SAG AWARDS 2017 – PREDICTIONS

Will DOWNTON ABBEY win for its swan song, or can THE CROWN shake things up? The SAG Awards are a strange mix of frustratingly predictable repeat winners, as well as out-and-out pleasant surprises. Here are some predictions for Sunday night.

TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

THE CROWN
DOWNTON ABBEY
GAME OF THRONES
STRANGER THINGS
WESTWORLD

Three strong contenders have joined this list this year to potentially mix things up—WESTWORLD, STRANGER THINGS and THE CROWN. They’ve been three of the most talked about shows in the last year. However, being the most talked about show hasn’t helped GAME OF THRONES in this category, so I suspect the SAG-AFTRA will stick to DOWNTON ABBEY. THE CROWN has strong chances of winning, but I think it will be DOWNTON, especially since this is its last year.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
THE BIG BANG THEORY
BLACKISH
MODERN FAMILY
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
VEEP

New entrants—the cast of BLACKISH—could mix things up. However, I think it will be the cast of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, continuing their winning streak, having won in this category for the last two years.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US
Peter Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES
John Lithgow, THE CROWN
Rami Malek, MR. ROBOT
Kevin Spacey, HOUSE OF CARDS

Kevin Spacey’s winning streak could continue, like Alec Baldwin’s did for 30 ROCK in comedy. However, in this category, the last six years have given us wins for three different roles, in two consecutive years each. If that continues, it’s time for a new role to win this one. As such, I think it’s between Spacey and John Lithgow. An upset could be Rami Malek, but I think Lithgow will win this year.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Millie Bobby Brown, STRANGER THINGS 
Claire Foy, THE CROWN 
Thandie Newton, WESTWORLD 
Winona Ryder, STRANGER THINGS 
Robin Wright, HOUSE OF CARDS

None of the recent winners in this category are nominated this time. The only repeat nominee is in fact Robin Wright. However, I don’t think she’ll win. Before the Globes, I would’ve said that Winona Ryder would win, but Claire Foy’s win at the Globes mixes things up a bit. Considering the SAG-AFTRA’s appreciation for British shows and performers, I think this one will also go to Foy for THE CROWN.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, BLACKISH
Tituss Burgess, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT 
Ty Burrell, MODERN FAMILY
William H. Macy, SHAMELESS
Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT

The last three Actors for this category have gone to different people, all of whom are nominated here. However, considering the nature of last year’s winner—Jeffrey Tambor—I think we’re looking at multiple wins for him. Alec Baldwin did win seven consecutive years for 30 ROCK. Could Tambor be the new Baldwin?

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK 
Jane Fonda, GRACE AND FRANKIE
Ellie Kemper, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP
Lily Tomlin, GRACE AND FRANKIE

I wouldn’t be surprised if Uzo Aduba wins this for the third year in a row. The SAG-AFTRA are known to repeat a lot of recipients. Julia Louis-Dreyfus could reclaim this. Lily Tomlin won’t win, since she’s receiving the lifetime achievement Actor anyway. I hope Jane Fonda wins. This is her first nomination for GRACE AND FRANKIE. However, I think it’ll be Aduba.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Riz Ahmed, THE NIGHT OF
Sterling K. Brown, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Bryan Cranston, ALL THE WAY
John Turturro, THE NIGHT OF
Courtney B. Vance, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

He missed out at the Globes, but Courtney B. Vance was the stronger contender at the Emmys, even though both he and Sterling K. Brown won Emmys, since they were in different categories there. It’s THE PEOPLE V. O.J.’s year, so if it’s not Vance, it will be Brown.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Bryce Dallas Howard, BLACK MIRROR
Felicity Huffman, AMERICAN CRIME
Audra McDonald, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Sarah Paulson, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Kerry Washington, CONFIRMATION

Come on! It’s Sarah Paulson’s year. She’s winning this for sure.

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble 

GAME OF THRONES
DAREDEVIL
LUKE CAGE
THE WALKING DEAD
WESTWORLD

GAME OF THRONES has won this for five consecutive years. I don't see that streak ending this year.

MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Captain Fantastic
Fences
Hidden Figures
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea 
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Amy Adams, Arrival
Emily Blunt, The Girl on the Train
Natalie Portman, Jackie 
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble 

Captain America: Civil War
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge
Jason Bourne
Nocturnal Animals

THE 89TH OSCARS – NOMINATIONS, LIVE

(Complete list below)
Watch this space on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 5:18am PST (1:18pm GMT; 6:48pm IST) to see the nominations of the 2017 Oscars, being announced live. 

Joined by Academy President, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, at the nominations announcement will be Oscar-winning and nominated Academy members, sharing anecdotes about their Oscars experience. Among these members will be Demian Bichir, Dustin Lance Black, Glenn Close, Guillermo del Toro, Marcia Gay Harden, Terrence Howard, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson, Jason Reitman, Gabourey Sidibe and Ken Watanabe. Pre-taped footage of the members talking about their experiences will be interspersed with the live announcement of this year's nominees. 

Stream it live here:

© A.M.P.A.S.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2017: THE COMPLETE LIST

Best Picture

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell Or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester By The Sea

Moonlight

Actor In A Leading Role

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

Actress In A Leading Role

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Ruth Negga, Loving

Natalie Portman, Jackie

Emma Stone, La La Land

Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Actor In A Supporting Role

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea

Dev Patel, Lion

Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals

Actress In A Supporting Role

Viola Davis, Fences

Naomie Harris, Moonlight

Nicole Kidman, Lion

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Directing

Denis Villeneuve, Arrival

Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester By The Sea

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Animated Feature Film

Kubo And The Two Strings

Moana

My Life As A Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Zootopia

Cinematography

Arrival, Bradford Young

La La Land, Linus Sandgren

Lion, Greig Fraser

Moonlight, James Laxton

Silence, Rodrigo Prieto

Costume Design

Allied, Joanna Johnston

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Colleen Atwood

Florence Foster Jenkins, Consolata Boyle

Jackie, Madeline Fontaine

La La Land, Mary Zophres

Documentary (Feature)

Fire at sea

I Am Not Your Negro

Life, Animated

O.J.: Made In America

13th

Documentary (Short Subject)

Extremis

4.1 Miles

Joe's Violin

Watani: My Homeland

The White Helmets

Film Editing

Arrival, Joe Walker

Hacksaw Ridge, John Gilbert

Hell Or High Water, Jake Roberts

La La Land, Tom Cross

Moonlight, Nat Sanders and Joi McMillon

Foreign Language Film

Land Of Mine (Denmark)

A Man Called Ove (Sweden)

The Salesman (Iran)

Tanna (Australia)

Toni Erdmann (Germany)

Makeup And Hairstyling

A Man Called Ove, Eva von Bahr and Love Larson

Star Trek Beyond, Joel Harlow and Richard Alonzo

Suicide Squad, Alessandro Bertolazzi, Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson

Music (Original Score)

Jackie, Mica Levi

La La Land, Justin Hurwitz

Lion, Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka

Moonlight, Nicholas Britell

Passengers, Thomas Newman

Music (Original Song)

‘Audition (The Fools Who Dream)’ from La La Land; Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

‘Can't Stop The Feeling’ from Trolls; Music and Lyric by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Karl Johan Schuster

‘City Of Stars’ from La La Land; Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

‘The Empty Chair’ from Jim: The James Foley Story; Music and Lyric by J. Ralph and Sting

‘How Far I'll Go’ from Moana; Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Production Design

Arrival, Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Paul Hotte

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock

Hail, Caesar!, Production Design: Jess Gonchor; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

La La Land, Production Design: David Wasco; Set Decoration: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco

Passengers, Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Set Decoration: Gene Serdena

Short Film (Animated)

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider And Cigarettes

Pearl

Piper

Short Film (Live Action)

