This year’s delayed Golden Globes happens February 28th (Monday morning Manila time); so let’s do a fearless predictions rundown. And see on March 1, how many I got right.
The Golden Globes Awards is the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, so for decades now, it’s been noted that the GG do not in fact share many of the ‘values’ that the different professional guilds possess as members of the Academy that puts out the Oscars. It’s often said that the GG have more of a wild card element; but I think that really belies the fact that the GG nominations cover both Film & Television. It also helps that the GG separates the Drama from the Musical or Comedy - making it easier to ‘share the wealth’. Of course, in this year when cinemas are closed or limited, and the streaming services lorded it in terms of putting out quality product, all bets are off.
What is interesting to note is the strong element of diversity in the nominations that were announced February 3rd. So let’s go category by category and make some crystal ball-gazing. I’ll break them down into who I think will win, and who I think should win!
Best Motion Picture - Drama: Hollywood loves navel-gazing, and the correspondents of the HFPA are no exception, so I expect Mank (Netflix) to emerge the victor here. If they’re in a strong ‘indie’ mood, Nomadland (Searchlight) may come in for the steal.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: I’m rooting for Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and the deserving Carey Mulligan in Promising Young Woman; but I think Frances McDormand for Nomadland gets the win thanks to being an old favorite, and pretty much carrying this film on her own.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: I loved Riz Ahmed in Sound of Metal, and the old guards, Gary Oldman (Mank) and Anthony Hopkins (The Father) were terrific; but I’m calling Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey) for this one. It’s a posthumous award and he was truly riveting in the film, showing a range I’m sure Black Panther fans didn’t even know he possessed.
Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: This will be a toss-up between Hamilton (Disney) & Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon Studios); and I see Borat taking the prize as the HFPA members try to show they’re hip & current.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Here’s a category where I think they were stretching to find suitable nominees. Rosamund Pike for I Care A Lot deserves this, but she’s such a wild card, I think they’ll vote for ingenue Maria Bakalova of Borat SM on the strength of more people would have watched the Borat film.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen for Borat SM takes this home; but I loved Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield, and Andy Samberg in Palm Springs.
Best Motion Picture - Animated: Soul (Pixar/Disney) was great, and should win this hands down. I like that they recognized Over the Moon (Netflix/Pearl), which was set in modern China.
Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language: Another Round from Denmark (titled Drunk in Europe) for the win. Mads Mikkelsen was great here.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture: I think the HFPA will try to go young here and choose Amanda Seyfried (Mank) over Olivia Colman (The Father). But honestly, I wish they’d go truly young, and give this to 12-year old Helena Zengel (News of the World) for this German actress’ captivating performance in a first major film outing, acting alongside Tom Hanks.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture: If they vote sentimental, Bill Murray gets this for On the Rocks; but the strongest performance would be Daniel Kaluuya in Judas and the Black Messiah.
Best Director - Motion Picture: Look to David Fincher for Mank; but I love how Regina King for her directorial debut, One Night in Miami, made the cut!
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Jack Fincher (yes, David’s late father) for Mank.
Best Original Score - Motion Picture: I love how Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are cited for two films in this category; but I think they’ll get the win and have to share with Jon Baptiste for Soul.
Best Original Song - Motion Picture: Don’t see a strong favorite here, but I think Andra Day channeling Billie Holiday with the song Tigress & Tweed from The United States vs. Billie Holiday takes home the statuette.
Best Television Series - Drama: The Mandalorian is the most watched in the bunch, and I liked Lovecraft Country, but I see this going to The Crown.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series: Olivia Colman for The Crown, but she’s actually delivered stronger performances in other films and series.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: A toss-up between Bob Odenkirk for Better Call Saul and Jason Bateman for Ozark.
Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Schitt’s Creek for the belated win, but The Great if anyone steals.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Again, Catherine O’Hara of Schitt’s Creek for a deserved win, Elle Fanning of The Great for the steal.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Ramy Youssef in Ramy for the win, Nicholas Hoult in The Great for the steal.
Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: The Queen’s Gambit to win, Small Axe to steal.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, etc: I can’t decide between Anya Taylor-Joy in The Queen’s Gambit and Cate Blanchett in Mrs. America; but will predict it goes to Anya.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, etc: Calling this for Mark Ruffalo in I Know This Much Is True. Acting of a different order!
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role: Give this to Helena Bonham Carter in The Crown.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role: I like John Boyega in Small Axe here, but this will probably go to Daniel Levy for Schitt’s Creek.
So that’s it, my predictions. Let’s watch the bi-coastal show on the 28th with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting the Awards, for the fourth time. Jane Fonda and Norman Lear will be receiving special awards. I’ll be watching with my scorecard and seeing what my success ratio is like.