And the Golden Globe goes to...

The Golden Globes are already here? How did Sunday, January 17th of the year 2010 (wow) arrive so soon? It truly was a mad dash after 'Avatar' opened. Films with Oscar buzz, and several with Golden Globe nominations, began filling the screens--and academy screener copies saturated the torrent sites (much to my extreme pleasure). Because of this dastardly deed I was capable of viewing and judging these films based on my own opinion, not those of the journalists that have lauded or panned the nominees, before said chance was taken away. So without further ado, my Golden Globe predictions for 2010 (I will only cover the film categories, as the TV nominations are usually boring and nominate the same people and shows every year. I'm talking to you, House):

My predictions are denoted by Parentheses ( ), my personal choices an asterisk *

Best Motion Picture -- Drama Avatar* (The Hurt Locker ) Inglorious Basterds Precious Up in the Air

My heart belongs to 'Avatar.' It's a work of genius and has taken film to a new level...but it will not win. Nor will 'Precious,' even though it began with intense praise. It just doesn't deserve to win. The three REAL contenders in this race are 'The Hurt Locker,' 'Inglorious Basterds,' and 'Up in the Air.' Now, critics and audiences alike either loved or hated Tarantino's latest work, calling it too "talky." Nonetheless, it is a master work in it's brutal beauty. But will it win? I'm thinking not. Though Kathryn Bigelow's film 'The Hurt Locker' may have made pennies at the Box Office, it has garnered nearly universal praise over its genius. I saw this film about a year ago and KNEW it'd either be up for best picture or win it free and clear. And then I saw 'Up in the Air.' Simply put, it's a beautiful and honest movie. I loved it. Everything about it. Jason Reitman is a prodigy. So what this comes down to is raw, gritty film making versus audience friendly fare. I'm gambling on James Cameron's ex.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -- Drama Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side Helen Mirren, The Last Station Carey Mulligan, An Education* (Gabourey Sadibe, Precious)

Truth be told, I've yet to find a copy of 'The Last Station,' and I bet Helen Mirren really knocked it out of the park. But until I see it, I can only judge what I have indeed experienced. Sandra Bullock and Emily Blunt did fine jobs in their respective films (films I thoroughly enjoyed). Based upon that, this battle is definitely between Gabourey Sadibe and Carey Mulligan. Gabourey's performance as Precious was the performance of a lifetime. This may be her only chance to win and she deserves to. But then there's Carey, whose performance in 'An Education' was determined, sexy, and nuanced to perfection. My bet is the award goes to Gabourey based on politics. My preference is Carey Mulligan.--This just in, Sandra Bullock pulled off a TIE with Meryl Streep for the Best Actress award at the Critics Choice Awards. Maybe she stands a chance? According to results, both Gabourey and Carey were not far behind. I'm still banking on either of the latter.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Drama (Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart) George Clooney, Up in the Air Colin Firth, A Single Man Morgan Freeman, Invictus Tobey Maguire, Brothers

Let me begin by saying Morgan Freeman does not deserve to be nominated. He's only nominated because it's "Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela." I mean, does it get any more rich than that? His performance was wooden, boring, and bordered on insulting. Tobey Maguire, though genius in 'Brothers,' will also not win. Colin Firth has received universal acclaim over his turn in 'A Single Man' (which I've yet to see), but due to poor campaigning (sad that that factors in, but it does) he'll probably be overlooked. "The Dude" and Gorgeous George will be duking this one out. George Clooney in 'Up in the Air' is at a career high. You understand his characters pains, loneliness, and even eat up his cynicism like Ben & Jerry's ice cream. But it's Jeff Bridges performance in 'Crazy Heart' that is said to be the best performance overall this year. Now that's tough to beat. I am stumped on this one, but I'll choose George Clooney because the Hollywood Foreign Press tends to gravitate towards money.--After Friday's win at the Critics Choice Awards, I am shifting my vote to Jeff Bridges.

Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy (500) Days of Summer * (The Hangover) It's Complicated Julie & Julia Nine

I'm not a fan of Rob Marshall and his films are crap. 'Nine' doesn't stand a chance in hell. Critically panned, it may still have legs to stand on due to, again, the HFPA's love of glitz. 'Julie & Julia' was a fine film, one I rather enjoyed. But it too will not win. 'It's Complicated' is Nancy Meyers' latest mess, but it stands a chance as long as old, white people are voting (the only demographic for that film). There are rumbles that 'The Hangover' may garner one of the 10 spots for Best Picture at the Oscars this year. If that's so, it'd have to win this race. Funny? Yes, very. Best Picture material? Hardly. My money goes 100% to the little indie that could, '500 Days of Summer'--a film perfect in every single way. However, 'The Hangover's' incredible support will probably win it the prize.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy Sandra Bullock, The Proposal Marion Cotillard, Nine Meryl Streep, It's Complicated (Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia)* Julia Roberts, Duplicity

This definitely wins the prize for "Filler Category of the Year." Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock don't stand a chance. I've yet to see 'Nine,' and it is my understanding that Marion Cotillard has minimal screen time. Though she is an insanely talented actress, minimal time on screen will not be able to beat the juggernaut that was Meryl Streep's performance in 'Julie & Julia.' It's the kind of performance we dream of as audience members. But her other performance? It's really not that complicated...the film was terrible.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy (Matt Damon, The Informant ) Daniel Day Lewis, Nine Robert Downey Jr., Sherlock Holmes Joseph Gordon Levitt, (500) Days of Summer* Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man

This is a toughie. Few to none of these actors have made the Best Actor short-list of any of the major critic awards thus far, so their chances at Oscar glory are bleak. Based upon my own personal opinion, Joseph Gordan Levitt's performance in '500 Days of Summer' was pitch-perfect. Then again, Matt Damon in 'The Informant' was unrecognizable and voters love that. I'd bet on either one, however we all know the hard-on people have for Daniel Day Lewis. Even so, I'm going to bet he's out of the game, as are Michael Stuhlbarg (great in the Coen's newest flick), and Robert Downey Jr playing himself with a British accent.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Mo-Nique, Precious) Julianne Moore, A Single Man Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air* Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air Penelope Cruz, Nine

Speaking of toughies, here's a category that becomes more and more uncertain as the days roll on. Once 'Precious' was unleashed into the world, the Academy and the Globes should've just called this game over and given the award to Mo'Nique. Her performance was stellar. Again, she'll probably never be in this position again. And I'll say it: she is receiving these accolades for playing a different version of herself. I've been a fan of hers for over a decade, so watching her in the film was really nothing new. She was Mo'nique the monster-pedophile as opposed to Mo' the comedienne. Penelope Cruz will lose because in comparison her role just isn't as meaty. Julianne Moore is Mo'Nique's latest threat. But after experiencing 'Up in the Air,' I'd say both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick give the 'Precious' star more than a run for her money--something, allegedly, that she cannot stop chasing.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Matt Damon, Invictus Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones Christopher Plummer, The Last Station (Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds)* Woody Harrelson, The Messenger

Whoopty-doo, Matt Damon. You packed on pounds of muscle, bleached your hair, and faked a South African accent. You're still not going to win. Woody Harrelson and Stanley Stucci, incredible performances in films I loved. Christopher Plummer, haven't seen your movie. Can you bit-torrent it for me? This award goes to Christoph Waltz. By far one of the best performances EVER on screen. EVER!

Best Animated Feature Film Coraline The Fantastic Mr. Fox Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs The Princess and the Frog (Up)*

What's all the hubbub about 'Coraline?' It was beautiful, masterful, intricate, etc... It was also boring, scary, and almost joyless. It was a fine film, but better than 'Up?' No way. 'Cloudy' should just stay home. 'The Princess and the Frog' was given far more credit than it deserved. I'm still waiting for a character of color to remain the protagonist in a Disney animated feature (for the entire film)--not a set of frogs. 'Up' is the clear favorite here, as it may even make the Best Picture list at the Oscars. However, critics and audiences have been applauding Wes Anderson's take on stop-motion animation with 'The Fantastic Mr. Fox.' Can it burst 'Up's' balloons? No, I don't think so. It's Pixar, for God's sakes.

Best Foreign Language Film Baaria Broken Embraces (A Prophet)* The White Ribbon The Maid

'The White Ribbon' won the Palme d'Or at Cannes last year, but 'Un Prophete' won the European Film Award (Europe's equivalent to the Oscar). Though 'The Maid' was an interesting little story, and I've yet to see 'Baaria,' I don't believe they can hold up against the powerhouses at play here. Almodovar's 'Los Abrazos Rotos' may have a chance, but though he is one of my favorite directors he doesn't deserve the win for this film (a film ineligible for the Oscar anyway). 'Un Prophete' will win because it's a powerful story from a fresh voice out of the new French cinema.

Best Director -- Motion Picture (Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker)* James Cameron, Avatar Clint Eastwood, Invictus Jason Reitman, Up in the Air Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds

Clint Eastwood, sorry, but not this year...not for this film. From there it's really any one's game. The remainder are all up for Director's Guild awards, and rightly so. James Cameron has once again redefined cinema with 'Avatar,' and Quentin Tarantino gets better with age. I do believe, however, that the race is between the youngest, Jason Reitman, and the only female on the list, Kathryn Bigelow. 'The Hurt Locker' was near perfect and it'd be great for Kathryn Bigelow to gain recognition for that. On the flip side, voters have been aching to give Reitman an award since he first hit the scene a few years back. In my opinion, they both deserve it. Actually, everyone on the list (save Eastwood) deserve it. Kathryn Bigelow will win.

Best Screenplay -- Motion Picture (Up in the Air) It's Complicated District 9 The Hurt Locker Inglorious Basterds*

How 'It's Complicated' got on this list is beyond me. Also, combining adapted screenplays and original screenplays adds to confusion and an uneven playing field. But we work with what we are given. Tarantino is consistently incredible with dialogue and plot structure, but the lack of screen time for the Basterds in the film of the same name may hurt him. 'District 9' was the most original work this year next to 'Avatar.' Again, I believe, like the battle for best picture, this fight will come down to 'The Hurt Locker' and 'Up in the Air.' In this category, 'Up in the Air' will reign victorious.

Best Original Score -- Motion Picture (Michael Giacchino, Up)* Marvin Hamlisch, The Informant James Horner, Avatar Abel Krozeniowski, A Single Man Karen O. and Carter Burwell, Where the Wild Things Are

This is really a toss up for me. Though I was personally moved by the music of 'Avatar,' it's true when his critics state that he's borrowed too much from past works. Marvin Hamlisch is a welcome return with his wildly retro score. Carter Burwell is long overdue for an award. His work never ceases to amaze. It will come down to Michael Giacchino for his beautiful and evocative music in Pixar's 'UP,' or the intensely moody and seductive work of Abel Krozeniowski for Tom Ford's 'A Single Man.'

Best Original Song -- Motion Picture "I Will See You," Avatar ("The Weary Kind," The Crazy Heart)* "Winter," Brothers "Cinema Italiano," Nine "I Want to Come Home," Everybody's Fine

Leona Lewis' heart will not be going on, nor will Kate Hudson's attempt at singing be praised. Paul McCartney has written another okay song, but again not up to snuff. U2 has written a beautiful song, "Winter," for the film 'Brothers' so there is a definite chance there. But if you haven't heard Ryan Bingham's "The Weary Kind" from 'Crazy Heart' (check it out on Youtube or playing in the trailer) then do yourself the favor and go! A clear winner.