By: Open Book
On Thursday January 13th, 2011 three days before it’s biggest televised event. Michael Russell filed a two million dollar lawsuit against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) claiming the association members abuse their positions with unlawful deals, which resemble a “payola scheme” enterprise. Although, the HFPA has denied such accusations, some of the allegations by Russell, is hard to ignore. One of them being lack of creditability due to acting nominations being sold by association members. In an article written by Anthony McCartney at AP Entertainment he states; “This year’s show has been no different, with criticism of acting nominations for Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie for “The Tourist,” a critical and commercial flop.”[1]
After reading this statement by McCartney it made me wonder. Who are the actors nominated this year for a Golden Globe? Did their films do well at the box office and among critics? What I found was interesting!!! The majority of actors nominated this year, films did do well at the box office or got high marks by critics or both. All except The Tourist, Casino Jack and Love and Other Drugs based on rottentomatoes.com and boxofficemojo.com numbers.
As Anthony McCartney mentioned above The Tourist was a commercial and critical flop. Yet, Jolie and Depp are nominated? Which brings me to Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway who are nominated this year for best actor and actress in a comedy for Love and Other Drugs. According to rottentomatoes.com, top critics gave the film 23 rotten tomatoes out of 35 reviews.[2] Also, the box office earnings for this film were not very good, its production budget was 30 million and so far it’s only earned 31,815,433 million domestically.[3] Casino Jack, which stars Kevin Spacey and opens this weekend 1/17/2011, the box office numbers are still unknown. However, it got 14 rotten tomatoes out of 22 reviews by top critics. I can see how a Golden Globe nomination could really improve box office numbers. Why? Casino Jack, The Tourist and Love and Other Drugs were marketed to appeal to adult audiences. It’s been proven adult audiences are more likely to see a film if it’s received good reviews versus not. So I imagine getting a nomination could show positive renewed interest and therefore improve box office earnings. Now, I’m not accusing any of these film actors (I just mentioned), of any wrongdoing. It just made me wonder!! Should actors be nominated if their films were a commercial and critical flop? So what do you think? Should actors get nominated for an award if their films are a critical and box office flop?
Please join our discussion: Sat, January 15th at 7:00pm EST.
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Open Book
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I find this a very interesting lawsuit and the timing seems like an interesting way to bring some attention to the Golden Globes.
Now, my opinion is mixed, because how many times do we see great acting, but the movie doesn’t get critics to love it or the box office numbers. Many of the small little films would never be given the chance.
Now, I have to admits if I hear a movie is even nominated for one of the bigger awards (Golden Globe, Oscars, Screen Actors, etc.)then I may watch it when I can either rental or cable, but I would still have to have some interest in the movie.
I agree, I would have to have an interest in the film. Do u think the validity of these awards will be tarnished by this lawsuit. Do u think the ratings for the GG will take a hit tomorrow night?
I think its a wait and see game. I think everyone knows things in Hollywood are based on the “fame game” to an extent. however i also think certain celebrites are to much in the media and it effects their bo numbers.
Its a good possibility that the validity of these awards could be very much tarnished, as an outsider I would be asking did the person get the nomination or the win because they spent more money then the others.
I don’t about the ratings, this may actually help, because so many people like that scandal associated to HW, which we know from previous topics that people love a good scandal.
Hi Ladies!
This is my take on it….what is the point of being a good actor when all that people are looking at is putting more money in their pockets? Shouldn’t the nominations be given because of an actors work? In that case let all the reality “stars” in too.
Kim mentioned the timing of this news being released. Do u think getting a GG nomination will boost sales at the box office for The Tourist and Love and Other Drugs?
nope. IMO, I won’t see a film if the subject matter of a film doesn’t interest me.
Exactly I don’t go see a movie unless its something I want to see or my husband wants to see (yeah at times its not the same).
If an actor is an award nominee/winner does that make the next film he/she does up for awards because that actor was tied to it?
I think if an actor got a award previously than I think it’s easier for there films to get reviewed by top critics. Does it automatically boost their chances for awards for future films? I don’t know. But it does improve their chances of a film doing well critically and perhaps at BO.
🙂 I was curious about that.
That is a very interesting that just by adding award winner or nominee makes that much of a difference.
Yes! It does it can also give a not so well reviewed movie when it first came out. A face lift and boost the sales at the BO or even rental. U have seen advertisements on DVD’s GG nomination for Best actor etc…….? This is what a GG nomination can do.
Well I have seen recently after GG and Oscars how they re-release movies after the awards, especially if they won so they can try to get those last bo numbers.
Yep!! They advertise big time after the GG and Oscars.
Do u think this kind of deal making the GG/HFPA members have been accused of is ethical? Does it diminish other actors finer performances?
Wow ethics and HW that sounds so strange together in a sentence.
