We shouldn’t get too carried away with this dubious, often-disproved notion that the Golden Globes are an accurate predictor of the Oscars. The announcement of the Globe nominations on Tuesday does, however, offer a useful précis of the current state of awards season.
Up in the Air, Preciousand The Hurt Locker, all nominated for best dramatic picture, remain the front- runners for the best picture Oscar. Avatar, also shortlisted in that section, is defying
early negative buzz to
become an unexpected awards player. Nine, despite a few harrumphs from critics, is still lurking in the slipstream.
The real shocker is, perhaps, Inglourious Basterdsgrabbing a best dramatic picture nod ahead of Clint Eastwood's Invictus. With Clint directing and Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela, the great man's study of South Africa's efforts to win the rugby World Cup seemed designed for gong glory. Mind you, Freeman did get mentioned in the best actor race and Eastwood got a director nod. So, who knows?
What else is missing? Well, with just one nomination (Stanley Tucci for best supporting actor) Peter Jackson's indifferently received The Lovely Bonesnow seems an awards gonner. Many felt that Saoirse Ronan deserved a nom for her fine turn as a ghostly teenager but, sadly, the Carlow girl's name was not on the final list.
The Golden Globe winners will be announced on January 17th.
