Here are just some of the main award categories/nominees with regards to films specifically:

1. BEST DRAMATIC FILM
?The Aviator?
?Kinsey?
?Closer?
?Finding Neverland?
?Hotel Rwanda?
?Million Dollar Baby?

WINNER: ?Million Dollar Baby?

With Clint Eastwood at the helm, for a Second straight year he has directed a film that has captivated critics and audiences alike (as seen in last year?s ?Mystic River?) in this tale about a old boxing trainer who takes a young female boxer (played by Academy Award Winner Hilary Swank) under his wing. A powerful script and exceptional acting that has already received praise across the board Academy Award Winners Eastwood, Swank, and nominee Morgan Freeman have surely set the bar for Oscar gold contention this year.

Close Second: ?Finding Neverland?

2. BEST MUSICAL/COMEDY
?Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?
?Andrew Lloyd Webber?s The Phantom of the Opera?
?Sideways?
?The Incredibles?
?Ray?

WINNER: ?Sideways?

As a dark-horse to be a possible winner (if hopefully nominated) in the Best Picture category at the Academy Awards, ?Sideways? is truly one of the year?s best films. Paul Giamatti is truly one of the most under appreciated and underrated actors in the industry. The recognition he should receive for being a truly remarkable actor is long overdue as hopefully his various nominations will not go unnoticed or be overlooked. Thomas Haden Church also produces a stellar performance that has in turn resurrected his career and could potentially land him some leading roles in the near future. The film tells a tale of Miles Faymond (Giamatti), a divorced middle school teacher and failed novelist, and his altar-bound friend Jack (Church) take a wine-tasting trip in California, pondering questions about their directions in life.

Close Second: ?The Incredibles?

3. BEST ACTOR & ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Javier Bardem, ?The Sea Inside?
Johnny Depp, ?Finding Neverland?
Liam Neeson, ?Kinsey?
Don Cheadle, ?Hotel Rwanda?
Leonardo DiCaprio, ?The Aviator?

WINNER: Don Cheadle

Not to downplay Depp?s performance in ?Finding Neverland? but Don Cheadle?s powerful portrayal based on the true story of 1994 in Rwanda. A million members of the Tutsi tribe were killed by members of the Hutu tribe in a massacre that took place while the world looked away. “Hotel Rwanda” is not the story of that massacre. It is the story of a hotel manager who saved the lives of 1,200 people by being, essentially, a very good hotel manager. Cheadle adds a humanistic quality to his character that adds an undeniable sense of realism that is immediately poignant and intense. Like Giamatti, Cheadle is emerging as a box office leading man that is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Close Second: Johnny Depp

Scarlett Johansson, ?A Love Song For Bobby Long?
Imelda Staunton, ?Vera Drake?
Uma Thurman, ?Kill Bill: Vol. II?
Nicole Kidman, ?Birth?
Hilary Swank, ?Million Dollar Baby?

WINNER: Hilary Swank

This could be the beginning of Swank?s return to Oscar glory with a Golden Globe win in this category for her role as struggling female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald. Her poise and presence in the film generated a mood unlike any other leading lady on screen this year, which was no easy task sharing the screen with the likes of Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. She brought a fierce intensity that had the capability to make the audience follow her every movement on screen.

Close Second: Imelda Staunton

4. BEST ACTOR & BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL/COMEDY
Jim Carrey, ?Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?
Paul Giamatti, ?Sideways?
Kevin Spacey, ?Beyond the Sea?
Jamie Foxx, ?Ray?
Kevin Kline, “De-Lovely?

WINNER: Jamie Foxx
Hands down the best performance of anyone in this category has to go to Mr. Jamie Foxx for his portrayal of the late legend Ray Charles. I know I have been praising Paul Giamatti but it is unfortunate for him that Foxx is in this category with him. He has replicated a man unlike any I have seen as of late to the point where you forget that it is not actually Ray Charles on screen. In a year where bio-pics are a-plenty, Foxx has undoubtedly grabbed the reigns and has become a box-office star.

Close Second: Paul Giamatti

Annette Bening, ?Being Julia?
Emmy Rossum, ?Andrew Lloyd Webber?s The Phantom of the Opera?
Renee Zellweger, ?Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason?
Ashley Judd, ?De-Lovely?
Kate Winslet, ?Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?

WINNER: Kate Winslet

Winslet should take home the Globe for her performance as multi-colored haired Clementine in Charlie Kaufman?s scripted masterpiece, ?Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?. Here?s hoping that the Academy Award nominee?s win here will propel her towards an Oscar that has passed on her on several occasions.

Close Second: Annette Bening

5. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR & ACTRESS
David Carradine, ?Kill Bill: Vol. II?
Jamie Foxx, ?Collateral?
Clive Owen, ?Closer?
Thomas Haden Church, ?Sideways?
Morgan Freeman, ?Million Dollar Baby?

WINNER: Thomas Haden Church

In a close race, Thomas Haden Church will beat out his competitors with a fantastic performance in ?Sideways?. With a category packed with talent, this will mark a rise in stature of Church from his olden days with NBC?s ?Wings?.

Close Second: Morgan Freeman

Cate Blanchett, ?The Aviator?
Virginia Madsen, ?Sideways?
Meryl Streep, ?The Manchurian Candidate?
Laura Linney, ?Kinsey?
Natalie Portman, ?Closer?

WINNER: Natalie Portman
This is by far the most competitive category for anyone could win with this crop of talented actors. Cate Blanchett?s stellar performance as Katherine Hepburn aside, it was Natalie Portman in ?Closer? that stood among the best that Hollywood produced this year. Her acting received critical acclaim from critics across the country as it will most certainly thrust Portman into an already bright spotlight come Oscar time.

Close Second: Cate Blanchett/Virginia Madsen

6. BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese, ?The Aviator?
Clint Eastwood, ?Million Dollar Baby?
Mike Nichols, ?Closer?
Marc Foster, ?Finding Neverland?
Alexander Payne, ?Sideways?

WINNER: Martin Scorsese

Finally after years and years of legendary filmmaking, director Martin Scorsese will begin his Academy push with a Globe win for his bio-pic on the life of Howard Hughes in ?The Aviator?. A visual masterpiece, it was difficult to turn away from this stunning work that Mr. Scorsese brought to audiences nationwide. He created a timeless setting causing the viewer to be captivated by not only the characters but the world in which they are immersed. ?Raging Bull?, ?Goodfellas?, ?Gangs of New York?, need I say more?

Close Second: Clint Eastwood

And that?s all she wrote folks!






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