There is no mystery. I am not a big fan of the Golden Globes. I have written extensively about the impact they really have on the history of movies. Maybe it's because Avatar and the Hangover won two years ago. Maybe it's just that they flat out nominated Alice in Wonderland for best musical or comedy, neither of which it is. I just cannot find the credibility in this awards show. Their only achievement is making me tired of Ricky Gervais' brash sensibilities.
However, I cannot help but feel like playing the pool and see what wins. This year is no exception. A lot of people got shanked (Drive?), but at least the list looks more sensible this year. No Burlesque or Red filling in a category for no reason. While the Spirit Awards reigns supreme with the nominees so far, I am glad to at least note the lack of War Horse. I am not calling it a bad movie, but those trailers haven't sold me anything.
So, what do I want to win? What will probably win? The following is a compilation of the nominees, my votes, and a few comments about the categories in general. Some of it will not come as a surprise, but for the most part don't take this personally. I don't invest too much into the Golden Globes. I'm only in it to promote my guys.
BEST PICTURE: DRAMA:
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse
Should: Hugo
Will: the Ides of March
Comments: Okay, so there may be a scarce trace of War Horse, but here it is nominated. I doubt it will gain any traction after this. Sure, it will boost the box office numbers (other than the fact it is Steven Spielberg and John Williams together again), but this is a vague category that I have trouble gauging the actual winners. I am surprised to see Moneyball in there, though the Help is a nice surprise. I think that the Descendants does not deserve to be on this list, and if any movie will win, it's the Ides of March. Why? It's a political drama with great performances and a very twisted story. If the Oscars prove anything with past winners like All the President's Men, then political dramas have the upper hand. Meanwhile, my vote for Hugo will probably go overlooked because while it's Martin Scorsese, the chances of a children's movie about loving cinema doesn't stand a chance. Also, I am kind of upset by there being no nomination for Drive.
BEST PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL:
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
My Week With Marilyn
Should: Midnight in Paris
Will: the Artist
Comments: A step up in terms of quality for the comedy or musical category this year. It is actually hard for me to decide between 50/50 and Midnight in Paris who I would vote for, though Woody Allen's latest gem pulls ahead on sheer innovation alone. I am confused on how My Week with Marilyn is in here, though it's a welcome surprise (if vaguely a comedy). While I believe there is a lot of buzz surrounding Bridesmaids, I think that the Artist will win on sheer merit alone. It's a silent film in an age where they are almost extinct. I think that it will also play big at the Oscars. Bridesmaids, while a good movie, was more schizophrenic and too humdrum in comparison. However, I wouldn't be too surprised by an upset since the Hangover beat out (500) Days of Summer two years ago.
BEST DIRECTOR:
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
George Clooney, The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Should: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Will: George Clooney, the Ides of March
Comments: A hard category to decide from. While I feel that between Midnight in Paris and Hugo, the latter had better direction, I am thinking that the political drama the Ides of March is going to sweep this year. It would be interesting to see if the Artist stands a chance of a surprise upset, though I feel it doesn't stand a chance. Also, I would be totally upset if the Descendants actually won any awards. It was an okay movie about deep subject matter that 50/50 did way better. I don't even believe it to be George Clooney's best performance (that would be Up in the Air).
BEST ACTRESS: COMEDY/MUSICAL:
Jodie Foster, Carnage
Charlize Theron, Young Adult
Kristin Wiig, Bridesmaids
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Kate Winslet, Carnage
Should: Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Will: Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Comments: For some reason I have a gut instinct that Michelle Williams is going to win this. Her performance was very compelling and has been one of the most talked about aspects of that film. Meanwhile, the other movies haven't gotten nearly as much buzz. It's true that Kristen Wiig is suggested to be the breakout comedy movie star of the year, but I didn't find her nearly as compelling as Williams. I am also curious to see if Young Adult with Charlize Theron will be any good, though the trailers imply that it won't be good enough to beat Williams. There hasn't been really any awards buzz around Carnage. Unless it gets picked up heavily in the next few weeks, it's the black horse of the nominees.
