Golden Globe Musings: Best Motion Picture – Drama

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced in just a few weeks, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is still a bit early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point.

Last year’s nominees:
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
FROST/NIXON
THE READER
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

This year’s pool:
The critically-lauded Precious is probably a lock, and it’s the only one that’s definitely going to make it in. If it’s a drama then Up in the Air is almost certainly in, and Clint Eastwood’s Invictus should be a hit. After that, it gets a bit more crowded. The Hurt Locker and either The Last Station or The Lovely Bones would nicely complete the theoretical ballot, but there are many other contenders to consider. An Education may garner attention for more than just its lead actress, while the artsy A Single Man could also impress voters. Nods for The Road and Avatar will really depend upon reception of those films, whereas Inglorious Basterds is the definitive wild card that could really throw things for a loop.

Predicted nominees:
THE HURT LOCKER
INVICTUS
THE LOVELY BONES
PRECIOUS
UP IN THE AIR