Ricky Gervais may set off quite a few fireworks as host of the 2012 Golden Globes. But, let’s be real, the true explosions will go on inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15 when the best in film (and television) are awarded Golden Globe excellence. So… who will win? Movie Fanatic makes our annual predictions that you can use to win that pool. This is the Golden Globes predictions to take to the bank.
Best Drama
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse
Winner: Hugo
Why: For two reasons: By process of elimination and Hugo is the year’s best drama (as Movie Fanatic named it the best film in our Top 10 Movies of 2011). The Help, The Ides of March and Moneyball are in the “great to be nominated” mold. The Descendants should be happy just to be recognized by the Foreign Press. Lastly, War Horse’s award chances are slowly fading. So, it too should be “happy to be nominated.”
Best Comedy/Musical
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Carnage
Midnight in Paris
My Week with Marilyn
Winner: The Artist
Why: First off, The Artist is neither a comedy nor a musical, but because it is a favorite to win all sorts of awards, it will win -- regardless of its category. The winner of this category should be Bridesmaids, but given the parameters mentioned, The Artist is your winner.
Best Animated Film
Arthur Christmas
Cars 2
Rango
Puss in Boots
The Adventures of Tintin
Winner: The Adventures of Tintin
Why: Tintin is an international superstar and this is the awards show where the honors are bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The Adventures of Tintin is a Best Picture-worthy film, so this category is a lock.
Best Foreign Language Film
The Flowers of War
In the Land of Blood and Honey
The Kid with a Bike
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Winner: In the Land of Blood and Honey
Why: One of the toughest categories of the night. Angelina Jolie is beloved by the foreign press and her attention to the Bosnian war gives In the Land of Blood and Honey its leg up. But, A Separation is considered one of the best films of the year, regardless of the geography from which it arose. On the other hand, The Flowers of War is an astounding film and it stars an international movie celebrity in Christian Bale. The Skin I Live In features a famed global director and star in Spain’s Pedro Almodovar and Antonio Banderas. Like we said -- a very tough category. Given the subject matter and its superstar director, give this by a hair to Jolie and In the Land of Blood and Honey.
Best Actor in a Drama
George Clooney, The Descendants
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March
Michael Fassbender, Shame
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Winner: George Clooney, The Descendants
Why: If for no other reason than Clooney gave the best performance of the year… period.
Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Brendan Gleeson, The Guard
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50
Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love
Owen Wilson, Midnight in Paris
Winner: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Why: When Dujardin and Clooney go toe-to-toe at the Oscars, picking the winner will be difficult. But, at the Golden Globes, the winner of Best Actor at Cannes will be taking home the Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical trophy.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
Albert Brooks, Drive
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method
Winner: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Why: This category comes down to Plummer versus Brooks. Because of his body of work and lack of an awards chest, give the edge to Plummer for a career best performance in Beginners.
Best Actress in a Drama
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Winner: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Why: It’s Meryl’s year. Davis is a close second, but Streep did Thatcher as no one else could and gave the best overall acting performance -- male or female -- of 2011.
Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy
Jodie Foster, Carnage
Charlize Theron, Young Adult
Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Kate Winslet, Carnage
Winner: Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Why: An honestly tougher category than would be expected. The musical or comedy element of the Golden Globes makes this difficult to call. Knock the Carnage actresses off the winner’s podium as they cancel each other out. Theron turns in a career best performance in Young Adult, but with no redemption at the end of the film, it will be hard to give her the Golden Globe. Williams is Marilyn Monroe in every way and the best part of the film. Wiig is a revelation in Bridesmaids, and she co-wrote it, but in the end this is Williams’ award for her uncanny performance as an international icon.
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Winner: Jessica Chastain, The Help
Why: In the end it really comes down to The Help’s Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer. Give it to Chastain if for no other reason than this year’s Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture nominee had the best year. Beyond The Help, Chastain riveted in Take Shelter, The Debt, Texas Killing Fields, Tree of Life and Coriolanus.
Best Director
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
George Clooney, The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Winner: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Why: His film wins the award for Best Picture, Musical/Comedy.
Best Screenplay for a Motion Picture
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Kaui Hart Hemmings, The Descendants
Steve Zallian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin, Michael Lewis, Moneyball
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, The Ides of March
Winner: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Why: See Best Director and Best Comedy/Musical.
Best Original Score in a Motion Picture
Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Abel Korzeniowski, W.E.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore, Hugo
John Williams, War Horse
Winner: Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Why: The Hollywood Foreign Press will reward one of its own as The Artist racks up the wins.
Best Original Song in a Motion Picture
Hello Hello, Gnomeo & Juliet
The Keeper, Machine Gun Preacher
Lay Your Head Down, Albert Nobbs
The Living Proof, The Help
Masterpiece, W.E.
Winner: Hello Hello, Gnomeo & Juliet
Why: Elton John is God-like to the Foreign Press and his Hello Hello from Gnomeo and Juliet is Beatles-esque and that only helps his chances.