BEST ACTOR: COMEDY/MUSICAL:
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Brendan Gleeson, The Guard
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50
Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love
Owen Wilson, Midnight In Paris
Should: Joseph-Gordon-Levitt, 50/50
Will: Jean Dujardin, the Artist
Comments: While I loved Midnight in Paris, I do not understand Owen Wilson's nomination. He was not that compelling nor interesting enough to get on this list. However, it is a welcome surprise to see at least one Ryan Gosling nomination this year (though not for Drive and instead a terrible movie). However, if I went with my gut, I would have to say that Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave one of the most amazing, powerful performances of the year. I would love for him to get recognition for it. He was funny, sad, and convincing all at the same time. He featured a lot of charisma. However, I think that the globes will award the Artist on the fact that it's a silent film and is technically harder to perform in that genre. While I haven't seen it to convince myself that this is more than novelty, I think Jean Dujardin will walk away with the trophy.
BEST ACTRESS: DRAMA:
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need To Talk About Kevin
Should: Rooney Mara, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Will: Viola Davis, the Help
Comments: I am just going to believe right now that the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the movie I think it is, and I will always support the Lisbeth Salander women. It's an interesting year otherwise. Viola Davis has been the front runner since August, and suddenly you get heavyweights like Tilda Swinton and Meryl Streep in competition. While I think Swinton could do an upset, it probably won't happen because the buzz is not behind We Need to Talk About Kevin yet. Also, the Iron Lady doesn't look that good. It may go to Streep because of her reputation (she did get nominated for Julie & Julia), but it would be undeserved. I know Rooney Mara doesn't stand a chance, but if she lost to anyone, I would like it to be Viola Davis, who I hear has been very compelling and interesting in the Help.
BEST ACTOR, DRAMA:
George Clooney, The Descendants
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Michael Fassbender, Shame
Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Should: Ryan Gosling, the Ides of March
Will: George Clooney, the Descendants
Comments: Whatever happens DON'T LET J. EDGAR WIN! That movie was awful and the performances more-so. While I am happy to see Michael Fassbender getting love for Shame, I think it's limited release and NC-17 standards won't propel it into the public consciousness. Brad Pitt, while a fine actor, probably won't win as Moneyball will be perceived as the underdog sports movie, which rarely wins big awards. It's between Ryan Gosling and George Clooney. While I think that Clooney's performance has been overrated, I think he will come out on top because of the buzz and the reputation the movie has built, including all of these nominations. I would love for Gosling to win simply because it was the more interesting of the two and while it isn't Drive, I am glad he got a respectable nomination this year, which is already a win in my book.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Albert Brooks, Drive
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Should: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Will: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Comments: It's honestly hard to decide between Christopher Plummer and Albert Brooks. However, since Drive hasn't gotten really any love, I'm just going to say that Plummer stands the best chance of winning. The other names lack the buzz needed to sweep this category. Kenneth Branagh was good in My Week with Marilyn, but he wasn't what made that movie memorable. I am confused by Viggo Mortensen and Jonah Hill's nominations, but they're not going to stand a chance against any of these names. Plummer will win because his performance in Beginners was not only splendid, but also has been the front runner for months now. He deserves it.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Should: Octavia Spencer, the Help
Will: Shailene Woodley, the Descendants
Comments: I honestly have no gauge on this category. I am confident that the Help will win a lot of the acting categories during the awards season, but for some reason I feel that the Descendants is going to sweep the acting fields here. I consider it a domino effect that George Clooney will win, so Shailene Woodley stands a chance of winning. However, among these names, I'd like someone from the Help to win.
