Golden Globes

On Sunday, January 13, 2013, the Hollywood Foreign Press will announce their winners for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards.  

Here are my predictions in order of probability:

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Best Picture, Drama Predicted Winner:

• Argo – This true-life take on an incredible tale of courage and perseverance seems to have the most positive buzz amongst the press though snubbed in the Best Director category with the Oscars.

Best Picture, Drama Possible Upsets:

• Lincoln – This epic tale has also a very strong chance to take the top prize and made a strong showing with the Academy Award nominations.
• Zero Dark Thirty – The intense thriller also based on a true tale has a chance, but may be a little too dark for voters with the Hollywood Foreign Press.

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy Predicted Winner:

• Silver Linings Playbook – Has a lot of great buzz as a smart, well-crafted romantic comedy with strong performances.

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy Possible Upset:

• Les Misérables  – Though receiving mixed reviews, this epic musical has the grandeur and force that could result in enough votes from the Hollywood Foreign Press to take the top prize.

 Best Director Predicted Winner:

•  Ben Affleck for Argo – Affleck has gained great respect as a director and has the star power to take the top prize.

Best Director Possible Upsets:

• Kathryn Bigelow for Zero Dark Thirty – Bigelow also has garnered great respect as director and has a lot of positive buzz with the press. She could also take home the award.
• Steven Spielberg for Lincoln – The veteran filmmaker is one of the most successful and accomplished directors of all-time and has the name clout to resonate with voters.

Best Actor, Drama Predicted Winner:

• Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln – A seven-time Golden Globe nominee and previous winner for There Will Be Blood, Day-Lewis has the most critical momentum behind him to take the top honor in this category.

Best Actor, Drama Possible Upset:

• Joaquin Phoenix for The Master – Phoenix is also a previous Golden Globe nominee and winner. His performance has also generated lots of critical acclaim though he has a much-publicized aversion to awards.

Best Actress, Drama Predicted Winner:

• Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty – Chastain is one of the most watched female rising stars in Hollywood and has garnered much praise for her accomplished performance in this film.

Best Actress, Drama Possible Upset:

• Naomi Watts for The Impossible – Watts has built a solid amount of support and respect as an actress, in particular for this critically acclaimed performance. She also has the star power that voters like.

Best Actor, Musical or Comedy Predicted Winner:

• Hugh Jackman for Les Misérables – Jackman is a very charismatic presence in Hollywood and has generated a lot of positive buzz about his dynamic performance that shows off his skills as an actor and singer.

Best Actor, Musical or Comedy Possible Upset:

• Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook – The race for this award is very close and Cooper also has a strong chance to take the prize. Like Jackman, Cooper also has a strong charismatic presence in Hollywood and has received much praise for his performance.

Best Actress, Musical or Comedy Predicted Winner:

• Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook – Like Chastain, Lawrence is a huge rising star in Hollywood and has generated lots of positive buzz for her performance. She is definitely the “It” girl in Hollywood.

Best Actress, Musical or Comedy Possible Upset:

• Judi Dench for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – This well-respected film veteran made a huge impact his year, not only for this film, but also for her acclaimed performance in Skyfall. She also has ten previous Golden Globe nominations and has won twice.

Best Supporting Actor Predicted Winner:

• Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Master – Seymour Hoffman is not only well-liked but a much acclaimed character actor in Hollywood. His performance in this film has lots of buzz behind it.

Best Supporting Actor Possible Upset:

• Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln – The race for this award is also very close, as Lee Jones is also very well liked and respected as an actor. His performance also has generated a lot of acclaim.

Best Supporting Actress Predicted Winner:

• Anne Hathaway for Les Misérables – Hathaway has generated the most positive buzz for her acclaimed performance where she shows off her talents as an actress and singer. She is also very well liked and has received acclaim for another high profile film this year: The Dark Knight Rises.

Best Supporting Actress Possible Upset:

• Sally Field for Lincoln – Field has also received a lot of positive attention for her performance and is very well liked and respected in Hollywood. She has a total of eleven Golden Globe nominations with two wins. The press also likes a film comeback story.

Best Screenplay Predicted Winner:

• Tony Kushner for Lincoln – This category is a little bit tougher to predict. Kushner has the most positive press for his screenplay in this category. He is also a highly respected writer in film, television and theatre.

Best Screenplay Possible Upset:

• Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained – This is really anybody’s race but I would have to go with Tarantino here, as he has the name recognition factor and has garnered much praise for this film.

Best Foreign Language Film Predicted Winner:

• Amour – This film is almost a sure bet in this category. Out of all the foreign language films this year, this one has generated the most acclaim and positive press.

 Best Foreign Language Film Possible Upset:

• Intouchables – Though snubbed by the Oscars, this film has also generated strong positive buzz and critical acclaim.

Best Animated Feature Film Predicted Winner:

• Frankenweenie – Out of those nominated in this category, this animated film has generated the most positive acclaim and is directed by Tim Burton, who is a previous Golden Globe nominee. Also, the Hollywood Foreign Press snubbed ParaNorman, which should have received a nomination in this category.

 Best Animated Feature Film Possible Upset:

• Wreck-It Ralph – This film also has a lot of positive press and was a big draw at the box office this past year. Personally, I would like to see Brave take this award, as this was my favorite animated film of the year.

Best Original Song Predicted Winner:

• “Skyfall” from Skyfall: Adele, Paul Epworth – This was a huge film this year and the song was one of the many highlights. It is also written and sung by Adele, who is extremely popular.

Best Original Song Possible Upset:

• “Suddenly” from Les Misérables: Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer – This film has generated a huge amount of buzz as well and most of the songs were not eligible for a nomination, as they were written originally for the stage production.

Best Original Score Predicted Winner:

• John Williams for Lincoln – The score from this movie is one of its highlights and John Williams is a prolific and well-renowned film composer.

Best Original Score Possible Upset:

• Alexandre Desplat for Argo – The score from Argo is also one of the film’s highlights and Desplat also scored Zero Dark Thirty this year.