Awards Season Marches on with The Golden Globes

Well, awards season marches on as The Golden Globes were announced this morning! the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gave the lion share of the nominations to 'Lincoln', 'Argo' and 'Django Unchained' and there were a few surprises and snubs as well! Here is the complete run down with a few of my own thoughts and don't forget to click the titles to see trailers:

BEST PICTURE: DRAMA

• "Argo"
• "Django Unchained"
• "Life of Pi"
• "Lincoln"
• "Zero Dark Thirty"

The Hollywood Foreign Press has always loved a good Quentin Tarantino film, but with Steven Spielberg in the mix, I think he may have an uphill battle!

BEST PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"
• "Les Miserables"
• "Moonrise Kingdom"
• "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen"
• "Silver Linings Playbook" 

I've always wondered about how The Hollywood Foreign Press categorizes. I understand most of these, but I was very surprised that "Silver Linings Playbook", clearly a drama, ended up here. Even more surprising, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen", which I loved, but is also a drama. "Moonrise Kingdom was a very pleasant surprise for this wonderful movie!

BEST DIRECTOR

• Ben Affleck, "Argo"
• Kathryn Bigelow, "Zero Dark Thirty"
• Ang Lee, "Life of Pi
• Steven Spielberg, "Lincoln"
• Quentin Tarantino, "Django Unchained"

While I really like how Affleck has matured as a Director, I think the Foreign Press is either going with Kathryn Bigelow or Steven Spielberg this year. If Affleck continues his quality streak, he will be awarded soon enough!

BEST ACTOR: DRAMA

• Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln"
• Richard Gere, "Arbitrage"
• John Hawkes, "The Sessions"
• Joaquin Phoenix, "The Master"
• Denzel Washington, "Flight" 

A couple of surprises here, notably the snub of Anthony Hopkins for "Hitchcock", he practically transformed himself into the master director! I was also surprised that Richard Gere gained a nomination for the mostly direct to DVD "Arbitrage"; while his performance was good as usual, it wasn't what I thought to be award worthy.

BEST ACTRESS: DRAMA

• Jessica Chastain, "Zero Dark Thirty"
• Marion Cotillard, "Rust & Bone"
• Helen Mirren, "Hitchcock"
• Naomi Watts, "The Impossible"
• Rachel Weisz, "The Deep Blue Sea"

A nice group of choices here - all great performances. I think Helen Mirren will take home the Globe though; she is an old school favorite and they will want to give 'Hitchcock' something!

BEST ACTRESS: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Emily Blunt, "Salmon Fishing In The Yemen"
• Judi Dench, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"
• Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook"
• Maggie Smith, "Quartet"
• Meryl Streep, "Hope Springs"

Another very fine group of actresses all will great performances; but it will be the great Dame Judi Dench who will take home the prize. Watch for Meryl Streep to be the dark horse here.

BEST ACTOR: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Jack Black, "Bernie"
• Bradley Cooper, "Silver Linings Playbook"
• Hugh Jackman, "Les Miserables"
• Ewan McGregor, "Salmon Fishing In The Yemen"
• Bill Murray, "Hyde Park On Hudson"

A couple of surprises here, mostly Jack Black! While his performance was career making, I didn't think anyone actually saw "Bernie"! Ultimately though, he will be overshadowed by Bradley Cooper and finally Hugh Jackman who will take home the Globe.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Amy Adams, "The Master"
• Sally Field, "Lincoln"
• Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables"
• Helen Hunt, "The Sessions"
• Nicole Kidman, "The Paperboy"

A wonderful group of actresses here, all with stunning performances. This is going to be a really tough one to call; but I think for her sheer bravery, Helen Hunt should walk away with the Globe.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Alan Arkin, "Argo"
• Leonardo DiCaprio, "Django Unchained"
• Philip Seymour Hoffman, "The Master"
• Tommy Lee Jones, "Lincoln"
• Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained"

Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio will split the vote here; so I am pulling for Alan Arkin and his terrific performance in "Argo". Ultimately, I think Tommy Lee Jones will get the nod though for "Lincoln".

Many see The Golden Globes as a good indicator for the Academy Awards; so consider this a preview! I think I will be running my Outguess Bob contest again this year - so if you haven't seen any of these excellent films, run out to Redbox or your local theater soon!!