BEST SCREENPLAY:
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants
George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon, The Ides of March
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian, Moneyball
Should: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Will: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon, the Ides of March
Comments: I am not a supporter of the Descendants as made clear through these picks. I am firmly believing that all of the energy will go into the Ides of March because of it's political content. I don't think the Artist will stand a chance as it's going to be better remembered for it's acting. I would love for Midnight in Paris to win because it restored some faith in my love of Woody Allen, but realistically the only competition the Ides of March will have is Moneyball, written by Aaron Sorkin, whose previous effort the Social Network was probably the reason there was hype surrounding this movie. I haven't seen it yet, but I am sure it makes the wordy math problems into a breezy fun conversation. If anything upsets the Ides of March, I would be fine for it to be Moneyball.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
The Flowers of War
In the Land of Blood and Honey
The Kid With a Bike
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Should: The Skin I Live In
Will: The Flowers of War
Comments: I haven't seen any of these and I don't know what the buzz has been on them. I think that the Skin I Live In has gotten the most and is the most familiar among these names. It's closest rival is Angelina Jolie's In the Land of Blood and Honey, though I am not really as captivated by their trailer. I think that the Flowers of War will win because of the name recognition, notably last year's Best Supporting Actor winner Christian Bale. Also, it appears to be a war film, and that is the most likely to translate to audiences here.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
The Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Cars 2
Puss in Boots
Rango
Should: The Adventures of Tintin
Will: The Adventures of Tintin
Comments: I will be honest that I haven't seen the Adventures of Tintin yet, but of all the animated movies this year, this is the only one that I believe will stand a chance. It has been a lackluster year for movies and the fact that the poorly rated Cars 2 is on here is a testament to that. While it may get traction for being a Pixar movie, I doubt it will win. Arthur Christmas is a holiday themed movie and I don't believe that will translate to a win. Rango was too weird and juvenile to take the top spot here. Of all these, I loved Puss in Boots and if the Adventures of Tintin proves to be a disappointment, I would want that one to beat it.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:
Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore, Hugo
John Williams, War Horse
Abel Korzeniowski, W.E.
Should: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Will: John Williams, War Horse
Comments: I will be honest of playing favoritism. I am actually listening to the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack as I pick these names. It is very good and if the Social Network score gave anything traction, it's the odds of Trent Reznor winning again. It's a far superior score to the Social Network, though with the likes of Howard Shore and John Williams competing against him, I think that the win will go to Williams, who is the most established on this list. Because of his legacy, I believe that it will sway the voters to pick him accordingly.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG:
“Lay Your Head Down,” Albert Nobbs
“Hello Hello,” Gnomeo and Juliet
“The Living Proof,” The Help
“The Keeper,” Machine Gun Preacher
“Masterpiece,” W.E.
Should: "The Living Proof," the Help
Will: "The Living Proof," the Help
Comments: You screwed up big time, Foreign Press Association! Nothing from the Muppets, seriously? The most cheerful and lively songs of the year, and you ignore them? I suppose these songs are good, but it's an embarrassment to overlook some of the catchiest songs of the year. Of these, however, I think W.E., Albert Nobbs and Machine Gun Preacher stands the least chance while the Help could possibly win. I have no real gauge on this either. It was a poorly chosen year. I'll let you decide.
And the television nominations:
Best Comedy TV Series:
Enlightened
Episodes
Glee
Modern Family
New Girl
Should: New Girl
Will: Modern Family
Comments: And now... the Foreign Press Association has proven just how wrong they are in their nominations. Glee has proven to be declining in quality, Enlightened hasn't really gotten any traction, Episodes came and went. I don't even think New Girl was that great to deserve a spot on this list. Of these, I am almost sure Modern Family will win because it seems to be the most loved comedy on most people's list. I'll just let you have it.
Best Actor, TV Comedy Series:
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
David Duchovny, Californiacation
Johnny Galecki, Big Bang Theory
Thomas Jane, Hung
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Should: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Will: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Comments: Of all the actors on the Big Bang Theory, you nominate Johnny Galecki? That is a stretch. Most of these other actors aren't that great either. It's almost like you intentionally wanted Alec Baldwin to win by making the competition pointless. Bravo.
