GOLDEN GLOBES 2019 PICKS

Awards season kicks off again with the Golden Golbes!

Sandra Oh, Isan Elba and Andy Samberg at the rollout of the Red Carpet for the Golden Globe Awards 2019 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. January 3, 2019 Photo credit Magnus Sundholm

FILM NOMINATIONS

Best Picture — Drama
What a bizarre spread this year. You’d think that “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “A Star is Born” would both make a bid for the Comedy or Musical category but I suppose they are attempting to be taken more seriously...

• “Black Panther” - Would be delighted if this won but I see it being a challenge, cause heavens forbid a popular successful superhero film win.
• “BlacKkKlansman” - Loved it. Equally pleased if this wins.
• “Bohemian Rhapsody” - Again, I do not understand how this made it into this category… Marketing money put to good use I suppose. [Rami Malek Interview]
• “If Beale Street Could Talk” - A deserving film but unfortunately not as broadly appealing as some of the competitors.
• “A Star Is Born” - I have the sinking sensation that somehow this will walk away with the prize even though it’s an antiquated remake. Let’s not forget the Golden Globes are not as accurate of Oscar predictors because of the split Best Picture category. Ol Coop Coops has been gunning for that Oscar since press day 1 of this film, and I fear this will feed his momentum.

Best Picture — Comedy or Musical
​Another category where it feels like some films were slipped in to try to increase their odds of taking home a statue.

• “Crazy Rich Asians” - Totally biased towards this, and how amazing would it be if a minority lead blockbuster romantic comedy won? [Crazy Rich Asians Interview]
• “The Favourite” - So overhyped. Calling it this year’s “La La Land” and yet because of said hype and appealing to that demographic it has a very good chance at winning.
• “Green Book” - I don’t think I’d classify this as a comedy and it’s certainly not a musical (though does feature a character who is a musician). I know they’re also aiming for an Oscar and have a decent chance purely because the film is easy to agree on (and the Oscars are stack ranked).
• “Mary Poppins Returns” - Ok… sure… it’s a musical… and has a prestigious name and studio behind it. But was it good? Not in my opinion.
• “Vice” - No chance. I like Adam McKay but the film tanked critically and the Globes are more of a popularity contest.

Awkwafina, Nico Santos, and Constance Wu in Crazy Rich Asians - Warner Bros

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
Ugh this is where starpower will outshine talent.

• Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born” - See above.
• Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate” - Didn’t have a chance to see it but the lack of visibility press wise probably doesn’t bode well.
• Lucas Hedges, “Boy Erased” - Appreciated this film immensely but Hedges is young and up against bigger names. [Boy Erased Interview]
• Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” - Do I think he deserves this? Not particularly. Would I like to see anyone but Cooper win? Yep. [Rami Malek Interview]
• John David Washington, “BlacKkKlansman” - Best performance in this group by far, not enough marketing dollars.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
​Heavy hitters abound in this category (not saying they’re all deserving) but it makes for a more interesting race.

• Glenn Close, “The Wife” - Didn’t get a chance to see it but I assume this is a token nod.
• Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born” - Just because I didn’t like “A Star is Born” doesn’t mean I don’t adore Lady Gaga. While I will acquiesce she’s deserving of the nomination, I don’t particularly feel she deserves the win, I don’t see anyone else in this group dethroning her. I suppose if anyone from the film has to get an accolade she is by far the most deserving.
• Nicole Kidman, “Destroyer” - This film SCREAMED “give me an award” but it unfortunately was probably screaming into the ether. It was a solid performance but the Globes are more Gaga than “Destroyer.”
• Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” - Thought she was great in the role, but the film itself probably can’t edge out some of the other contenders.
• Rosamund Pike, “A Private War” - Heard good things, didn’t see it. Probably going to fall into the “it was an honor to be nominated” category.​

Gwilym Lee (Brian May), Rami Malek (Freddie Mercury), and Joe Mazzello (John Deacon) star in Twentieth Century Fox’s BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. Photo Credit: Alex Bailey TM & © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
This is just getting ridiculous.

• Christian Bale, “Vice” - See… the same reasons the film won’t win.
• Lin Manuel Miranda, “Mary Poppins Returns” - Did the nominating committee see the same version of the film I did? I have nothing but respect for Lin Manuel Miranda but this movie was mediocre at best.
• Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book” - Again could win it purely because it was the easiest to vote for.
• Robert Redford, “The Old Man & the Gun” - A Glenn Close esque career tip of the cap, but no awards will be given to Robby Reds this evening.
• John C. Reilly, “Stan & Ollie” - I think people forget how good of an actor John C. Reilly is, so it’s nice to see him acknowledged, but I doubt it will go further than that.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
​This may be the category I feel has the somewhat most deserving nominees.

