Short Golden Reflections

Just some quick reactions and reflections on the Golden Globes kick-off to the Awards season (with or without the writers' guild.) First, here are the winners.

Best Drama
Atonement

Actor- Female- Drama
Julie Christie – Away From Her

Actor- Male- Drama
Daniel Day-Lewis – There Will Be Blood

Best Musical or Comedy
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Actor- Female- Musical or Comedy
Marion Cotillard – La Vie En Rose

Actor- Male- Musical or Comedy
Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Supporting Actor- Female
Cate Blanchett – I'm Not There

Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem – No Country For Old Men

Best Director
Julian Schnabel – The Diving Bell And The Butterfly

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
No Country For Old Men
Written by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

So, what does it mean for the Academy Awards? With this very unusual year that's what a lot of people have asked. I am certainly no pundit. I was surprised that Juno was completely shut out. I was surprised by the eclectic mix of the winners. Cate Blanchett playing Bob Dylan, Javier Bardem playing just plain mean, Sweeney Todd as best musical or comedy (it certainly wasn't a comedy!) Daniel Day-Lewis never surprises me. He is nothing short of remarkable, even though I haven't seen this year's movie. The odds are against Schnabel and Cotillard for Oscars. I think Johnny Depp gets edged out. I wouldn't be surprised to see Emile Hirsch from Into the Wild get a nod and maybe even Hal Holbrook. Sean Penn is a lock for a nomination for that movie as well.

Beyond that, I am scratching my head as well. There have been some remarkable acting performances, outstanding direction, unusual soundtracks, and screenplays to die for. In one week we will know what the Academy thinks. The bigger question is will there even be a show to watch or will Jon Stewart have to do an ad-lib monologue to no one. One way or another that's show business. And I will have some interesting movies to go see.