The Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning, and it yielded an eclectic round of choices for what has been a stellar year for cinema. Was there a few surprises? You bet. Was there a few notable snubs? Sadly, yes. And what is the overall perception of the selections that the Hollywood Foreign Press has deemed worthy of meritocracy this year? The following is a breakdown of each category and my thoughts on this year’s choices.

Best Picture-Drama

“The Irishman” (Netflix)

“Marriage Story” (Netflix)

“1917” (Universal)

“Joker” (Warner Bros.)

“The Two Popes” (Netflix)

Surprises: While it should come as no surprise to see Joaquin Phoenix’s names among the list of nominees this year for Best Actor, “Joker” as a Best Picture choice is somewhat peculiar. It is a fine film, and in any other year would likely warrant a nod. But in a year with another masterpiece entry into Martin Scorsese’s filmography, a film that is essentially a 70’s Scorsese remix seems like an odd choice.

Snubs: While it garnered a well deserved Foreign Language Film nod, the omission of “Parasite” from the Best Picture running is a true missed opportunity. Perhaps the difficulty in labeling it as a drama or comedy due to its genre-bending nature was an additional mark against it. Also, no love for “Uncut Gems”, especially after Sandler scored a Best Actor win from the National Board of Review is puzzling.

Best Picture-Musical/Comedy

“Dolemite Is My Name” (Netflix)

“Jojo Rabbit” (Fox Searchlight)

“Knives Out” (Lionsgate)

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (Sony)

“Rocketman” (Paramount)

Surprises: I was a bit surprised to see “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” listed as a comedy, but I also don’t think the classification is a false one. I felt “Rocketman” had lost some of the luster it had due to an early year release, but seeing as I found it to be vastly superior to the similarly themed “Bohemian Rhapsody”, I’m glad to see it also getting this accolade. Netflix continues an impressive run with “Dolemite is My Name” the fourth film with a Best Picture selection (along with “The Irishman”, “The Two Popes”, and “Marriage Story”) and I’m pleasantly surprised that a film as weird but wonderful as “JoJo Rabbit” was not overlooked.

Snubs: While it is hard to find much fault with the choices this year, Olivia Wilde’s sharp and heartwarming teen comedy “Booksmart” would have been a lovely addition. The omission of “Bombshell” and “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is also unexpected.

Best Actor-Drama

Christian Bale (“Ford v Ferrari”)

Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”)

Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”)

Joaquin Phoenix (“Joker”)

Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”)

Surprises: Antonio Banderas was fantastic in Pedro Almodovar’s moving “Pain and Glory”, and while that particular duo has made magic many times over it may be one of Banderas’ best. Recognition for acting in a non-English language film is decidedly uncommon at the Globes, so when it is given for a deserving choice, it’s a net positive.

Snubs: Once again, Adam Sandler’s much-acclaimed work in “Uncut Gems” not making the final list comes as a shock for many, especially seeing as he’s already been honored for the role elsewhere. It also came as a surprise that DeNiro put in some of his best acting in a decade in “The Irishman” and didn’t make the cut.

Best Actress-Drama

Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”)

Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”)

Saoirse Ronan (“Little Women”)

Charlize Theron (“Bombshell”)

Renée Zellweger (“Judy”)

Surprises: In this instance, not really one to speak of.

Snubs: Nor here, though Nicole Kidman in “Bombshell” not getting a pick surprised me. I wouldn’t be shocked if the film didn’t want to risk splitting the vote with Theron. I personally would have loved to see some love for Florence Pugh in “Midsommar” or Lupita N’yongo for “Us” but alas the stigma against horror is still a steep uphill climb.

Best Actress-Musical/Comedy

Ana de Armas (“Knives Out”)

Awkwafina (“The Farewell”)

Cate Blanchett (“Where’d You Go, Bernadette”)

Beanie Feldstein (“Booksmart”)

Emma Thompson (“Late Night”)

Surprises: Cate Blanchett is one of the finest actresses working today, but “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” was a dreadful film and I would argue her performance has no business being in this category. Awkwafina was essentially a guarantee here, and Beanie Feldstein and Ana de Armas are both pleasant and welcome surprises.

Snub: This was a lighter year for viable comedic performances and most of the stronger omissions from women in comedy would qualify more in supporting roles. Constance Wu not making the list for “Hustlers” seems like the logical choice but I don’t know if that’s how the movie would be classified.

Best Actor-Musical/Comedy

Daniel Craig (“Knives Out”)

Roman Griffin Davis (“Jojo Rabbit”)

Leonardo DiCaprio (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)

Taron Egerton (“Rocketman”)

Eddie Murphy (“Dolemite Is My Name”)

Surprises: Roman Griffith Davis nailed a complex role for a child in “JoJo Rabbit” and while I never thought he’d be chosen, I’m glad he did. Also happy to see Daniel Craig’s hilarious turn as the Southern-fried detective in “Knives Out” on here as it’s clear the Foreign Press was totally in on the joke as much as the fans of the film were.

Snub: “Robert Pattinson” being passed by for “The Lighthouse” is baffling. In all honesty, “The Lighthouse” being passed by in general is baffling. Bad call.

