Beleaguered Golden Globes award show returns; Eleanor’s predictions

By Eleanor Ringel Cater

As Little Carole Anne, crouched in front of the family TV, so memorably intoned in “Poltergeist II,” “They’re baaaaack.”

Yep, the Golden Globes, the awards show whose ongoing mission is to make all the other awards show seem respectable, is back.

 Why did it disappear? For a number of reasons, ranging from the pandemic to the, um, uncomfortable fact that the group behind them, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, had zilch Black members.

Not that they don’t vote them in.  Why, it was only 2002 when the last Black was accepted.

Let’s just say they’ve learned their lesson.

And now the event, which will be televised Tuesday night (Jan. 10) on NBC and streamed on Peacock, even has a Black host:  Jerrod Carmichael who is funny, smart and, just the right color.

There’ve been other problems, ranging from the members taste for certain, um, gestures that could be interpreted as bribes (if memory serves, the TV show “Emily in Paris” offered to fly all 87 of them overseas) to Brendan Fraser’s claim that he was sexually harassed by an HFPA member (He’s not coming).  Tom Cruise isn’t coming either; when the group’s overwhelming whiteness got out, he returned all three of his Globes.

But plenty of others will be on hand: Quentin Tarantino, Michelle Williams, Steven Spielberg, Ana de Armas, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Baz Luhrmann, Rian Johnson, Guillermo del Toro, James Cameron, Jeremy Pope, and, maybe, Daniel Craig.

As for some guesses as to who might win, well, I just cover movies (and I barely did this year), so TV folks, you’re on your own. Though….”The White Lotus?” Really? “Fantasy Island” with sex and drugs? Well, if that’s your thing…

My thing is making stupid guesses. So here are the acting /picture nominees.  Remember the Globes break their categories into drama and comedy/ musical, so there are twice as many nominees in some categories, giving the Globes twice as many chances to be right come Oscar time.

Best Picture – Drama

Avatar: The Way of Water: Haven’t seen it, but know all about its billions of bucks. Didn’t like the first one which shows you how well I’d do in Hollywood.

Elvis: I love, love, love Elvis. I don’t even like director Baz Luhrmann.

The Fabelmans: Spielberg’s autobiographical film just didn’t grab me, but apparently it grabbed a lot of others (though you wouldn’t know it from the disappointing box office).

Tar: Cate Blanchett acts her heart out as a Big Deal symphony conductor. The obviousness of her all-out Oscar bid got in my way.

Top Gun: Maverick: If Cruise hadn’t sent his trophies back, this would be a shoo-in. Now I’m not so sure.

Globes Choice: “Top Gun.” Maybe as a way to make amends. And be ahead on the Oscar predictions?

My Choice: Can I look at last year’s nominees?

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Babylon: Haven’t seen it yet.

The Banshees of Inisherin: Gets my vote for most Irish-sounding title ever. But not what I’d hoped for.

Everything Everywhere All At Once: A pal has pointed out this is just another “Kung Fu Hustle.” And what, I say, is wrong with that?

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery: Not bad but not what it should’ve been.

Triangle of Sadness: Haven’t seen it. Don’t intend to see it. Have experienced enough tossed cookies, bodily-function breakdowns, etc. to last me two lifetimes.

Globes Choice: “The Banshees of Inisherin.” It’s got some very good stuff and it’s a respectable option.

My Choice: “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”  I watched it twice.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Cate Blanchett (Tar): The performance is impressive.  It’s also much too Oscar-hungry.

Olivia Colman (Empire of Light): Haven’t seen it, but I’d vote for her in just about anything

Viola Davis (The Woman King): Ditto.

Ana De Armas (Blonde): The utter embarrassment of the entire enterprise wasn’t her fault, but that doesn’t mean she deserves a consolation prize.

Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans): Not her best work, but she’s been so remarkable in so many things.

Globes Choice: Blanchett. Again, they want to muscle in on the Oscar glamor.

My Choice: Williams. It’s her turn, as they say.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris): I know what the Supreme Court says, but really, it’s not 1961.

Margot Robbie (Babylon): Love her, but haven’t seen this.

Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu): Ditto.

Emma Thompson (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande): About as embarrassing as “Mrs. Harris.”

Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once): She’s deserved recognition ever since “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

Globes Choice: Yeoh. It’ll help their diversity cred.

My Choice: Yeoh. She’s the best of the bunch.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Austin Butler (Elvis): The kid’s good but he’s no Elvis.

Brendan Fraser (The Whale): Apparently there’s some bad feeling….

Hugh Jackman (The Son): A kind of companion piece to Anthony Hopkins’ “The Father.” Not as good, but very strong.

Bill Nighy (Living): Whether done up as an octopus (Pirates of the Caribbean) or an over-the-hill rock star (Love, Actually), Nighy is a phenomenon.

Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”): Haven’t seen it, but certainly intend to.

Globes Choice: If they were smart, they’d choose Pope, but I have a feeling they’ll go with Butler.

My Choice: A toss-up between Nighy and Jackman.  Both are deserving.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Diego Calva (Babylon): Haven’t seen it.  Not sure I’ve ever seen him.

Daniel Craig (Glass Onion): Seen him. Lots.  He’s a lot of fun here.

Adam Driver (White Noise): Haven’t seen it, but just doesn’t have the buzz.

Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin): A well-calibrated performance in an uneven picture.

Ralph Fiennes (The Menu): When it comes to cannibalism, I prefer “Sweeney Todd.” But that’s just me.

Globes Choice: Farrell. Again, they’ll look like Oscar predictors.

My Choice: Farrell. Maybe I’ll look like an Oscar predictor.