New Year, New Awards!

Eddie Redmayne in The Theory Of Everything

There's a reason why I love the turn of the new year; the later months of 2014, mixed together with the first couple of 2015. Not just because Christmas has just been and we're still in that overly full, overly spoilt and over-joyed stupor. Nor is it because it's the start of a new chapter, thus presenting a fresh new start. No, it's because the movies that are released around that time are normally of high calibre, and that's because it's a time we movie-nerds like to call "award season". 

Now, the film's that came out around about this time last year were of an incredible standard, (12 Years A Slave was one of the best films I have ever seen, even still) so it will be a tough one to beat, but January 2015 releases are bound to try anyways!

To kick off the hype surrounding the handful of movies that will no doubt dominate in every awards ceremony coming up, both the Golden Globes and the BAFTA's released their respective lists of nominees in lengthy anticipation (ahead of tonight's Globes ceremony), which you can read if you click on the award titles above, if you haven't swotted up already (you better hurry!). Last year's The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by visionary Wes Anderson walked away with a lot of nominations, as well as The Imitation Game and David Fincher's interpretation of best-selling novel Gone Girl  (both released in late 2014). But it's the film we've seen come out in the last few weeks that are sparking up the most buzz! 

One recent release that is garnering a lot of attention is The Theory Of Everything, a biographical depiction of physicist Stephen Hawking's early and healthy life, as he fell in love with his future wife, earned great success in the world of science and began his infamous deterioration due to motor neurone disease. The film has all the right ingredients for an awards hit; stunning set and costume design, a tearjerker of a plot and the fact that real life events (particularly tragic ones) tend to fare well when it comes to raking in the awards. So with those winning combinations, mixed with lead Eddie Redmayne's endearing and romantic performance, it's sure to walk away with something, right?

Steve Carell in his unrecognisable role in dark drama, Foxcatcher

Steve Carell has always been the funny guy. Sticking mostly to comedies and even some rom-com's throughout his whole career, it's a bold move to step into the world of drama now, and Foxcatcher is no light drama either. Based upon yet another true story, the dark movie tells of the relationship between multi-millionaire John Du Pont (Carell) and Olympic Wrestling Gold medallist Mark Schultz, when Du Pont offers his home and his facilities to Schultz in the hope of making him a legend thus propelling himself into success alongside him. As both men strive for greatness, the film explores what lengths people will go to for personal gain and the desperation that can take hold when you want something so badly. It's a much a psychological drama, making you look at each character individually and deeply as it is a piece about connection and exploitation which makes for some spectacular viewing.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? 

Michael Keaton's return to leading roles on the silver screen was long awaited but it seems like he was biding his time with a foolproof plan as his newest is yet another film getting a lot of attention amongst accolade boards. Arguably ironic in it's plot, Birdman sees Keaton portraying a washed-up actor who is haunted by voices in his head tormenting him that he will never be as good as he once was when he played an iconic superhero by the same name as the movie's title. I know what you're thinking, no, this one isn't based on real life! All jokes aside, the black comedy is eerie, brilliantly witty and dazzling acted from it's entire ensemble cast and deserves every single nomination (or possible win) it gets.

Boyhood, on technicality and visionary dedication alone must win something across the three main awards and I will be gobsmacked if it doesn't. It would be impossible to ignore a film that took so long to produce and was so meticulously made in terms of praise. But it's not only it's braveness in creation that makes Boyhood worthy of wins. It's obvious daring in style is beautifully matched with quiet but powerful performances from every member of it's cast.

Obviously, I'm a little biased, but something that have been so proud to see, are Brits getting a lot of recognition in award shows across the board as of late. Last year, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christian Bale and Steve McQueen all paved the way for creatives in the industry from across the pond to do well in US award ceremonies and this year is no exception. Already, Rosamund Pike and Benedict Cumberbatch are getting serious acclaim from both the Golden Globe's and the BAFTA's and it's marvellous to see.

Surprisingly though, Skins alumni Jack O'Connell hasn't accumulated as many nominations as film fanatics first thought with his role in Angelina Jolie's directorial debut, Unbroken; only managing to claim one in the Rising Star category for the BAFTA's. The young actor has blown up on cinema screens recently, with his praised performances in Starred Up, '71 and now this, but perhaps they believe he's not established enough to get such a prestigious award yet, who knows! Perhaps he will earn himself a nod at the Oscars, as his depiction of Olympian-turned-prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini is impressive to say the least.

Whilst I could talk about films all night, it's not just feature lengths that are on discussion tonight. Amongst those TV programmes that have stood out this year, and have been equally been recognised with nominations are; House Of Cards, Orange Is The New Black, Girls, The Good Wife, Veep, True Detective, Game Of Thrones, Downton Abbey and Transparent. Here's hoping that some new shows win some awards for a change!

Quite frankly, I'm not really sure who will walk away with awards tonight. The Golden Globes are always the eye-opener as to who might be the big winners in the ceremonies that are coming up in the next few months and before we've got a little clue, it's hard to call. A lot of the movies nominated seem to be relatively on par in terms of audience reception, critic opinions and general success so there's no obvious stand-out unlike last year when every award was pretty much a three horse race, between Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years A Slave and Gravity. This year, the playing field appears rather even and it will make for some interesting victories.

Personally, my few hopes are that David Fincher wins Best Director as well as Rosamund Pike getting Best Actress, both for Gone Girl, Netflix's House Of Cards gets some well deserved, long overdue recognition and Boyhood takes the gold home for Best Drama Motion Picture. I'd also love to see St. Vincent get some kind of win, however I'm doubtful it will. I'm not asking much, right? So, who will you be backing when the Golden Globes air tonight? I'm off to watch the Red Carpet!