Ah, it's officially that time of year: Awards Season. And with the Golden Globes officially slated for the Sunday after next (the 17th), I'm just giddy with making predictions. 'Tis the season to start selecting SAG, DGA, PGA, and WGA awards, until we reach the big kahuna, the Oscars.
So why I am releasing predictions 10 days before the televised event? Well, I don't really care about the Golden Globes, and I care less about who wins. I mean, c'mon, Nine, one of the worst reviewed movies of the year, is up for multiple awards, and Sandra Bullock is up for Best Actress in a Comedy for The Proposal. I hardly take the Globes very seriously (then again, I shouldn't take the Oscars so seriously, but I do). So, why not release my predictions? Here they are, along with my rationale.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Prediction: John Lithgow for Dexter
Why: This is honestly one of the few categories where I have a lot of interest in who wins. Anyone who saw the most recent season of Dexter will agree that Lithgow turned in one of the most chilling and deranged performances as the Trinity killer. Michael Emerson won the Emmy for Lost and is also really good, but I'm really pulling for Lithgow. Dexter has won too few awards at this point and needs some recognition.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Prediction: Jane Lynch - Glee
Why: No idea. But Glee is a really popular show, so I'll just pick it. Other prognosticators know better, but I don't.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Prediction: Brendan Gleeson - Into the Storm
Why: Again, no reason since I haven't seen any of the nominees, but Brendan Gleeson was awesome in In Bruges, Harry Potter, and Six Shooter so he should win.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Prediction: Jessica Lange - Grey Gardens
Why: Grey Gardens has two nominations in this category, and I'll be damned if Drew Barrymore is winning it. Though I haven't seen any noms, so what do I know?
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Prediction: Into the Storm
Why: Brendan Gleeson, woot!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Prediction: Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Why: HE ALWAYS WINS!
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Prediction: Lea Michele - Glee
Why: Because Glee is popular. Plus, she has a great voice (starred in Spring Awakening) and did a really good rendition of Defying Gravity. Though Edie Falco is pretty good bet depending on how popular Nurse Jackie is.
Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Prediction: 30 Rock
Why: While I keep touting Glee as being popular enough to win other categories, I think 30 Rock is the safe bet since it always wins this award. My personal preference show wise is The Office, but 30 Rock had a better 3rd Season then The Office had of a 5th season. So I got to give it to them.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Prediction: Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Why: I've predicted him EVERY time and he loses EVERY time. Theoretically he should win at some point...right?
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Prediction: January Jones - Mad Men
Why: Mad Men will actually probably win all the Drama categories, so I figure I should pencil it in for one of the three. Though watch, it will be the one category Mad Men doesn't win.
Best Television Series - Drama
Prediction: Dexter
Why: Almost as good as Season 1, and with an ending that made my Dad vow not to watch the show again, Season 4 of Dexter is truly a great run for the show, especially those last four episodes. Probably Mad Men, otherwise.
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Prediction: "I See You" - Avatar
Why: Far less annoying and memorable then Celine Dion's tune from Titanic, I honestly don't know any of the songs and could care less which one of them wins.
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Prediction: Karen O and Carter Burwell - Where the Wild Things Are
Why: This score has already been disqualified from the Original Score run at the Oscars, and really is the best of the nominated bunch. James Horner's score is just a retread of everything he's done in the past, though I wouldn't mind Michael Giacchino winning for Up; he is a fantastic and underrated composer. But this should go to Wild Things.
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Prediction: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - Up in the Air
Why: As far as screenplays go, this one is pretty solid. I'll be damned if Nancy Meyers or Neill Blomkamp is going to win this award, though Tarantino is overdue for his unique style. The Hurt Locker is certainly the best movie of the 5, but Up in the Air looks better on page then The Hurt Locker; that's a movie you need to see, you simply can't read it.
Best Director - Motion Picture
Prediction: Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
Why: Well, A, this was the best movie of the bunch, but also B, its time a woman won the award, and Bigelow is certainly deserving of it. This wouldn't be a pity prize, and I am fully behind The Hurt Locker going all the way this year in Awards Season. But after over 100 years of movies and 82 years of Academy Awards, its finally time a woman was honored...and it can all start here.
