download film: Tis the Season: The Golden Globes

(Scroll over any film title for the full Black Sheep review.)

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association may not be the most definitive factor in determining what the Oscar nominations will be, but it certainly is the highest profile film awards ceremony outside of the Academy, so it's got to count for something, right? Regardless, it is always a pretty good party to enjoy from the comfort of my couch.

Leading the pack this year is THE KING'S SPEECH, with 7 nominations, including one for each of the three major performances, as well as the direction, screenplay and picture itself. Following closely in second place are THE FIGHER and THE SOCIAL NETWORK, both with 6 nominations apiece. BLACK SWAN and INCEPTION round out the Best Motion Picture - Drama cateogry, each also earning a total of 4 nods. If the Oscars were still doing a Top 5, I'm pretty sure these five would be the finalists and rightfully so. Wait a minute though; where are the Coen Brothers and TRUE GRIT?

The comedy categories are appropriately laughable. Whereas THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is rewarded with 4 nominations (Julianna Moore is in; Mark Ruffalo is out.), obvious choices like BARNEY'S VERSION and EASY A, miss out on the main event, while their stars earn token nods, and complete misfires like BURLESQUE and THE TOURIST compete for the top prize. Johnny Depp is even nominated twice in the Comedy Actor category, scoring his second nod for ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Clearly, 2010 was not a very funny year.

All in all, the Golden Globe nominations have hardly changed the road to the Oscars for the major competitors. They did manage to give a little push to Mark Wahlberg (Best Actor - Drama), Halle Berry (Best Actress - Drama), Andrew Garfield (Best Supporting Actor), Jacki Weaver (Best Supporting Actress) and Mila Kunis (Best Supporting Actress). Michael Douglas for Best Supporting Actor in WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS though? Really?

The Golden Globes will be handed out in a ceremony to be held on January 16, 2011 and aired on NBC. Here are the major category nominees:

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA

Halle Berry, FRANKIE AND ALICE

Nicole Kidman, RABBIT HOLE

Jennifer Lawrence, WINTER'S BONE

Natalie Portman, BLACK SWAN