Ennemis Intérieurs

La Femme Et Le Tgv

Silent Nights

Sing

Timecode

Sound Editing

Arrival, Sylvain Bellemare

Deepwater Horizon, Wylie Stateman and Renée Tondelli

Hacksaw Ridge, Robert Mackenzie and Andy Wright

La La Land, Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan

Sully, Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Sound Mixing

Arrival, Bernard Gariépy Strobl and Claude La Haye

Hacksaw Ridge, Kevin O’Connell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace

La La Land, Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee and Steve A. Morrow

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, David Parker, Christopher Scarabosio and Stuart Wilson

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi, Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Mac Ruth

Visual Effects

Deepwater Horizon, Craig Hammack, Jason Snell, Jason Billington and Burt Dalton

Doctor Strange, Stephane Ceretti, Richard Bluff, Vincent Cirelli and Paul Corbould

The Jungle Book, Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon

Kubo And The Two Strings, Steve Emerson, Oliver Jones, Brian McLean and Brad Schiff

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, John Knoll, Mohen Leo, Hal Hickel and Neil Corbould

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Arrival, Screenplay by Eric Heisserer

Fences, Screenplay by August Wilson

Hidden Figures, Screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi

Lion, Screenplay by Luke Davies

Moonlight, Screenplay by Barry Jenkins; Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Hell Or High Water, Written by Taylor Sheridan

La La Land, Written by Damien Chazelle

The Lobster, Written by Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou

Manchester By The Sea, Written by Kenneth Lonergan

20th Century Women, Written by Mike Mills

GOLDEN GLOBES 2017 – ‘LA LA LAND’ BREAKS RECORD, MERYL STREEP CAPTIVATES WITH PERFECT SPEECH

With talk of Hollywood, foreigners and the press, the 74th Golden Globe Awards were certainly not ignoring the fact that in less than two weeks, Donald Trump would be president of the United States. Hugh Laurie first brought it up when he won the Globe for his role in THE NIGHT MANAGER, which would go on to win two more Globes. He said he didn’t mean to be gloomy, and the dark humor was not lost on the audience.

Bringing it up again was Meryl Streep, who did so while accepting her Cecille B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement award. The legendary actress, with a record 30 Golden Globe nominations and 8 wins (not counting the Cecille B. DeMille Award), delivered the best acceptance speech of the night, after a lovely presented by Viola Davis. Beautifully articulating how art doesn’t see borders, Streep spoke of the artists who come from all over—even doing an effortless Irish accent when talking about Ruth Negga. She added that that if they kick foreigners out of America, Americans would have only football and mixed martial arts to watch. She went on to speak of how people in power humiliating others filters down into people’s lives. She made strong points that were very relevant to Hollywood, the arts, the press, and the future of America. She ended her speech quoting her friend, ‘dear departed Princess Leia’ (Carrie Fisher), saying, “Take your broken heart, make it into art.”

Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds were the only late artists who were paid tribute to 'in memoriam'. Presented by host Jimmy Fallon, it was his only serious moment at the awards. Fallon was surprisingly alright as host. He had big shoes to fill, but he cleverly didn’t try doing what Ricky Gervais or Tina Fey or Amy Poehler—all excel at. Instead he did an opening number, with appearances by Nicole Kidman, Rami Malek, Evan Rachel Wood, Kit Harington, and others. It was very entertaining, and a pleasant surprise, because it was like something that you would usually see only at the Oscars or Emmys or Tonys. Of course, it worked to this year’s Globes' and to Fallon’s advantage that there was the marvelous and hugely popular music of La La Land to use, using a track that’s set in a traffic jam—aptly fitting in. What made it particularly entertaining were the hilarious references to GAME OF THRONES, MR. ROBOT, WESTWORLD, etc.

La La Land’s music was also the winner of the night, having won the Globes for Original Score and Original Song. Those were only two of 7 awards it won, becoming the film with the highest ever number of wins at the Golden Globes. With Globes for Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Direction, Screenplay and acting, the movie has emerged as a clear frontrunner for the Oscars next month. Making the internet swoon, Ryan Gosling made a beautiful speech, dedicating his award to his partner, Eva Mendes’ brother, who died of cancer, while thanking Mendes for her support. Emma Stone’s speech was a close second to Streep’s as the second best of the evening, as she dedicated her award to the dreamers, like her and Gosling’s characters in the film. She was fantastic.

