SNL 41.10 Review - Adam Driver, Chris Stapleton

Original Airdate - 1/16/16

Star Wars is now the highest grossing movie of all time.  It only makes sense that Saturday Night Live tries to cash in on some of that success.  They picked the perfect cast member to host their show too.  Adam Driver has been an actor known well by some and not at all by others.  Some recognized him as the boyfriend from Girls, others recognized him from minor roles in an array of random films.  I always thought of him as the weird sound effects singer from the Coens' Inside Llewyn Davis (starring fellow Star Wars actor Oscar Isaac ... he would be a great one to host too!).  Then Star Wars came out, and he is instantly recognizable by everyone.  However, one thing that you notice very quickly in this episode is that Adam Driver is really funny and, despite being known now as the epitome of evil, he is built for sketch comedy.

Cold Opening

This had to be the worst Cold Opening of the season.  Yes, there was a Republican Presidential Debate this week, and yes, SNL loves to comment on the political scene as they are very good at it.  However, the last episode before Christmas started off with a Republican Presidential Debate sketch, and this felt more like a re-run of that sketch than something fresh.  It did nothing new with the material.  They even brought back announcer Darrell Hammond to be the Donald, but even he seemed bored with it.  You can't start two shows in a row with the same sketch.  That's a rule.

Monologue

Quickly, the stale Cold Opening was forgotten as the Monologue started.  From the moment he stepped on stage, it was obvious that Adam Driver belongs there.  He commanded the room in a way few hosts know how.  He made light of his military past and thwarted off Star Wars fanboys asking him to reveal secrets.  It was a pretty standard bit, but it showed enough to realize this would be a strong episode.

Weekend Update

Pete Davidson is a strange guy.  I love it when they let him go to the Update desk and rant about something on his mind.  He keeps his material much fresher than Leslie Jones does.  We also learn some things about him every time.  He definitely enjoys making light of his own situations for the sake of comedy.  This week, the topic was gun control and the potential of letting guns into mental institutions.  Pete got pretty personal about his experiences with this, but what could have been awkward remained light enough to still get some good laughs.  Next to the Update desk came Vanessa Bayer's kid reporter, which is awkwardly adorable every time.  As far as the material from Jost and Che, it was strong as usual with the exception of one part.  Naturally, Michael Che had to comment on the lack of diversity in this year's Oscar nominations.  His comments went away from racial and instead talked about how no one ever sees the movies nominated for Oscars.  As an Oscar fan, I thought this was stupid especially this year.  First off, blockbuster films that everyone sees are usually not that high of quality.  Second, if they are, they get nominated, especially this year.  Star Wars got 5 nominations, and Mad Max: Fury Road got 10 nominations including Best Picture!  How much more do you want?  Not to mention, films like The Revenant become cultural phenomenons because of the attention they get from awards shows.  Some years, this is a relevant joke to make.  This just isn't one of those years.  Okay, I'm done.

Best Sketch

Following this episode, there were two sketches everyone as talking about.  I myself didn't see them as groundbreaking in any way, but they were culturally relevant and put SNL in a public eye like few sketches have in recent memory.  Because of that, they were the best sketches of the night.  First, you have the inevitable Star Wars sketch.  If you have the star of the biggest box office film of all time, why not use him?  The way they used him was quite clever too as he became the Undercover Boss on StarKiller Base.  The premise was better than the actual sketch, but it was still pretty funny.  Another good thing about this sketch is it was the only Star Wars sketch they did.  It can be easy to overdo something like that until it isn't funny anymore, but luckily they realized Adam Driver's ability to do pretty much anything and stayed away from Star Wars the rest of the night.  The second sketch that got attention was Aladdin's magic carpet ride that didn't go quite as planned.  First, for everyone who hadn't seen Inside Llewyn Davis, there was general shock that Adam Driver could sing.  Then they begin to realize that the skies aren't as clear and pure as they wished they were.  Cecily Strong pulls off a pretty convincing Jasmine too.

