Golden Globes 2020 Picks

Ah yes the Golden Globes, where everything’s made up and diversity doesn’t matter!

The exclusion of female nominees in directing categories, popular shows like “Watchmen” and a laundry list of other transgressions shows that the Golden Globes are likely the most absurd of the awards, but here’s what we’ve got for this year. 

Best Picture — Drama
Did we watch the same movies this year HFPA? There are so many more deserving movies that belong in this category. The Golden Globes are weird since they split “Drama” and “Comedy or Musical” and I think a lot of studios are more afraid of the Drama category, but to say I am disappointed is an understatement. 

• “1917” – I found there to be nothing innovative or particularly great about this film. It’s a solid piece of filmmaking but it’s a war story we’ve seen in one form or another before. 
• “The Irishman” – I have major problems with this film as well. I’ll go into it more in depth soon. It’s inclusion here is no surprise. It’ll probably come down to this or “Marriage Story”
• “Joker” – Hate. So much hate. How is it that “Logan” wasn’t included in this category but somehow this trash fire is?
• “Marriage Story” – This movie was fine, I’d have liked it more if it wasn’t so “artisté” centric. I think the plot could have also supported that. I’m guessing it will eek out the win. 
• “The Two Popes” – Enjoyed this film a surprising amount. Do I think there are more deserving films? Absolutely. Do I begrudge the subsequent acting nods? Not as much.

Best Picture — Comedy or Musical
Here’s the wild card category, where everyone too worried about contending with the heavy hitters applies. Some of my favorite films of the year did make it in to this category, but it makes me worry they’ll cannibalize each other. 

• “Dolemite Is My Name” – I enjoyed this film much more than I thought I would, but I think it is unlikely to usurp the flashier Hollywood. 
• “Jojo Rabbit” – It’s a film in which a Jewish-Maori filmmaker plays Hitler, manages to make me like Scarlett Johansson, and cry, all at the same time. This is my pick but it has some steep competition.
• “Knives Out” – A refreshing and original film this year to be certain! In spite of the star power involved I think it will lose to other nominees in the category.
• “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” – Ugh, here we go again. Another film I could not stand, find out why from the review. It definitely has a chance, especially since the film is about Hollywood and being voted on by Hollywood. Alas my money is on this.
• “Rocketman” – Also loved this film, but the success of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (ironically entered as a Drama) last year may hurt.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama

• Christian Bale, “Ford v Ferrari” – While this was the most likable I found Christian Bale in a long while, I was not overwhelmed by the film.
• Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory” – I’d love to see this win. He was spectacular in the role. The foreign language part may work against him. 
• Adam Driver, “”Marriage Story”” – I will give credit where credit is due. This was a good performance even though I found the film over-hyped. I’m putting this as the front runner.
• Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker” – I will riot if this wins. 
• Jonathan Pryce, “”The Two Popes”” – Another credit where credit is due. Could be a dark horse.

​​​Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
I don’t think I”m going to love what happens in this category. ​

• Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet” – What, not Julia Roberts?!
• Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story” – If this had been for “Jojo Rabbit” I think I’d be last upset. I think she’s going to beat out some more worthy opponents for this unfortunately. 
• Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women” – I think Saoirse Ronan is a magnificent actress. I don’t know if she’ll win this one. 
• Charlize Theron, “Bombshell” – I am rooting for Charlize so much. I never thought in my entire life I’d feel sympathy for Megyn Kelly, but somehow she and the film 
• Renée Zellweger, “Judy” – If you like scenery chewing this is for you. I found the whole film painful to watch, but Hollywood loves a biopic.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy

• Daniel Craig, “Knives Out” – I enjoyed the film but Craig’s accent was a little tough to handle. Unlikely to win.
  
• Roman Griffin Davis, “Jojo Rabbit” – Great performance, not enough of a resume (he’s a kid in fairness) to win.
  
