‘STRANGER THINGS’, ‘BEAUTY’
LOS ANGELES: Nostalgic horror sensation Stranger Things and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast shared the spoils on Sunday at the MTV Movie and TV Awards, expanded and renamed this year to include television.
Netflix’s hit series took best show and best actor in a show for an emotional Millie Bobby Brown, one of its young stars, while best actor in a movie went to Emma Watson for Beauty, which also picked up best film.
“The village in our fairytale wanted to make Belle believe that our world was smaller than the way that she saw it, with fewer opportunities for her, that her curiosity and passion for knowledge and her desire for more in life were grounds for alienation,” said Watson.
“I loved playing someone who didn’t listen to any of that. I’m so proud to be a part of a film that celebrates diversity, literacy, inclusion, joy and love the way that this one does.”
Daniel Kaluuya and Milton “Lil Rel” Howery, the stars of surprise smash hit thriller, Get Out, got the prizes for “next generation” and best comedic performance respectively.
Best villain went to Jeffrey Dean Morgan for his turn as the bloodthirsty Negan in The Walking Dead, while best hero was awarded to Taraji P. Henson for Hidden Figures.
The MTV Movie and TV Awards, hosted by comic actor Adam DeVine, had been taking a sideways look at Hollywood since 1992, honouring films and their actors with “golden popcorn” statuettes. The nominees were decided by producers and MTV executives, while the winners were chosen by the public, who vote online.
The annual celebration of youth pop culture expanded this year to include television, and MTV reverted to broadcasting the event live after pre-recording last year’s show.
MTV was forced to cut short its red carpet as downtown LA was hit with a hail storm that drenched celebrities and members of the press and public.
In another departure with convention it dispensed with gender distinctions in the categories, and awarded best kiss to a same-sex embrace.
Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome portrayed two African American teenagers exploring their sexuality in Moonlight, which won best picture at the Oscars.
Meanwhile, Hidden Figures, which tells the previously littleknown story of the vital contribution of African American women to the NASA space programme, won a new “Fi Against The System” categ
Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodri u and Tyrese Gibson ca stage to accept a “genera award” for the Fast and u rious franchise.
Diesel thanked the generation of fans “willing to accept this multicultural franchise where it didn’t matter what colour your skin was.”
Hugh Jackman and debutante Dafne Keen, stars of Logan, were recognised for best double act, while Trevor
Noah of The Daily Show got best host. AFP