Worst Sketch

This sketch angered me so much.  It started out as something that looked like it was going to be really funny.  Adam Driver was hosting a show about funny cats where he narrated what the cats were doing.  It was ridiculous, silly, and hilarious coming from such a big guy with a deep voice.  This was all this sketch needed to be.  Instead, the cast ruined it.  Kate and Cecily came out as his French counterparts and gave their French commentary on the same clips.  Something that started out as being a lot of fun slowed to a stop once they started talking.  It was dull and boring.

Dark Horse Sketch

These two clips were my favorite parts of the episode.  First, you have a sketch that had to be written by Kyle Mooney.  He has such a strange brand of comedy.  A husband/wife team win a Golden Globe and tell their kids in the acceptance speech to go to bed.  We then see the kids listen and go to bed while the parents party all night.  It is so bizarre, but so funny at the same time.  The surprise cameo at the end just adds to the whole sketch too.  The second clip is a special appearance by SNL alum Fred Armisen.  Fred comes back quite often, but this time it was to pay tribute to the late great David Bowie.  It was a very well done and touching moment.

Grade

This was one of my favorite episodes of the season.  It was a fairly consistent episode throughout (except the Cold Opening) as it showed off the many sides of a new star not many people know much about.  Adam Driver was everything a host should, and he better be asked back often.  If they keep asking Chris Hemsworth back, Adam Driver has to be on the short list too.

***B+***

View the full episode here:

72 Annual Golden Globe Predictions!!

   72nd Annual Golden Globe Predictions!!!

So it's officially award season, who's excited!  Well the guys over here at almostsideways.com certainly are!!!  With the new year vastly approaching, we were given an early Christmas present, the Golden Globe Nominations!  

So, with that said, lets go over the nominees and who we think will win, and who we might think got snubbed!  Keep in mind, this one little thing,  we haven't seen every movie but we have seen a lot of them.  

Best Motion Picture Drama:

Boyhood

Foxcatcher

The Imitation Game

Selma

The Theory of Everything

Adam:  Boyhood. The shear nostalgia of this film and the feet of filming over several years is amazing.  Hands down, one of the best movies of the year!  Snubbed: Nightcrawler, Gone Girl

Zach: Boyhood

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama:

Jennifer Aniston - Cake

Felicity Jones - The Theory of Everything 

Julianne Moore - Still Alice

Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl  

Reese Witherspoon - Wild

Adam:  Rosamund Pike was amazing in Gone Girl.  I feel like she went out of her comfort level for this role and knocked it out of the park.  Though, Felicity Jones was amazing as well.  Snubbed: Shailene Woodley - The Fault in Our Stars

Todd: Julianne Moore. Moore is really set up for a sweep, and she deserves it. It is a shame that she has never won an Oscar or a Globe in the film categories. Why not give her two?

Zach: Julianne Moore

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama
Steve Carrel - Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game
Jake Gyllenhall - Nightcrawler
David Oyelowo - Selma
Eddie Redmayne - The Theory of Everything

Adam:  Steve Carrel.  Though I haven't seen Foxcatcher so I believe Jake Gyllenhall is worthy of this award.  He was so creepy and intriguing, that you can't look away.  One of his best roles!!  Snubbed:  Brendan Glesson -Calvary, Andy Serkis - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 

Todd: Steve Carrel.  Carell is a past winner at the Globes, and his transformative performance seems like a safe bet for the Drama category.

Zach: Jake Gyllenhall

Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Birdman
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Into the Woods
Pride
St. Vincent

Adam:  Birdman was an amazing movie.  It had amazing performances that stick with you.  The directing was crazy good.  It so enjoyable and I can't wait to watch it again.  Snubbed: Guardians of the Galaxy, Top Five

Todd: Into the Woods.  The Globes love to even out the musicals and comedies, and the musicals almost always win.

