The Golden Globes: Hollywood’s biggest night, with its awards given to both film and television works, or merely a run-through for the Oscars? It doesn’t matter. Either way, it marks the official start of Tinseltown’s awards season. The Academy Awards haven’t even released their list of nominations yet, but the Oscars don’t begin to become clear until the Golden Globes have been handed out. Here are one movie critic’s thoughts on who is likely to take home the gold. (As for TV: Let me just say that “Game of Thrones” was a triumph for thoughtful television, but the well-regarded “Homeland” will win the top prize.) Best Motion Picture: Drama
Critics wanted to love “The Descendents,” directed by Alexander Payne and starring George Clooney, so they talked themselves into it — as will Golden Globe voters. The best films of the year weren’t actually nominated; “The Ides of March” and “War Horse” are the thoughtful ones of this bunch.
| On TV |
| The Golden Globes |
| When: 8 p.m. Sunday |
| Channel: NBC |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture: Drama
Meryl Streep got a nod for portraying a real-life figure. Can such a nomination lose? The young Rooney Mara was a lot more interesting — and surprising — in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” however.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture: Drama
This might be the toughest category to predict: George Clooney and Brad Pitt (nominated for “Moneyball”) are both Hollywood press favorites. My money’s on Clooney — though it’s Michael Fassbender’s brave work in “Shame” that deserves the honor.
Best Motion Picture: Comedy Or Musical
“The Artist” isn’t exactly a comedy — though that Jack Russell terrier provided a lot of laughs — and it certainly isn’t a musical. The Golden Globes insist on this strange category, though. At least the year’s best film will take home one “best motion picture” award.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture: Comedy Or Musical
It’s so pleasing when the person whose work was head and shoulders above the rest actually wins. That’s why I’ll be happy to see Michelle Williams take home the gold for her breathtaking transformation into an icon in “My Week with Marilyn.”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture: Comedy Or Musical
Here’s a rarity: a category in which this critic thinks every nominee is worthy. I have a soft spot for Brendan Gleeson, the underrated actor without whom it’s impossible to even imagine the side-splitting comedy “The Guard.” But it won’t feel wrong to see “The Artist”‘s charming Jean Dujardin accept the award.
Best Foreign Language Film
The Iranian drama “A Separation” — surprisingly provocative about life in Iran for a film made within its system — will win. It’s a good film; but “The Skin I Live In” is a masterpiece.
Best Director: Motion Picture
“The Artist” was the greatest triumph of last year. French director Michel Hazanavicius will get the statue he deserves Sunday night — even if the Academy denies him one next month.
Best Screenplay: Motion Picture
“Midnight in Paris” is Woody Allen’s best film in years — and he’s always had better luck with awards for his writing than his directing and acting. He deserves a win, too — though not over Hazanavicius, whose “Artist” was cleverer.
Best Original Score: Motion Picture
Controversy — Kim Novak accused him of stealing Bernard Herrmann’s score for “Vertigo” — will keep Ludovic Bource from winning for “The Artist.” I saw it as an homage, not a robbery. But Howard Shore’s score to “Hugo” was also lovely. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have a chance to best him, though, with their more cutting-edge work on “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”
