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No Sam Elliott and more Golden Globes nomination shockers

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LOS ANGELES — There’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to the mercurial Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its Golden Globe nominations, but this year saw a number of surprises, like the dominance of Adam McKay’s Dick Cheney film “Vice,” and a number of truly shocking exclusions.

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THEY CHOSE THE WRONG SAM

This was supposed to be Sam Elliott’s year. The veteran character actor delivered a powerful performance as Jackson Maine’s brother in “A Star Is Born,” which many still think will earn the 74-year-old his first ever Oscar nomination. But the HFPA had a different plan for the baritone-voiced Elliott (a two-time Globes nominee), and instead, surprised with a supporting actor nomination for Sam Rockwell’s turn as George W. Bush in “Vice.”

“COLD WAR” ICED OUT

Poland’s “Cold War,” one of the most highly acclaimed foreign language films of the year, was shockingly shut out of the foreign language category. There were a few locks, like Mexico’s “Roma,” from director Alfonso Cuaron, Lebanon’s “Capernaum” and even Japan’s “Shoplifters.” But Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cannes-winning romance between two mismatched people was supposed to be one as well. Belgium’s “Girl,” a Netflix film, was the surprise inclusion here. The film about a transgender girl training to be a ballerina has been the subject of some criticism for its depiction of trans people.

WHERE’S “ATLANTA”?

When it comes to television the HFPA has tended to favour the new, but many were surprised to see “Atlanta” left off the list for best television series, musical or comedy, which included such unexpected choices as “Kidding” and “The Kominsky Method.” Donald Glover scored an acting nomination for the series, however.

AND THE FEMALE DIRECTORS?

Following in the footsteps of the American Film Institute, none of the 10 films nominated for best picture (comedy/musical and drama) were directed by a woman, nor were any of the five directing nominees women. It is surprising in a year that has had acclaimed and awards buzzy films such as Marielle Heller’s “Can You Ever Forgive Me,” Tamara Jenkins’ “Private Life” and Debra Granik’s “Leave No Trace.” Jenkins’ film, and the performances from Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn was shut out completely.

MOSTLY CRICKETS FOR “A QUIET PLACE”

John Krasinski’s celebrated mostly-silent horror sensation “A Quiet Place” got only one nomination, and a curious one at that, for Marco Beltrami’s score of all things. Krasinski was expected to be a bigger player, for director (his debut), screenwriting, and even acting alongside his wife Emily Blunt, who did get her own best actress nomination for “Mary Poppins Returns.”

CRITICAL DARLING “FIRST REFORMED” SHUT OUT

Paul Schrader’s punishing drama “First Reformed” about a protestant minister played by Ethan Hawke got a handful of Independent Spirit Award nominations, was selected by the National Board of Review and AFI as one of the top films of the year and won big at the Gotham Awards. But the film and Hawke were left out completely. The studio behind it, A24, had a difficult year in general with the Globes, securing only one nomination for Elsie Fisher’s breakout performance in the coming-of-age movie “Eighth Grade.”

NO LOVE FOR MICHAEL. B JORDAN

Michael B. Jordan had a banner year, both critically and at the box office, with his tour de force supporting performance in “Black Panther,” and then reprising his role as Adonis Creed in “Creed II.” Then again, the HFPA also snubbed him for the first “Creed” as well (Stallone won that year for the film).

THE “FIRST MAN” QUESTION REMAINS

Damien Chazelle’s Neil Armstrong drama “First Man” remains a big awards season question mark, and the Golden Globes didn’t really help to shine a light on which way it might go. Chazelle didn’t get a nomination, nor did screenwriter Josh Singer or star Ryan Gosling. But the film did score two interesting nominations, Justin Hurwitz for his score, and Claire Foy for her supporting role as Armstrong’s wife Janet.

AN OFF YEAR FOR THE PEARSON FAMILY

NBC’s “This is Us” was conspicuously left empty handed when it came to the Globes nominations. Just last year it was up for drama series, supporting actress (Chrissy Metz), and actor (Sterling K. Brown, who won).

DYSTOPIAN SHOWING FOR ‘THE HANDMAID’S TALE’

The Hulu series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel has been an awards darling since the beginning, and even became the first streaming series to win the Golden Globe for best television series in its first year. But this year, it was left out of the drama category entirely. Elisabeth Moss got the sole nomination for the series for best actress, a prize she’s won before.

SOME HAPPY SURPRISES

Charlize Theron and Robert Redford both scored lead acting nominations for films that seemed to have slipped off the awards radar: Theron, as a stressed-out mother in “Tully,” and Redford, as a gentleman bank robber in “The Old Man and the Gun.”

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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr

Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press




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Poilievre on 2025 Election Interference – Carney sill hasn’t fired Liberal MP in Chinese election interference scandal

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From Conservative Party Communications

Yes. He must be disqualified. I find it incredible that Mark Carney would allow someone to run for his party that called for a Canadian citizen to be handed over to a foreign government on a bounty, a foreign government that would almost certainly execute that Canadian citizen.

 

“Think about that for a second. We have a Liberal MP saying that a Canadian citizen should be handed over to a foreign dictatorship to get a bounty so that that citizen could be murdered. And Mark Carney says he should stay on as a candidate. What does that say about whether Mark Carney would protect Canadians?

