The nominations for the Golden Globe Awards will be revealed on Thursday with industry experts betting on "Spotlight" and "The Revenant" to get nods for best film.
The announcements, set to be made at the crack of dawn in Los Angeles, will add momentum to the Oscars race, which officially kicked off on Wednesday with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominations.
The Globe nominations are decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of entertainment editors and writers from 55 countries, who report on the industry year-round and are wined and dined by publicists.
Hollywood awards prediction site Gold Derby said of 17 industry experts questioned, 15 favored "Spotlight" to win for best film, followed by "The Revenant".
"Spotlight" is about journalists from the Boston Globe who uncovered the massive scandal of child molestations and cover-up by the Catholic church in Massachusetts.
"The Revenant", starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, is an American biographical epic set in the 1800s and inspired by legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass.
Inarritu won an Oscar for best director at the 2015 Academy Awards for "Birdman", which also won for best picture, best original screenplay and best cinematography.
DiCaprio is among the favourites for a Golden Globe nomination for best drama actor, and critics are predicting that he will finally take home an Oscar for "The Revenant".
Matt Damon is also thought to have a good chance of winning a Golden Globe for his performance in "The Martian" as is Johnny Depp (Black Mass), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) and last year's big Golden Globe winner Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl).
In the category for best actress, Brie Larson is creating a buzz for her role in "Room", a drama about a five-year-old boy held captive with his mother in a tiny room.
Cate Blanchett was also expected to be nominated for her role in the movie "Carol", a story about a 1950s housewife who falls for a store clerk.
On the television front, some of the series expected to be nominated for the Golden Globe awards include "Better Call Saul", "Empire", "Narcos", "Game of Thrones" and "Orange is the New Black".
Announcing the Globe nominees on Thursday will be actress Angela Bassett, best known for her roles in "American Horror Story" and most recently starring in Spike Lee's "Chi-Raq".
Also joining her will be actors America Ferrera, Chloe Grace Moretz and Dennis Quaid.
The Golden Globe nominations will be announced in 25 categories and the awards ceremony will be held on January 10.
The Golden Globes are often difficult to predict, contrary to the SAG nominations which are considered a strong early indication for the Oscars as they are made by people from within the film community.
Members of the acting guild represent some 20 percent of the roughly 6,000 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
"Trumbo", a biopic about a blacklisted 1940s screenwriter, scored the most SAG nominations on Wednesday for best ensemble cast, best leading actor Bryan Cranston) of "Breaking Bad fame) and best supporting actress (Helen Mirren).
On the television side, Netflix's political drama "House of Cards" led the field with three nominations, for best actor (Kevin Spacey), best actress (Robin Wright) and best cast performance in a drama series.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Dec 10 2015
Spotlight is expected to receive a nod for best film. - AFP Photo
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.