Zach: Birdman

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Amy Adams - Big Eyes
Emily Blunt - Into the Woods
Helen Mirren - The Hundred-Foot Journey
Julianne Moore - Maps to the Stars
Qhevenzhane Wallis - Annie

Adam: Emily Blunt. Might be my favorite part of the film.  Snubbed: Rosario Dawson - Top Five

Todd: Julianne Moore. Moore might be set to win two awards, like Kate Winslet was back in 2008, mainly because of the HFPA’s obsession with David Cronenberg.

Zach: Amy Adams

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Ralph Fiennes - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Michael Keaton - Birdman
Bill Murray - St. Vincent
Joaquin Phoniex - Inherent Vice
Christoph Waltz - Big Eyes

Adam: Michael Keaton.  What a brave performance.  He plays an awesome characterized version of himself.  He goes from not acting to acting to acting in a play really well.  Go Keaton!!!  Snubbed: Chris Pratt - Guardians of the Galaxy

Todd: Michael Keaton.

Zach: Michael Keaton

Best Animated Feature Film
Big Hero Six
The Book of Life
The Boxtrolls
How to Train a Dragon 2
The Lego Movie

Adam:  How to Train Your Dragon 2

Todd: Big Hero 6 We all know that the HFPA loves big movies, and even though Lego was star-studded and a box office smash, Big Hero 6 just seems like the type of material (Marvel) that is the flavor of the month. 

Best Foreign Language Film
Force Majeure
Gett: The Trial of Vivianne
Ida
Leviathan
Tangerines Mandariinid

Adam: Ida  Snubbed: Big Bad Wolves

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Patricia Arqutte - Boyhood
Jessica Chastain - A Most Violent Year
Kiera Knightley - The Imintation Game
Emma Stone - Birdman
Meryl Streep - Into the Woods

Adam: Emma Stone.  Her monologue in Birdman will totally win her the Golden Globe.  It was awesome to see her play a different character then she's use to. Snubbed: Carrie Croon - Gone Girl, Joey King - Wish I Was Here

Todd: Meryl Streep. Seemingly, Streep is nominated whether she has a movie being released or not. 

Zach: Patricia Arqutte

Best Performance by an Actor in Supporting Role
Robert Duvall - The Judge
Ethan Hawke - Boyhood
Edward Norton - Birdman
Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

Adam: J.K. Simmons.  What a performance!  Might be one of my favorite of the year.  What a crazy character that I can't see played by any one else.  Snubbed: Shia LaBeouf - Fury, Chris O'Dowd - Calvary, Robert Pattinson - The Rover

Todd: J.K. Simmons.

Zach: J.K. Simmons

Best Director - Motion Picture
Wes Anderson - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Ava Duvernay - Selma
David Fincher - Gone Girl
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - Birdman
Richard Linklater - Boyhood

Adam:  Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.  He deserves it!  The way it is filmed with one continual shot was such an amazing idea!  Snubbed: David Ayer - Fury

Zach: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Best Screenplay Motion Picture
Wes Anderson - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Gillian Flynn - Gone Girl
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - Birdman
Richard Linklater - Boyhood
Graham Moore - The Imitation Game

Adam:  Birdman

Todd: Birdman

Zach: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexander Desplat - The Imitation Game
Johann Johannsoon - The Theory of Everything Game
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross - Gone Girl
Antonio Sanchez - Birdman
Hans Zimmer - Interstellar

Adam:  Gone Girl. When David Fincher and Trent Reznor team up, it's gold!!  The score was so menacing and set the scope for the whole movie!  Loved it!  Snubbed: Whiplash

Todd: It is hard to ignore the beauty of The Theory of Everything’s music

Zach: Gone Girl


Those are some great categories with some great nominees.  Who do you want to win?? What was snubbed??

Thanks again for reading!  And for all things movies keep it locked on to almostsideways.com!!!




