Politics, science fiction, and fantasy at the Golden Globes

The Golden Globes begin in a few minutes, so it's time to do for them what I did for the Emmy Awards in Politics and fantasy at the Emmy Awards: Dramas Funny politicians and scientists on television/A>Politics, funny and dramatic, and horror in miniseries and variety shows.  Here are the nominees by category and work from The Golden Globes site.

Film

Science Fiction

Gravity: Best Motion Picture, Drama; Sandra Bullock for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama; Alfonso Cuaron for Best Director-Motion Picture; Steven Price for Best Original Score - Motion Picture.

Her: Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Joaquin Phoenix for Best Actor In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Spike Jonze for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture.

Hunger Games Catching Fire: Atlas for Best Original Song - Motion Picture.

Fantasy

The Croods: Best Animated Feature Film

Despicable Me 2: Best Animated Feature Film

Frozen: Best Animated Feature Film; Let It Go for Best Original Song - Motion Picture.

Politics

American Hustle: Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Amy Adams for Best Actress In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Christian Bale for Best Actor In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Jennifer Lawrence for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture; Bradley Cooper for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture; David O. Russell for Best Director-Motion Picture; Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom: Idris Elba for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama; Alex Heffes for Best Original Score - Motion Picture; Ordinary Love for Best Original Song - Motion Picture.

This last category could go on, as I could make cases for 12 Years a Slave, The Dallas Buyers Club and even Captain Phillips and The Wolf of Wall Street as political films, but I decided to draw the line at those that are explictly about government, politics, and politicians and not just political situations, especially criminal ones.*  Speaking of drawing lines, here's where I can opine on my favorites, even though I haven't seen a one of these.

Based on my science fiction preferences, I'm rooting for Gravity over Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in the two categories in which they are competing.  Those same preferences may not serve me well in the contest between American Hustle and Her.  I think the former, about the Abscam scandal, will stomp Her, especially since the acting appears to be so strong.  However, Gravity may beat it.  ETA: No, it won't; the two movies are in different categories for the Golden Globes.  However, they will be in the same category for the Oscars, where I expect that could happen.  Also, the really interesting reaction might be from the science fiction fans, who will probably choose Gravity at Worldcon.

As for the best songs, I will actually be able to make a judgment--after I listen to them.  Stay tuned.

Follow over the jump for the television nominees.
Television

Science Fiction

The Big Bang Theory: Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy; Jim Parsons for Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy.

This is a show about science fiction, not a science fiction show per se.  Weak, but it will have to do.

Fantasy

American Horror Story: Coven for Best TV Movie or Mini-Series; Jessica Lange for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or TV Movie.

My wife and I watched the first episode of this.  We made it all the way through, which means we liked it better than its predecessor Asylum.

Politics

House of Cards: Best TV Series, Drama; Robin Wright for Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama; Kevin Spacey for Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama; Corey Stoll for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie.

Parks and Recreation: Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy; Amy Poehler for Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy.

Scandal: Kerry Washington for Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama.

The Blacklist: James Spader for Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama.

The Good Wife: Best TV Series, Drama; Julianna Margulies for Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama; Josh Charles for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie.

Veep: Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy.

This is a very rich field.  Out of all of them, I'm rooting for House of Cards and Veep, the two series my wife and I watch regularly.  At least the two don't overlap.

I'll get back to all of you tomorrow after the winners are announced.

*Looking through the films, there are a lot that involve crime in one form or another.  That might be worth commenting on if the same trend appears among the Oscar nominees.