The Golden Globes are coming! They may not be as prestigious as the Academy Awards, but they usually suggest who will be getting one. I think about half the nominees get nominated for the Academy anyway, or at least it seems that way. My wonderful local newspaper published the nominees in the Friday, December 14, 2007 edition. I’m willing to list the nominees for you and give you my pick. Mind you, I’m only out the motion picture nominations because I’m not that interested in the television nominations. So, wrap up in your blanket, grab your cup of coffee and prepare for some heavy (or maybe not so heavy) rantings!

Picture, Drama
“American Gangster,” “Atonement,” “Eastern Promises,” “The Great Debaters,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood.”

My pick: “Atonement”
Reason: I’ll be honest here. I haven’t seen any of the movies listed here. Not only am I basing this entire reasoning on the trailers (which, by the way, “Atonement” looks amazing) but the word ‘drama’ makes me imagine…soap operas. Sure the other movies may very well be amazing in their own way, but do they contain the heart-wrenching, war-dividing drama that will bring women to the movies? I think not. It looks like a total chick flick (and a very good one) and since critics are comparing it to “Titanic” (which I believe won the Golden Globe as well as an Oscar?), then why can’t “Atonement”?

Actress, Drama
Cate Blanchett, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age;” Julie Christie, “Away From Her;” Jodie Foster, “The Brave One;” Angelina Jolie, “A Mighty Heart;” Keira Knightley, “Atonement.”

My pick: Keira Knightley
Reason: Cate Blanchett won the Oscar last year (I think it was last year, if not then two years ago) for her work in “Notes On a Scandal.” The movie was amazing, her work was amazing. I’ve heard of “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” but haven’t seen it. I’m pretty sure she was amazing in that movie. But like I said before, she won recently. It’s just not fair to the other candidates (but when was Hollywood fair?). I liked Angelina Jolie’s work in “A Mighty Heart” (no matter how slow the movie was) and was amazed at her accent. However, I’m siding with Keira on this one. Why? Because she’s a very talented young actress who plays the lead role in “Atonement” which I’ve already stated will win. That and I’m a huge “Pirates of the Carribbean” fan.

Actor, Drama
George Clooney, “Michael Clayton;” Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood;” James McAvoy, “Atonement;” Viggo Mortensen, “Eastern Promises;” Denzel Washington, “American Gangster.”

My Pick: Viggo Mortensen
Reason: Really, no reason at all. I haven’t seen “Eastern Promises” nor have I heard of Viggo Mortensen. I just really liked the name Viggo. It’s different. I’m sure he’ll lose to George Clooney or James McAvoy (who will most likely be the victor because he’s in “Atonement.”) But doesn’t Viggo Mortensen just roll off your tongue?

Picture, Musical or Comedy
“Across the Universe,” “Charlie Wilson’s War,” “Hairspray,” “Juno,” “Sweeney Todd.”

My Pick: “Sweeney Todd”
Reason: I did some tech work for my highschool musical’s version of “Sweeney Todd.” It’s amazingly good, and since Tim Burton is directing it, he’s going to give it that dark and creepy touch it deserves. Sure, the other movies look just as good, and “Charlie Wilson’s War” has Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, but this is a Tim Burton musical we’re talking about. Remember “A Nightmare Before Christmas”? So how could “Sweeney Todd” not win?

Actress, Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams, “Enchanted;” Nikki Blonsky, “Hairspray;” Helena Bonham Carter, “Sweeney Todd;” Marion Cotillard, “La Vie En Rose;” Ellen Page, “Juno.”

My Pick: Amy Adams
Reason: Oh come on. You already knew that after looking at the blog’s layout. Amy Adams was the movie. Without her, “Enchanted” wouldn’t be so enchanting! She is a living, breathing Disney princess granted to us from…well, her parents (which we should all thank and shower with presents). Since I picked “Sweeney Todd” to win, Helena Bonham Carter should in theory win this award, but I’m going against the flow. I’m sure the voters will agree with me…

Actor, Musical or Comedy
Johnny Depp, “Sweeney Todd;” Ryan Gosling, “Lars and the Real Girl;” Tom Hanks, “Charlie Wilson’s War;” Philip Seymour Hoffman, “The Savages;” John C. Reilly, “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”

My Pick: Johnny Depp
Reason: There are quite a number of big names in this category, but I have faith in Johnny Depp. He managed to get nominated for an Oscar for Jack Sparrow, which is an amazing feat for that kind of a movie. I don’t think any of the critics mentioned his singing ability, so I’m going to assume it’s quite good. And if that’s the case, why shouldn’t the people vote for a double threat? He’s an accomplished actor and deserves some recognition for once.

Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There;” Julia Roberts, “Charlie Wilson’s War;” Saoirse Ronan, “Atonement;” Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone;” Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton.”

My Pick: Julia Roberts
Reason: Everyone loves Julia! She’s an amazing actress who hasn’t had a bad movie or role yet (that I know of). Since she hasn’t been seen in a movie since…”Erin Brockovich”? I’m sure everyone will give the award to her. If she doesn’t win, I’ll be quite surprised.

Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford;” Javier Bardem, “No Country for Old Men;” Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Charlie Wilson’s War;” John Travolta, “Hairspray;” Tom Wilkinson, “Michael Clayton.”

My Pick: John Travolta
Reason: This was tough for me. So many good names, but only one to choose. I finally decided on John Travolta not because it’s John Travolta. But rather because it’s John Travolta in a musical! He hasn’t done one since “Grease” and we all know what a success that was. I haven’t seen his cross-dressing prowess yet, but I’m quite sure it’ll be just as memorable as Danny Zuko.

Director
Tim Burton, “Sweeney Todd;” Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, “No Country for Old Men;” Julian Schnabel, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly;” Ridley Scott, “American Gangster;” Joe Wright, “Atonement.”

My Pick: Tim Burton
Reason: Sorry Joe Wright. You directed an Oscar winning movie, but I’m giving this award to Tim Burton. Why? Because he’s directing a musical. Need I say more? Didn’t think so.

Screenplay
Diablo Cody, “Juno;” Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, “No Country for Old Men;” Christopher Hampton, “Atonement;” Ronald Harwood, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly;” Aaron Sorkin, “Charlie Wilson’s War.”

My Pick: Christopher Hampton
Reason: “Atonement” looks like the only movie that if it were a book (and if is based on a book, I shall rush to the bookstore right now if someone tells me) I would want to devour it as soon as possible. I’ve gone past No Country for Old Men a few times at the bookstore, so for me, it wouldn’t be a must-see-right-now film. Besides, “Atonement” is my pick for picture, drama so in theory, it should win best screenplay.

Foreign Language
“4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” Romania; “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” France and the U.S.; “The Kite Runner,” U.S.; “Lust Caution,” Taiwan; “Persepolis,” France.

My Pick: “The Kite Runner”
Reason: I wouldn’t have picked “The Kite Runner” because the U.S. did it and that’s just an oxymoron or something like that. However, because it’s based on a critically acclaimed book and because I don’t know anything about the other movies, I’m giving this one to “The Kite Runner.”

Animated Film
“Bee Movie,” “Ratatouille,” “The Simpsons Movie.”

My Pick: “Ratatouille”
Reason: I’m not even sure why “The Simpsons Movie” was even nominated (lack of animated movies?) and “Bee Movie” looks a bit cheesy. “Ratatouille” has the best animation as far as CG goes, the best story, the best cast, and the best director. It far outshines the other movies, and if for some reason “Ratatouille” loses to “The Simpsons Movie” then I’m sorry. I will never again trust Hollywood’s views on animation.

Original Score
Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder, “Into the Wild;” Clint Eastwood, “Grace Is Gone;” Alberto Iglesias, “The Kite Runner;” Dario Marianelli, “Atonement;” Howard Shore, “Eastern Promises.”

My Pick: Clint Eastwood
Reason: I have no clue who the other composers are. I just so happened to be paying attention to the credits in “Letters from Iwo Jima” (which is amazing and a true tear-jerker unlike “Flags of our Fathers”, though maybe I was watching the credits to “Flags of our Fathers”) and I saw that Clint Eastwood composed the music. I know he’s capable of captiviating audiences with his original scores and really move them. So Clint Eastwood it is!

Original Song
“Despedida” from “Love in the Time of Cholera;” “Grace Is Gone” from “Grace Is Gone;” “Guaranteed” from “Into the Wild;” “That’s How You Know” from “Enchanted;” “Walk Hard” from “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”

My Pick: “That’s How You Know”
Reason: When a Disney song is up for an award, there’s a high probability that it’s going to get the award and be nominated for an Oscar. Not only that but you have the Alan Menkin doing the music and the Stephen Schwartz writing the lyrics. Not only has this team won awards for their work in “Pocahontas” (sadly coming up short for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”) but “That’s How You Know” brings the modern Disney classics to life, whereas the other two songs brought back classic Disney like “Sleeping Beauty.” “That’s How You Know” has the upbeat carribbean music that Alan Menkin brought to the “The Little Mermaid”, had the full choreographed dance of an animated feature, and is downright catchy. By the time we left the theatres, I could hear quite a few people humming that tune.

So, those are the nominees and my picks. What do you think? Who do you think will be victorious?