Oscar 2015: Golden Globe Nominations

Well, Mad Max: Fury Road, the film that many Oscar "experts" and pundits have underestimated all season, was never supposed to show up at the Golden Globes.  And, much to everyone's surprise, it did, in both Picture (Drama), and Director.  If there were doubts about its place in the Oscar race before, they have now completely been annihilated.  WB will be pushing Mad Max hard, and will very likely be rewarded richly for their efforts when the AMPAS finally weigh in.  However, the big nominee for the night was Carol, which managed Picture, two Actress slots (Drama), Director, and Score.  The Todd Haynes film missed for Phyllis Nagy's screenplay, however, to Globe regular Aaron Sorkin (Steve Jobs) and Quentin Tarantino (whose The Hateful Eight underperformed compared to his last two films).  The Big Short secured four nominations (C/M Picture, two for its actors Steve Carell and Christian Bale, as well as screenplay), just like The Revenant (Drama Picture, Actor, Director, Score).  Spotlight was the only film which scored Picture (Drama), Director, and Screenplay.  Since 2008, three to four films land this hat-trick, so it's quite unusual (and before 2007, 2000 was the last year it didn't happen).  One could argue that several films that got a director mention (Mad Max, The Martian, and The Revenant) weren't locks for screenplay (thought The Martian has gotten its fair share of mentions on the awards circuit thus far).  Room over-performed with three nods in Picture, Actress (Drama), and Screenplay, while Brooklyn only got a nomination for its actress.

The HFPA, however, didn't nominate Spotlight for any of its actors, including Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton.  Having edged their way into the SAG race and proving they were no fluke, Michael Shannon (99 Homes), and the resurging Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) perhaps took their place instead.  Joining them were perhaps surprise contenders Paul Dano (Love & Mercy) and Sylvester Stallone (Creed).  This race is most up-the-air, though I imagine Mark Rylance is the favourite here, if not Stallone.  Hollywood veteran Jane Fonda (Youth) was also invited to the party.  The Trumbo team of Bryan Cranston and Helen Mirren who managed to get into the SAG race, also appeared here.

Melissa McCarthy landed her first Globe nomination ever.  Her performance for Spy was mentioned in Actress (Comedy/Musical), which was also bolstered by a Picture nod; the same two nods the equally well-reviewed Trainwreck earned.  Jennifer Lawrence joins them for her toxically reviewed Joy, which still managed a Picture mention; but the expectations for this movie were much higher.  Lawrence was the frontrunner; we'll have to see how her film performs commercially to see if she can hold onto that status.  SPC managed to get two actresses to compete against them over Meryl Streep: Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van), and Lily Tomlin (Grandma).  

Some more out-of-the-box nominations included C/M Actor nods for Al Pacino (Danny Collins), and Mark Ruffalo (Infinitely Polar Bear).  They'll compete against favourite Matt Damon (The Martian), though Steve Carell (The Big Short) might also upset.  Like his The Tourist costar last year Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp was ignored for his textbook Oscar bait Black Mass.  Instead, Will Smith popped in Drama for the unreleased Concussion.   He's nominated against Leonardo DiCaprio, who will likely win, unless Concussion becomes huge at the box-office.  HFPA were insistent that Rooney Mara (Carol) and Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) were considered lead for their performances, and sure enough, they showed up in Actress (Drama).  Brie Larson is likely to take that prize.  In kind of shocker, Vikander also showed up in supporting for Ex Machina.  While I wouldn't rule out something crazy like her winning, I'd put my odds on Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight) at this point.

The winners will be announced on the 10th of January.