Boyhood,' 'The Affair' Among Big Winners at Golden Globes

By John Jurgensen 

A year of Hollywood wins and woes fueled the Golden Globes in Los Angeles on Sunday night, as the films "Birdman," "Boyhood" and "Selma" landed awards, Amazon and Netflix solidified their standing in television, and a hacking scandal offered an irresistible target for hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Awards were spread among front-running films. "Boyhood," which followed its characters in real time over the course of 12 years of filming, earned awards including best director, for Richard Linklater, and best supporting actress, for Patricia Arquette. Alejandro González Inárritu, who directed and co-wrote the movie "Birdman," about an aging superhero actor who goes to Broadway, won best screenplay. Civil-rights drama "Selma" won best original song.

Bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Globes play an annual side role in calibrating Oscars race. The last two Golden Globe winners for best motion picture drama,--"Argo" and "12 Years a Slave"--went on to win the top prize at the Oscars.

The Globes is the rare awards telecast that features nominees from both the film and television industries. And as television has risen in prestige and attracted top movie stars, its categories have taken on more weight (while serving as a barometer for the Emmy Awards, held later in the year).

Amazon.com Inc. proved it has clout in a new era of television. Its original series "Transparent," about a transgender parent, won for best television series, comedy or musical. Lead actor Jeffrey Tambor won for his portrayal of a character who transitions from Mort to Maura.

Amazon proved it has clout in a new era of television. Its original series "Transparent," about a transgender parent, took the prize for best television series, comedy or musical. Lead actor Jeffrey Tambor won for his portrayal of a character who transitions from Mort to Maura. Amazon, a first-time nominee, edged out dominant competitor HBO and streaming rival Netflix, which was nominated for original series "Orange Is the New Black."

Not to be outdone, Netflix racked up a win on the drama side when Kevin Spacey received a best-actor trophy for his turn as a diabolical politician in the series "House of Cards."

Ben Fritz contributed to this article.

Write to John Jurgensen at [e-mail]

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