Golden Globe Predictions

The Globes are handed out tonight. I probably won't watch (24 is on!), but I'll be interested to see who wins. The Globes, although fun because they come before the Oscars, really aren't a good Oscar predictor at all, given that its voting bloc aren't Academy members, and they split several categories into two--drama and comedy/musical for the lead acting and picture categories. For the last 2 years for example, their pick for best drama did not go on to win Best Picture.

Still, if something does unexpectedly well, it could be a sign that it might also get more attention at the Oscars than expected.

So quickly, here are my predictions:

Picture (drama): This one's between Babel, the movie with the most Globe nominations, and The Departed. The international sweep of Babel could impress the group, who after all, work for publications in foreign countries, however I'm giving the edge to The Departed.

Picture (comedy): Borat or The Devil Wears Prada would be interesting choices, but I'm giving the advantage to the only film in this set that's also an Oscar contender, Dreamgirls.

Actor (drama): Sure Leonardo DiCaprio has two nominations (The Departed and Blood Diamond), which could make him the leader, but Forest Whitaker is still racking up guild wins for his chilling turn in The Last King Scotland, so I say he's it.

Actress (drama): Easy easy easy. Helen Mirren for The Queen. Is there even any question?

Actor (comedy): If for any other reason, Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) deserves it for sheer guile. Besides, could you really Will Ferrell with a Golden Globe?

Actress (comedy): Again, quite easy. Meryl Streep, the only serious contender of this lot to get an Oscar nomination, should walk away with an award for The Devil Wears Prada.

Supporting Actor: Tough category, and the Globes don't make it any easier by having chosen three guys I don't expect to get Oscar nods. The leaves the other two, Jack Nicholson for The Departed and Eddie Murphy for Dreamgirls. I'll vote Eddie Murphy.

Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson's Dreamgirls performance is the frontrunner, so expect her to take it. An upset by Cate Blanchett would be interesting though.

Director: Even if The Departed doesn't win best drama, expect Martin Scorsese to walk away with Best Director.

Screenplay: Hmmm.. A toughie. Some good adaptations here, perhaps because it will get shut out in other spots, I'll say Babel, for telling quite the interesting story.

Song: Give it the year's hot musical, "Listen" from Dreamgirls.

Score: Alexandre Desplat's score for The Painted Veil is gorgeous, but I think the eclectic, globe-hopping Gustavo Santaolalla work for Babel will win.

Foreign Language Film: American films can qualify here, as long as they aren't in English, so there are two in here this year, including Letters From Iwo Jima. Pan's Labyrinth and foreign film favorite Almodovar's Volver are good competitors too though. I say Letters From Iwo Jima by a hair.

Best Animated Film: Haven't seen any of them, but Happy Feet is supposed to be good.

And why not take a crack at the TV categories?

Drama: 24
Comedy: The Office
Miniseries: Prime Suspect