courage and determination of real life heroes in the US, Canada, Iran and across the globe. They honor more than 120 actors with speaking roles in multiple languages, thousands of extras in the US and abroad as well as hundreds of extraordinary crewmembers who poured their hearts into the film—including the great Alan Arkin, brilliant Chris Terrio and extraordinary Alexandre Desplat, who were nominated today as well and who have my congratulations and gratitude.”
Jessica Chastain
Actress (drama)
“Zero Dark Thirty”
“I am elated to see our fearless producer Megan Ellison, brilliant director Kathryn Bigelow, wonderful screenwriter Mark Boal and this extraordinary film being honored today. I’m proud and honored to play this exceptional woman.”
Tim Burton, Director
(Animated film) “Frankenweenie”
“This is a very personal project for me and the nomination goes as much to the animators who labored frame by frame to bring this film to life.”
Kathryn Bigelow
Director, “Zero Dark Thirty”
“It’s an honor, sincerely, and very humbling to be singled out this way by the HFPA. We’re encouraged by their support, especially since our film has such a diverse, international cast, and as the HFPA represents so many countries across the globe. A big congratulations to the amazing Jessica Chastain and my producing partner and screenwriter Mark Boal.”
Mark Boal, Screenwriter
“Zero Dark Thirty”
“It means so much to us that press representatives from around the world have reacted with such praise. It’s especially flattering as we’ve seen the film from the beginning as a global story, one that involved and impacted much of the world. Congratulations to Kathryn Bigelow and Jessica Chastain on nominations much deserved.”
Ang Lee, Director
“Life of Pi”
“I am deeply honored and grateful for these very generous nominations. Making ‘Life of Pi’ was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. It is wonderful to get this recognition.”
Alan Arkin
Supporting actor, “Argo”
“I am deeply grateful for this honor and particularly moved to be in the company of Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Tommy Lee Jones who I deeply admire. I am also thrilled that Ben is getting the attention he so much deserves.”
Judi Dench, Actress
(Comedy/Musical)
“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”
“This is lovely news … Having had such a glorious time in India, I’m so happy for John Madden and Graham Broadbent and delighted to be included in such a wonderful group of fellow actors.”
Richard Gere, Actor (Drama)
“The Arbitrage”
“This was a complicated and challenging role. It’s nice to have the HFPA acknowledge the performance and for me to share the nomination with such brilliant actors.”
Wes Anderson, Director
(Comedy/Musical Film)
“Moonrise Kingdom”
“I received this news by text message on the fast train to Berlin. The Hollywood Foreign Press has brightened a bleak snowy day in Germany for me. I could not be more pleased on behalf of our gang.”
Sigourney Weaver, Actress
(Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV), “Political Animals”
“What a great day for all of us on ‘Political Animals’! I am especially delighted for Greg Berlanti and USA. I am blown away personally to be nominated for my work as the beguiling and indomitable Elaine Barish Hammond. Hooray!”
Danny Huston
Supporting actor (TV), “Magic City”
“What a delight to receive a nomination for such a slaughter-filled role. Starz encourages actors and writers to take risks … with ‘The Butcher,’ they certainly took one!”
Joachim Roenning, Director
(Foreign film) “Kon-Tiki”
“I didn’t dare watch the announcement on the streaming link, so instead I was reading a script of our new prospective US project. Then I got a text from my LA publicist saying: ‘Yes!!!’ I immediately called her and I still couldn’t believe it when she repeated it four times, ‘You are nominated!’ This is like the world championship in movie making and to be the first ever nominated film from Norway in history feels like winning the Olympics.”
Email the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com. Follow him at https://twitter.com/nepalesruben.