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GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS: GLOBAL SURPRISES?

Is George Clooney's popularity the driving force behind Michael Clayton's success?

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By Danny West

It's a shame that The Golden Globes get so much attention. I don't think it is so much that they're a big cursor towards what The Oscars will be like, it's just that we don't have anything else to chat about. It is the NIT of film. Something we watch if it's on, but that really doesn't amount too much, especially considering some of the recipients over the years.

So why watch at all? For precisely that reason: meaninglessness. Before you close this article because you think I'm off my rocker, let me illustrate. If The Oscars are the most prestigious, the ones to watch and anticipate, then that means that the Globes, again, are not. The reason they aren't is because some of the awards nominated and given out are so astoundingly unbelievable that you'd hardly believe you're watching a legitimate awards show and not a bunch of random dressed up people hanging out trophies at random.

Not that they don't get it right some of the time, but nevertheless, surprises arise. Here are a few you can look for:

Absurd Amounts of Kudos To Michael Clayton and George Clooney

Fresh off a National Board of Review win, George Clooney, who was all but forgotten about is suddenly back in this mess. The film was never really hailed as a huge contender for much of anything, but if AMPAS doesn't mind forking it out for smarmy, silver-tongued/haired Clooney then The HFPA surely wouldn't. He's Hollywood to the bone in character and presence and thus, will always be given an advantage even in performances that shouldn't necessarily merit them. Be on watch.

Win For John Travolta in Hairspray

This is one of those "Hollywood Icon X has been around for Y years and yet still doesn't have any gold" situations. You can count the number of better suited winners on four or five hands, but it still won't matter. It's AMPAS job to give out Oscar to the best candidate, it's The HFPA's duty to dish out the pointless consolation prize. Here's to you John.

The Coming Out Party For P.T. Anderson And There Will Be Blood

The fact that a ton of people have seen No Country For Old Men and Atonement now has generated a nice thick hype effect for both. They may be the two to beat, but it seems Anderson's film has already been put in a Tier 2 slot it does not deserve in the least. Although Daniel Day Lewis will probably lose to Depp--read: Globes only, not Oscar--the film could surprise a lot of people with nominations in directing, drama, script and every other place it is currently on the backburner. Even after seeing No Country and Atonement (I currently favor the latter), I have a feeling 'Blood' is being overly dismissed.

The Divining Bell and The Butterfly

Generally, foreign films are Tier 2 or 3 by default. It's the nature of the system, but as far as The Globes go, anything is a boost. If this film only gets a nomination or two, it doesn't hurt it in the least. This film is getting very widespread acclaim all over the place and the only thing that could hinder its rise will be if The Globes don't mention it in the least. Seems improbable.

The Elimination of American Gangster From Competition

Waning and waning and waning, 'Gangster' is poised to fall off the radar short of an acting nod for Washington. Unless it receives considerable attention at The Globes, Scott and company should consider themselves forgotten.

Now that some potential surprises have been examined, the next thing we should mention is a lack of surprise. Regardless of what happens at The Globes, don't be surprised if it is barely reflected come Academy Awards time. HFPA is and always will be the junior varsity team of awards season. Enjoy seeing what everyone is wearing, because aside from that, there is little to be seen or learned.

What are your Golden Globe predictions?

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