Thursday, November 17, 2016

Critics Choice Nominations Reaction: Part 3

Now, the movies, limited series, and some extra.

BEST TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Its hard to argue with People V.O.J. Simpson, The Night Manager, or Roots as choices. Both All the Way and Confirmation were remarkable and timely movies. It's a little hard to see Killing Reagan at their level, but Critics Choice has a habit of analyzing National Geographic.
The more annoying choices are the ones they left out. Considering that Sherlock: The Abominable Bride beat All the Way, you'd think it could be here. And where the hell is The Night of? I know there have been a lot of good limited series this year, but still.. For that matter, where is American Crime?

BEST ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Courtney B. Vance, no problem. Tom Hiddleston and Bryan Cranston, it would be a shock if they weren't here. Benedict Cumberbatch, always a delight. And though he got less credit for his co-stars, Cuba Gooding Jr., was fine in People V. O.J. Simpson.
Tim Matheson for Killing Reagan isn't a bad choice, per se - I'm admired his work as an actor for more than a quarter-century, but it seems a little odd to see him here, and not Ian McKellen, Timothy Hutton or John Turturro. Even Riz Ahmed would've been a better choice.

BEST ACTRESS, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Felicity Huffman and Lili Taylor gave extraordinary performances in American Crime, among the best of the year. Sarah Paulson was magnificent as Marcia Clark. I'm a little surprised to see Olivia Colman competed in this category when she was in Supporting for the Emmys, but her work in The Night Manager was wonderful. I've never been one of Kerry Washington's biggest fans but her work as Anita Hill in Confirmation was great?
Cynthia Nixon is a fine actress, and her work as Nancy Reagan was good, but I'd have preferred one of the leads from the Gilmore Girls miniseries, which not surprisingly was shut out. That's a nitpick more than anything else, though.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Sterling K. Brown was great in People V. O.J. Simpson. So, for that matter, was John Travolta, even though he didn't get nearly enough credit for it. Hugh Laurie was excellent in The Night Manager, and Frank Langella's work as Richard Russell in All the Way was one of the Emmys biggest snubs this year. I've always admired Forest Whitaker, so I was glad to see him nominated for Roots, and Lane Garrison was nearly as good.
I guess the only real problem with this category is it's not big enough to handle all the great performances this year. Wendell Pierce for Confirmation, Michael K. Williams in The Night Of, Connor Jessup in American Crime, Bradley Whitford for All the Way... its a shame they were ignored, but with the general level of talent in this category, its hard to complain.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Regina King was extraordinary in American Crime. Elizabeth Debicki was one of the few actors in Night Manager who didn't get recognized. Melissa Leo's work as Lady Bird Johnson in All the Way was superb.
The other three women's roles are a little harder to measure. Considering that The Dresser is primarily a two-man show, its a little odd that two female leads were nominated. And as good an actress as Anna Paquin is, couldn't they have nominated some of the African-American leads. It's not like there's a huge lack of diversity this year, its just a little strange.

The reality series I traditionally ignore even though there usually more interesting than the Emmys. I will however say that in the talk show category, its good to see that the Daily Show alumni are being so highly rewarded (even if Stephen Colbert was inexplicably ignored), and that in the animated series category, its great to see such fine series as Archer, Bojack Horseman and Bob's Burgers being recognized along with The Simpsons and South Park. They still have good taste.


I'll be back with my predictions in a couple of weeks.

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