   

2015 Golden Globes Preview and Predictions

Is it just me, or has December/awards season really snuck up on us? Anyway, the Golden Globes nominations are coming quick, and here are my sarcastic commentary and over-my-head predictions for how the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will vote this year. Read up!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Julia Roberts – The Normal Heart

2. Allison Janney – Mom

3. Kathy Bates – American Horror Story: Freak Show

4. Uzo Abuda – Orange is the New Black
5. Michelle Monaghan – True Detective

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Martin Freeman – Sherlock: His Last Vow

 

2. Jon Voight – Ray Donovan

3. Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones

4. Matt Bomer – The Normal Heart

5. Bill Murray – Olive Kitteridge

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Jessica Lange – American Horror Story: Freak Show

2. Frances McDormand – Olive Kitteridge

3. Zoe Saldana – Rosemary’s Baby

4. Cicely Tyson – The Trip to Bountiful
5. Sara Paulson – American Horror Story: Freak Show

BEST ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Matthew McConaughey – True Detective

 

2. Benedict Cumberbatch – Sherlock: His Last Vow

3. Mark Ruffalo – The Normal Heart

4. Woody Harrelson – True Detective
5. Adrien Brody – Houdini

BEST MINISERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

1. True Detective

 

2. Fargo

3. American Horror Story: Freak Show

4. The Normal Heart
5. Sherlock: His Last Vow

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep

 

2. Lisa Kudrow – The Comeback

3. Amy Poehler – Parks and Recreation

4. Gina Rodriguez – Jane the Virgin
5.Taylor Schilling – Orange is the New Black

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent

 

2. Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory

3. Andy Samberg – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

4. Matt LeBlanc – Episodes
5. Anthony Anderson – Blackish

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Modern Family

 

2. Veep

3. Jane the Virgin

4. Orange is the New Black
5. Silicon Valley

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Viola Davis – How to Get Away with Murder

2. Robin Wright – House of Cards

3. Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife

4. Kerry Washington – Scandal
5. Claire Danes - Homeland

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Clive Owen – The Knick

 

2. Kevin Spacey – House of Cards

3. Dominic West – The Affair

4. Michael Sheen – Masters of Sex
5. Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. House of Cards

 

2. Game of Thrones

3. The Knick

4. Boardwalk Empire
5. The Affair

BEST ANIMATED FILM

1. Big Hero 6

 

2. The Lego Movie

3. The Tale of Princess Kaguya

4. The Book of Life
5. The Boxtrolls

Explanation: We all know that the HFPA loves big movies, and even though Lego was star-studded and a box office smash, Big Hero 6 just seems like the type of material (Marvel) that is the flavor of the month. How to Train Your Dragon 2 will probably get in, but I just can’t figure out where.

BEST FOREIGN FILM

1. Two Days, One Night (Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne) – Belgium

 

2. Mommy (Xavier Dolan) – Canada

3. Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski) – Poland

4. Cantinflas (Sebastian del Amo) – Mexico
5. The Golden Era (Ann Hui) – Hong Kong

Explanation: They normally vote in favor of the name directors (Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima appeared in this category back in 2006, as was Angelina Jolie’s In the Land of Blood and Honey in 2011), and they love international stars. The Dardennes have Marion Cotillard in their critical hit, which should be enough to take the award. But hey, this is the hardest category to predict for any awards circuit.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

1. “Lost Stars” – Begin Again

2. “Everything is Awesome” – The Lego Movie

3. “Masterpiece” – Beyond the Lights

4. “The Last Goodbye” – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
5. “Glory” – Selma

Explanation: I would try to justify these, but it would be pointless. It is basically random, but I would be shocked if the top two are ignored.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

1. The Theory of Everything­ – Johann Johannsson

 

2. Gone Girl – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

3. Big Eyes – Danny Elfman

4. Interstellar – Hans Zimmer
5. Maleficent – James Newton Howard

Explanation: They love the big names, but there is always a wild card in the mix. Maleficent might be that wildcard, and history shows that they give their wins to movies that sometimes don’t even get nominated anywhere else. It is hard to ignore the beauty of The Theory of Everything’s music, though.

