Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a 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 anything 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:
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
Robert Redford (All is Lost)

This category has a few solid frontrunners. Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) are locks, and I think that Steve Carell (Foxcatcher) should have no trouble getting in here too, though I don’t think there’s enough room for his costar Channing Tatum (Foxcatcher). Even if his film doesn’t land, David Oyelowo (Selma) is a good bet, and I also think that Miles Teller (Whiplash) might have an easier time sliding in here than to the corresponding Oscar category. Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner), and Ben Affleck (Gone Girl) are possibilities too.

Current predictions:
Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
David Oyelowo (Selma)
Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
Miles Teller (Whiplash)