What do the Golden Globes predict for the Oscars?

The Golden Globes could be a precursor of what’s nabbing Oscar gold or could be highly irrelevant — depending on your outlook.

This year’s Golden Globe Awards was always going to be walking a tightrope. With the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements in their second year, audiences were looking at whether comments would be publicly made, considering Ryan Seacrest had returned to red carpet duties in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him as Bryan Singer’s Bohemian Rhapsody being nominated for Best Picture. The lack of diverse nominations were still being picked at, but having Sandra Oh, the first Asian host, gave audiences hope that change was coming. In the end, what did the Golden Globes teach us about this year’s Academy Awards nominees and winners? Let’s break it down!

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 06: Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ winner Rami Malek poses in the press room during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 6, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Make room for Green Book and (ugh) Bohemian Rhapsody

It’s hard to avoid cynicism when talking about #TimesUp and diversity in cinema when the Hollywood Foreign Press gave top honors to Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody last night. Green Book has been enmeshed in controversy on several fronts starting with its subject matter. The family of the main character at the film’s center, Don Shirley (played by Mahershala Ali, who won the Globe for his performance), has decried the feature as a white savior narrative that changes history to make the white character (played by Viggo Mortensen) more palatable. Cries of racism have been well-documented by critics analyzing the film, and Mortensen himself has come under fire for using the n-word during a panel discussion about the film.

As for Bohemian Rhapsody, well, Bryan Singer’s issues are well-documented and there’s the fact that he was fired for being unable to finish the film on time.

But, in the end, it didn’t matter when it came to the Globes, and for some audiences, these issues don’t bother them. The Hollywood Foreign Press is regularly chastised for being out-of-touch with issues involving racism; they also adored the equally problematic Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri last year. They’re also easily seduced by big names and Bryan Singer, for better or worse, remains keyed in with top power players in Hollywood. And, like it or not, both movie are crowd-pleasers, heavily beloved by audiences, and with the Oscars hoping to cater towards more “popular” films these two are right in their wheelhouse.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: In this handout photo provided by NBCUniversal, Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson accept the Best Original Song – Motion Picture awards for “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” onstage during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

A Star is Born could win all… or next to nothing

A Star is Born has been the Oscar frontrunner since it came out, and many assumed that momentum made it a shoo-in for the Golden Globes which, again, are easily seduced by big celebrities and Hollywood stories. Having Lady Gaga walk off with a win for Best Actress would have been an indelible image the next day.

But it was shocking to see the musical drama be completely shut out from every category, only securing a Best Original Song win for “Shallow” (which Gaga did come up to claim). The category it was assumed the singer would win in, Best Actress – Drama, ended up going to veteran actress Glenn Close for The Wife. So, is it safe to say A Star is Born, drunk on its own hype for the last several months, might have finally hit a wall? Then again, we can consider how wrong the Golden Globes have been as of late. Perhaps the lack of support from the Hollywood Foreign press will imply Oscar voters to back it 100 percent?

It’s hard to say right now, but it could very well be an all or nothing scenario. A Star is Born could win all the major awards, or might end up leaving with little more than a similar win in the song category.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: In this handout photo provided by NBCUniversal, Regina King from “If Beale Street Could Talk” accepts the Best Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture award onstage during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Veteran actresses in, ingenues out

Speaking of Glenn Close, it was amazing to see her receive her first Golden Globe for a film performance. Close has won twice before this, both for television, and was previously nominated 12 times! As far as Academy Awards go, she’s been a six-time nominee but hasn’t won, so giving it to her for The Wife would be a solid career win.

The night of the Globes was all about older actresses, many who have toiled in television for years, finally receiving some recognition. Regina King walked away with the Best Supporting Actress award for If Beale Street Could Talk, while Olivia Colman won the leading performance in a musical or comedy for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite.

When it comes to Oscars, at least, the actresses are usually divided into the veteran ladies who should have an award by now versus the bright, bubbly young starlets. Based on the wins last night, it might be a sign that the awards could actually honor the long-time character actress as opposed to the newcomers. If Gaga doesn’t get much attention from here on out, Close could be an upset for a win (if nominated). King, right now, almost seems like a shoo-in for the Supporting Oscar, while Colman remains stiff competition for whoever else shares her category.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: In this handout photo provided by NBCUniversal, Brian Hayes Currie, Bob Farrelly , Peter Farrelly, John Sloss, Charles B. Wessler, Linda Cardellini, Octavia Spencer, Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali from “Green Book” accept the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy award onstage during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

#OscarsSoWhite could still end up happening

Despite two African-Americans winning in key categories, Sandra Oh hosting, and Latino director Alfonso Cuaron winning Best Director for Roma, we could still see a resurgence of #OscarsSoWhite this year. The popular films on everyone’s lips are still incredibly white, whether on-screen or behind the camera. There are possibilities that the likes of Black Panther and BlacKkKlansmen, which was nominated in four categories and won none, might see a second wind, but wins might be hard to come by.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: In this handout photo provided by NBCUniversal, Jim Beach accepts the Best Motion Picture – Drama award for “Bohemian Rhapsody” speak onstage during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

The Globes remain pretty out of touch

In the end, it’s hard not to say the Golden Globes really aren’t indicative of the Academy Awards at all. More often then not they’re wrong, and their voting procedures are highly corrupt. Being made up of about 100 journalists, there have been numerous scandals about members being gifted things from movies in order to influence voting. They also tend to skew with movies that are popular and/or incredibly artistic, with little in-between. Because they’re not made up of Hollywood insiders, the awards give no clues as to how Academy voters are leaning so it’s best to take these wins lightly. Celebrate them if you love the movies that won, but don’t put your money on the same movies for your Oscar pool.

Who do you think will win big at the Academy Awards? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.