Golden Globes: How Did I Do?

Well, here we are, barely 24 hours removed from the Golden Globes telecast. There were some surprises, at least for me. I was somewhere in the middle of the road on my predictions, some I nailed, some I was way off. Actually, I think I fared better here than I do on my average box office predictions, but then, that isn't actually saying much. Anyway, let's take a look at how I did. I left my should win predictions off, as they really have no relevance in retrospect. Read on and see how I did and any little notes I may have.

Best Motion Picture - Drama

• Winner: Babel
• Prediction: The Queen
• Notes: This was a surprise, I was sure the Royal themed film was going to take the top spot. Sure, Babel had reviewed well, but it had been, or at least seemed to me, quiet on the possibility of winning front. While not my favorote film, I think it is worthy of the win. Could this signal a win come Oscar time?

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

• Winner: Dreamgirls
• Prediction: Little Miss Sunshine
• Notes: Another surprise, I was sure that the dysfunctional family was going to take the top spot. I had not seen the winner prior to the awards, something I rectified the day after, and I do not agree with it winning. It was a good movie, with a pair of first rate performances, but I do not feel it was the best in the category, and I doubt it will crack my personal top ten.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

• Winner: Forest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland)
• Prediction: Forest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland)
• Notes: A performance I have not yet seen, but has gotten raves, pretty much across the board. Whitaker is not an actor I think as being great, but there is always the potential for greatness when the right role and the right performer cross paths, like what seems to have happened here. On a side note, isn't this actually a supporting role?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

• Winner: Helen Mirren (The Queen)
• Prediction: Helen Mirren (The Queen)
• Notes: The movie may have left me a little cold, but there is no denying how fantastic Helen Mirren was. She captured the regality of the Queen and the tough decisions whe was faced with making, without making her seem too cold and clinical. It was a balance that worked perfectly.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

• Winner: Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat)
• Prediction: Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat)
• Notes: This guy gave what was possibly the best acceptance speech of the night. He also happened to give a great performance, albeit, one I had not completely wished to win. I still think he is a worthy winner, and it will be interesting to see where he goes with his new found popularity.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

• Winner: Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
• Prediction: Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
• Notes: Was there any real question that she would win? She put on an absolute clinic on the art of acting. It was over the top and subtle at the same time. Plus, she gave a nice speech in favor of getting more of the smaller and independent features out to a wider audience.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

• Winner: Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
• Prediction: Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
• Notes: Completely surprised by this. Again, I had not seen Murphy's performance prior to the show. Despite that I thought that Nicholson was a lock for the award. I have since seen Dreamgirls, and I definitely agree with Murphy's nomination, but am still not convinced that it was worthy of the win. Still, it was nice to see Murphy on the stage.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

• Winner: Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
• Prediction: Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
• Notes: I am probably sounding like a broken record, but I did not see the performance prior to the show, but had heard nothing but good things about her performance. I am convinced that the Oscar is hers. I have seen the film and she is the heart and soul of the film, without her Dreamgirls would be nothing. Also, why is she in the supporting category? This is her story, she is the lead here.

Best Director - Motion Picture

• Winner: Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
• Prediction: Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
• Notes: This was a thing of beauty, to see Scorsese up there is a wonderful thing. He rightfully deserves the award for the the film he delivered. Perhaps this is an omen that he will finally bring home an Oscar.

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

• Winner: The Queen - Peter Morgan
• Prediction: Little Children - Todd Field, Tom Perrotta
• Notes: I haven't seen Little Children, but for some reason, a voice told me it would win. I have since learned that the voice is a liar. Anyway, the script for The Queen would definitely not be my choice for the top prize, but it did have an interesting mix of royal chilliness and subtle heart.

Best Original Score - Motion Picture

• Winner: Alexandre Desplat (The Painted Veil)
• Prediction: Gustavo Santaolalla (Babel)
• Notes: Again, not my choice, but then, I have not yet heard this score. I also would not have chosen my prediction, but I really thought Santaolalla would take it. I personally wished that Clint Mansell won for The Fountain.

Best Foreign Language Film

• Winner: Letters from Iwo Jima
• Prediction: Letters from Iwo Jima
• Notes: Haven't seen the Eastwood film yet, but it has had a surge in critical acclaim, which prompted the release to be pushed up for Oscar eligibility. I personally think that Pan's Labyrinth should have one, and suspect that Volver may take the Oscar.

Best Animated Film

• Winner: Cars
• Prediction: Cars
• Notes: A new category this year recognizing the growing amount of animated films. The winner had the best animation, but not the best story, still a worthy choice. Pixar has put out some great films.

Best Television Series - Drama

• Winner: Grey's Anatomy
• Prediction: Grey's Anatomy
• Notes: Too bad I lost interest in this show. It veered off from what I liked about it in the first and second seasons. Still, it has a large fanbase.

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy

• Winner: Ugly Betty
• Prediction: Ugly Betty
• Notes: Everyone seems to rave about the fashion series, although I haven't had much interest in it. It has had a great critical reception, so maybe there is something to it.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

• Winner: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
• Prediction: Steve Carell (The Office)
• Notes: Surprising. Not sure I agree with it, but I cannot say that I dislike Baldwin on the show, he has a certain smarmy, greasy charm. Carell should have taken this, but there is always next year.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

• Winner: America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
• Prediction: America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
• Notes: Don't watch the show, but had a sneaking suspicion that she would win. Not much else to say, really.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama

• Winner: Hugh Laurie (House)
• Should Win: Kiefer Sutherland (24)
• Notes: Cannot say I am disappointed by Laurie's win, I love the show. I just didn't think that this was going to be his year. Nope, not disappointed at all.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama

• Winner: Kyra Sedgewick (The Closer)
• Prediction: Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy)
• Notes: This is another series that I watched, but ultimately abandoned. At some point a guy has to trim back on the shows he watches, and this one got the axe. Still, a quality show, and noce to see her win over my prediction.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Winner: Jeremy Irons (Elizabeth I)
• Prediction: Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
• Notes: I never liked how all supporting performances get lumped into this one category. I just do not like it, these performances are not exactly equatable. At least Irons had one good performance, sort of makes up for Eragon.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Winner: Emily Blunt (Gideon's Daughter)
• Prediction: Sarah Paulson (Studio 60)
• Notes: Yes, I favor series supporting jobs to those in supporting roles in mini-series and television movies. So, I would not have selected Emily Blunt, although it is nice to see in lieu of her Prada performance. I really would have preferred Paulson.

That about wraps it up. In the end I was 11 for 21 in the categories I made predictions in. You may notice a couple of categories missing here, those were the ones I was not interested in. Now the Oscar hype season can begin.