• Leonardo DiCaprio, “”Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”” – Gross. Will probably win.
  
• Taron Egerton, “Rocketman” – Great, will probably lose.
  
• Eddie Murphy, “Dolemite Is My Name” – When the nominations came out I was surprised by this, but after having seen the film there’s an outside chance of this winning based on how the Globes split the categories. It was a refreshing film for sure, but may lack the popular capital to win anything. 
  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy

• Ana De Armas, “Knives Out” – Also great in this film, but probably an “it’s an honor to be here at all” situation. 
  
• Awkwafina, “The Farewell” – I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if she won. Given the others in the category she may stand a chance. I don’t know if I’d call the film a comedy but if it gets Awkwafina an award I’m all for it.
  
• Cate Blanchett, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” – Did they actually see the movie, or do they just REALLY want Blanchett at the party? If this wins I will be astounded and yet not.
  
• Beanie Feldstein, “Booksmart” – Delighted to see this included as well, but given the source material it is unlikely to win (but what a win it would be if that were the case).
  
• Emma Thompson, “Late Night” – Thompson can be classy, has a long resume, and is funny AF. I think this is hers to lose in this category.
  

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

• Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” – The strength of this movie was in the source material, not the performances. This is a career nod at best. 
  
• Anthony Hopkins, “”The Two Popes”” – I’m rooting for ol Tony here, but I think he’ll lose to his fellow AARP members.
  
• Al Pacino, “The Irishman” – A vote split might cost Pacino, but of the two Irishmen he has a better chance. 
  
• Joe Pesci, “The Irishman” – God I hated this film.
  
• Brad Pitt, “”Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”” – But I think I hated this more, and yet I think because as I’ve said before it’s a film about Hollywood it’ll ultimately win. Plus it lacks the Netflix/streaming stigma.
  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

• Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell” – I liked the film a lot more than other folks, but this is J.Lo or L.Dern’s to lose.
  
• Annette Bening, “The Report” – A film that is likely to be swept under the rug much like the source material. 
  
• Laura Dern, “Marriage Story” – I actually really liked Dern’s performance in this, in spite of not liking the movie overall. She may fall victim to the glitz factor of J.Lo.
  
• Jennifer Lopez, “Hustlers” – Truly thought Jennifer Lopez was amazing in this film, would be happy to see her win here. Given the popularity contest factor this is one of the places she may be able to do it. 
  
• Margot Robbie, “Bombshell” – I was surprised Nicole Kidman also didn’t appear in this category but maybe they were afraid of a vote split? I thought Robbie did a great job but I think the film itself didn’t do well enough to snag this.

​​
Best Director — Motion Picture
The lack of inclusion of Lulu Wang and Greta Gerwig in this category is appalling. 

• Bong Joon-ho, “Parasite” – PLEASE. PLEEEEEAAAASSSEEEE #Bonghive for life.
  
• The following comment applies to the rest of these filmmakers: They are here at the expense of better and more talented directors. Just because you’ve made the same film over and over again doesn’t mean you deserve to be rewarded every time. 
  
• Sam Mendes, “1917”
  
• Todd Phillips, “Joker”
  
• Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”
  
• Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
  

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture

• Noah Baumbach, “Marriage Story” – For Hollywood, by Hollywood. May beat the other Hollywood film since it’s more Actor-y.
  
• Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won, “Parasite” – Once again, PLEASE honor actually great work by acknowledging this.
  
• Anthony McCarten, “The Two Popes” – Probably not unless there are a lot of guilty Catholics in the voting body.
  
• Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” – Ugh, this is going to win, isn’t it?
  
• Steven Zaillian, “The Irishman” – Meh.​
  

Best Motion Picture — Animated

• “Frozen II” – Just be happy with your box office gross.
• “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” – Cute but not the best.
• “The Lion King” – Oh how convenient, NOW it’s an animated film… that is a shot for shot remake of the other one. No thanks.
• “Missing Link” – Sometimes Laika can be a dark horse in this category but I don’t think “Missing Link” was strong enough to compete. 
• “Toy Story 4” – Existential spork crisis FTW. 

