This year’s Golden Globes were the perfect combination of glamorous Hollywood moments and career-making surprises. Before going into my personal favorite highlights and awards, I wanted to explain the difference between the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards (the Oscars) because it can definitely be confusing with so many award shows with what seems like very similar nominees. The Golden Globes are voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which is an esteemed group of top print and television journalists from around the world. The Oscars, on the other hand, are voted on by the Academy, which consists of fellow actors, directors, editors and other filmmakers – so it’s more of a peer vote. Additionally, the Golden Globes are the only award show that include both film & television.

I thought Ricky Gervais did a great job and unlike most award shows, I was happy whenever he re-appeared on stage and I really do appreciate his sense of Hollywood-deprecating humor, and the fact that he says what everyone is thinking in a totally unapologetic way. Although I did feel like his bit about the award show being long and boring was a bit overdone after the second time. Another early highlight was Jonah Hill dressed as the bear from The Revenant, but at the same time it also felt like a lame attempt to re-remind everyone that he’s friends with Leonardo Dicaprio so, it’s cool guys, he can joke about the alleged bear rape scene.

I was thrilled that Kate Winslet won for Jobs, she was great in that role and she’s just an overall gem in my heart. Her winning the same year as Leo was the cherry on top. So was this moment caught by the cameras during commercial break:

I love the previews that the Golden Globes do for the Best Picture nominees throughout the show, especially if you haven’t seen all of the films. I also thought the speech by the HFPA president was really sweet and important. I like the idea that these awards are voted on by international press, giving a unique perspective and a reminder that film is universal, and this community has the power and influence to affect the world in a positive way. The winners of Wolf Hall used their moment to urge the government of the UK to help protect and support the BBC, and Leo even used his time to highlight the need to respect and support our globe, as well as the indigenous populations of the world.

And now this…

I was really bummed out that Steve Carell lost again this year because I truly feel that he is such a transformative actor. Going from Michael Scott to a creepy murderous wrestling coach to a nerdy wall street banker (with many roles in between) is so impressive to me, not just because the roles are so different, but because when you’re watching him perform, you can’t help but to be submersed in that character, in that moment.

Although I was rooting for Paul Dano or Idris Elba to win for Best Supporting Actor in a film, it was a true Hollywood moment when Sylvester Stallone won for Creed and the whole room stood up, bursting with applause, exactly 40 years after he was at the same award show for his performance in Rocky.

“I am the sum total of everyone that I’ve ever met in my life.” – Sylvester Stallone

Of all the movies that were nominated that I haven’t seen yet, Creed is definitely one of the first that I’ll watch. From the TV shows, I definitely need to check out Mr. Robot, which beat out both Empire and my personal favorite, Narcos. I was thrilled to see Taraji win for Empire, and love watching people win on their first nomination, I believe it’s a true testament to what that actor or actress has created. Taraji has certainly created an iconic character with Cookie. Unfortunately the first win/first nomination thing didn’t work out so well for Aziz Ansari, who I believe did exceptional work on Master of None, but I don’t think this is the last time we’ll see him here.

Quick Question: Where was Tom Hardy?! With two huge films this year (Mad Max & The Revenant), I was certain that he would be at the awards – but I guess it just makes the anticipation that much more intense for the Oscars. I’m a really big fan FYI

Hands down, the biggest Hollywood moment of the night was Tom Hanks presenting the Cecile B. De Mille award to Denzel. There is no Washington necessary, as Hanks reminded us in his beautifully eloquent speech.

“Great cinema will always inspire us, and great actors will always astound us.” – Tom Hanks

It was great to see Morgan Freeman at the show, but with two jokes about his death, it was also slightly uncomfortable moment. I felt that same awful and awkward feeling I get when my parents make the same types of jokes and I really just wanted it to stop. After all, I’m still not fully convinced that he’s not God…

Overall, The Martian (Comedy) and The Revenant (Drama) swept up which was not totally surprising, although my favorites in those categories were The Big Short (Comedy) and Spotlight (Drama). But all the wins for each film were truly deserved. Matt Damon is a great actor and Ridley Scott created a unique film with a phenomenal cast. When you think about what the cast and crew of The Revenant went through to tell this true story, it makes sense. As Alejandro Iñárritu said during his Best Director speech for The Revenant “Pain is temporary but great films last forever.”

But what I loved most about this year’s Globes, is that it was a true competition because this year was fantastic for the film and television industries, financially as well as in quality. The stories that are being told and winning these awards are sometimes imaginative and other times true and remarkable stories, but either way they are all stories that deserve to be told.

And finally, I’m going to end with this beautiful moment: