What to do with a problem like Rinko?

Rinko, Rinko, Rinko. Sure, I personally loved Gwyneth Paltrow's dress at the Oscars (well, I liked it on her, most others would die inside it) and I've grown to love Penelope Cruz' outfit, and Helen Mirren was a stunner. But, one person who didn't get any attention, and whose Oscar dress I am just seeing in proper detail for the first time, is Rinko Kikuchi. The Best Supporting Actress nominee for (and the very super best thing about) Babel (I've really grown to love that performance, whereas I've grown to just remain underwhelmed about fellow nominee Adriana Barraza. She's all the more impressive in my mind because she doesn't have a big star to help her story get attention, nor does she have to SCREAMATMELIKESHE'SDYING to express emotion (hi Brad Pitt). She also gets one of the very best scenes of the year to wade around in (I speak of course of the "September" sequence).

Anyway, the reason of this entry wasn't to discuss Rinko in Babel. It was to discuss her clothes. So, yes, everyone was sort of expecting Kikuchi (the, what? second Japanese woman ever nominated for an Oscar. Impressive) to wear something absolutely bonkers on the level of Cher or Bjork. Let us remember what she wore to January's Golden Globe awards.


Hilarious, right? I actually didn't mind it to be honest. She was having fun and doing her own thing and was just happy to be there, and compared to the uber-bland plastic un-fantastic expressions of Brangelina, she was positively jubilent. So it was with surprise today that I check out (as I usually do everyday) Go Fug Yourself and managed to see what she wore to the Academy Awards. I'm positively stunned.


Sure, maybe a necklace would've been nice, but the dress! The bracelet! The clutch! Even the hair totally suits this ensemble. It looks both European AND Asian (I keep picturing Maggie Cheung in those edible figure-hugging outfits from In the Mood For Love) and just all around stunning.

Here's hoping she gets some more work in bigger pictures instead of the unknown Japanese films she was in before Babel. A quick look at her IMDb filmography shows she is in the next film by Brick writer and director Rian Johnson, entitled The Brother's Bloom alongside Adrian Brody (sort of yay), Rachel Weisz (yay for the most part) and Mark Ruffalo (not yay, but i can handle it). Interesting. Funny how out of those four it's Mark Ruffalo who has been ignored by the Academy.

From a Yahoo story about the film.

...budgeted at more than $20 million and scheduled to start production March 19, with shoots in 12 countries in Europe and Asia.

Wow. Good luck to Rian Johnson. I was impressed with Brick, so we'll see how this one pans out. It's clearly trying to be more mainstream than Brick.

I liked this quote from one of the people on Rian Johnson's forum:

Per contractual obligation, Kikuchi will indeed appear deaf, mute, and nude in most scenes, with her character only barely tied into the rest of the story, despite deserving a film of her own.

How totally true is that? Very true. That's how much.

The Golden Globes: The Fashion

You knew it was comin'! And so now in no particular order, here are some of the fashions of last night. For some reason IMDb's photographers (and all the TV interviewers for that matter) seem to think we wanna see a closeup of people's faces with maybe the top of her dress. Like... huh? I wanna see the whole gettup, you idiots.

Click the images to see larger versions.
(I also just realised that the three images didn't stay on the same line like it did in the preview (that preview is so bullshit) but I ain't editing this. So learn to deal.)


I don't care what anyone says, Milo Ventimiglia is a hottie and in this fitted tux he is a major dreamboat. Like... wow. Ali Larter on the other hand? I'm confused as to why she's around still (Heroes I know, but still) and why she looks half the size she used to.

I think Jada Pinkett Smith is one of the best dressed from the night if you ask me. That colour is just stunning on her. Mary J Blige does not get such good remarks from me. Sorry, hon. But, Jada? I loves ya hon (you'll always have my heart because of Scream 2.

Confession - no, I don't like the dress, but I do like Cameron Diaz's the black hair. I think it's nice to have a bit of change from Cameron who has basically looked the exact same for the last 10 years. But, yes, the dress? Atrocious. Maybe without that silly shoulder frill and the entire bottom half replaced, there may have been a chance, but alas...


While Rosanna Arquette seems fine by slowly becoming her transexual brother Alexis, Patricia seems to, as of late, decided to make leather (or is it pleather?) a fixture of her wardrobe? Not nice at all

Secret confession time again again - I've always had a bit of a crush for Ben Affleck. Well, before his bloated-from-the-block phase. Thankfully these days he's at least clean shaven, well dressed and private and that boosts him up in my books. Jennifer Garner looks sparkly. They look happy and relaxed and like they want to be there.

Aaron Eckhart is a sexy beast. That is all.


Kate Winslet = Yummy Mummy. She's ravishing as always in this white number. I usually find strapless dresses looking awkward, but here she just looks great. Why isn't she seen as a sex symbol by more people?

Jessica Beil looked better during the telecast than in pictures where the sparkles don't come through. Still, she's a babe and I prefer her to the other Jessica Alba.

Alexandre Desplat teehee. I just put him here cause he's a genius.


There was a disturbing trend this year. Actresses wearing great dresses with horrible bottom halves. Case in point these three lovely ladies. Emily Blunt looked stunning throughout the telecast until I finally saw the lower half and... eep. Way too tight and skinny and not nice at all.

Kyra Sedgewick is a champ. So good on The Closer and a fab top half, with a bad lower half. She did this at the Emmy's too!

Felicity Huffman joined the ranks of Meryl and Helen as women who know how to dress her age. But, again, when I saw the lower half it elicited a gasp of horror. Frightening. The top half was ace though, except for her terrible eye makeup. What's going on there?


Speaking of Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep. I wanna give them an joint best dressed honour for the night purely because they know how to dress. Period. Which is more than I can say for some at the Globes. Way to go, gals!


Beyonce looked terrible. Sorry lass, this dress was a disaster. As was your hair. As was your makeup. The whole thing. What were you thinking?

Brangelina were also horrible (well, Angelina) but for opposite reasons. BORING. GO HOME!!! You don't wanna be there and I'd rather watch Rinko Kikuchi in her wacky pom-pom dress than these two. I mean, who wears grey?

And then there's Isla Fisher who's cute as a button. Plus, Sasha Baron Cohen (below) is cute as a button also, so this couple is cute... as a button.


Naomi Watts can't dress herself at all sometimes, I swear. Boring.

Julia Louis Dreyfus knocked it outta the park at the Emmys with her dress, but here? This looks heavy and ugly. Poorly fitted, unflattering and creased. What happened, Julia?


Drew Barrymore is right up there with the best dressed. Courteney Cox Arquette didn't look bad either. But I love this picture because it's Drew and Courteney! It's like a ruinion of Scream, just not because they didn't share any scenes, but whatever. They're my two faves from that movie. It's special.

Ellen Pompeo is Renee Zellweger v2.0. This dress is weird and flappy and it has wings? I'm not sure, but it's not pretty.

Eddie Murphy was one of the best dressed men of the night I though. Snappy black suit and shirt and tie, but all different so that he doesn't merely look like some emo loser.


Jennifer Hudson I go back and forth on. On one hand it's not that flattering for her body, but on the other hand the colour goes really well for her. Oh well.

I swear, whenever Leonardo DiCaprio puts himself into a suit and fixes his hair, I find him attractive. There was a time during the 2004 awards season (and he was up for The Aviator) that I thought for the first time "Hey, he's actually good looking!" and that comes back whenever he has a movie to spruke at awards time.

Whenever there's nothing interesting to say about Cate Blanchett you know she's having an off night.


So, I know Reese Witherspoon is single now and all but why did she have to become to skinny? The dress looks much nicer in image form than at the ceremony itself, but I can't say I like it. Great colour though. Boring hair.

Nicolette Sheridan? Oh, dear. Probably the worst dressed of the night right alongside Cameron, Angelina and Beyonce. I don't know what it happening here, but it's terrible. Terrible Terrible Terrible.

Awww, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard look so adorable together. Strange, considering it's Peter Sarsgaard.


Poor Sienna Miller. She's hated by Pittsburgh, Factory Girl never took off, and now she's wearing this ugly clunky dress.

Renee Zellweger... nuff said.

Penelope Cruz on the other hand, improves as the years go by. It helps that she now has a truly masterful performance under her belt (Volver) and now she's looking stunning at awards shows. You go Penelope!


So, Annette Bening at least didn't have to lose to Helen Mirren in two categories in the same night, but then again, she is stuck with having worn this white sack. Where is the diva?! Warren Beatty looks snappy as always though.

One of my very favourites from the night is Sara Ramirez from Grey's Anataomy and Broadway. She looked really great. I love that hair! There's a better picture below along with the rest of the Grey's cast. Not good for Pompeo and Sandra Oh, not sure on Chandra Wilson, er, the chick who plays Adison and fairly positive on Katherine Heigl. Heigl sure is making the most of her newfound fame (which she shoulda had years ago). edit - I found a better picture of Sara Ramirez. She's smokin')

Vanessa Williams. You dumb naffwit. You need to lose that ridiculous weave and jacket. You're an idiot.



Worst Grooming of the night goes to Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Grotesque I'm sure it's for a movie (although I wouldn't be so sure with him), but god that thing attached to his face was revolting and vile. Jason Lee gets the runner up spot there. You're going to the awards as Jason Lee, not Earl, so how bout running a comb through your hair and even your moustache.

That's all. I know there's tonnes more, but I can't find pictures of them. Or there are pictures but it's of their face and not dress (as a lot of these ones were, I know - but I can't be bothered doing anymore).

So, Best Dressed? Sara Ramirez, Penelope Cruz, Milo Ventimiglia, Jada Pinkett Smith, Drew Barrymore, Helen Mirren+Meryl Streep Combo, Eddie Murphy, Kate Winslet.

Worst Dressed: Nicolette Sheriden, Beyonce Knowles, Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Perkins

Worst Face: Renee Zellweger

Worst Make-Up: Felicity Huffman, Brangelina

Worst People: Brad Pitt and Angelina

SHUT THE FUCK UP: Hilary Swank.

Can you believe she is still trotting out the "I came from a trailer park!" routine even when she's not up for awards. Now she's using it as talk show banter!! Ugh.

Move over The Descent

Mary Louise Parker at last night's Golden Globes was the scariest thing I've seen in months. ;)

Golden Globes Roundup

(omg, as I typed that title I actually typed "Golden Girls Roundup" - LOL!)

So, the Globes have been and gone. I nearly didn't get to see them due to a state-wide blackout (thanks Simon for offering to record them though!) Let's see how I did. (also, I'd put in pictures but I can't be bothered right now)

BEST PICTURE - DRAMA
WINNER: Babel
PREDICTION: The Queen
COMMENTS: So, my theory that Babel would go home empty handed nearly eventuated, but then it pulled this win OUT OF IT'S MULTICULTURAL ARSE. Blah. What a disappointing win. Not at all in the camp of this film. I would have prefered Bobby, a film I haven't even seen. I suppose this means it's gonna be one of the final five with Oscar, ey? I hoped it wouldn't, but alas. Why don't just just rename this movie Pain or something like that?

BEST PICTURE - MUSICAL/COMEDY
WINNER: Dreamgirls
PREDICTION: Dreamgirls
COMMENTS: I was hoping for a Devil Wears Prada upset, others were hoping for a Little Miss Sunshine upset - I wouldn't have minded either, as I haven't seen Dreamgirls. But, yeah, this was to be expected I suppose.

BEST DIRECTOR
WINNER: Martin Scorsese, The Departed
PREDICTION: Martin Scorsese, The Departed
COMMENTS: Umm... who didn't predict this?

BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
WINNER: Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
PREDICTION: Peter O'Toole, Venus
COMMENTS: I suppose Whitaker is more than just the critics fave, but after that speech, I can't help but think Oscar voters may think twice about giving Whitaker the win. I dunno, whatever. I haven't seen the film, although there was an advert for it during the telecast so it's out soon!

BEST ACTOR - MUSICAL/COMEDY
WINNER: Sasha Baron Cohen, Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
PREDICTION: Sasha Baron Cohen, Borat! ...
COMMENTS: I want Cohen to get an Oscar nomination. Anyone who could stay in character and do that for as long as he did deserves something.

BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
WINNER: Helen Mirren, The Queen
PREDICTION: Helen Mirren, The Queen
COMMENTS: Moving on...

BEST ACTRESS - MUSICAL/COMEDY
WINNER: Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada
PREDICTION: Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada
COMMENTS: Fuckin' AYE!! So happy.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
WINNER: Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
PREDICTION: Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
COMMENTS: I suppose he's on his way to the stage. So freakin' happy that Brad Pitt and Jack Nicholson didn't win. Especially Brad. More on Brad and Waxalena later.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
WINNER: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
PREDICTION: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
COMMENTS: GO BOOMIE!!! Hell yeah. I'm so happy for her. Like, hella happy. Now I just hope she doesn't suck in Dreamgirls when I finally get to see it. Considering none of my fave supporting ladies are anywhere in the mainstream nominations this year apart from Emily Blunt (think Deborra-Lee Furness, Fiona Shaw, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Seema Biswas, Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep) I'm glad Boomie could take it.

BEST SCREENPLAY
WINNER: Peter Morgan, The Queen
PREDICTION: Peter Morgan, The Queen
COMMENTS: Thank god Arriaga didn't get this, which most seemed to be predicting (not me!) Well deserved too, I must say.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
WINNER: Alexandre Desplat, The Painted Veil
PREDICTION: Alexandre Desplat, The Painted Veil
COMMENTS: gdjwnznzpmxjw0-38rnzZmnoijhknLkn weojdfiwwjdsxznzz That about sums up my feelings. Desplat is a genius. I'm gonna go buy that soundtrack on iTunes right now.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
WINNER: Prince, "Song of the Heart" from Happy Feet
PREDICTION: Beyonce and co, "Listen" from Dreamgirls
COMMENTS: So, the two prizes Dreamgirls didn't win were the ones for Beyonce. Awww (not really). It's sort've unlike the HFPA considering they love their pop stars. But I suppose Prince had never won a Globe before so this makes sense. Plus, the song is totally fun. Can Prince win his second Oscar, 21 years after his first for Purple Rain?

BEST ANIMATED FILM
WINNER: Cars
PREDICTION: Happy Feet
COMMENTS: For once, the battle isn't between Pixar and *shudders* Dreamworks. And for a change, I love both of the major two jostling for the win. I'd prefer Happy Feet, but Cars gets me every time (three viewings as of the moment now)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
WINNER: Letters From Iwo Jima
PREDICTION: Letters From Iwo Jima
COMMENTS: They got to award Clint and Spielberg at once! Oy. This category annoys me. Moving on.

--MY WINNERS {and losers} FROM THE NIGHT--
BEST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Meryl Streep

If there is a case for Helen Mirren losing the Oscars, it's Streep and the fact that we'll never get such a great speech out of anyone else. Best bit though was when she told people to demand local cinemas get the movies being awarded at this time of the year. Honourable mention to Sasha Baron Cohen, who didn't accept as Borat, but was hilariously offensive all the same.

WORST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Forest Whitaker

Forest, what the hell were you doing? I know you were overcome with emotion, but Jesus. What was that? You didn't do yourself any favours with people not sure who to vote for for Best Actor. Would voters rather a big lively speech from Will Smith? A dignified and cheeky speech by Peter O'Toole? Or a mumbling incoherent mess from Whitaker? Eep.

MOST EXCITING WIN
{tie}
Alexandre Desplat and Kyra Sedgwick

Kyra is amazing on The Closer so I was so extatic over that - Emmys next. And then there's Alexandre Desplat who is, as already mentioned, a genius.

MOST BORING WIN
Hugh Laurie

Yawn. This is like Tony Shalhoub in Monk, another show that I cannot watch due to the lead actor. I can't stand listening to Laurie's voice and it's just like Law & Order or CSI. Same story every week with a few variations. Yawn.

MOST JOYFUL ATTENDEE
Rinko Kikuchi

Hi, sourpuss', stop looking so fuckin' depressed and go home you boring wanks. Rinko was actually excited to be there? Even in the background she looked like she was having the time of her life. I almost wanted her to win just to have another Sandra Oh moment. Let me repeat: If it's such a chore to go to an awards show such as the Golden Globes then don't bother you boring wank.

THE MOMENT THAT SORTA PEEVED ME OFF BUT PROBABLY NOBODY ELSE
Alejandro Inarritu commenting on the Mexican film industry and Cuaron and Del Toro, but nobody else. Surely there's more Mexican filmmakers than that?

THE RENEE ZELWEGGER HONOURARY 'WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU?' AWARD
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Could this couple be any more obnoxious and hoity-toity holier than thou? Angelina used to be so cool and Brad Pitt hadn't gone up the proverbial arse, but now looking at these dullards, it's painful. What happened to their faces?! They look like bad wax statues. Ugh. When will people realise that the true sexiest couple is Vincent and Monica. Even their names are better. God, I hate these two. Plus, are they ever going to give a good performance again?

That's all folks.

Golden Globe Predictions

Umm... so I don't really care about the Globes. I mean, I do is that I'm totally excited to watch the very first televised awards show of the year. Well, the first for us, I know those lucky Americans got the, *laughs*, Broadcast Film Critics Asosciation awards - LOL. We weren't so lucky.


But, um, yeah, I dunno. I haven't seen Dreamgirls (out here Thursday), Little Children or Bobby and my favourite film out of those nominated for Best Picture is The Devil Wears Prada (so it'll be great to, hopefully, see Meryl Streep take Best Actress). But, I dunno, most of the films I'm gunzo about aren't nominated - the United 93s and the Children of Mens.

Titles like The Queen, The Departed, Little Miss Sunshine and especially Babel don't rouse enough excitement in me. I like them all well enough (except for Babel, which I'm starting to like less and less as the viewing passes from my memory), but... yeah. Plus, the Globes weren't as excitingly off-centre this year. The only awards I hope go to certain people are Best Actress Musical/Comedy (Streep), Best Original Score (Desplat or Mansell PLEASE!), Foreign Language Film (Volver) and Animated Film (Happy Feet). I know Mirren is winning Best Actress Drama although I'd love a Penelope Cruz upset, but it ain't happening unfortunately. I've only seen one nominee from Best Actor Drama and only two from each Best Actress category.

See, maybe if distributors would freakin' release movies down here I would be more excited. I may really want Dreamgirls to win. Or I might be hoping and preying for a Ben Affleck suprise (anything but Jack or Brad is alright by me). And I'm fairly sure Letters from Iwo Jima will win Foreign Language Film, but I really hope it doesn't just because it's an American film.


Ugh. Best Director is probably the category that peeves me off the most. Two noms for Clint is, in every way, excessive. Flags does not deserve to be there. Inarritu? INA-FUCKIN-RRITU? He directed that thing like some agressive 12-year-old with an ants nest and a magnifying glass. The strengths of The Queen weren't predominantly in Frears' direction. And Scorsese? Well, he directed it well, sure. I'm giving him that. I hope he wins. Anyway.

These predictions are basically to keep me sane. I hope Babel doesn't win. Please don't let it win...

BEST PICTURE - DRAMA
The Queen

I dunno. It's British. It reminds me of The Hours. I don't really care though as long as it's not Babel

BEST PICTURE - MUSICAL/COMEDY
Dreamgirls

It would be nice to see Little Miss Sunshine win considering it's Dreamgirls' only rival but, the only other nomination for that was for Toni Collette, which doesn't speak volumes. But, still, whatever. Either is fine (or Prada or Borat for that matter)

BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese, The Departed

This seems logical. He directed it with aplomb, I just wish I liked the film more.

BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
Peter O'Toole, Venus

*shrugs* whatever. I've only seen one of these men (Leo, The Departed). I couldn't care any less about this category if it was filled with five Leonardo DiCaprio performances.

BEST ACTOR - MUSICAL/COMEDY
Sasha Baron Cohen, Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Surely this is the only logical choice. I think I'd die of laughter if Chiwetel Ejiofor won. Fact - he's probably my third favourite here (after Cohen and Eckhart).


BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Helen Mirren, The Queen

I suppose my only hope of a Cruz upset is if voters decide to give Mirren the win in Television (for either Elizabeth I or Prime Suspect 7) and decide to give the award here to Cruz. But, oh well. It won't happen. Good for Helen though. She is wonderful.

BEST ACTRESS - MUSICAL/COMEDY
Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada

Surely, much like Musical/Comedy Actor, this is the only logical choice. God I love that movie.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls

Again, *shrugs*. I want Affleck or Wahlberg to cause an explosion, but without that, I'd much prefer Murphy to Nicholson or Pitt who don't really deserve to be anywhere near awards shows for these performances. Especially Pitt. Yikes. Anyway.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls

Seems to make sense, really. I'd die for an Emily Blunt surprise, but I love that Boomie is getting all this love. She's super.

BEST SCREENPLAY
The Queen

I've only seen three of these, and this was my favourite and the most deserving. Although I totally reckon I'd be in the Notes on a Scandal camp if I had seen it. It just seems like my kinda bitchfest movie.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, The Painted Veil

Because I'll cry if Hans Zimmer wins and I wanna look like a fool for not predicting Babel to win anything (I'm not really sure why I'm predicting that.) But, yeah, I love Desplat, so if it's not him then I hope Clint Mansell. They're both delicious scores (even though I haven't seen the movie, I have iTunes to thank). And, well, has anyone even heard of this Nomad movie? Didn't think so.

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Happy Feet

Because it's animated and a musical and I think it would've taken Thank You For Smoking's spot in Musical/Comedy Picture if this ghetto category wasn't put in place. Let it be known that I don't mind the Animated Feature category existing at the Oscars. People, like Nat, may argue that this category just keeps animated films from getting Best Picture nominations, but - let's face it - only one had ever done so beforehand. Stuff like the Toy Story movies couldn't manage it before the enactment of the category and many others have come and gone. And I'd rather Miyazaki have an Oscar than a failed Best Picture attempt.

--But. The Globes? The Globes awarded Toy Story 2 their Best Picture Musical/Comedy trophy! They've nominated animated films a lot. So now here is a legit case that they're being ghettosised into this category and won't be able to get Best Picture nominations. Anyway. I hope Happy Feet wins. It's special.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Letters From Iwo Jima

God, could this be any more obnoxious. Ugh.

IMDb for Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Check out today's IMDb poll (or just look at the screengrab below). It follows on the theme of Nat's entry about category fraud.


Let us forecast our minds to Oscar nomination morning and hearing the old dude announce the follow:

"Best performance by an actress in a lead role, the nominees are... Cate Blanchett for Babel"

LOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOL

HFPA 1

1. Clint Eastwood double? Ugh.

2. I told you Bobby would be nominated. I told you!

3. I told you Abigail Breslin wouldn't be nominated. I told you!

4. Fuck Clint Eastwood and his fucking fucked up fuckedy fuck fuck nominations. Fuck

5. I need to go to bed now.

Last minute HFPA nominations

Picture - Drama
Babel
Bobby
The Departed
Little Children
The Queen
United 93

Picture - M/C
Borat: Cultural Learnings...
The Devil Wears Prada
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
A Prairie Home Companion
Stranger than Fiction

Actor - Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed
Hugh Jackman, The Fountain
Peter O'Toole, Venus
Will Smith, Pursuit of Happyness
Forest Whitaker, Last King of Scotland
Edward Norton, The Painted Veil

In my last lot I predicted an O'Toole snub. Not brave enough to do it again, but I want to!

Actor - M/C
Sasha Baron Cohen, Borat
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
Aaron Eckhart, Thank You For Smoking
Will Ferrell, Stranger than Fiction
Jamie Foxx, Dreamgirls
Greg Kinnear, Little Miss Sunshine

Actress - Drama
Penelope Cruz, Volver
Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal
Sienna Miller, Factory Girl
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Kate Winslet, Little Children
Gretch Mol, The Notorious Bettie Page (if it's Drama)
Naomi Watt, The Painted Veil

Actress - C/M
Annette Bening, Running with Scissors
Catherine O'Hara, For Your Consideration
Beyonce Knowles, Dreamgirls
Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada
Renee Zellweger, Miss Potter
Gretchen Mol, The Notorious Bettie Page (if it's Comedy)
Abigail Bresland, Little Miss Sunshine

Supporting Actor
Ben Affleck, Hollywoodland
Steve Carell, Little Miss Sunshine
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
Jack Nicholson, The Departed
Brad Pitt, Babel
Mark Wahlberg, The Departed

Supporting Actress
Adriana Barraza, Babel
Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal
Emily Blunt, The Devil Wears Prada
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Emma Thompson, Stranger than Fiction
Maggie Gyllenhaal, World Trade Center
Meryl Streep, A Prairie Home Companion

Director
Bill Condon, Dreamgirls
Clint Eastwood, Letters from Iwo Jima
Stephen Frears, The Queen
Paul Greengrass, United 93
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Robert Altman, A Prairie Home Companion

Screenplay
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen
Volver
The Devil Wears Prada

Score
Babel
The Fountain
Notes on a Scandal
The Painted Veil
The Queen
The Da Vinci Code
Volver

Song
Bobby
Casino Royale
Charlotte's Web
Dreamgirls
Happy Feet
Dreamgirls x2

Foreign Film
Curse of Golden Flower
Letters from Iwo Jima
The Lives of Others
Pan's Labyrinth
Volver
Water

Animated Film
Cars
Happy Feet
Monster House
Over the Hedge
A Scanner Darkly
Flushed Away

Golden Globe Nominations

Cause it's Friday night and I'm not in a mood to do anything except sit at home and feel lazy.