Best Motion Picture-Animated

“Frozen 2” (Disney)

“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (Universal)

“The Lion King” (Disney)

“Missing Link” (United Artists Releasing)

“Toy Story 4” (Disney)

Surprises: THE LIVE ACTION LION KING IS BEING SUBMITTED FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE. SEE? THEY KNOW WHAT THEY DID. THEY KNOW IT ISN’T LIVE ACTION. ALSO THAT MOVIE WAS GARBAGE. Other than that, the selections are essentially what you would suspect would make the list.

Snubs: “I Lost My Body” from Netflix was not only by far the best animated film this year but one of the better films in an unusually strong year. The lack of presence among the nominations is among the largest oversights by the Globes.

Best Motion Picture-Foreign Language

The Farewell” (A24)

“Les Misérables” (Amazon)

“Pain and Glory” (Sony Pictures Classics)

“Parasite” (Neon)

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (Neon)

Surprises and Snubs: This May come off as boring, but this might be the most accurately selected category from the most accurate announcement. The five films I’d have chosen are the five films listed.

Best Supporting Actress

Kathy Bates (“Richard Jewell”)

Annette Bening (“The Report”)

Laura Dern (“Marriage Story”)

Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”)

Margot Robbie (“Bombshell”)

Surprises: This category has some of the most heavily discussed performances this year, with Lopez and Dern in particularly receiving raves, and both unquestionably earned them. Bates gets “Richard Jewell”’s sole acting recognition, and Bening is unexpected, but seeing as she was likely the strongest aspect of “The Report” it isn’t illogical.

Snub: Scarlett Johansson gave two of the best performances of her career this year. While I’m thrilled she got noticed for her harrowing work in “Marriage Story”, her being overlooked for stealing the show in “JoJo Rabbit” with such a pure and heartfelt performance is a damn shame.

Best Supporting Actor

Tom Hanks (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”)

Anthony Hopkins (“The Two Popes”)

Al Pacino (“The Irishman”)

Joe Pesci (“The Irishman”)

Brad Pitt (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)

Surprises: Tom Hanks gets the sole nod for “Beautiful Day” but since it’s some of the best casting ever from a biopic I can’t say it’s a large surprise. What is a surprise is that he was properly classified as a supporting role in that film.

Snub: Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of an obnoxious yet hilarious lighthouse keeper in “The Lighthouse” stands as yet another among the film’s many omissions.

Best Director

Bong Joon-ho (“Parasite”)

Sam Mendes (“1917”)

Todd Phillips (“Joker”)

Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”)

Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)

Surprises: Todd Phillips comes as a surprise but considering he was the second best aspect of the film after the lead performance it isn’t an unwarranted one. Bong Joon-ho absolutely deserves his inclusion as well, though the fact a foreign language director made it through makes it all the more special.

Snub: Noah Baumbach’s long takes and close ups in “Marriage Story” made the intensity all the more palatable. It’s a little disappointing to see him not get his due credit for it. Greta Gerwig also can’t seem to catch a break at the Globes can she?

Best Screenplay

Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story”)

Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won (“Parasite”)

Anthony McCarten (“The Two Popes”)

Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)

Steven Zaillian (“The Irishman”)

Surprises: Who knew “The Two Popes” would clean up so well this year? The other selections are fairly expected but the Netflix movie is proving to be quite the dark horse.

Snubs: “Knives Out” was a whip-smart mystery yarn in a style that felt like a revival and something new at the same time. I’d have liked the wildly entertaining script to find its way on to this list.

Best Original Score

Alexandre Desplat (“Little Women”)

Hildur Guðnadóttir (“Joker”)

Randy Newman (“Marriage Story”)

Thomas Newman (“1917”)

Daniel Pemberton (“Motherless Brooklyn”)

Surprises: “Motherless Brooklyn” really divided critics and audiences so it appears few saw it getting any nominations.

Snubs: Randy Newman’s work in “Toy Story 4” wasn’t even nominated for him to lose again as he’s done many times in the past, but his “Marriage Story” nod is a worthy consolation.

Best Song

“Beautiful Ghosts” (“Cats”)

“I’m Gonna Love Me Again” (“Rocketman”)

“Into the Unknown” (“Frozen 2”)

“Spirit” (“The Lion King”)

“Stand Up” (“Harriet”)

Surprises: This category is always musical and Disney heavy, so “Harriet” snagging a spot comes as the only unconventional pick.

Snubs: Randy Newman again is passed up for his “Toy Story 4” work. Newman is an unsung hero in the “Toy Story” franchise as his music has been the soundtrack for many a poignant moment. Not including him comes off as a little silly.

Final Observations

• If Joaquin Phoenix wins an Oscar for “Joker” it will only be the second time in history two actors have won an Oscar for the same role (the other being Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro for Vito Corleone in the “Godfather” films).
• For all the conversation about the length of the film, “The Irishman” would actually be the fourth longest film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. “Gone with the Wind”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, and “Ben-Hur” are all longer.

As this is the one of the largest indicators of which direction the Academy Awards will go with their choices, I’m really anticipating who will win what in January. Next month I’ll reveal my choices for predictions on who will be reading their acceptance speech the night of the Golden Globes. Now head to your local cineplex because this has been a glorious year for cinephiles.