And The Golden Globe Goes To…

It’s the start of Award Season, a fact that makes this writer very, very happy. Because I am an award show junkie. Though the Oscars are my drug of choice, the Golden Globes will do in a pinch. I’d like to go over the nominees in the major categories – who deserves it, who doesn’t, and who was snubbed. In addition, I’ll make a few predictions. After Sunday night, when the Golden Globes air on NBC, we’ll see if I know anything at all. I’m guessing not.

FILM NOMINATIONS

BEST MOTION PICTURE (DRAMA) – Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, and Up in the Air.

MY PICK – Up in the Air

MY PREDICTION – The Hurt Locker

Who Deserves It?

The Hurt Locker

Inglorious Basterds

Up in the Air

Who Doesn’t?

Avatar – This is a beautiful piece of art direction, animation, and cinematography, as well as an outstanding achievement in every other imaginable technical arena. Is it a wonderful film? As in, I thought about it for days afterward, it made me think about life or relationships in a new way, or moved me? No. Pure James Cameron booty kissing.

Precious – Let me start by saying that I believe this film needed to be made. That it has a message, and that message will hopefully reach the people who need to hear it. There was a lot of good about it. I don’t think it’s one of the top five films of the year.

Who got snubbed?

Invictus – A powerful film with a lauded cast, I’m sure more than a few people expected to see it listed in this category.

A Single Man – One of those smaller films that builds an audience as it picks up steam, this quiet project has real emotion behind it. And an amazing story.

Brothers – Featuring arguably three of the most talented, sought after stars of young Hollywood, this film deserves more accolades than it is getting. Their performances are tight, the writing gritty, and the entire film takes you to places you aren’t sure you want to go, but are glad you did.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS (MOTION PICTURE DRAMA) – Emily Blunt, Sandra Bullock, Helen Mirren, Carey Mulligan, and Gabourey Sidibe.

MY PICK – Emily Blunt

MY PREDICTION – Gabourey Sidibe

Who deserves it?

You are not going to get an argument from me on one of these ladies, no you are not. I will say, Helen Mirren appears to have a standing nomination. Emily Blunt has shown consistent talent and extreme care with choosing her scripts. Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe are exciting newcomers. Who doesn’t love Sandra Bullock, seriously?

Who got snubbed?

Natalie Portman – I’m surprised by her lack of nomination, she’s been a darling of the Hollywood types since childhood. Her performance in Brothers is breathtaking.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR (MOTION PICTURE DRAMA) – Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, and Tobey Maguire.

MY PICK – Tobey Maguire

MY PREDICTION – Morgan Freeman

Who deserves it?

George Clooney – The man has shown himself to be an actor capable of wearing many faces. He’s never been widely recognized as someone who is a credible actor, and not just a movie star. It’s about time. Up in the Air is a beautiful film.

Colin Firth – Another who has enjoyed success in many types of roles. His work in this film, as well as the film itself, deserves this validation.

Tobey Maguire – This kid can act. From losing the weight for his character in Brothers, to portraying such a tortured, injured, person…his performance took my breath away.

Who doesn’t?

I’m not going that far. It’s not that Morgan Freeman and Jeff Bridges don’t deserve it. I just felt kind of ‘meh’ about these choices.

Who got snubbed?

No one sticks out in my mind. I was surprised at no acting nods for the cast of Inglourious Basterds or The Hurt Locker.

BEST MOTION PICTURE (COMEDY OR MUSICAL) – (500) Days of Summer, The Hangover, It’s Complicated, Julie & Julia, and Nine. (aside: This category is both my favorite and least favorite aspect of the Golden Globes.)

MY PICK – (500) Days of Summer

MY PREDICTION – Nine

Who deserves it?

(500) Days of Summer – This might actually be my favorite film of the year, and I hate that it is relegated to the “Comedy or Musical” category. Strong writing, strong performances, and a story that feels so real it’s like you could step inside it.

Nine – In what’s starting to become a grand tradition of musicals on screen, this one lives up to the precedents set by Chicago, et al. I hope whoever finally produces Wicked does it with such grace and pizazz.

Who doesn’t deserve it?

The Hangover – Was it so funny I nearly peed my pants? Yes, indeedy. Was it in any way, shape, or form great filmmaking? Um, no. Loved it. Not award worthy.

It’s Complicated – Again, some laugh out loud funny moments. Decent acting, with the exception of Alec Baldwin. In my review, though, I recommended you wait for video. Anything that earns such a mediocre reaction doesn’t belong on the Golden Globe nominee list.

Julie&Julia – Boring. Cute but not terribly funny. I hate to say it, because I am a complete Amy Adams fangirl. But no.

Who got snubbed?

The Proposal – I thought the writing was wittier than any of the three listed above, and it featured standout performances. Nice, albeit predictable, story.

