Golden Globes 2019 Predictions
I’m excited, award season is about to commence – my absolute favourite time of the year! The city of angels comes alive Sunday January 6th (January 7th Australian time) when the Hollywood Foreign Press pat each other on the back handing out little gold statues in order to celebrate the 76th Golden Globe Awards. Unpredictable talented duo, Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg, host the often surprise-filled ceremony that covers both film and television categories.
Considered a serious stepping stone for winners towards an Oscar nomination, the Globes are less authoritative to their Academy counterparts where anything can happen – from shock winners to off-beat acceptance speeches. One fine example was actress Christine Lahti announced while she was visiting the loo and raising a few eyebrows when she bounced out on stage telling the audience just that.
Regular nominee, Nicole Kidman for film Destroyer, is one of three Australians in line for glory alongside Troye Sivan for his beautiful song in Boy Erased and Yvonne Strahovski in her crackling portrayal in series Handmaids Tale. The Golden Globes will be screened live on 7th January on Foxtel – red carpet on E from 10am and ceremony on Fox8 from 11.30am.
PREDICTIONS:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS – VICE
CLAIRE FOY – FIRST MAN
EMMA STONE – THE FAVOURITE
RACHEL WEISZ – THE FAVOURITE
REGINA KING – IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Claire Foy – incredible in anything, certainly the best thing in dismal First Man. Tough to separate Stone and Weisz in the terrific Favourite, two actors in the same film often cancel each other out. Adams and King are front-runners.
My Pick – AMY ADAMS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
ADAM DRIVER – BLACKKKLANSMAN
MAHERSHALA ALI – GREEN BOOK
RICHARD E. GRANT – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME
SAM ROCKWELL – VICE
TIMOTHY CHALAMET – BEAUTIFUL BOY
No Sam Rockwell quinella after winning last year. Young Chalamet solid in a sadly underseen film while veteran Grant is deserving for an amazing career alone – this role suits his articulate energy. Ali, no. Driver close call with Grant.
My Pick – ADAM DRIVER
BEST ACTOR MUSICAL – COMEDY
CHRISTIAN BALE – VICE
JOHN C. REILLY – STAN & OLLIE
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA – MARY POPPINS RETURNS
ROBERT REDFORD – OLD MAN AND THE GUN
VIGGO MORTENSEN – GREEN BOOK
Legendary Robert Redford mentioned this is his last film, odds in his favour with sympathy vote. Bale transforming himself physically, mentally for the role of Dick Cheney is absorbing. Musical maestro Miranda a real contender.
My Pick – CHRISTIAN BALE
BEST ACTRESS MUSICAL – COMEDY
CONSTANCE WU – CRAZY RICH ASIANS
CHARLIZE THERON – TULLY
ELSIE FISHER – EIGHTH GRADE
EMILY BLUNT – MARY POPPINS RETURNS
OLIVIA COLMAN – THE FAVOURITE
Hardest category as all five outstanding in their respective films. Theron unforgettable in low-key Tully. Enigmatic. Blunt practically faultless as the umbrella flying singing nanny. Wu or Fisher could surprise. Maybe Colman.
My Pick – EMILY BLUNT
BEST ACTOR DRAMA
BRADLEY COOPER – A STAR IS BORN
JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON – BLACKKKLANSMAN
LUCAS HEDGES – BOY ERASED
RAMI MALEK – BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
WILLEM DAFOE – AT ETERNITY’S GATE
World went Queen crazy all over again when Rami Malek perfectly incarnated Freddie Mercury. Hedges is truly wonderful as is veteran Dafoe who may surprise. Favourite Cooper has the edge over Denzel’s son, JD Washington.
My Pick – BRADLEY COOPER
BEST ACTRESS DRAMA
GLENN CLOSE – THE WIFE
LADY GAGA – A STAR IS BORN
MELISSA McCARTHY – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME
NICOLE KIDMAN – DESTROYER
ROSAMUND PIKE – A PRIVATE WAR
Overdue winner Rosamund Pike reliable in everything. Australia’s own Kidman, always a chance and well loved, McCarthy tones down comedy for immaculate seriousness. Close, simply remarkable…as is mesmerising GaGa.
My Pick – GLENN CLOSE
BEST ANIMATION FILM
THE INCREDIBLES 2
ISLE OF DOGS
MIRAI
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
Instant Japanese classic Mirai should not be dismissed amongst these more accessible, terrific animated gems. Isle of Dogs stop-motion brilliance. Cool character study of friendly neighbourhood spiderman should swing a win.
My Pick – SPIDER-MAN
BEST DIRECTOR
ADAM McKAY – VICE
ALFONSO CUARON – ROMA
BRADLEY COOPER – A STAR IS BORN
PETER FARRELLY – GREEN BOOK
SPIKE LEE – BLACKKKLANSMAN
If Bradley Cooper wins actor, unlikely to double up here. If not, he’s top pick. Erratic editing, sharp satire, grandiose ensemble genuine showcase for McKay. Cuaron, Farrelly may surprise. Controversial Lee should prepare his speech.
My Pick – SPIKE LEE
BEST FILM MUSICAL – COMEDY
CRAZY RICH ASIANS
THE FAVOURITE
GREEN BOOK
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
VICE
Crazy Rich Asians, global phenomenon, trailblazing, deserved to win. However The Favourite brought me to high agitated emotions, masterpiece. Green Book, no. Vice, maybe. Poppins, reinvigorates all delightful Disney elements.
My Pick – THE FAVOURITE
BEST FILM DRAMA
A STAR IS BORN
BLACK PANTHER
BLACKKKLANSMAN
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Unprecedented momentum believe it or not is with Black Panther, top notch diverse Marvel superhero adventure may double up as an ode to the late comic maestro, Stan Lee. Rest are in equal running, Star is Born quite popular.
My Pick – A STAR IS BORN (reluctantly). Blackkklansman a better film.
QUICK PICKS:
Best Screenplay – THE FAVOURITE
Best Score – Marc Shaiman; MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Best Song – Shallow; A STAR IS BORN
Foreign Film – GIRL (Belgium, Netherlands)
Television is not my speciality and many of the shows or nominated performers are yet to screen in Australia on either free to air or streaming. Australian Yvonne Strahovski (Handmaids Tale) has strong competition in best supporting actress category from Thandie Newton (Westworld). Alison Brie in retro wrestling series GLOW is my pick as actress in comedy – musical. Former Pet Detective Jim Carrey a top chance for his obscure series Kidding. However chameleon Sacha Baron Cohen remodelled himself into various characters for Who is America. Favourite Henry Winkler may step up again after an Emmy win for Barry, while often forgotten Jason Bateman hopefully will snag a win for Ozark.
Shane A. Bassett