The Golden Globe nominations are in and there are quite a few surprises and plenty of odd omissions. On the movie side of the awards, it is hard to ignore that Australia, and both Clint Eastwood films, Changeling (Anjelina Jolie scored a Best Actress – Drama nod) and Gran Torino have been roundly ignored by the Foreign Press. It should also be noted that Will Smith was ignored in the Best Actor – Drama category for his performance in Seven Pounds. The Foreign Press did offer a few surprises, most notably, Tom Cruise’s well deserved Best Supporting Actor nod for his hilarious performance in Tropic Thunder. On the television side, I was very pleased with Michael C. Hall’s Best Actor in a Drama Series nomination for his brilliant work in Dexter, and even more pleased with the show being nominated for Best Drama Series. I think that Hugh Laurie earned his nod for Best Actor in a Drama Series, but the show itself, House, has grown stale and should not have been nominated for Best Series. I am shocked by the utter omission of Lost or The Shield in any of the Drama categories. Lost had its strongest season to date, and Michael Chiklis gives a smoldering performance in every episode of The Shield. Finally, I know 30 Rock gets plenty of love and celebration, but Tracy Morgan really deserved a Best Supporting Actor nod. He is consistently hysterical each and every episode and is a big part of the reason that the show is so funny. Check out all the nominations below.

 

Best Picture - Drama

Slumdog Millionaire

Frost/Nixon

Revolutionary Road (Dec 26)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Dec 25)

The Reader

Best Picture - Musical or Comedy

Mamma Mia

Burn After Reading

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

In Bruges

Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Director

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon

David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Dec 25)

Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road (Dec 26)

Stephen Daldry, The Reader

Best Actor - Drama

Sean Penn, Milk

Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon

Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Dec 25)

Leonardo Dicaprio, Revolutionary Road (Dec 26)

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler (Dec 17)

Best Actress - Drama

Angelina Jolie, Changeling

Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long

Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road (Dec 26)

Meryl Streep, Doubt (Dec 12)

Best Actor – Musical or Comedy

James Franco, Pineapple Express

Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges

Colin Farrell, In Bruges

Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey (Dec 25)

Best Actress – Musical or Drama

Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia

Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading

Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey (Dec 25)

Best Supporting Actor

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder

Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder

Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt (Dec 12)

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Amy Adams, Doubt (Dec 12)

Kate Winslet, The Reader

Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler (Dec 17)

Viola Davis, Doubt (Dec 12)

Best Screenplay

Slumdog Millionaire

Frost/Nixon

Doubt (Dec 12)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Dec 25)

The Reader

Best Animated Film

WALL-E

Kung Fu Panda

Bolt