Sherlock Holmes – If (500) Days of Summer is a comedy, then I’d venture to put Holmes in the same category. And give it a nod. Great fun for all. (details on my opinion)

He’s Just Not That Into You – My third favorite comedy of the year. Nice ensemble cast, great adaptation from the book, and situations that make you go – hey, I know her!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS (COMEDY/MUSICAL) – Sandra Bullock, Marion Cotillard, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Meryl Streep.

MY PICK – Marion Cotillard

MY PREDICTION – Marion Cotillard

Who deserves it?

Sandra Bullock – In my opinion, she’s one of the best comedic talents in Hollywood. She can make characters real, make you feel for them, and still be funny. With the notable exception of All About Steve, which made me want to poke my eyes out with a pencil. And it made my brain hurt from trying to figure out why, exactly, it was supposed to be funny. But I digress. Sandra Bullock=very funny lady.

Marion Cotillard – Amazing in Nine. Amazing in just about everything she does, adored by Hollywood every time she shows her face onscreen. A shoo in, IMO.

Meryl Streep – Why, you ask? Because she’s Meryl Streep. Enough said. She’s wonderful, cannot step one toe in the wrong direction.

Who doesn’t deserve it?

Julia Roberts – Token nomination. Duplicity wasn’t funny. I fell asleep. I cannot honestly tell you the last time I fell asleep in a movie. I love movies. Duh.

Who got snubbed?

Zooey Deschanel – I have a strong, personal liking for this girl. Her performances are authentic and charming. I would have liked to have seen her get a nomination for her work in (500) Days of Summer.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR (COMEDY/MUSICAL) – Matt Damon, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert Downey Junior, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Stuhlbarg

MY PICK – Joseph Gordon-Levitt

MY PREDICTION – Robert Downey Jr.

Who deserves it?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say they all do. Mostly because Gordon-Levitt is my clear favorite, and I didn’t see Damon or Stuhlbarg’s performances. Downey Jr was a funny Holmes, and I predict he will win. It will probably be the token award for the film.

Who got snubbed?

Ryan Reynolds – Maybe I’m being silly, or maybe I’m wooed by his gorgeousness. Either way, I’m going to suggest Reynolds could have been nominated for The Proposal. His timing was as spot on as Bullock’s, he got just as many laughs (if not more), and contributed a great deal to the onscreen chemistry. I think he will need to take on heavier roles to garner notice on the award circuit, however.

BEST DIRECTOR – Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Clint Eastwood (Invictus), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), and Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds)

MY PICK – Clint Eastwood

MY PREDICTION – James Cameron

TELEVISION NOMINATIONS (I am not going to list who deserves and doesn’t for television. There are simply too many talented people and shows to choose from.)

BEST TELEVISION SERIES (DRAMA) – Big Love, Dexter, House, Mad Men, True Blood

MY PICK – Dexter

MY PREDICTION – Mad Men

Who deserves it?

They all do. There are too many television dramas to name them all. There are some that I enjoy more than these, but there are a whole lot I enjoy less. Good choices. They are all great shows.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS (TV DRAMA) – Glenn Close, January Jones, Julianna Margulies, Anna Paquin, and Kyra Sedgwick

MY PICK – Glenn Close

MY PREDICTION – Glenn Close

Who got snubbed?

All of these nominations are from non-network shows. Which are watched less than those on the major networks. I would like to see some credit given to the characters people have grown to love on Grey’s Anatomy, Bones, etc.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR (TV DRAMA) – Simon Baker, Michael C. Hall, Jon Hamm, Hugh Laurie, and Bill Paxton.

MY PICK – Hugh Laurie

MY PREDICTION – Hugh Laurie

BEST TELEVISION SERIES (COMEDY OR MUSICAL) – 30 Rock, Entourage, GLEE, Modern Family, and The Office.

MY PICK – GLEE

MY PREDICTION – 30 Rock (I wanna say GLEE, I wanna say GLEE).

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS (TV COMEDY/MUSICAL) – Toni Collette, Courtney Cox, Edie Falco, Tina Fey, Lea Michele

MY PICK – Tina Fey. I really want to say Lea Michele, but in with this talent, I just can’t.

MY PREDICTION – Tina Fey

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR (TV COMEDY/MUSICAL) – Alec Baldwin, Steve Carell, David Duchovny, Thomas Jane, and Matthew Morrison.

MY PICK – Steve Carell

MY PREDICTION – David Duchovny

Who got snubbed?

I feel weird saying this, but Al Bundy. Er, I mean, Ed O’Neill. Modern Family is great, and he spearheads the effort with confidence. It’s nominated in the Series category, and I feel like he was overlooked.

Whew. So that’s it. It is longer than I meant it to be. Hope some of my predictions (and maybe some of my wishes!) come true on Sunday. Let me know if you agree, or come by after to gloat about how wrong I was! Happy Award Season!

The Golden Globe Awards show airs this Sunday, January 17, at 8pm EST/5pm PST on NBC.

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Photographs courtesy of IMDbPro.