Yes, I think it does diminish the other actors/actresses and other films creditability.
Yeah that does sound strange.
Kim!!! LOL!!! HW and ethics that sounds like a title of a new Film Comedy.
However, it’s about the creditability of honoring the art form of filmmaking, if true these allegations against the HFPA taints the art form IMO.
Yeah I agree.
It reminds me of what happened to the figure skating community when it was found that during the Olympics and other world competitions that their was bias going on. So they had to redo the way figure skating was scored, it was a big scandal and a big revamping.
I have a question about presenters at the GG/Oscars do they only receive one ticket for themselves or if they receive two is it customary for the agent/publicist to go along or could they bring a family member/friend?
Well I wouldn’t be the person to answer this one, just know for Oscars, Rob took his mother when he went before.
I believe they receive two tickets depending on thier popularity.
Parisienne,
Do u think this unlawful dealings of the HFPA takes away from the actors recognition who’s performances were reviewed well by critics.
Some of the people I mentioned in the article like Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp movie really sucked. Should the actors be faulted for a movie failing or the director?
I think it takes away from the credibility of everyone involved with the film/awards shows. This is only my opinion but no one cares about AJ anymore. I think that when people see her they see a homewrecker who trapped a man by using children to bait him so her reputation as a bo draw suffered.
I think thats why AJ worked with JD because he seems to be a bigger bo draw. Or tried to tie her to RP. Remember that story about the possible film they were going to do? I think its all done to keep AJ relevant.
Oh! I absolutely agree with u here.
That is the ultimate question isn’t it, who’s fault is it that the movie fails? If you break it down though the actors are only working with the script that they are given and the director is also working with that script and how well the actors act. Its like dominoes falling down when one falls if in the correct position they all can fall in order but off by a little bit and no go.
That’s true. I also think that it also boils down to the actors and how they conduct themselves in their personal lives because they are being watched so closely. I think if every person thought of him/her self as a walking resume there wouldn’t be so much trouble. After all actors are selling themselves they are their own product.
EXACTLY! If one falls down they should all fall down. So again why should an actor receive an award nomination if the film did not do well critically? For example, Twilight did really well at the BO, not critically. Should some of the TW cast get a GG nomination for Eclipse? If we were to use the current logic of the GG nominations.
Honestly, no. Sorry to say it but no.
well if we’re going on the basis of everything be bought and paid for….they should all win.
Really!! I agree. LOL about Twilight comment.
However, this lawsuit really is bad for the HFPA and even if the accusations have not yet been proven in court as to their guilt. I say going by the list of nominations this year they have some explaining to do.
Especially, with the Tourist, Casino Jack and Love and Other Drugs actors nominations make them look guilty of these charges IMO.
Yeah i just don’t see this as innocence.
Yeah I can see your point. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Oscar noms, since the ballots had to be in yesterday after this lawsuit was announced.
No, Eclipse may have had the BO, but I would never put it in the same category as King’s Speech or any of the other critically acclaimed nominations.
oh please the entire twilight saga has been done so poorly it could never be critically acclaimed.
Also I don’t think certain actors are well liked on that set according to the commentary.
If a person is spoken badly about by the producer and the author. You really have to give it to that actor to stay and finish out his obligations that blows my mind.
I could not agree with u more on this one. It speaks volumes of their professionalism and commitment.
I agree. i just wow. I thought meyer would have been in his corner a little more.
Yep!! I agree the Twilight saga should not even be considered for these awards.
Well, I going to wrap up the discussion and thanks for participating on this discussion tonight. If anyone wants to add their opinion on this topic feel free.
Take Care!! Kim and Parisienne
you too!
Great conversation.
Kim,
I’m off for the night. 🙂
The GGs picks may seem odd sometimes b/c their tastes are different…they’re foreigners. I can see why True Grit may not appeal to them. But they aren’t dirty as a lot. They have draconian rules for members. One guy sold a pic with Burt Reynolds for $50 and took some beers from an event back to his room, and he was “suspended” for a year over it. He also took his own life after.
This is an emotional payback by some dirty PR guys who got busted. Nothing more than that.
Hi Jolene,
The PR guys who filed the lawsuit, they worked for the HFPA for thirteen years right? I found it questionable they are just now coming forward after being fired by the HFPA. I don’t doubt this lawsuit may be out of spite!! However, what makes HFPA look so guilty is there taste in films. I mean some of the actors nominated their movies were awful, this is more than about having different taste in films. I have seen wonderful foreign films that put The Tourist and Love and Other Drugs, to shame. IMO: This is more than about different taste..
The story about the member who was suspended and took his own life, I’m very sorry that happened!!! The HFPA punishments do seem a little harsh. Thanks for commenting about this topic it was very insightful.
Thanks for this post, it is great