BTW, Because the HFPA cheat (a lot) I've decided to add an extra title in strikethru text incase they decide to go for six nominees.

BEST PICTURE - DRAMA
Babel
Bobby
The Departed
The Queen
United 93
Little Children

I dunno. Babel, The Departed (I wish that movie didn't have the 'The' in the title. Simply Departed sounds a big more intriguing and the 'The' is sorta confusing. What's departed?) and The Queen all seem pretty safe. I went with United 93 because it felt more... European? Yeah, that's it (..???..) and Bobby because that cast is I just think it has more heat than Little Children

BEST PICTURE - MUSICAL/COMEDY
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
The Devil Wear's Prada
Dreamgirls (not The Dreamgirls)
Little Miss Sunshine
A Prairie Home Companion
Stranger than Fiction

Well, the middle three seem pretty darn lock-ish if you ask me. Borat is a phenom and they'll wanna look cool by nominating it. I went with Companion for several reasons (over, say, Stranger than Fiction or Thank You For Smoking) because a) it's got a big cast, b) it's Altman, c) it's a musical and d) they occasionally dole out these solo Best Picture Musical/Comedy nominations (think Best in Show or more similar to Prairie... Everyone Says I Love You)

BEST DIRECTOR
Pedro Almodovar, Volver
Bill Condon, Dreamgirls
Paul Greengrass, United 93
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Stephen Frears, The Queen
Alejandro Gonzales Innaritu, 21 Grams

Condon, Scorse and Frears are safe I reckon and I chose Almodovar cause they probably love Volver, but it's inneligable for Best Picture (foreign language and all). And I stubbornly (some may say) am sticking with Greengrass being a force through the pre-cursors (it'll be him and Scorsese winning a majority of Director prizes methinks).

BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
George Clooney, The Good German
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed
Hugh Jackman, The Fountain
Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness (ugh, this name annoys me)
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Peter O'Toole, Venus
Ryan Gosling, HalfNelson

...Yeah, I omitted O'Toole. Not only am I doubting him here, but I'm doubting him with Oscar. As we saw last year with Brokeback Mountain's loss, AMPAS don't like being told what to vote for. Now, omitting O'Toole and substituting in Jackman probably sounds ludicrous, but it's just a crazy predition I've decided to add. I mean, he has had, like, 20 majillion movies this year. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Ryan Gosling on there. But, still, O'Toole and also Forest Whitaker? They're just as troublesome as Jackman, Clooney, Gosling and all the others ('cept Smith who seems lockish)

BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Cate Blanchett, The Good German
Penelope Cruz, Volver
Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Kate Winslet, Little Children
Sienna Miller, Factory Girl

Okay, so I originally had Blanchett for Scandal and not German, but the Envelope is saying that she is indeed Supporting for Scandal. And they love Blanchett (much moreso than AMPAS), so I put her in. The other four do seem pretty solid, but I wouldn't be surprised to see someone like Miller or, *gasp* Laura Dern just cause they like throwing curveballs.

BEST ACTOR - MUSICAL/COMEDY
Sasha Baron Cohen - Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Aaron Eckhart - Thank You for Smoking
Will Ferrell - Stranger than Fiction
Jamie Foxx - Dreamgirls
Ewan McGregor - Miss Potter
Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Greg Kinnear - Little Miss Sunshine

I'm sure Depp will score a nod here, but I'm putting in a sorta-surprise with McGregor for Miss Potter, which is by no means a confident a guess as Zellweger for the same movie (see below). But I thought I'd throw him in for the fun of it.

BEST ACTRESS - MUSICAL/COMEDY
Annette Bening, Running with Scissors
Beyonce Knowles, Dreamgirls
Gretchen Mol, The Notorious Bettie Page
Merl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada
Renee Zellweger, Miss Potter
Kirsten Dunst - Marie Antoinette

I would not be surprised to see six nominees in this category this year. I think Streep and Knowles are solid. Bening, well, they like her, right? Same for Zellweger, but has she worn out her welcome? Maybe, but if Miss Potter is the piece of whimsy they're selling it as, I would see it getting in here. And then there's Gretchen Mol who I just have a big hunch about. I don't know why, I just do. Dunst is right there with Mol for the young cutie spot that Scarlett won't be getting this year (or, I don't think she will).

