In the News/Random Musing: Golden Globe Nominations '09

Ok, so they were announced two days ago, but I've been busy, so sue me! Ok, I'm kidding, but here is a breakdown of the nominations and my thoughts on them...

Best Film - Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (No clue... Sounds impressive)
Frost/Nixon (historical drama & Ron Howard - 'nuff said)
The Reader (Sounds moving)
Slumdog Millionaire (Long shot, but getting heavy critical praise)
Revolutionary Road (I expect this will be an awards' magnet - "Titanic" will rise again!)

Best Film - Musical or Comedy
Happy-Go-Lucky (A dark horse by critics' darling Mike Leigh)
In Bruges (Ebert sure seemed to like it...)
Mamma Mia! (gratuitious choice... See this for more details)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody's done better)
Burn After Reading (Hot on the heels of "No Country For Old Men," this looks like a contender)

Best Actor - Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road (For 2 years, I have expected this to be his year)
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk (He tackled a big role impressively)
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (hearing good things...)
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Best Actor - Musical or Comedy
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (he has an Oscar now...)
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
James Franco - Pineapple Express (no)
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman - Last Chance Harvey (always nominating a legend...)

Best Actress - Drama
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married (Interesting...)
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt (Never miss a chance to nominate Miss Streep)
Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) (Thomas has been in a LOT of French movies lately - I'm impressed)
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road (Again, for 2 years, like Leo, I have anticipated this to be her year)

Best Actress - Musical or Comedy
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky (Strong showing)
Frances McDormand - Burn After Reading (a good shot)
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia! (Cute)
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey

Best Supporting Actor
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder (Wtf?)
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder (Hilarious)
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt (Likely candidate)
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight (Peter Travers apparently has listeners)

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams - Doubt (I adore her)
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (a good shot... Woody writes good characters)
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler (she's still around?)
Kate Winslet - The Reader (if she doesn't win for "Best Actress," she will get this one)

Best Director
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire (underdog)
Stephen Daldry - The Reader ("Billy Elliott" and "The Hours" were great previous endeavors)
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon (always worthy of nomination, but I don't think he stands out)
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road (likely winner - a good first post-"American Beauty" chance)

In summary, I think this will be the year of a "Revolution" for Kate, Leo, and Kate's husband Sam Mendes, although other films such as "Benjamin Button," "Doubt," and "Frost/Nixon" also seem to offer strong showings.

For a complete list, including the television series being recognized, click on the link to the Golden Globes site.