In television, THE CROWN was surprisingly and deservingly victorious, with two wins, for drama series and lead actress, Claire Foy. In comedy, another new entrant, ATLANTA, won for comedy series and lead actor, Donald Glover. THE NIGHT MANAGER took home three of the limited series/TV movie acting awards, while THE PEOPLE V. O.J. won the best limited series/TV movie.

As always, there were quite a few surprises over the course of the awards. The show itself was quite good, made even better with the wonderful acceptance speeches, and certain presentations like Kristen Wiig and Steve Carell presenting the Globe for animated feature. Jimmy Fallon was perfectly adequate. I wouldn’t mind seeing Wiig and Carell taking his place next year.

Here are all the winners:

Best Television Series — Drama

THE CROWN

GAME OF THRONES

STRANGER THINGS

THIS IS US

WESTWORLD

Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy

ATLANTA

BLACK-ISH

MOZART IN THE JUNGLE

TRANSPARENT

VEEP

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

AMERICAN CRIME

THE DRESSER

THE NIGHT MANAGER

THE NIGHT OF

THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama

Caitriona Balfe, OUTLANDER

Claire Foy, THE CROWN

Keri Russell, THE AMERICANS

Winona Ryder, STRANGER THINGS

Evan Rachel Wood, WESTWORLD

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama

Rami Malek, MR. ROBOT

Bob Odenkirk, BETTER CALL SAUL

Matthew Rhys, THE AMERICANS

Liev Schreiber, RAY DONOVAN

Billy Bob Thornton, GOLIATH

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy

Anthony Anderson, BLACK-ISH

Gael García Bernal, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE

Donald Glover, ATLANTA

Nick Nolte, GRAVES

Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy

Rachel Bloom, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP

Sarah Jessica Parker, DIVORCE

Issa Rae, INSECURE

Gina Rodriguez, JANE THE VIRGIN

Tracee Ellis Ross, BLACK-ISH

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Riz Ahmed, THE NIGHT OF

Bryan Cranston, ALL THE WAY

Tom Hiddleston, THE NIGHT MANAGER

John Turturro, THE NIGHT OF

Courtney B. Vance, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Felicity Huffman, AMERICAN CRIME

Riley Keough, THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE

Sarah Paulson, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Charlotte Rampling, LONDON SPY

Kerry Washington, CONFIRMATION

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Sterling K. Brown, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Hugh Laurie, THE NIGHT MANAGER

John Lithgow, THE CROWN

Christian Slater, MR. ROBOT

John Travolta, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Olivia Colman, THE NIGHT MANAGER

Lena Headey, GAME OF THRONES

Chrissy Metz, THIS IS US

Mandy Moore, THIS IS US

Thandie Newton, WESTWORLD

Best Motion Picture — Drama

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy

20th Century Women

Deadpool

Florence Foster Jenkins

La La Land

Sing Street

Best Director — Motion Picture

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals

Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama

Amy Adams, Arrival

Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Ruth Negga, Loving

Natalie Portman, Jackie

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Joel Edgerton, Loving

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical

Colin Farrell, The Lobster

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins

Jonah Hill, War Dogs

Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — 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

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Simon Helberg, Florence Foster Jenkins

Dev Patel, Lion

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

Viola Davis, Fences

Naomie Harris, Moonlight

Nicole Kidman, Lion

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Best Motion Picture — Animated

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana

My Life as a Zucchini

Sing

Zootopia

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester By the Sea

Taylor Sheridan, Hell or High Water

Best Original Score — Motion Picture

Nicholas Britell, Moonlight

Justin Hurwitz, La La Land

Jóhann Jóhannsson, Arrival

Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran, Lion

Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams, and Hans Zimmer, Hidden Figures

Best Original Song — Motion Picture

“Can't Stop The Feeling!” – Trolls

“City Of Stars” – La La Land

“Faith” – Sing

“Gold” – Gold

“How Far I'll Go” – Moana