It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Award season, that is! While COVID has delayed the season’s start, the annual award season will be kicking off this Sunday with the Golden Globes. With an unusual year comes an unusual set of nominees, and I’ve picked some of the most competitive categories to judge potential winners. Keep scrolling for who I think might be taking home some hardware this year!
- Best Motion Picture — Drama
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The Father
Mank
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Caitlin’s Winner: “Nomadland.” This film has been gaining some solid Oscar buzz for some time, and often a Golden Globe win sets up the winners for the grand finale, the Oscars. But Aaron Sorkin has been a Globes favorite, and his “The Trial of the Chicago 7” could easily win as well.
- Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
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Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Hamilton
Music
Palm Springs
The Prom
Caitlin’s Winner: “Hamilton.” While I can’t understand how a filmed Broadway musical qualifies for the Golden Globes, I’ll let it slide because “Hamilton” is an incredible show, and 2020 was just weird. There’s plenty of solid musicals or comedies in this category. But, I’m pretty sure the Hollywood Foreign Press will play into the second wave of “Hamilton” fanaticism.
- Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
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Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Gary Oldman, Mank
Tahar Rahim, The Mauritanian
Caitlin’s Winner: Chadwick Boseman. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is not only Boseman’s final film but also his masterclass in acting. Boseman has gained steady buzz as the frontrunner in the Best Actor category, but the Globes could stray from the path and choose another one of these talented men.
- Best Television Series — Drama
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The Crown
Lovecraft Country
The Mandalorian
Ozark
Ratched
Caitlin’s Winner: “The Crown.” The Best TV Drama category is always a tight race, but it is especially close this season. Each of these series has made a cultural impact and includes strong ensemble performances, but I’m choosing “The Crown.” The Netflix show is usually an Emmy and Golden Globes darling and season four was the strongest yet. But, my research has found that there could be a surprise “Ratched” win. While the show did not gain many favorable reviews, the Globes really do eat up whatever Ryan Murphy seems to dish out.
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama
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Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Emma Corrin, The Crown
Laura Linney, Ozark
Sarah Paulson, Ratched
Caitlin’s Winner: Emma Corrin. As I previously stated, season four of “The Crown” was its greatest yet. Part of that is because of Corrin’s emotional and exhilarating performance as the beloved Princess Diana. The Globes also have a history of anointing new talent, and Corrin’s performance and character are the epitome of an acclaimed newcomer.
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
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Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Nicole Kidman, The Undoing
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit
Caitlin’s Winner: Anya Taylor-Joy. Another runaway Netflix hit in 2020 was “The Queen’s Gambit.” A Taylor-Joy win would be well-deserved considering it is her vulnerable yet somewhat restrained performance is what carries and makes the show. Still, the Globes love to pick with the unexpected, so I could also see Daisy Edgar-Jones taking the prize for her completely vulnerable performance in “Normal People.”