With dwindling ratings and an outcry from fanboys and critics for wrongfully snubbing The Dark Knight last year, the Academy Awards decided to mix things up by nominating ten films for Best Picture this year. If they really wanted to ensure more viewers and raise the bar, they could've opted for a less staggering change: serve booze. It's clearly worked for the Golden Globes all these years. Whether it's Jack Nicholson accepting an award by literally talking out of his ass or Christine Lahti missing her cue to come up on stage because she was in the can, the Hollywood Foreign Press has always thrown the party of the year. Their show is always unpredictable and entertaining -- something the Oscars can't attest. The Globes will likely continue the trend next Sunday, when razor sharp Ricky Gervais hosts the shindig. First prediction: he'll kill. Now here's the rest.
Best Drama
Despite all the kudos and cash Avatar has been getting lately, critic darling Up in the Air will rightfully score the gold here.
Best Comedy or Musical
Nine sounds like the winner here, but it's a turkey on all accounts so I'm giving the edge to (500) Days of Summer, which is the best of the bunch here. The Hangover is the funniest by far, but in terms of the total package, voters will opt for Summer.
Best Actor Drama
It's a two-horse race between George Clooney and Jeff Bridges. Given the Globes' love of Hollywood royalty, Clooney will come Up on top.
Best Actress Drama
Another two-horse race with Carey Mulligan's impressive and assured performance in An Education edging out Precious star Gabourney Sidibe.
Best Actor Comedy
Oddly enough, for the second straight year none of the nominated actors here stand much of a chance of being singled out come Oscar nomination time. Robert Downey Jr. is long overdo for some Globe love (he won for Ally McBeal way back when) but I think his Sherlock will be overshadowed by Matt Damon's quirky turn in the dreadful The Informant!
Best Actress Comedy
Easiest prediction of the night: Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia. And, I think it's safe to assume this is Streep's year to finally win her third Oscar.
Best Supporting Actor
No contest. Christoph Waltz will win for his breakthrough turn as a Nazi colonel in Inglourious Basterds.
Best Supporting Actress
Again, no contest. Mo'Nique's ferocious turn in Precious is the most deserving winner of the night.
Best Director
This is the toughest category to call, but I'll go out on a limb and say Kathryn Bigelow bests Avatar ex-husband James Cameron here. The Globes often spread the love around multiple Oscar favs and The Hurt Locker could score here and gain momentum into the Oscars.
Best Screenplay
Quentin Tarantino should come out on top here for his biting Inglourious Basterds script, but Up in the Air or District 9 could clips his wings.
Rounding out the rest of the movie awards...
Best Animated Film: Up
Best Score: Up
Best Foreign Language Film: The Maid
Best Song: The Weary Kind - Crazy Heart
...And now TV
Best TV Series Drama
Led by Jon Hamm, January Jones, and the best writing on television, Mad Men has this in the bag again this year. It deserves it. Still, I wouldn't rule out a surprise win for True Blood.
Best TV Series Comedy
The Globes always love to shower new shows with gold. Let's hope it's for Modern Family, which has been hilarious from episode one and only gets better. While I'd love for that or The Office to get some love, I think Glee will take home the prize. The show may be too damned infectious for voters to vote against.
Best Actor in a TV Series Drama
Jon Hamm and Hugh Laurie have both won in this category, and I suspect it's down to the duo again this year with Laurie having the edge. Whoever wins, let's hope Laurie gets that long-deserved Emmy this summer. He's doing his best work on the show this season, and that's saying a lot.
Best Actress in a TV Series Drama
January Jones has a shot for her sparkling turn as Betty on Mad Men, but something tells me Anna Paquin is going to pull an upset here for her role on True Blood.
Best Actor in a TV Series Comedy
Alec Baldwin's won before for 30 Rock, and I think he'll win again this year but don't count out Matthew Morrison's work on Glee. He's funny, geeky, and sexy at the same time. Voters might fall for him. Personally, I think The Office's Steve Carell is most deserving.
Best Supporting Actor - TV
Michael Emerson is masterful in Lost, but I think John Lithgow's amazing turn on Dexter will be impossible for voters to ignore.
Best Supporting Actress - TV
No contest: voters will sing Jane Lynch's praises for Glee.
Rounding out the rest of the TV awards...
Best TV Movie/Mini-Series: Grey Gardens
Best Actor in TV Movie/Mini-Series: Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance
Best Actress in TV Movie/Mini-Series: Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens
Follow Jon Chattman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecheappop
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