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

1. Birdman – Armando Bo, Alexander Dinelaris, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone

 

2. Unbroken – Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

3. Boyhood – Richard Linklater

4. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
5. A Most Violent Year – JC Chandor

Explanation: The HFPA loves putting a screwball into this category, but the top movies are just too great of screenplays to not put in there. Plus, there isn’t a legitimate random romantic-comedy or anything.

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

1. Angelina Jolie – Unbroken

 

2. David Fincher – Gone Girl

3. Clint Eastwood – American Sniper

4. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – Birdman
5. Christopher Nolan – Interstellar

Explanation: This seems pretty standard, and they love Jolie. She won three years in a row in different categories from 1997-1999. Eastwood is the only real shocker, but his movie will be popular and the Globes still can’t get enough of him.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Tim Burton – Big Eyes

Clint Eastwood – American Sniper

Peter Jackson – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Angelina Jolie – Unbroken

Christopher Nolan – Interstellar

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. Meryl Streep – Into the Woods

2. Patricia Arquette – Boyhood

3. Emma Stone – Birdman

4. Anna Kendrick – Into the Woods
5. Cameron Diaz – Annie

Explanation: Seemingly, Streep is nominated whether she has a movie being released or not. Diaz is a weird addition, I know, but they do love her. She was nominated 4 times between 1998 and 2002. If Annie is any good, then she might be a no-brainer for the Globes.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Cameron Diaz – Annie

Jane Fonda – This Is Where I Leave You

Kristen Stewart – Still Alice

Meryl Strep – The Giver

Meryl Streep – Into the Woods

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. JK Simmons – Whiplash

 

2. Edward Norton – Birdman

3. Johnny Depp – Into the Woods

4. Robert Duvall – The Judge
5. Albert Brooks – A Most Violent Year

Explanation: Usually, this category is pretty similar to the other awards, unless there is something absurd like Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder or John Travolta in Hairspray in the running. Depp is nominated always. Brooks is really just a stab.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Matt Damon – Interstellar

Johnny Depp – Into the Woods

Shia LaBeouf – Fury

Tyler Perry – Gone Girl

Chris Pine – Into the Woods

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Julianne Moore – Maps to the Stars

2. Angelina Jolie – Maleficent

3. Helen Mirren – The Hundred-Foot Journey

4. Keira Knightley – Begin Again
5. Jenny Slate – Obvious Child

Explanation: This category, with the exception of their thirst for stars, has a tendency to put an indie or two in there. Greta Gerwig was nominated for Frances Ha last year, so Jenny Slate takes that potential spot. Moore might be set to win two awards, like Kate Winslet was back in 2008, mainly because of the HFPA’s obsession with David Cronenberg.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Jennifer Aniston – Cake

Tina Fey – This Is Where I Leave You

Angelina Jolie – Maleficent

Melissa McCarthy – St. Vincent

Emma Stone – Magic in the Moonlight

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Michael Keaton – Birdman

2. Joaquin Phoenix – Inherent Vice

3. Chris Rock – Top Five

4. Bill Murray – St. Vincent
5. Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel

Explanation: This would be a really interesting group. The Comedy/Musical actor category is always strong. It is hard to completely leave out musical contenders Mark Ruffalo, John Lloyd Young, and James Corden, but these stars in strong films are too hard to get by.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Jim Carrey – Dumb and Dumber To

Jamie Foxx – Annie

Bill Murray – St. Vincent

Al Pacino – The Humbling

Chris Pratt – Guardians of the Galaxy

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Into the Woods

 

2. Birdman

3. Inherent Vice

4. Jersey Boys
5. Guardians of the Galaxy

Explanation: The Globes love to even out the musicals and comedies, and the musicals almost always win. This would be a cool list, and Jersey Boys gets in because it is Eastwood. Superhero movies have yet to really been embraced, but none have fully embellished in its comedy like Guardians.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Begin Again

Into the Woods

Jersey Boys

Jimi: All Is By My Side

Magic in the Moonlight

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Julianne Moore – Still Alice

2. Reese Witherspoon – Wild

3. Shailene Woodley – The Fault in Our Stars

4. Scarlett Johansson – Under the Skin
5. Marion Cotillard – Two Days, One Night

Explanation: Johansson would be the one real surprise, but like Diaz and Jolie, the HFPA simply loves her. She was nominated 4 times between 2003 and 2005. Moore is really set up for a sweep, and she deserves it. It is a shame that she has never won an Oscar or a Globe in the film categories. Why not give her two?

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Anne Hathaway – Interstellar

Scarlett Johansson – Under the Skin

Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

Reese Witherspoon – Wild

Shailene Woodley – The Fault in Our Stars

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Steve Carell – Foxcatcher

2. Bradley Cooper – American Sniper

3. Brad Pitt – Fury

4. Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game
5. David Oyelowo – Selma

Explanation: Carell is a past winner at the Globes, and his transformative performance seems like a safe bet for the Drama category. Pitt is nominated consistently. International actors are also popular here, so leaving off Eddie Redmayne, Timothy Spall, and Jack O’Connell was difficult.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Bradley Cooper – American Sniper

Robert Downey Jr. – The Judge

Matthew McConaughey – Interstellar

Brad Pitt – Fury

Channing Tatum – Foxcatcher

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Unbroken

2. Gone Girl

3. Boyhood

4. Interstellar
5. A Most Violent Year

Explanation: This is a really loaded category, and once again, the international movies might have to take a back seat. These seem pretty secure, with the exception of newly minted NBR Best Picture A Most Violent Year, which no one has really seen yet. It will be a fight between box office megahit Gone Girl, indie Boyhood, and Jolie’s war epic Unbroken for the top prize.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

American Sniper

Fury

Gone Girl

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Interstellar

There they are! Anyone who has any input or expertise, feel free to speak up. I only do this one for fun. I don’t follow it nearly as closely as the Oscars. Comment below!

2014 Golden Globes Preview and Predictions

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association loves star power, foreign actors, new TV shows, and musicals. Check out how that is reflected in my yearly Golden Globe predictions. Nominations are announced December 12^th, and the ceremony is on January 12^th. I am nowhere near as good at this as the Oscars, which is why I sort of mock the awards with my “HFPA Dream Lineup” prediction every year, but it makes for fun conversation and something to pay attention to in preparation for the real awards show.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Anna Gunn – Breaking Bad

2. Kathy Bates – American Horror Story: Coven

3. Sofia Vergara – Modern Family

4. Kate Mara – House of Cards
5. Holly Hunter – Top of the Lake

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Jon Voight – Ray Donovan

 

2. Mandy Patinkin – Homeland

3. Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones

4. Aaron Paul – Breaking Bad

5. Corey Stoll – House of Cards

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Elisabeth Moss – Top of the Lake

 

2. Jessica Lange – American Horror Story: Coven

3. Helen Mirren – Phil Spector

4. Laura Linney – The Big C Hereafter
5. Carrie Underwood – The Sound of Music

BEST ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Michael Douglas – Behind the Candelabra

2. Al Pacino – Phil Spector

3. Matt Damon – Behind the Candelabra

4. Larry David – Clear History
5. Christopher Plummer – Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight

BEST MINISERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

1. Behind the Candelabra

2. Phil Spector

3. American Horror Story: Coven

4. Top of the Lake
5. The Bible

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Lena Dunham – Girls

2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep

3. Amy Poehler – Parks and Recreation

4. Zooey Deschanel – New Girl
5. Mindy Kaling – The Mindy Project

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Michael J. Fox – The Michael J. Fox Show

2. Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory

3. Robin Williams – The Crazy Ones

4. Andy Samberg – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
5. Jason Bateman – Arrested Development

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Girls

 