You will notice that I haven't put Abigail Breslin there, and that's because I don't think the HFPA like children. I mean, they didn't nominate Anna Paquin or Keisha Castle-Hughes, which AMPAS loved (and with Breslin looking good for a nod there...) The last young performance I can think of is (teehee) Kirsten Dunst for Interview with the Vampire and (double teehee) Macauley Culkin for Home Alone. Not exactly orthadox choices, hey? Oh, and Jennifer Hudson is indeed supporting. And then of course there's four-time Globe-nominees Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet for The Holiday, which I would normally put in, but... I dunno.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Steve Carell, Little Miss Sunshine
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
Jack Nicholson, The Departed
Michael Sheen, The Queen
Brad Pitt, Babel
Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine

I think Arkin will get the Oscar nod (and, *gulp*, the WIN), but they love Carell so I'll go with him at the Globes. Murphy, Nicholson and Pitt seem pretty solid with these guys and Michael Sheen is the unknown they'll slot in cause they're generous.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal
Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine
Rinko Kikuchi, Babel
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Sharon Stone, Bobby
Emily Blunt, The Devil Wears Prada

Consider this: Sharon Stone was nominated for Basic Instinct, The Mighty and (justifiably, I might add) for The Muse to go alongside her Oscar-nominated work in Casino for which she also won the Globe. Now, those first three were nowhere near getting Oscar nominations (right?), so I think it's fair to say they like Sharon, which is why I'm predicting her for Bobby (which I am also predicting for Best Picture Drama). Hudson is the lock to win, but the other three ladies (Blanchett, Collette and Kikuchi) look good on paper (the whole Adriana Barraza vs Rinko Kikuchi thing is so topsy turvy. One says Barazza and another says Kikuchi. I went with Kikuchi because based on a heavy and effective method of mathamatics I voted her as 'More Exotic' so I gave her the nod over Barazza. Technical, I know!) So many alternates though, Anika Noni-Rose, Carmen Maura, Jessica Beil and Emma Thompson (and I alternately put them all in at one stage or another) but I went with Emily Blunt. Crikies, I dunno.

BEST SCREENPLAY
Bobby
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen
Babel

Er, I really don't know.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Gustavo Santaolalla, Babel
Mark Isham, Bobby
Thomas Newman, The Good German
Phillip Glass, Notes on a Scandal
Alexandre Desplat, The Queen (or The Painted Veil. They seem to like this dude, thankfully)
Alberto Iglesias, Volver

Okay, it seems that some of the major movies in each category (The Departed, Dreamgirls and Little Miss Sunshine have original scores. Or enough of them. Or, i dunno. They did award Moulin Rouge! and The Aviator here despite mininal work. Oh well. I dunno. This list of noms seems doable.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Cars, "Out Town"
Dreamgirls, "Listen"
Dreamgirls, "Love You I Do"
Happy Feet, "The Song of the Heart"
Shut Up & Sing, "The Neighbor"

Umm... this lineup, again, seems doable. Musicals, big stars (Prince! Dixie Chicks!) and whatever Cars' song is classified as (a song I quite like)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Curse of the Golden Flower
The Lives of Others
Pan's Labyrinth
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
Volver

LOL, i have no idea how they even nominate let alone what will be nominated. Is it based on movies released through the year, or what? I chose these five titles cause they make sense. I had Apocalypto in but then I remembered the incident and thought they will still be frowning up it and substituted it with a second Zhang Yimou title, Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles which seems up their alley just as much as Curse of the Golden Flower

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Cars
Happy Feet
Flushed Away
Monster House
A Scanner Darkly

I put A Scanner Darkly in over Over the Hedge for no real reason other than I would hope that the HFPA would use this category for good and not evil (I mean, I liked Over the Hedge but if it's merely 5/5 with Oscar, what's the point of that?!?)

Last Thoughts
I'm gonna love the presenters saying Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan multiple times. And I really wanted to put Shortbus down for something but I didn't know where! Also, I'd love for Heath Ledger to show up as a completely out of the blue Best Actor Drama nominee for Candy (it was released stateside last week)