2011 Golden Globe Predictions, One Week Ahead of the January 16th Awards Show

Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical

In the category Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical, the nominees are: "Alice in Wonderland," "Burlesque," "The Kids Are All Right," "Red," and "The Tourist." To paraphrase a former president of the United States, "Let me just say this about that!"
There is only one possible winner in this horrible group of nominees. That would be "The Kids Are All Right," a film about a lesbian couple and their children that featured Oscar-caliber work from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore. None of the others should have been nominated at all. If "The Kids Are All Right" doesn't win in this category, it will simply consolidate the opinion(s) of many who decry the professionalism of the Golden Globes.

Best Motion Picture, Drama

One area where the nominations seem right on, however, is in the category Motion Picture, Drama, where "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The King's Speech," and "The Social Network" will be duking it out. I've seen them all. I have no idea which one has the Big Mo (mentum), but each is worthy. I admit I liked "Black Swan" a great deal, but I was similarly impressed with "The Social Network" and surely the hardest directing job must have been Christopher Nolan's work on "Inception," a film so complicated that I get a headache just thinking about it.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

This category brings me to a notable omission: Best Actor nominees in a Motion Picture, Drama are Jesse Eisenberg for "The Social Network," Colin Firth for "The King's Speech," James Franco for "127 Hours," Ryan Gosling for "Blue Valentine," and Mark Wahlberg for "The Fighter." The big miscarriage of justice here is the omission of Leonardo DeCaprio for "Inception" and, possibly, Jeff Bridges for "True Grit." (The entire movie "True Grit" seems to have slipped off the radar.) Of those nominated, Colin Firth did a great job with a difficult role, but Jesse Eisenberg was also quite good, as well. Haven't seen "Blue Valentine," yet. Did not like "127 Hours;' didn't care for James Franco's role in it that much, although it would be hard to be the only one onscreen for nearly the entire movie. Mark Wahlberg surrounded himself with outstanding actors (3 should be nominated for Oscars), but his performance, for me, doesn't belong in this category. DeCaprio got robbed.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama

In this category, Natalie Portman should win for "Black Swan." Yes, Jennifer Lawrence was good in "Winter's Bone," a homespun film with weaker production values, and Nicole Kidman was outstanding in "Rabbit Hole," (other nominees are Michelle Williams for "Blue Valentine" and Halle Berry for "Frankie & Alice"), but Natalie should win, hands or wings down.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy

Jake Gyllenhaal was good in "Love and Other Drugs." Have not yet seen Kevin Spacey in "Casino Jack." Have heard nothing good about the 2 nominated performances by Johnny Depp ("Alice in Wonderland," and "The Tourist") and, therefore, have avoided same. It should be noted that having to compete against yourself often cancels out your chances of winning. Other nominee is Paul Giametti in "Barney's Version," which very few have seen or ever will see.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy

Again, you have 2 actresses from the same film ("The Kids Are All Right," with Julianne Moore and Annette Bening) competing against one another. After that, you are presented with a choice between the brittle Anne Hathaway in "Love and Other Drugs," the beautiful Angelina Jolie in "The Tourist," and Emma Stone in "Easy A." I'll go with Hathaway out of that group, because of the cancellation effect of 2 nominees from the same film. It's also interesting that Hathaway and Franco have been asked to host the Oscars, leading me to believe that Hollywood knows something we in the middle of the country have not yet been let in on.

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Christian Bale in "The Fighter;" Michael Douglas in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps;" Andrew Garfield in "The Social Network;" Jeremy Renner in "The Town," and Geoffrey Rush in "The King's Speech" are nominated. Christian Bale is nothing less than amazing in his role as Mark Wahlberg's washed-up drug-addicted boxing brother. If he doesn't win, Andrew Garfield also had a very good year -- not so much for "The Social Network," but as Tommy in "Never Let Me Go." I could live with his win, or with the sympathy vote that the cancer-stricken Michael Douglas might get. Renner and Rush were good, but Christian Bale transformed himself in to Dicky, losing major weight once again and studying the real-life fighter's mannerisms. A tour de force performance from Christian Bale is the result.

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Amy Adams and Melissa Leo for "The Fighter" are apt to cancel each other out. Both are great. Helena Bonham Carter in "The King's Speech" doesn't really have that much to do. Jacki Weaver in "Animal Kingdom." (Say what?) I'm going with Mila Kunis in "The Black Swan." Terrific performance as the second diva ballerina. Would also happily watch either Amy Adams or Melissa Leo (remember her in "Frozen River?") take the award.

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture

It's hard to beat Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network"). Other nominees are "127 Hours," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," and "Inception."

Best Animated Feature Film

How can this go to any film other than "Toy Story 3," the blockbuster film of the year? (Other nominees are "Despicable Me," "How to Train Your Dragon," The Illusionist; and "Tangled."

Best Foreign Language Film
"Blutiful" with Javier Bardem.

Best Original Song, Motion Picture

I've avoided "Burlesque," but will have to check it out for the songs, apparently, before Oscar night. Other nominees are Gwynneth Paltrow's "Coming Home" from "Country Strong," "I See the Light" from "Tangled," and "There A Place for Us" from the Narnia movie. No picks from me. Haven't heard any of them.