• Emily Blunt, “Mary Poppins Returns” - Much like with Lady Gaga in “A Star is Born” I acknowledge I can dislike a film and still like the performers involved. Nice to be nominated...
• Olivia Colman, “The Favourite” - As meh as I am on the film, Colman is a wonderful actress. Will probably take the prize home but again… how is this a comedy?
• Elsie Fisher, “Eighth Grade” - The film came out way early in the year but was excellent. Fisher is charming but probably can’t dethrone the veterans in the category.
• Charlize Theron, “Tully” - Another performance that may get overlooked due to release timing. Thoroughly enjoyed it but unlikely to win.
• Constance Wu, “Crazy Rich Asians” - I would lose it with joy if she won. She probably won’t but I’m rooting for her.  [Crazy Rich Asians Interview]​

Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman in the film THE FAVOURITE. Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

• Mahershala Ali, “Green Book” - Ali is an amazing actor, we all know this. Why is he being billed as supporting? He does stand a chance here though.
• Timothée Chalamet, “Beautiful Boy” - No thank you. He’ll have other chances in his career for this. [Timothée Chalamet Interview]
• Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman” - He was very good, my only hope is that somehow it doesn’t end up that only a white person from “BlacKkKlansman” wins an award.
• Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” - Fun performance, but not going to win. [Richard E. Grant Interview]
• Sam Rockwell, “Vice” - I disagreed with his win for “Three Billboards” and I would object to a win for this.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
​The biggest question here is will “The Favourite” cannibalize it’s own odds?

• Amy Adams, “Vice” - The press panned this and then voted for it?
• Claire Foy, “First Man” - I honestly forgot this came out this year. Which means the voters will probably forget too?
• Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk” - This was a spectacular performance but will unfortunately probably lose to one of the other competitors.
• Emma Stone, “The Favourite” - Please. No.
• Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite” - If one of them HAS to win….

Regina King stars as Sharon in Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, an Annapurna Pictures release. Tatum Mangus / Annapurna Pictures; ©2018 Annapurna Releasing, LLC.

Best Director — Motion Picture

• Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born” - Who let this happen.
• Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma” - This was one of the best films this year and it’s a shame they’re too afraid to put it up against the English language films.
• Peter Farrelly, “Green Book” - Probably not.
• Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman” - Spike Lee could eek out a win. If he or Cuarón won I’d be fine.
• Adam McKay, “Vice” - Does not compute.

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture
​I’m still utterly confused as to how some of these films keep getting nominations.

• Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma” - Deserving but won’t win.
• Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, “The Favourite” - Unfortunately will probably win.
• Barry Jenkins, “If Beale Street Could Talk” - Jenkins could upset. He brings a poetry to his material.
• Adam McKay, “Vice” - Nope.
• Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, “Green Book” - Solid but not outstanding.​

Roma - Netflix

Best Motion Picture — Animated
I never thought I’d see the year where I think a Marvel film dethrone Pixar. I suppose it’s all in the same family.

• “Incredibles 2” - If Spider-Verse hadn’t been on the scene this probably would have taken the prize by default.
• “Isle of Dogs” - Pass on the fetishization of Asian cultures.
• “Mirai” - While I’ve heard magnificent things I did not get a chance to see this yet.
• “Ralph Breaks the Internet” - Please stop rewarding their blatant consumer driven drivel.
• “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” - SO. GOOD.

Best Picture — Foreign Language
The only film from this group I had the chance to see was “Roma” which appears to be the frontrunner anyway. “Shoplifters” apparently could upset.

• “Capernaum”
• “Girl”
• “Never Look Away”
• “Roma”
• “Shoplifters”

Best Original Score — Motion Picture
I honestly don’t know who I would want to win (aside from “A Quiet Place” just so it can have some recognition).

• Marco Beltrami, “A Quiet Place” - Great sound design but I can’t remember if the score was as impactful as the sound design.
• Alexandre Desplat, “Isle of Dogs” - Awards groups love Desplat but I don’t think the material it supports will net a win.
• Ludwig Göransson, “Black Panther” - Rooting for it, unlikely to win.
• Justin Hurwitz, “First Man” - The score was the best part of this mediocre at best movie. Hurwitz may be able to ride “La La Land” momentum to another win.
• Marc Shaiman, “Mary Poppins Returns” - Bold move trying to pick up where the Sherman brothers left off with the original “Mary Poppins” but not awards worthy.

