Caroline Madden, ‘Doah Staff Writer
January 15, 2014

The 71st annual Golden Globes aired on Sunday Jan. 11, 2014, featuring both surprises and expected wins. The funny ladies Amy Poehler and Tina Fey hosted for the second time, and it was no surprise that they nailed their job of hosting.

Their well known witty sarcasm was in full use that night, there many memorable zingers during the night.

They candidly poked fun of the men in Hollywood with jokes such as ‘“Gravity’ is nominated for best film. It’s the story of how George Clooney would rather float away into space and die than spend one more minute with a woman his own age.”

Also,  “And now like a supermodel’s vagina, let’s give a warm welcome to Leonardo DiCaprio.”

They also commented on the sexism in Hollywood, joking about how Matthew McConaughey went to great lengths for his role in Dallas Buyers club, losing 45 pounds, “which, for an actress, is called being in a movie.”

Host Amy Poehler was also a winner that night, with a long-awaited win for her role as Leslie Knope in “Parks and Recreation” for Best Actress in a TV-series comedy.

Fellow SNL alum Andy Samberg surprisingly took home the award for Best Actor in a TV-series comedy for the new show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” which also won the prize for Best TV-series comedy.

For the dramatic              television category, Bryan Cranston won Best Actor as his world-famous role as teacher and meth dealer  Walter White in “Breaking Bad.” To no surprise, “Breaking Bad,” which just finished its last   climactic season, also took away the prize for Best Television-series drama.

However, supporting actor Aaron Paul did not take away the prize, instead it went to Jon Voight for his performance in “Ray Donovan.” Best Actress in a dramatic TV-series did not go to favorite Kerry Washington for “Scandal,” instead it went to Robin Wright for the Netflix original series, “House of Cards.”

This recognition proves that Netflix series are changing the future of television and how shows are being seen.

Also in the television category, Elisabeth Moss took home the prize for Best Actress in a TV-miniseries or movie category for the Sundance Channel’s “Top of the Lake” over favorite Jessica Lange in the popular “American Horror Story” series.

Michael Douglas won the Best Actor prize in the same category for his role as Liberace in the TV movie “Behind the Candelabra,” which also took home the Best TV-miniseries or movie award.

For the film awards,    Jennifer Lawrence took home the first award of the night for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “American Hustle.” The category was a tight race between her and newcomer Lupita Nyong’o, who had a harrowing role as a young slave Patsy in “12 Years a Slave.”

Could this win for mean that her Oscar chances are even higher? She may become a two-time and back-to-back Oscar winner.

Amy Adams, who also starred in “American Hustle” took home her first Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a comedy after four previous nominations. She is sure to be a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination. “American Hustle” proved to be a favorite, also taking home the Best Motion Picture comedy prize.

Leonardo DiCaprio took home his second Golden Globe for Best Actor in a comedy for his sex, drugs, and alcohol soaked role in the ferocious “The Wolf of Wall Street” directed by Martin Scorsese.

The film has generated some controversy with its unflattering portrayal of powerful Wall Street moguls.

“30 Seconds to Mars” frontman Jared Leto took home the Best Supporting Actor award for stunning portrayal of a dying transgendered woman in “Dallas Buyers Club.”

The role was transformative for him, he lost a great amount of weight and is nearly unrecognizable in the film. This win almost guarantees a lock for an Academy Award.

Another lock for a future Oscar goes to Cate Blanchett, for her incredible performance in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine.”

Her role tells the story of a rich woman whose life is turned upside down after she loses all of her money. Cate Blanchett, to no surprise, took home the award that night for Best Actress in a dramatic film.

One surprise of the night was the Best Actor win for drama. It was tight category, with famous stars such as Robert Redford and Tom Hanks.

As well as Chiwetel Ejiofor’s moving performance as Solomon Northup in “12 Years a Slave,” a free man who was wrongfully sold into slavery for twelve years. Chiwetel was considered a frontrunner, but Matthew McConaughey ended up taking the prize for his role as an AIDS victim in “Dallas Buyers Club.” This certainly changes the game for the upcoming Academy Awards.

“12 Years a Slave,” which ended up losing all of its nominations in the acting categories, was finally awarded for Best Motion Picture drama, and deservedly so for it is a very moving film and unflinching portrayal of America’s darkest time.

“12 Years a Slave” also did not win its nominations in the Best Screenplay and Best Director Awards.

Spike Jonze won for his original and fascinating screenplay “Her,”  a story of the not-so-distant future where a man falls in love with an OS voice on his computer. Best Director unsurprisingly went to Alfonso Cuaron for his technological feat, “Gravity,” most likely guaranteeing a lock for the Oscar.

With two very funny hosts and some surprise winners, the 71st Annual Golden Globes was a very fun night, adding excitement for the upcoming Oscar race.