Best Foreign Language Film
Prediction: The White Ribbon
Why: I haven't seen any of the nominees due to their lack of release currently, but The White Ribbon won the Palme D'or (certainly no indicator of awards potential) and automatically becomes my number one choice until I start seeing some of these movies. FYI, Broken Embraces and The Maid have already been released, I just haven't seen them yet.
Best Animated Feature Film
Prediction: Up
Why: I'm shocked Ponyo, easily the best animated film of the year, is missing from this bunch, and I'm going with Pixar because they are the safe bet. But I smell a Fantastic Mr. Fox upset, which I would be fine with. Pixar has won their fair share, though I still favor Up over Wes Anderson's whimsical tale. Special note should to the fact this is the first time five animated films have been nominated, due to an abundance of the style this year.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Prediction: Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds
Why: Similar to Heath Ledger last year, Waltz picked up Oscar buzz during the film's summer release and has held on strong into awards season. Of course another of the nominees could win due the sheer boredom of handing out Supporting Actor to a villain every time, but Waltz's performance is so chilling that you have to surrender to its sheer awesomeness.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Prediction: Mo'nique - Precious
Why: The performance is great, though it is award-bait as well. But she is going to be the powerhouse to be reckoned with this season, unless one of the Up in the Air ladies pulls through.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Prediction: Matt Damon - The Informant!
Why: I missed this movie while it was in theaters, but none of the nominees particularly stand out as strong candidates for this award. Daniel Day-Lewis could win simply because he's Daniel Day-Lewis, and Michael Stuhlbarg of A Serious Man could pull through as well. But honestly I'm flummoxed here and will go with what looked like a strong performance.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Prediction: Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia
Why: She's nominated twice (also for It's Complicated) so she should win either for either performance, though I think her show as Julia Child will be most popular. The other three or just so unlikely (Julia Roberts, Marion Cotillard, and Sandra Bullock) that this is probably one of the only categories I'm certain of.
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Prediction: (500) Days of Summer
Why: It won't win, this I am really sure of, but I have no idea which of the nominees could win, and so I am left with my favorite movie of the two I saw in this category. The Hangover would be a shocker, so I highly doubt that, and can only really see Julie & Julia being a strong contender, along with Nine. I'd be fine if Summer or J/J won, but if the other three win (It's Complicated is the last nomination) the eck.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Prediction: George Clooney - Up in the Air
Why: Jeremy Renner was shockingly not nominated here, and would be my first choice otherwise. Clooney has been gathering a small storm of praise and seems like a safe and likely choice, though Colin Firth and Jeff Bridges for A Single Man and Crazy Heart (both currently unseen by me), respectively seem to be power house performances ready to erupt into awards frenzy. Tobey Maguire is the real wtf here, and I'll just pretend that Jeremy Renner's version of military machismo is nominated.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Prediction: Gabourey Sidibe - Precious
Why: This category is going to be a massive battle between Carey Mulligan and Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe. I'm not sure where the Hollywood Foreign Press' tastes lie, but Sidibe gives the more obvious "courageous" performance, though Mulligan is required to build a character more. I'm torn between the two and would be happy if either won, but I think this is going to be Gabby's year, and then we'll never hear from her again (Jennifer Hudson anyone?), whereas Mulligan will probably continue to build her charm and roles.
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Prediction: The Hurt Locker
Why: Having seen all the nominees and liking or loving all of them, I can rightly say this is the strongest category in the entire show. I could see any of these movies winning, honestly, for various reasons. When it comes to Oscar I pick what I think will win, but since this is the Globes and I don't care, I'll pick what I think should win. Up in the Air seems like a very good second place or alternate winner, though if Avatar is going to start rearing its head this is where it will happen. But I hope Bigelow's war epic sweeps the season, and this is the place to start.
If you live in ET/CT then tune in for a live broadcast of the Globes! Otherwise us West Coasters will just get the winners as they are posted online and then watch the Awards show ignorant of what is going to happen.
