Who will, and should, win at Globes
Awards season kicks into another gear this weekend at the 74th annual Golden Globes, where the Hollywood Foreign Press Association fetes its favorite films — and we get the first glimpse at what could be true Oscar contenders. USA TODAY predicts who will win and suggests who should win in the top movie categories at the ceremony emceed by Jimmy Fallon (NBC, Sunday, 7 p.m.). Drama
“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hell or High Water,” “Lion,” “Manchester by the Sea,” “Moonlight” Will win: “Moonlight” Should win: “Manchester by the Sea” Without front-runner “La La Land” in the mix, we’ll get to see its major Oscar best-picture competition take home some gold — most likely “Moonlight,” the acclaimed character study following the life of a gay black man. Yet “Manchester,” a drama about a New England family beset by tragedy, is the real standout of this pack with its emotional power. Comedy or musical
“20th Century Women,” “Deadpool,” “Florence Foster Jenkins,” “La La Land,” “Sing Street” Will win/should win: “La La Land” Expect the vaunted “La La Land” to sing and dance the night away with a new trophy. Actor, drama
Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”; Joel Edgerton, “Loving”; Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”; Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”; Denzel Washington, “Fences” Will win/should win: Casey Affleck The foreign press loves big names, so Washington has a shot as a domineering former baseball star in “Fences.” Just as 2016 was Leonardo DiCaprio’s turn to round the bases toward Oscar glory, though, now it’s Casey at the bat — and deservedly so, since Affleck smacks a homer with the most heartbreaking and multilayered performance in “Manchester.” Actress, drama
Amy Adams, “Arrival”. Jessica Chastain, “Miss Sloane”; Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”; Ruth Negga, “Loving”; Natalie Portman, “Jackie” Will win: Isabelle Huppert Should win: Natalie Portman Playing first lady Jackie Kennedy in the turmoil following JFK’s assassination, Portman’s effort is a thing of beauty. But an American icon may not resonate as much with the HFPA, so Huppert is a worthy upset pick: The French actress’ complicated rape victim is the best part about the psychological thriller “Elle.” Actor, comedy or musical
Colin Farrell, “The Lobster”; Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”; Hugh Grant, “Florence Foster Jenkins”; Jonah Hill, “War Dogs”; Ryan Reynolds, “Deadpool” Will win: Ryan Gosling Should win: Colin Farrell Most of the heavyweights are in the drama category, so Gosling should have a clear path hoofing it to victory as a romantically crabby jazz man in “La La Land.” Worth consideration, on the other hand, is the quirky nuance Farrell exhibits in the “The Lobster” as a man doomed to life as a crustacean if he doesn’t find love in 45 days. Actress, comedy or musical
Annette Bening, “20th Century Women”; Lily Collins, “Rules Don’t Apply”; Hailee Steinfeld, “The Edge of Seventeen”; Emma Stone, “La La Land”; Meryl Streep, “Florence Foster Jenkins” Will win/should win: Emma Stone The head of this class? Stone, whose aspiring actress finding love in “La La Land” gives the Hollywood musical its heart, soul and even a literal showstopper. Supporting actor
Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”; Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”; Simon Helberg, “Florence Foster Jenkins”; Dev Patel, “Lion”; Aaron Taylor-Johnson, “Nocturnal Animals” Will win/should win: Mahershala Ali Bridges’ “High Water” Texas Ranger is a hoot and Patel’s “Lion” journey is a weepy one, but this is Ali’s Globe to lose. While only in a third of “Moonlight,” he showcases skill and artistry as a kindhearted drug dealer who becomes a father figure for an outcast boy. Supporting actress
Viola Davis, “Fences”; Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”; Nicole Kidman, “Lion”; Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”; Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” Will win/should win: Viola Davis It’s the most talent-packed category of them all — as well as the most diverse. All five actresses are knockouts, but Davis is next level as a 1950s mom who lives a calm home life until raging against patriarchal repression.