Stars celebrate awards season early

Much like the American presidential race, it’s never too early to start campaigning for Hollywood’s awards season and stars got an early chance Sunday at the Hollywood Film Awards.

The show has been criticized for its nebulous selection process and odd tradition of recognizing films before they’re released, but the untelevised ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel still drew an A-list crowd.

“Tonight is actually rigged,” host James Corden told the audience. “Literally, none of this is real.”

That didn’t stop such actors as Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman and Matthew McConaughey from showing up to accept trophies. There were no nominees and winners were announced in advance. The Hollywood Film Awards joined with Dick Clark Productions in 2014, when the show was broadcast on CBS.

The program is no longer televised, but it’s still scripted, with most stars reading from a prompter. Artists accepting awards, though, did do so sincerely.

Eddie Murphyreceived the career achievement award. He was greeted with a standing ovation, which he said “warms the cockles of one’s heart on a Sunday.” Nominations for the Golden Globes will be announced Dec. 12. The Screen Actors Guild reveals its nominees Dec. 14 and the Academy Awards on Jan. 24, 2017.