The Hollywood Foreign Press, the association that hands out the Golden Globes, is a strange kettle of fish. It consists of a bunch of non-American film journalists who, presumably, report about Hollywood in their home countries. You never hear a peep about them, except that one time of the year, when the Globes are handed out, as it’s the 3rd most watched TV event, after the Oscars and the Superbowl.
The Globes have a strange distinction as well in their nominations. They separate Best Picture and Best Actor/Actress into two categories: Best Drama and Best Musical/Comedy. That often leads to some wacky nominations in the latter category, and this year is certainly no exception. In fact, as you’ll see, we had an extremely hard time picking winners in Musical/Comedy this year.
Without further ado, here’s who should win and who will win, complete with full interactivity — click on titles or people to learn more about them.
Best Motion Picture, Drama
The Social Network
Lars: Will win: The Social Network. Should win: The Social Network.
It’s an unusually strong line up this year and presumably these same 5 movies will be the Oscar front-runners. If The King’s Speech had some of Harvey Weinstein’s marketing genius behind it, it would have been a strong contender. The public vote would make The Fighter, last year’s surprise hit a winner. The Black Swan and Inception, while both great movies, are probably outliers in this competition. It’s Fincher’s year and I predict a sweep for The Social Network across a number of categories.
Adam: Will win: The Social Network. Should win: The Social Network.
Wow. What a difference a year makes. I remember last year’s oscars - ten best picture nominees and I didn’t think five of the group were worthy. This year, I think we have five great films up for the big prize at the golden globes. In my opinion “Inception” trails the field, ironic, since it’s the one I most looked forward to in 2010. And though Swan, Fighter and King’s Speech are brilliant films, they each have an element that make them a bit tough to watch. Social Network, though traveling over delicate ground is incredibly watchable, and several people, me included have watched it more than once. It’s also the most accessible film, to the tune of say…600 million people?
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Lars: Will win: No idea. Should win: Probably The Kids Are All Right.
Two of these movies were universally panned (Burlesque, The Tourist), one was received with a ‘meh’ (Red) one I hated with a passion (Alice – find my review on this blog if you want to know why), one was pretty well received (The Kids). So my money is on the latter. But this category is ridiculous this year.
Given that I haven’t seen even half the movies that actors and actresses are nominated for in Musical/Comedy (has ANYONE seen Barney’s version and Casino Jack???), I’m not going to attempt even a guess. But I look forward to seeing Emma Stone in a slinky dress…
Adam: Will win: The Kids Are All Right. Should win: None of them.
I should really abstain form this category, simply because I haven’t seen all of the films. But since I have a bone to pick with the nominees, I’ll say my piece and move on. First, figure out what this is about and stick to it. Is this about stroking star ego? Then nominate Knight and Day for Cruise and Diaz. That movie was bad, but it had star power. Going for quality movies? Then put Toy Story 3 here too. It deserves it, animated or not. And figure out what a comedy and a drama is. The Kids are All Right was an good film. But it’s not a comedy. I don’t even think of it as a Dramedy. It’s a drama, really no funnier than The King’s Speech and most likely less funny than The Social Network. Figure it out, or better yet, dump the category, even if that means having 7 nominees for best picture.
Best Director - Motion Picture
David FincherThe Social Network
Lars: Will win: David Fincher. Should win: David Fincher.
For once it seems like none of the Best Pictures directed themselves as all the directors are also shortlisted. Again, tricky line up and any one of them could walk away with this and you’d be able to argue the case. But I think Fincher is the man to win.
Adam: Will win: David Fincher. Should win: All of them.
I think all five of these guys did completely different, yet exceptional jobs. Like the best picture category, I think Christopher Nolan is the least likely to win here, simply because the subject matter is a little more popcorn and fluffy (right or wrong). That leaves Hooper, Russell and Aronofsky who brought out great performances from their entire casts, and David Fincher, who did the same, in a topical, commercial, big movie. I think those reasons, and to reward a still relatively young, but impressive career is what will give Fincher the award. And richly deserved.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Jesse EisenbergThe Social Network
Lars: Will win: Jesse Eisenberg. Should win: Colin Firth.