Best Actress, TV Comedy Series:
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Zooey Deschanel, The New Girl
Should: Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Will: Tina Fey 30 Rock
Comments: This is a little better in terms of nominees. I don't see Amy Poehler beating out Tina Fey, but that's mostly because of favoritism. I think that Poehler's performance has surpassed Fey, though I am not too offended if Fey won. The others seem like long stretches, notably Zooey Deschannel (though her (500) Days of Summer nomination may benefit here) and Laura Dern, whose young show hasn't really captivated audiences the way the other shows on here have. I cannot see any of these names beating Fey.
Best Drama TV Series:
American Horror Story
Boardwalk Empire
Boss
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Should: Game of Thrones
Will: Boardwalk Empire
Comments: I have no idea about drama if I had to be honest. I am sore that they didn't include a fantastic season of Breaking Bad, but of these choices, I think that Boardwalk Empire has the most clout. I think it stands a good chance of being upset by Game of Thrones, which has proven to be the breakout success of the year. I've heard great things about Homeland, though I think it's too young and unnoticed to have a surprise win. American Horror Story is the least likely to win. Not only is it on FX (a network not known for winning), but it has also had the most problematic reviews of any show on this list.
Best Actor, TV Drama Series:
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Kelsey Grammer, Boss
Jeremy Irons, The Borgias
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Should: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Will: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Comments: I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I believe that Bryan Cranston was really good and deserves it. I am not putting any of these others down, but none of these shows have captured me like Breaking Bad. Maybe Boardwalk Empire with Steve Buscemi, but I haven't seen it in awhile. The other shows may be good, but it's no Breaking Bad.
Best Actress, TV Drama Series:
Claire Danes, Homeland
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Madeleine Stowe, Revenge
Callie Thorne, Necessary Roughness
Should: Claire Danes, Homeland
Will: Claire Danes, Homeland
Comments: Again, I know nothing about these shows. I just believe that Claire Danes stands a chance because of her previous nominations in the TV category in the past few years. Also, it's competition isn't that strong. The Killing has proven to be a problematic show, which may play into voting. Revenge doesn't look that promising. Of these, the Good Wife may stand a chance, though not by too much to create an upset.
Best Television Series – Miniseries/Movie:
Cinema Verite
Downtown Abbey
The Hour
Mildred Pierce
Too Big to Fail
Should: Mildred Pierce
Will: Mildred Pierce
Comments: I didn't watch all of these miniseries, though if I had to go based on star power, I have to go with the only one I did see: Mildred Pierce. It was very captivating and with Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood (who was also in the Ides of March), they already have the power behind other nominations to make this seem like a front runner. It's one of the most talked about among these and I have trouble seeing any of these other names making an upset.
Best Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television:
Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey
Idris Elba, Luther
William Hurt, Too Big to Fail
Bill Nighy, Page Eight
Dominic West, The Hour
Should: Bill Nighy, Page Eight
Will: Bill Nighy, Page Eight
Comment: I will throw my hands up and say I don't know enough about any of these. I'm just going with Bill Nighy because I've heard good things about his performance.
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
Guy Pearce, Mildred Piece
Tim Robbins, Cineme Verite
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Should: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Will: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Comments: While I haven't seen an episode, Game of Thrones has received such acclaim, and Peter Dinklage won the same award at the Emmys earlier this year. I didn't find Guy Pearce's performance to be noteworthy, and I think that while Paul Giamatti is a big name, Too Big to Fail hasn't received enough buzz to win. Also, Modern Family seems to be the only comedy among these, meaning that it stands the least chance of winning.
Best Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television:
Romola Garai, The Hour
Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
Elizabeth McGovern, Downtown Abbey
Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Should: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Will: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Comments: I enjoyed Mildred Pierce largely because of Kate Winslet. I sadly cannot give a better assessment of the competition, though.
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-series or TV Movie:
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Maggie Smith, Downtown Abby
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce
Should: Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce
Will: Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce
Comments: I don't know exactly why, but I just liked her character. It was very rebellious and well portrayed. I felt Mildred Pierce mostly worked because of Evan Rachel Wood, though there's a good chance any of these can win. I least see Sofia Vergara winning, if notably because she was the least appealing character in the one episode I saw of that show.
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