2. Modern Family

3. The Michael J. Fox Show

4. Arrested Development
5. The Big Bang Theory

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Claire Danes – Homeland

2. Kerry Washington – Scandal

3. Vera Farmiga – Bates Motel

4. Robin Wright – House of Cards
5. Taylor Schilling – Orange is the New Black

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Kevin Spacey – House of Cards

2. Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad

3. Jeff Daniels – The Newsroom

4. Damian Lewis – Homeland
5. Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. House of Cards

 

2. Breaking Bad

3. Homeland

4. Game of Thrones
5. The Newsroom

BEST ANIMATED FILM

1. Frozen

 

2. The Wind Rises

3. Monsters University

4. Despicable Me 2
5. Epic

Explanation: Animation at the Golden Globes is a bit different than the Oscars. They like the blockbusters, so the smaller or foreign animated films do not stand as much of a chance.

BEST FOREIGN FILM

1. The Hunt

 

2. Blue Is the Warmest Color

3. The Grandmaster

4. The Past
5. Wadjda

Explanation: Normally, if there is an American movie in another language, such as Letters from Iwo Jima or In the Land of Milk and Honey then those films will at least be nominated. Here, I went with the most known and widely released of the foreign films of 2013.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

1. “So You Know What It’s Like” – Short Term 12

 

2. “Young and Beautiful” – The Great Gatsby

3. “Let It Go” – Frozen

4. “Go Where the Love Is” – The Way, Way Back
5. “Best Song Ever” – The Is Us

Explanation: This is where the Golden Globes can get pretty shameless with their star invites. Here, they would invite the likes of Demi Lovato and One Direction. Sounds like a win for the HFPA.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

1. Steven Price – Gravity

 

2. Arcade Fire – Her

3. Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks

4. Hans Zimmer – 12 Years a Slave
5. Steve Jablonsky – Lone Survivor

Explanation: The original scores at the Golden Globes are certainly more random than the other awards. They always nominate a film that gets no other recognition. That film could be Lone Survivor. They will also jump at the opportunity to invite Grammy-winning band Arcade Fire to the mix.

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

1. Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine­

2. John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave

3. Eric Singer – American Hustle

4. Terence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street
5. Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, July Delpy – Before Midnight

Explanation: I hate predicting this category, but I love the idea of it. A screenplay is a screenplay. I don’t care if it is an original thought, an expansion of a short film, based on a play, or whatever. The HFPA loves Woody Allen. They also love Boardwalk Empire, so this will give them a chance at inviting Terence Winter during a weaker period in his show. The others seem like the preordained nominees and near-locks. I can see the Coens sneaking in there too.

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

1. Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

 

2. Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

3. Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave

4. David O. Russell – American Hustle
5. Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine

Explanation: Scorsese has won four Golden Globes, the last being for Hugo a couple years ago. He could add another trophy to his collection. Woody Allen films, especially his dramas, are beloved by the HFPA. The others are the obvious contenders. This seems like a category that John Wells could show up in for August: Osage County, since they really like the talkative movies, especially based on plays. Keep an eye on him. The Globes is where that film could shine.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Way, Way Back

Ron Howard – Rush

Peter Jackson – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

2. Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

3. Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

4. Lupita Nyongo – 12 Years a Slave
5. Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Explanation: This seems like a fairly easy category to predict. Oprah would bring an audience bigger than anyone could imagine. Roberts was even nominated for doing nothing in Charlie Wilson’s War. Jennifer Lawrence…clearly. The other two are just great roles that will get in. Hawkins seems like a future regular at the Globes.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Scarlett Johansson – Don Jon or Her

Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

Reese Witherspoon – Mud

Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. James Gandolfini – Enough Said

 

2. Tom Hanks – Saving Mr. Banks

3. Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave
5. Harrison Ford – 42

Explanation: Harrison Ford would be the Michael Douglas in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps-type nomination, reigniting a dormant career. Gandolfini’s death will only heighten his chances to get one last award from the organization that worshipped him and his show The Sopranos. Hanks is always here. I love this category. Watch out for comedy supporting guys. The Globes nominate the best performances, regardless of whether they make them cry or not.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

