Tom & Alissa

Several caveats:
1. This list in no way reflects Tom’s preferences or choices.
2. I’ve not seen every movie so it’s wildly unbalanced.
3. I haven’t even bothered to rate anything television-related because I haven’t watched television since I was about eleven.
4. I steadfastly refuse to waste my time watching Borat for several reasons I don’t feel like listing here and don’t have to because frankly, this is my blog.

That said, here’s my picks (in bold) and snarks regarding the recent Golden Globe nominees (go here to see them all - I’ve eliminated all television categories).

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
1. BABEL
2. BOBBY
3. THE DEPARTED
4. LITTLE CHILDREN - a tough decision, but this is the most flawless film I’ve seen all year.
5. THE QUEEN

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
1. PENELOPE CRUZ — VOLVER - Note: I love this movie and Penelope is brilliant in it.
2. JUDI DENCH — NOTES ON A SCANDAL
3. MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL — SHERRYBABY
4. HELEN MIRREN — THE QUEEN
5. KATE WINSLET — LITTLE CHILDREN - It was a toss-up between Kate and Helen, but Kate stunned me.

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
1. LEONARDO DICAPRIO — BLOOD DIAMOND
2. LEONARDO DICAPRIO — THE DEPARTED - I haven’t seen the others. If Forest Whitaker is as good as I’ve heard, I’ll gladly change my vote. Leo was awesome in this movie, but he’s not even my favorite actor in it.
3. PETER O’TOOLE — VENUS - This looks quite good and I can’t wait to see it.
4. WILL SMITH — THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
5. FOREST WHITAKER — THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
1. BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
2. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
3. DREAMGIRLS
4. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - I’ve only seen one other in this category (Devil Wears Prada), but I’d nominate this for Best Picture if I could. Next to Little Children, it’s my favorite movie this year.
5. THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
1. ANNETTE BENING — RUNNING WITH SCISSORS
2. TONI COLLETTE — LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
3. BEYONCE — KNOWLES
4. MERYL STREEP — THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - So, she wasn’t exactly *funny*, but she was GREAT.
5. RENEE ZELLWEGER — MISS POTTER

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Note: I’m disappointed to not see Alan Arkin or Steve Carrell in here for Little Miss Sunshine.
1. SACHA BARON COHEN — BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
2. JOHNNY DEPP — PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST - Johnny Depp was and continues to be the best thing this movie has.
3. AARON ECKHART — THANK YOU FOR SMOKING
4. CHIWETEL EJIOFOR — KINKY BOOTS
5. WILL FERRELL — STRANGER THAN FICTION

7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
1. CARS - Well, I haven’t seen the others. This was fun, but not my favorite Pixar film.
2. HAPPY FEET
3. MONSTER HOUSE

8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Rather disappointed that Cache didn’t make the list; Tom will probably disagree with me.
1. APOCALYPTO (USA) - Don’t want to see this after hearing reports of the violence.
2. LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (USA/JAPAN) - Am curious!
3. THE LIVES OF OTHERS (GERMANY) - Haven’t even heard of this.
4. PAN’S LABYRINTH (MEXICO) - Can’t wait to see it; looks fascinating.
5. VOLVER (SPAIN) - I’m picking this because a) it’s awesome and b) it’s the only one I’ve seen; Pan’s Labyrinth may overtake it once I do see it, but this is hands-down the best Almodovar film ever.

9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
1. ADRIANA BARRAZA — BABEL - This was a tough one, but she had me
2. CATE BLANCHETT — NOTES ON A SCANDAL
3. EMILY BLUNT — THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
4. JENNIFER HUDSON — DREAMGIRLS
5. RINKO KIKUCHI — BABEL

10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
1. BEN AFFLECK — HOLLYWOODLAND
2. EDDIE MURPHY — DREAMGIRLS
3. JACK NICHOLSON — THE DEPARTED
4. BRAD PITT — BABEL - Very conflicted; I really loved him in this movie. The scene where he’s on the phone with his son? I don’t cry at movies, but I was pretty close. Still, I have to concede to . . .
5. MARK WAHLBERG — THE DEPARTED - Oh my goodness, he was SO inappropriate but SO good. Not for the faint of heart, eh, Marky Mark?

11. BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
1. CLINT EASTWOOD — FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
2. CLINT EASTWOOD — LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
3. STEPHEN FREARS — THE QUEEN
4. ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ INARRITU — BABEL - As much as I loved The Departed, I think this was a tougher movie to pull off.
5. MARTIN SCORSESE — THE DEPARTED

12. BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Note: Why is everyone ignoring Brick in this category? It’s a heck of a screenplay.
1. GUILLERMO ARRIAGA — BABEL - I’m tempted.
2. TODD FIELD & TOM PERROTTA — LITTLE CHILDREN - Without a doubt.
3. PATRICK MARBER — NOTES ON A SCANDAL - Want to see this.
4. WILLIAM MONAHAN — THE DEPARTED - And I’m tempted again, especially after seeing the original.
5. PETER MORGAN — THE QUEEN - And again!

13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
1. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT — THE PAINTED VEIL
2. CLINT MANSELL — THE FOUNTAIN - We saw this yesterday and I was stunned by the score; I loved it, and it was performed by the Kronos Quartet. Beautiful.
3. GUSTAVO SANTAOLALLA — BABEL
4. CARLO SILIOTTO — NOMAD
5. HANS ZIMMER — THE DA VINCI CODE