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GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS (COMEDY/MUSICAL): A LAUGHING MATTER?

"Sweeney Todd" is the most likely musical to sweep the Golden Globe Awards this year, right?

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By Johnny Alba

There’s a reason why this website is not called The Golden Globe Igloo and that’s because I consider the yearly awards given by the alcoholic and –insert medical condition here- members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as important as the MTV Movie Awards.

Regardless of my opinion, the years of shameless fundraising (in return for nominations in the Comedy/Musical category generally) and throwing expensive parties have paid off for HFPA. The Golden Globe Awards are now considered the first stop in the road to the Kodak, their nominations are broadcasted live on TV, AMPAS members check them out to get an idea of who should be nominated and so, here I am ranting about their debatable activities and ready to discuss what films and performers will get a much needed push from this shady gang of fellow foreigners:

Emmy Rossum was nominated for The Phantom of the Opera and Jennifer Hudson won Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls so it’s pretty obvious HFPA has nothing against newcomers. Nikki Blonsky is a lock for a nomination in the Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical category but can her charming work as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray top Hollywood heavyweights Nicole Kidman and Laura Linney? To me, it's impossible right now (but she still could win this award and not get an Oscar nod).

Helena Bonham Carter is already on both Actress and Supporting Actress shortlists everywhere. No wonder why, Mrs. Lovett is both a fan’s favorite and arguably, a character just as prominent as Sweeney Todd himself. Speculation won’t stop until the first FYC ads of the season roll out and we discover what strategy is the studio following but I think Carter could end up nominated as a Leading Actress at the Globes and then (if she wins), she’d secure the Oscar nomination and frontrunner status in the Best Supporting Actress category.

But besides Blonsky, Carter, Kidman or Linney; there are still many strong candidates for a spot in the Comedy/Musical category: Keri Russell, who already won a Golden Globe for “Felicity” back when we cared, is also a strong threat for the win in this category (and don’t forget the Adrienne Shelly factor); Evan Rachel Wood is also a possibility for her work in the original musical “Across the Universe” and Anne Hathaway could benefit from the same formula that earned Renee Zellweger a surprise nod for “Miss Potter” if HFPA feels Jane Austen’s romantic life was something funny to watch in “Becoming Jane.”

Marion Cotillard is not really a newcomer if you read her filmography (which includes the Ridley Scott catastrophe “A Good Year”) but she is definitely an international breakthrough in “La Vie en rose” and guess what, she is a foreigner too so do not hesitate on putting her on top of your predictions in this category because she is one of the top contenders (unless she is campaigned in the Drama race).

And of f course, there are no Golden Globes with some odd choices so don’t count out this ladies as well: Norah Jones for My Blueberry Nights; Emily Blunt or Maria Bello for The Jane Austen Book Club and Sarah Michelle Gellar for Southland Tales.

And how about the men in the Comedy/Musical category? Well, it all comes down to these names: Johnny Depp, John Travolta and Philip Seymour Hoffman…

Johnny Depp is probably the most popular celebrity in the world (and one of the most beloved and acknowledged as well) and he is a safe bet for yet another nod but can he finally take home the prize for one of the most coveted characters in musical theater?

John Travolta is also a sure thing for his endearing performance in Hairspray but do not keep your fingers crossed for him too long. There’s more heart than chops on his enjoyable performance as Edna Turnblad.

Philip S. Hoffman is one of those Oscar winners that people will probably never call a one hit wonder and he’ll show his versatility once again on the upcoming dramedy “The Savages” (lately compared to “Sideways” and “Little Miss Sunshine”).

I’m also expecting to see Richard Gere for “The Hoax,” a performance reminiscent of Aaron Eckhart’s sardonic turn in last year’s “Thank You for Smoking” and among this year’s surprise nominees: Jim Sturgess for “Across the Universe,” George Clooney for “Leatherheads,” Vince Vaughn for Fred Clause or Glen Hansard for “Once.”

The Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) is plagued with Oscar longshots like “Across the Universe,” “Waitress” and “Once” but there’s one film that will give a run for their money to “The Savages,” “Hairspray,” “Margot at the Wedding” and “Sweeney Todd:” that film is “Ratatouille.”

“Ratatouille” is probably the best Pixar film so far and an undisputable lock for the Best Animated Film Oscar so I’m hoping the HFPA omits Best Animated Film this year (unlikely though) and recognizes The Rat where it should. Either way, Brad Bird will not leave the Golden Globe Awards ceremony without recognition.

Stay tuned for our look at the Drama (or as the HFPA calls them: Boring) categories...

In the meantime, share your own Golden Globe predictions with our community here!
 

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