Ryan ChartrandThe 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards will take center stage Monday, Jan. 15 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The Golden Globes have traditionally been not only a tune-up for the Academy Awards, but a forum for other mediums to shine other than just film.
Unlike the Oscars in February, the Golden Globes provides winners from television and film, featuring the often mutually exclusive categories of drama and comedy/musical.
Let’s look at the major nominees, I’ll give you my picks and those of the experts, enjoy.
Best Picture Nominees
(Drama)
Babel
Bobby
The Departed
Little Children
The Queen
This is a very powerful lineup. Bobby probably saved Emilio Estevez’ career and serves as one of the best political epics since “JFK”. “Babel” was a bit vague but powerful by all accounts. Anyone who saw “The Departed” was absolutely leveled by its intensity. In this case, the critics and I agree, “The Departed” in a landslide.
Best Actor
(Drama)
Leonardo DiCaprio
– Blood Diamond and
The Departed
Peter O’Toole
– Venus
Will Smith
– The Pursuit of Happyness
Forrest Whitaker
– The Last King of Scotland
Sorry about the absence of the Best Actress category, but it’s almost a forgone conclusion that Helen Mirren will win for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in “The Queen.” Again, there are some heavy hitters here. Smith delivered an awesome performance alongside his son in “Pursuit.” Whitaker made a murderous dictator lovable, likewise for DiCaprio who made audiences believe in a diamond trader. I’ll go with DiCaprio for his insane role in “The Departed.” Most critics believe DiCaprio will split votes between the two performances giving Whitaker a deserved shot at some Hollywood hardware.
Best Picture
(Comedy or Musical)
Borat
Dream Girls
Little Miss Sunshine
The Devil Wears Prada
Thank You For Smoking
“Dream Girls” has the star power. Sacha Cohen was milk-out-of-your-nose funny in “Borat.” I haven’t seen “Devil Wears Prada,” but as soon as I get a girlfriend, I’m sure I will be faced with either watching this or “The Notebook,” so I hope it’s good. “Little Miss Sunshine” was touching, and further confirms the absolute scrumptrulesence of Steve Carell.
“Thank You For Smoking” was also very good with Aaron Eckhart playing a sarcastic and slimy tobacco lobbyist.
I will go with “Little Miss Sunshine” because it is a great film with an excellent cast. However, most experts are going with the mustachioed, anti-Semitic journalist from Kazakhstan. Let’s hope he shows up in character just one more time.
Best Television Series
(Drama)
“24”
“Big Love”
“Grey’s Anatomy”
“Heroes”
“Lost”
Kiefer Sutherland is stoic yet powerful as Jack Bauer in the gripping Fox series. “Big Love” is underrated and quite funny for being in the drama category. “Grey’s Anatomy” is easily the most watched among the nominees, taking on an almost late night soap opera feel. “Heroes” is probably the best new show of those nominated. “Lost” is like its Fox counterpart as the mainstays of the group. Since I like to lose, I will go with “Big Love” because it is under the radar and has no shot. The experts at TV Guide mirror the public and predict “Grey’s” will take home the Globe.
Best Television Series
(Musical or Comedy)
“The Office”
“Desperate Housewives”
“Entourage”
“Weeds”
“Ugly Betty”
I’m not gonna lie, “The Office” is easily one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. Two words, Steve Carell, get some! The guy is awesome. That said, the critics seem to be smitten with the ladies from Wisteria Lane and “Betty.” If you do not have HBO or Showtime, you are missing both “Entourage” and “Weeds.” Entourage is a glimpse of what every male in America would be doing if his best friend were Colin Farrell. “Weeds” is about a suburban mom who starts selling weed to make ends meet, sounds like my childhood. The gentleman will take “Entourage” because it is the coolest show I have ever seen. Again, the critics and I part ways, with TV Guide predicting either an “Office” or a “Desperate” victory.
Keep an eye out for Clint Eastwood who is up for best director for two epic World War II films “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters From Iwo Jima.” Actor Warren Beatty will be presented with the Cecile B. DeMille award, which is cumulative to a lifetime achievement award. The Golden Globes will air next Monday at 5 p.m. on NBC.