If my predicted sweep for The Social Network holds, then Eisenberg will take home this one. However, it was Firth who gave us this year’s most compelling performance as Bertie, also knows as King George the 6th, in The King’s Speech. Doing a stutterer and a fairly stuffy one at that and still keeping the viewers riveted takes a special kind of acting. Watching him and Geoffrey Rush spar is pure acting nirvana. Firth deserves this one.
Adam: Will win: James Franco. Should win: Colin Firth.
I loved most of these of performances, though I thought Wahlberg was playing himself more than the character. Eisenberg gave a great turn as Mark Zuckerburg, but Mark himself is a bit reserved; that may have made Jesse’s work easier. Franco did so much with so little as the trapped hiker forced to make a horrible decision yet keep his wits about him. And though I thought Firth’s performance as the stuttering heir to the throne was flawless in a movie I thoroughly enjoyed, Franco carried his entire movie; I’m fine with him winning this one.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Jennifer LawrenceWinter’s Bone
Michelle WilliamsBlue Valentine
Lars: Will win: Natalie Portman. Should win: Natalie Portman.
I always knew that Natalie Portman could act. She showed it in The Professional, when she was but a wee lass of twelve. Then it seemed she decided to coast and focus more on other pursuits with the occasional taste of what we were missing thrown in (see e.g. Closer). In The Black Swan, she puts herself through the ringer to portray a nervous breakdown in all its horror. Plus she learned ballet. Move over, ladies, this is Nat’s award.
Adam: Will win: Natalie Portman. Should win: Natalie Portman.
A great performance, Portman runs the gamut of POVs in “Swan,” from innocent, prudish outsider looking in, to center of attention and discoverer of her own sexuality, from the hunted to the hunter, and she sells them all perfectly. She is surrounded by an outstanding cast who clearly help her up her game. From white swan to black, Portman jumps in with everything she’s got and never looks back.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Michael DouglasWall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Andrew GarfieldThe Social Network
Geoffrey RushThe King’s Speech
Lars: Will win: Christian Bale. Should win: Christian Bale.
I wish Bale didn’t come across as such a douche in real life. It’d be much easier to love him. In his defense, he is electric as the crack head ex-fighter who can’t let go of the glories of the past. However, if Firth wins Best Actor, then Rush could get this. And he’d be a deserving winner too for his bizarre Aussie speech therapist in The King’s Speech.
Adam: Will win: Christian Bale. Should win: Christian Bale.
Those who know me know I think Geoffrey Rush is the best actor of his generation. I now think the same of Christian Bale. I’ve always enjoyed his performances, and this one absolutely blew me away. Another huge weight loss, another accent mastered, another immersion into a character — this time a real life character. And I think that’s what put it over the top for me; as great as he was during the film, as a crack-addicted guy trying to hold onto the distant past and later give up the chip on his shoulder to support and live vicariously through his brother, it’s when the credits rolled — when we get to see some documentary footage of the real Dickie Eklund that I was left speechless. The voice, the mannerisms, everything — Bale nailed it.
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Helena Bonham CarterThe King’s Speech
Lars: Will win: Melissa Leo. Should win: Melissa Leo.
If there’s any justice in this world, Melissa Leo will pick up the Globe for her harrowing portrayal of misunderstood motherly love. She’s fascinating and terrifying in equal measure every time she graces the screen in The Fighter. Only upset I can imagine here is if Portman gets Best Actress and the voters feel that Kunis should be awarded too.
Adam: Will win: Melissa Leo. Should win: Melissa Leo.
This is a tough call for me. I think the performances, with the exception of Wahlberg himself, were outstanding and Bale and Leo blew me away. But so did Mila Kunis. Her ease with which she played her part in Black Swan should set her up for a lifetime of roles. She seduced me along with Natalie Portman, and everyone else that saw that movie. If she’s not on the top of Woody Allen’s list, I’ll eat one of my business cards.
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Lars: Will win: Aaron Sorkin. Should win: Aaron Sorkin.
Sorkin had all the screenwriting gongs this year bagged after the opening scene of The Social Network. 10 minutes of dialogue, written not like how people speak, but how we all wish we spoke.
Adam: Will win: Aaron Sorkin. Should win: Aaron Sorkin.
This is another no brainer. Only Sorkin could write over two hours of material about social media and make it funny, compelling and brilliant. And he’s not even on Facebook.
Best Animated Feature Film
Lars: Toy Story 3. ‘Nuff said.
Adam: What he said.
