71st Golden Globe Awards Nominations

The 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards are set to be hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on Sunday January 12th, 2014.  Earlier today, the full list of nominees were announced.  Here they are with a bit of commentary on each category:

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Philomena is classed as drama rather than comedy when some of the comedy films are far more dramatic.  Perhaps a bad move for the film’s chances.  If the critics have their way, 12 Years a Slave will easily walk away with this award.  Personally, I prefer Captain Phillips out of this lot.

12 Years a Slave
Captain Phillips
Gravity
Philomena
Rush

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Emma Thompson is the most deserving, but again – surely this is a comedic role?  These categorizations are a bit off the mark.

Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
Sandra Bullock, “Gravity”
Judi Dench, “Philomena”
Emma Thompson, “Saving Mr. Banks”
Kate Winslet, “Labor Day”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
I’m always a Tom Hanks fan, but I’m guessing it’s all about Chiwetel.  Matthew McConaughey as a close second.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”
Idris Elba, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
Tom Hanks, “Saving Mr. Banks”
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Robert Redford, “All Is Lost”

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Nebraska is by far the best film in this category, but it faces stiff competition from Inside Llewyn Davis and the favourite to win – American Hustle.

American Hustle
Her
Inside Lleywn Davis
Nebraska
The Wolf Of Wall Street

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
This is where Emma Thompson’s win should have been played out, but as is, Meryl is always a sure bet.  Here’s hoping for Greta Gerwig.

Amy Adams, “American Hustle”
Julie Delpy, “Before Midnight”
Greta Gerwig, “Frances Ha”
Julia Dreyfus, “Enough Said”
Meryl Streep, “August: Osage County”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Bruce Dern all the way.

Christian Bale, “American Hustle”
Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”
Oscar Isaac, “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Joaquin Phoenix, “Her”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Frozen is perhaps in it with the best chance.

The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Frozen

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A tough category this year.  Blue is the Warmest Color is the likeliest due to its Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or prize earlier this year.  The Hunt is a far better film.

Blue is the Warmest Color
The Great Beauty
The Hunt
The Past
The Wind Rises

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
While Nebraska is my favourite film of the nominees, June Squibb is rather underwhelming.  I honestly have no feelings towards this category.

Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”
Jennifer Lawrience “American Hustle”
Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”
Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”
June Squibb, “Nebraska”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
I’m very glad to see Barhad Abdi on the nominee list.  However, this category belongs to Jared Leto versus Michael Fassbender.  I’m giving my full support to Leto in his career-defining performance in Dallas Buyers Club.

Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips”
Daniel Brühl, “Rush”
Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”
Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle”
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
If there is any justice in the film awards world, the Best Director award win will not align with best film win.  Alfonso Cuaron’s direction on Gravity was an impressive feat and deserves recognition.

Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”
Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips”
Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”
Alexander Payne, “Nebraska”
David O. Russell, “American Hustle”

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
NEBRASKA!

Her – Spike Jonze
Nebraska – Bob Nelson
Philomena – Jeff Pope, Steve Coogan
12 Years A Slave – John Ridley
American Hustle – Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
Not particularly impressed with any of these.

Alex Ebert, All Is Lost
Alex Heffes, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
John WIlliams, The Book Thief
Hans Zimmer, 12 Years A Slave

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
Please Mr Kennedy has to win this one.  It defines a pivotol scene in the wonderful Inside Llewyn Davis.  It also makes a star out of Adam Driver.

Atlas, Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Let It Go, Frozen
Ordinary Love, Mandela
Please Mr Kennedy, Inside Llewyn Davis
Sweeter Than Fiction, One Chance

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
It has to go to Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
The Good Wife
House Of Cards
Masters Of Sex

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Kerry Washington is a media darling, but I’m rather partial to Taylor Schilling who won me over in Orange is the New Black.

Julianna Nargulies, The Good Wife
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Taylor Schilling, Orange Is The New Black
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Robin Wright, House Of Cards

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Bryan Cranston has to have this one nailed.

Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”
Michael Sheen, “Masters of Sex”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
James Spader, “The Blacklist”

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Modern Family has been on a role in the category, but it’s time for some new blood.  Girls is a solidly better choice.

The Big Bang Theory
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Girls
Modern Family
Parks & Recreation

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Lena Dunham is the thinking critic’s choice.  Sadly, not all critics use their brains.

Zooey Deschanel, “New Girl”
Lena Dunham, “Girls”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Amy Poehler, “Parks & Recreation”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Two Teen Wolves go head to head for best actor accolades.  Jim Parsons usually kicks butt in this category, but he’s got a lot more competition this year.  Will the Globes herald Michael J. Fox’s triumphant return to television with a shiny statue?

Jason Bateman, “Arrested Development”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Michael J. Fox, “The Michael J. Fox Show”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Andy Samberg, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Surely this one is for Behind the Candelabra.  It was so excellent it was a cinematic release in the UK.

American Horror Story: Coven
Behind The Candelabra
Dancing on the Edge
Top of the Lake
White Queen

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
I’m rather fond of Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth Taylor, but Jessica Lange should give her a run for her money.

Helena Bonham Carter, “Burton and Taylor”
Rebecca Ferguson, “White Queen”
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Helen Mirren, “Phil Spector”
Elisabeth Moss, “Top of the Lake”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Rob Lowe is the most deserving.  Let’s hope he prevails.

Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Rob Lowe, Behind the Candelabra
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Corey Stoll, House of Cards
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
I’m not familiar with most of these performances, but Sofia Vergara is always a crowdpleaser amongst my friends.

Jacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge
Janet McTeer, The White Queen
Hayden Panettiere , Nashville
Monica Potter, Parenthood
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Surely this is Michael Douglas’s for the taking.

Matt Damon, “Behind the Candelabra”
Michael Douglas, “Behind the Candelabra”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Dancing on the Edge”
Idris Elba, “Luther”
Al Pacino, “Phil Spector”