Best Original Score, Motion Picture

I liked Alexandre Despiot's "The King's Speech." Hans Zimmer ("Inception") is always good, however. The other nominees are Danny Elfman for "Alice in Wonderland," "A.R. Rahmun for "127 Hours," and Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross for "The Social Network." If a "Social Network" sweep starts, we may see the 9-inch nails frontman take home a Golden Globe.

Best Television Series, Drama

One comment here: Is it really fair to ask a mainstream network television show, like "The Good Wife" to compete on equal footing with HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" or Showtime's "Dexter?" The other nominees are "The Walking Dead" and "Mad Men." I think it is time for "Dexter" and Michael C. Hall to get their due." Mad Men" has had its share, "The Walking Dead" is too new and "Boardwalk Empire," while expensive-looking, has yet to make us truly care about its characters.

Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical

"Modern Family." The other nominees are excellent, as well, and include "30 Rock," "The Big Bang Theory," "The Big C," "Glee," and "Nurse Jackie." *I don't really understand how "Nurse Jackie" even makes it into the "Comedy or Musical" category, to be honest.)

Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama

Again, as I just mentioned, it is time for Michael C. Hall to win for "Dexter." He's had a rough year, his marriage is on the rocks, and he's been battling cancer. [Give the guy a break![ Michael C. Hall delivers on every episode. Jon Hamm ("Mad Men"), Hugh Laurie ("House") and Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") have had their moments in the sun and Steve Buscemi, who is always good in everything, is still not quite able to overcome the "meh" feeling I have towards most of the cast of the Scorsese-influenced "Boardwalk Empire." [Let's put it this way: "The Sopranos" it's not.] There are so few of the cast that we really care about, including Buscemi, if it comes to that. Only Kelly McDonald has reached our hearts in this one, so far. Most of the rest seem like cold-blooded psychopaths....because they are. And even though Tony Soprano seemed psychotic when he was working, he was a family man, at heart.

Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama

Nominees are Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife;" Elisabeth Moss for "Mad Men;" Piper Perabo for "Covert Affairs;" Katey Segal for "Sons of Anarchy;" and Kyra Sedgwick for "The Closer." For my money, Julianna Margulies deserves to win, especially when you consider that she has to act on "regular" network television, which is limiting.

Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy or Drama

Nominees are Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock;" "Steve Carell for "The Office;" Thomas Jane for "Hung;" Matthew Morrison for "Glee" and Jim Parsons for "The Big Bang Theory." Baldwin and Parsons have won. Thomas Jane? No. Likewise a no for Matthew Morrison. I'd like to see Steve Carrell win for "The Office," since he's off the show after this season.

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture made for TV:

Nominees are Hope Davis for "Special Relationship";" Jane Lynch for "Glee;" Kelly McDonald for "Boardwalk Empire;" Julia Stiles for "Dexter;" or Sofia Vergara for "Modern Family." In what universe is a comic bombshell role like Sofia Vergara's Gloria up against Julia Stiles' victimized vengeful killer? Weird. I'll hope for a "Dexter" sweep, but live with it if one of the others wins.

Best Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture made for Television:

Scott Caan for "Hawaii 5-0;" Chris Noth for "The Good Wife;" David Straithorn for "Temple Grandin;" Eric Stonestreet for "Modern Family;" and Chris Colfer for "Glee." Stonestreet won last year. I could see a win for Stonestreet again this year.

Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical:

Toni Collette for "The United States of Tara;" Edie Falco for "Nurse Jackie;" Tina Fey for "30 Rock;" Laura Linney for "The Big C;" and Lea Michelle for "Glee." I vote for Edie Falco of "Nurse Jackie," but I have a lot of admiration for Laura Linney in "The Big C." I've been amazed that "The United States of Tara's" Toni Collette has won this award more than once. I could live with Laura Linney for "The Big C," Tina Fey for "30 Rock" or Edie Falco of "Nurse Jackie," but, as good as Toni Collette always is, please pass the award on to some other deserving actresses.

Of the remaining categories, all seemed like they were "old" and should have been honored last year. Case in point: "Temple Grandin" and "You Don't Know Jack," the Al Pacino-starring film about Dr. Jack Kevorkian. There are 3 remaining categories, which are "Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV;" "Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV;" and "Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV."

Most of the entries in these categories were all "up" for awards for these films before and don't seem as though they should be eligible this year. Perhaps I've not been paying enough attention. I vividly recall the real Temple Grandin standing up in the audience to take a bow and acknowledge the film made about her life. It apparently wasn't the Golden Globes, which leads me to believe it must have been the Oscars. Likewise, I remember Al Pacino's great performance (and win) as Dr. Jack Kevorkian, with Susan Sarandon co-starring, so why is this in here this year?

I've not consulted any "experts" and I've missed a few of the films (most notably "Blue Valentine" and---by choice--- "The Tourist" and "Burlesque,") but these are observations based on trying to see each and every film before Oscar-time in the valley.

I'm getting closer to "Mission Accomplished" on that, so stay tuned for Oscar predictions as February 27th gets closer.