Movies about various themes were dominated nominations for the Golden Globe awards on Thursday, setting the stage for a lively Hollywood awards season leading up to the Oscars in February.
Dark comedy "Vice," a look at the rise to power of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, led all comers with six nods. It was followed by the Lady Gaga musical remake of "A Star is Born," British historical comedy "The Favourite" and road trip movie through the 1960s segregated America "Green Book" with five nods apiece.
Several expected contenders, including female-led heist thriller "Widows," were left out in the cold, while moon landing movie "First Man" was snubbed in the best drama race and had to settle for just two nominations.
Amy Adams and Adam McKay attend the 2018 SFFILM Awards at Palace Of Fine Arts Theater on in San Francisco, California, December 3, 2018. /VCG Photo
"Vice" director Adam McKay described his film, which will be released on December 25, as "an amazing portrayal of power."
"What we tried to do was to reflect the times that we are living in, which can be pretty absurd and pretty dramatic and tragic at the same time," McKay told Reuters on Thursday.
The Golden Globes, chosen by the small Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), will be handed out at in Beverly Hills on January 6 in the season's first major show business awards ceremony.
"Crazy Rich Asians," the first big Hollywood movie in 25 years with an all-Asian cast, further diversified the Globes contenders with nods for best comedy and best actress for Constance Wu.
(L-R) Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh and Henry Golding pose backstage with their Hollywood Breakout Ensemble Award for "Crazy Rich Asians" during 22nd Hollywood Film Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., November 4, 2018. /VCG Photo
"Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think our movie would be embraced to this magnitude by the audience and now the HFPA," "Crazy Rich Asians" director John Chu said in a statement.
"A Star is Born," the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper remake of the show business romance, solidified its status as a major contender for Oscars, while "Mary Poppins Returns," a sequel to Disney's beloved 1964 film, won nominations for stars Emily Blunt and "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron's much-admired semi-autobiographical black-and-white film “Roma,” for streaming service Netflix (NFLX.O), was nominated in the foreign language category.
Lady Gaga at "A Star Is Born" UK Premiere at Vue West End in London, England, September 27, 2018. /VCG Photo
Cuaron, who also won a directing nod, said the film celebrated families "and encourages my belief that the human experience is one and the same for all."
Briton Olivia Colman won a best actress nod for her turn as a petulant Queen Anne in the Fox Searchlight (FOXA.O) historical romp "The Favourite," along with supporting stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
(L-R) Rachel Weisz, Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone, and Yorgos Lanthimos attend "The Favourite" UK Premiere during the 62nd BFI London Film Festival in London, October 18, 2018. /VCG Photo
In television, limited FX (FOXA.O) series "The Assassination of Gianni Versace" about the murder of the Italian fashion designer, was ahead with four nods and helped the FX network take a leading 10 nominations.
(Cover: HFPA President Meher Tatna at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations Announcement held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills in California, December 6, 2018. /VCG Photo)
(Video was contributed by Ding Siyue.)