Best Picture — Foreign Language
Honestly, this should probably be the best picture category, the quality of these films is far superior to much of the garbage in the other groups.

• “The Farewell”, U.S.A. – One of my favorite films of the year and an interesting inclusion in “Foreign Language” film. Were “Parasite” not in this category I’d say it might have a shot.
• “Les Misérables”, France – Supposedly very good, but lacked the widespread recognition.
• “Pain and Glory”, Spain – An alluring combo of Almodovar and Banderas, but I think it has a better shot at actor.
• “Parasite”, South Korea – Have I mentioned Bonghive for life?
• “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”, France – Another great film but I think not splashy enough.

Best Original Score — Motion Picture

• Overall I don’t have particularly strong feelings about this category. They’re all fine? Except “Joker”. Boooo “Joker”. The Newman cousins may cancel each other out, leaving Desplat (an awards fave) with the win.
• Alexandre Desplat, “Little Women”
• Hildur Guđnadóttir, “Joker”
• Randy Newman, “Marriage Story”
• Thomas Newman, “1917”
• Daniel Pemberton, “Motherless Brooklyn”

Best Original Song — Motion Picture

• “Beautiful Ghosts,” Cats – Hahahahah, no.
• “I’m Gonna Love Me Again,” Rocketman – Elton John v. Beyonce is what this comes down to. I think Beyonce may win just cause they want to see Beyonce there. 
• “Into the Unknown,” Frozen II – This song actually really grew on me, but it’s no “Let it Go” and therefore will let the award go.
• “Spirit,” The Lion King – 1 word: Beyonce
• “Stand Up,” Harriet – We all live in Beyonce’s shadow.

Best Television Series — Drama

• “Big Little Lies” (HBO) – Still don’t watch it.
  
• “The Crown” (Netflix) – As always an impeccable show and the cast swap may make this more marketable but I don’t think it can beat “Succession” this year.
  
• “Killing Eve” (BBC America) – LOVE this show, but can admit the second series wasn’t quite as strong. Would still be delighted if it won. 
  
• “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+) – It took me a while to warm to this show, I think the inclusion of a purely streaming show from another network is interesting, and the starpower and self reflection on media may take this home.
  
• “Succession” (HBO) – Haven’t been able to start this yet, but people keep saying “Get through the first 8 episodes”… do you know how many hours that is to dedicate to an open?! Either way it might win.
  

Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy

• “Barry” (HBO) – Love this show and if it wasn’t against “Fleabag” I’d root for it more heavily to win.
  
• “Fleabag” (Amazon) – HOT. PRIEST. If Barack Obama puts this on his best of list who are we to say no?
  
• “The Kominksy Method” (Netflix) – The average voting age of the HFPA has benefitted this show before and may work again.
  
• “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon) – God I can’t stand this show, yet I sense another top hatted acceptance speech in store this year. 
  
• “The Politician” (Netflix) – Surreal but fascinating. Won’t beat the others. 
  

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
I have admittedly only seen one of this category, and it was amazing. But I think “Fosse/Verdon” may appeal to this voting crowd, or “Chernobyl” with the HBO luck.

• “Catch-22” (Hulu) 
  
• “Chernobyl” (HBO)
  
• “Fosse/Verdon” (FX)
  
• “The Loudest Voice” (Showtime)
  
• “Unbelievable” (Netflix) – If you haven’t seen this harrowing or heartbreaking show yet, do it.
  

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama

• Brian Cox, “Succession” – Might win?
  
• Kit Harington, “Game of Thrones” – If it was for any season but season 8 I’d be in his corner. 
  
• Rami Malek, “Mr. Robot” – Is this show still on? 
  
• Tobias Menzies, “The Crown” – Did a great job but less marketable than the rest of this category.
  
