Five things the Golden Globes tell us about the Oscars

There are two firm Best Picture favourites, but it's still wide open

When it comes to Oscar predictions, the biggest hint from last night's Golden Globes was is that 'The Descendants' and 'The Artist' are firm - but joint - favourites to take home the big prize come 26 February.

Each nabbed a Best Picture prize last night, Alexander Payne's 'The Descendants' in the drama category and French silent film 'The Artist' in comedy/musical. Their leading men George Clooney and Jean Dujardin also took home the best actor gongs in each category.

A helpful pointer could have been the directing prize, but that ended up heading to Martin Scorsese, director of 'Hugo'. More on that later.

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Steven Spielberg could win an Oscar, just not for 'War Horse'
If you time-travelled back to the 80s and told people a Steven Spielberg-directed animated film was going to win a major Oscar you'd be laughed out of the building. Or sanctioned under the mental health act for claiming to be a time-traveller.

Yet after last night he is in pole position to take the usually Pixar-bound award after 'The Advenures of Tintin' fended off 'Arthur Christmas', 'Cars 2', 'Puss in Boots' and 'Rango' to take the Best Animated Feature Film prize.

Animation is usually looked down upon by the Academy (not as much as comedy, mind) but a win for Steven Spielberg - who has won two Best Director statues for his World War 2 dramas 'Schindler's List' and 'Saving Private Ryan' - would do great things for the genre. Animated films have only had a shot at Best Picture three times, 'Beauty and the Beast' in 1991, 'Up' in 2010 and 'Toy Story 3' last year.

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Best Director could go to anyone
As mentioned Martin Scorsese took the award for Best Director for his great work on 'Hugo'. This is no help to anyone, as usually it's the winner of Best Picture who also takes the directing award and we don't see 'Hugo' taking that prize, as great as it is.

Expect a shoot-out between 'The Artist' helmer Michel Hazanavicius and Payne, but the winner is too close to call now.

Nothing is certain in the acting categories (unless you're Meryl Streep)
George Clooney may have won last night for his performance in 'The Descendants' but he is still part of one of the strongest collection of actors and performances to have ever go for the gold. It can be claimed that both Clooney and Brad Pitt are "overdue" an Oscar or deserve recognition for their work, but the Cloon is now in the number one spot.

It's a shame , as undoubtedly brilliant performances from young guns Michael Fassbender ('Shame') and Ryan Gosling ('The Ides of March') will most probably be overlooked. Ditto Gary Oldman, who was fantastic in 'Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy', but probably won't even get a nomination. French unknown (over here at least) Jean Dujardin, who won the Best Actor prize for a Comedy or Musical last night, is a good outside bet.

Meanwhile Meryl Streep is far and away the favourite to win herself her third Best Actress Oscar (the last being in 1983). In other year Tilda Swinton would be favourite for her mesmerising portrayal of the troubled mother of a murderous son in 'We Need To Talk About Kevin' and we think Swinton deserves the win more than Streep. But it won't happen.

As for the supporting gongs, wins for Christopher Plummer ('Begginers') and Octavia Spencer ('The Help') last night make then favourites. Plummer is now a safe bet thanks to his gong, but Spencer still has co-star Jessica Chastain ('Tree of Life' or 'The Help') and 'The Artist's Berenice Bejo looking over her shoulder.

If Uggie the dog doesn't show up there will be rioting at the Kodak Theatre
We love this dog! The real star of 'The Artist' has been the focus of the film's press tour over here and in the States with numerous television appearances. Everyone loves Uggie, especially after his Golden Globe appearance, and it would be a crying shame if he weren't to make an appearance at the big one.

Why not let him co-host the thing with Billy Crystal? He'd be much more articulate than Anne Hathaway.