“Mark Carney is deeply conflicted. Just in November, he went to Beijing and secured a quarter-billion-dollar loan for his company from a state-owned Chinese bank. He’s deeply compromised, and he will never stand up for Canada against any foreign regime. It is another reason why Mr. Carney must show us all his assets, all the money he owes, all the money that his companies owe to foreign hostile regimes. And this story might not be entirely the story of the bounty, and a Liberal MP calling for a Canadian to be handed over for execution to a foreign government might not be something that the everyday Canadian can relate to because it’s so outrageous. But I ask you this, if Mark Carney would allow his Liberal MP to make a comment like this, when would he ever protect Canada or Canadians against foreign hostility?

“He has never put Canada first, and that’s why we cannot have a fourth Liberal term. After the Lost Liberal Decade, our country is a playground for foreign interference. Our economy is weaker than ever before. Our people more divided. We need a change to put Canada first with a new government that will stand up for the security and economy of our citizens and take back control of our destiny. Let’s bring it home.”

 

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Canada Needs A Real Plan To Compete Globally

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From the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

By Marco Navarro-Génie 

Ottawa’s ideological policies have left Canada vulnerable. Strategic action is needed now

As Canada navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the next federal government must move beyond reflexive anti—Americanism regardless of its political leanings. Instead, Canada should prioritize national interests while avoiding unnecessary conflict and subservience.

The notion that Canada can stand alone is as misguided as the idea that it is only an economic appendage of the United States. Both perspectives have influenced policy in Ottawa at different times, leading to mistakes.

Rather than engaging in futile name-calling or trade disputes, Canada must take strategic steps to reinforce its autonomy. This approach requires a pragmatic view rooted in Realpolitik—recognizing global realities, mitigating risks, governing for the whole country, and seizing opportunities while abandoning failed ideologies.

However, if Washington continues to pursue protectionist measures, Canada must find effective ways to counteract the weakened position Ottawa has placed the country in over the past decade.

One key strategy is diversifying trade relationships, notably by expanding economic ties with emerging markets such as India and Southeast Asia. This will require repairing Canada’s strained relationship with India and regaining political respect in China.

Unlike past Liberal trade missions, which often prioritized ideological talking points over substance, Canada must negotiate deals that protect domestic industries rather than turning summits into platforms for moral posturing.

A more effective approach would be strengthening partnerships with countries that value Canadian resources instead of vilifying them under misguided environmental policies. Expand LNG exports to Europe and Asia and leverage Canada’s critical minerals sector to establish reciprocal supply chains with non-Western economies, reducing economic reliance on the U.S.

Decades of complacency have left Canada vulnerable to American influence over its resource sector. Foreign-funded environmental groups have weakened domestic energy production, handing U.S. industries a strategic advantage. Ottawa must counter this by ensuring Canadian energy is developed at home rather than allowing suppressed domestic production to benefit foreign competitors.

Likewise, a robust industrial policy—prioritizing mining, manufacturing, and agricultural resilience—could reduce dependence on U.S. and Chinese imports. This does not mean adopting European-style subsidies but rather eliminating excessive regulations that make Canadian businesses uncompetitive, including costly domestic carbon tariffs.

Another key vulnerability is Canada’s growing military dependence on the U.S. through NORAD and NATO. While alliances are essential, decades of underfunding and neglect have turned the Canadian Armed Forces into little more than a symbolic force. Canada must learn self-reliance and commit to serious investment in defence.

Increasing defence spending—not to meet NATO targets but to build deterrence—is essential. Ottawa must reform its outdated procurement processes and develop a domestic defence manufacturing base, reducing reliance on foreign arms deals.

Canada’s vast Arctic is also at risk. Without continued investment in northern sovereignty, Ottawa may find itself locked out of its own backyard by more assertive global powers.

For too long, Canada has relied on an economic model that prioritizes federal redistribution over wealth creation and productivity. A competitive tax regime—one that attracts investment instead of punishing success—is essential.

A capital gains tax hike might satisfy activists in Toronto, but it does little to attract investments and encourage economic growth. Likewise, Ottawa must abandon ideological green policies that threaten agri-food production, whether by overregulating farmers or ranchers. At the same time, it must address inefficiencies in supply management once and for all. Canada must be able to feed a growing world without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.

Ottawa must also create an environment where businesses can innovate and grow without excessive regulatory burdens. This includes eliminating interprovincial trade barriers that stifle commerce.

Similarly, Canada’s tech sector, long hindered by predatory regulations, should be freed from excessive government interference. Instead of suffocating innovation with compliance mandates, Ottawa should focus on deregulation while implementing stronger security measures for foreign tech firms operating in Canada.

Perhaps Ottawa’s greatest mistake is its knee-jerk reactions to American policies, made without a coherent long-term strategy. Performative trade disputes with Washington and symbolic grandstanding in multilateral organizations do little to advance Canada’s interests.

Instead of reacting emotionally, Canada must take proactive steps to secure its economic, resource, and defence future. That is the role of a responsible government.

History’s best strategists understood that one should never fight an opponent’s war but instead dictate the terms of engagement. Canada’s future does not depend on reacting to Washington’s policies—these are calculated strategies, not whims. Instead, Canada’s success will be determined by its ability to act in the interests of citizens in all regions of the country, and seeing the world as it is rather than how ideological narratives wish it to be.

Marco Navarro-Génie is the vice president of research at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. With Barry Cooper, he is co-author of Canada’s COVID: The Story of a Pandemic Moral Panic (2023).

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