Best Original Song — Motion Picture
​This is Lady Gaga’s to lose.

• “All the Stars,” Black Panther
• “Girl in the Movies,” Dumplin’
• “Requiem for a Private War,” A Private War
• “Revelation,” Boy Erased
• “Shallow,” A Star Is Born

TELEVISION NOMINATIONS

Best Television Series — Drama
“Killing Eve” deserves to win. “Pose” would be an amazing triumph. “The Americans” will probably take home the award as a parting gift for their final season.

• “The Americans” (FX)
• “Bodyguard” (Netflix)
• “Homecoming” (Amazon)
• “Killing Eve” (BBC America)
• “Pose” (FX)

Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy
​It took me a while to come around to “Barry” but once I did I get why the hype surrounded it. That being said “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (which I’m sorry but I can’t stand) will likely win.

• “Barry” (HBO)
• “Kidding” (Showtime)
• “The Good Place” (NBC)
• “The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
• “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)​

Episode 5 (debut 4/22/18): Bill Hader Stephen Root, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan. photo: John P. Johnson/HBO

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Apparently to qualify for this category you must be depressing and dark? With the somewhat exception of “A Very English Scandal” which is not technically a bed of roses. I’m thinking “Sharp Objects” takes home the prize.

• “The Alienist”, TNT
• “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”, FX
• “Escape at Dannemora”, Showtime
• “Sharp Objects”, HBO
• “A Very English Scandal”, Amazon

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama
Billy Porter gave one of the best performances of the year, but I assume Rhys will ride “The Americans” swan song season.

• Jason Bateman, “Ozark”
• Stephan James, “Homecoming”
• Richard Madden, “Bodyguard”
• Billy Porter, “Pose”
• Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama
​Tough competition here, I dearly wish for Sandra Oh to win, but these are some fierce competitors. I’m thinking Elisabeth Moss might eek out a timely win.

• Caitriona Balfe, “Outlander”
• Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
• Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve”
• Julia Roberts, “Homecoming”
• Keri Russell, “The Americans”​

Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) Sophie Mutevelian for BBC America

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy
I would love for Baron Cohen to win purely to hear his acceptance speech. Carrey could dark horse as it’s still en vogue to have movie stars switch over to television. Glover or Hader are also worthy nominees.

• Sacha Baron Cohen, “Who Is America”
• Jim Carrey, “Kidding”
• Michael Douglas, “The Kominsky Method”
• Donald Glover, “Atlanta”
• Bill Hader, “Barry”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy
I don't quite understand the logic of bringing back "Murphy Brown" or "Will & Grace" and also feel like the nods are somewhat misplaced. I'd love to see Alison Brie win but I assume Rachel Brosnahan will continue to sweep even though I can’t stand “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

• Kristen Bell, “The Good Place”
• Candice Bergen, “Murphy Brown”
• Alison Brie, “Glow”
• Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
• Debra Messing, “Will & Grace”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
​Criss gave an outstanding performance in “Versace” and could surprise people with a win. While I never saw “Genius: Picasso” it could be an upset win? I personally didn’t find “Patrick Melrose” compelling enough to earn an award but again, movie stars on TV do well.

• Antonio Banderas, “Genius: Picasso”
• Daniel Bruhl, “The Alienist”
• Darren Criss, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
• Benedict Cumberbatch, “Patrick Melrose”
• Hugh Grant, “A Very English Scandal”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionI’m just guessing at this point so I’m going to go with Amy Adams for “Sharp Objects”

• Amy Adams, “Sharp Objects”
• Patricia Arquette, “Escape at Dannemora”
• Connie Britton, “Dirty John”
• Laura Dern, “The Tale”
• Regina King, “Seven Seconds”

Alison Brie, Marc Maron - Photo Credit Erica Parise/Netflix

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
A few veterans in this category who might shake things up, but I’m thinking Ramirez or Whishaw.

• Alan Arkin, “The Kominsky Method”
• Kieran Culkin, “Succession”
• Edgar Ramirez, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
• Ben Whishaw, “A Very English Scandal”
• Henry Winkler, “Barry”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
​PLEASE give this to Thandie Newton. In fact how did “Westworld” not get more nominations than this?!

• Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
• Patricia Clarkson, “Sharp Objects”
• Penelope Cruz, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
• Thandie Newton, “Westworld”
• Yvonne Strahovski, “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Thandie Newton. photo: HBO