• Billy Porter, “Pose” – He makes me laugh and cry with every episode. Please let the award go to him.
  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama

• Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show” – I’m relatively convinced she’s just playing herself, but she does a good job of it.
  
• Olivia Colman, “The Crown” – Awards stick to Colman like glue, and for good reason. Plus her acceptance speeches are always great!
  
• Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” – Would be well deserved but I think this year is going to an elder stateswoman.
  
• Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies” – Her previous win might actually count against her given the rest of the competition, but people do love the show.
  
• Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show” – A vote split between her and Aniston will probably cost them both.
  

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy

• Michael Douglas, “The Kominsky Method” – AARP vote.
  
• Bill Hader, “Barry” – Could win again.
  
• Ben Platt, “The Politician” – Talented but the show may have been too bizarre for this audience.
  
• Paul Rudd, “Living With Yourself” – The depth of emotion Rudd displays (and 2x since he plays two characters) was unexpected for this show. I wouldn’t call it a comedy per se, but it would be nice to see him honored.
  
• Ramy Youssef, “Ramy” – I know little about this so unfortunately it might not win.
  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy

• Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me” – Unfamiliar territory, could dark horse?
  
• Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – Ugh, they love her, but I could see one of the next 3 women dethroning her. 
  
• Kirsten Dunst, “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” – This show was one of my actual favorites this year, sad to see it not have better representation. I’m not a huge Dunst fan but my god does she sell this role. 
  
• Natasha Lyonne, “Russian Doll” – Lyonne has proven repeatedly she has a depth to her, this could be her year?
  
• Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “Fleabag” – However I hope that Waller-Bridge is recognized for once again writing and performing in one of the most unique and weirdly relatable roles out there.
  

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

• Christopher Abbott, “Catch-22” – Didn’t see it so have no opinion. 
  
• Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Spy” – Would love to see the acceptance speech for this one.
  
• Russell Crowe, “The Loudest Voice” – Same as “Catch-22”
  
• Jared Harris, “Chernobyl” – It’s down to Harris or Rockwell. Both are well lauded. I think given Rockwell’s previous wins, Harris might actually have a chance. 
  
• Sam Rockwell, “Fosse/Verdon” – See above. 
  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

• Kaitlyn Dever, “Unbelievable” – If you haven’t seen this yet please do. It’s a challenging topic but so well performed. The vote split here might cost both the win.
  
• Joey King, “The Act” – The performance is (intentionally) tough to palate as well. The solo nom might clinch this for her.
  
• Helen Mirren, “Catherine the Great” – LOVE Dame Helen Mirren but not sure if this was strong enough to beat Williams.
  
• Merritt Wever, “Unbelievable” – Ditto above. Of the two women from the show nominated I could see Wever eeking out a win.
  
• Michelle Williams, “Fosse/Verdon” – Likely hers to lose.
  

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Alan Arkin, “The Kominsky Method” – AARP again.
  
• Kieran Culkin, “Succession” – See everything else I’ve said about the show.
  
• Andrew Scott, “Fleabag” – OH. GOD. PLEASE. YES. LET. HOT. PRIEST. WIN. There was so much fun and nuance to his performance. 
  
• Stellan Skarsgård, “Chernobyl” – Award bait for sure, but a safe choice.
  
• Henry Winkler, “Barry” – Same here.
  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Patricia Arquette, “The Act” – A little scenery chewing for me, but overall a good performance. Going to be tough for anyone to beat Streep.
  
• Helena Bonham Carter, “The Crown” – Also great, but ditto above. 
  
• Toni Collette, “Unbelievable” – One of her best performances in a while (and the bar is already high) but I think Meryl may win.
  
• Meryl Streep, “Big Little Lies” – Again I don’t watch the show, but the fact that she was even willing to be in it and given how much awards love to honor her I could see her taking this home. 
  
• Emily Watson, “Chernobyl” – Again, Meryl.