George Clooney – Gravity

Bradley Cooper – American Hustle
James Franco – Spring Breakers

Mel Gibson – Machete Kills

Tom Hanks – Saving Mr. Banks

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

 

2. Sandra Bullock – The Heat

3. Emma Watson – The Bling Ring

4. Melissa McCarthy – The Heat
5. Greta Gerwig – Frances Ha

Explanation: Meryl Streep made a movie, so she is in. The Heat seems like the typical trash that the Globes will flip over. Watson and Gerwig are the ones that actually deserve the votes. There are quite a few contenders for this category. This could be one of the random categories that get six nominees.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Jennifer Aniston – We’re the Millers

Sandra Bullock – The Heat

Julia Louise-Dreyfus – Enough Said

Helen Mirren – Red 2

Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

 

2. Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

3. Oscar Isaac – Inside Llewyn Davis

4. Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Don Jon
5. Joaquin Phoenix – Her

Explanation: These all seem like locks, unless there is some category change like Hanks for Saving Mr. Banks or if The Wolf of Wall Street goes drama. It is still strange to think that it has been campaigning as a comedy. Perhaps someone like Bruce Dern could sneak in, but Nebraska does not seem like a GG-type movie.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Johnny Depp – The Lone Ranger

Robert De Niro – Last Vegas

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

Michael Douglas – Last Vegas

James Franco – Oz the Great and Powerful

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Inside Llewyn Davis

 

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Her
5. Black Nativity

Explanation: The Globes love their musicals, no matter if they are good or not. Here, they can express that love by nominating a couple. Her is a bit of a strange inclusion here, but there is a bit of randomness at the Globes sometimes. Inside Llewyn Davis seems like a clear frontrunner, but if Walter Mitty or Wall Street kill the box office, look for one of them to take the trophy.

The HFPA Dream Lineup: The Heat

Last Vegas

Red 2

This Is the End

The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Sandra Bullock – Gravity

 

2. Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

3. Emma Thompson – Saving Mr. Banks

4. Amy Adams – American Hustle
5. Judi Dench – Philomena

Explanation: Bullock won for her last nomination, which was also a double nom, and Gravity’s box office seems like all she will need to get another. Blanchett is her biggest threat. The other three are just normal nominees that will not take home the trophy. I am still not even sure if Adams is leading or not. I can see Kate Winslet maybe making it into the lineup, or one of the foreign actresses from Blue is the Warmest Color. Maybe Berenice Bejo has a shot. I am confident in these five, though.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Sandra Bullock – Gravity

Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

Nicole Kidman – Stoker

Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Kate Winslet – Labor Day

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

 

2. Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave

3. Robert Redford – All Is Lost

4. Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips
5. Hugh Jackman – Prisoners

Explanation: This is going to be the most interesting nomination announcement of the group. It seems like McConaughey would be a lock, but I thought the same thing about him in Magic Mike. Ejiofor will get nominated. The rest are less certain. How much did they like Captain Phillips? Greengrass has not had a great track record with the Globes. I like the randomness of Jackman getting in. I am just not sure here. There is so much star power.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Christian Bale – American Hustle

Tom Cruise – Oblivion

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Great Gatsby

Ryan Gosling – The Place Beyond the Pines

Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips

Chris Hemsworth – Rush

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. 12 Years a Slave

 

2. American Hustle

3. Lee Daniels’ The Butler

4. Gravity
5. Blue Jasmine

Explanation: The Butler seems like the weird one in the group, but Weinstein got the movie to blow up the box office, so its chances are great to secure a nom. Blue Jasmine is the stuff the HFPA dreams of. It could perform here as well as Allen’s Match Point. The rest of these are likely good box office films that are going to get mentioned no matter which show it is. They will be the frontrunners at the beginning of awards season.

The HFPA Dream Lineup: 

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Saving Mr. Banks

There they are. What do you like most about the Globes? Any TV stuff I overlooked? What are your predictions for this year’s awards? Let me know below.