Golden Globe Noms: For The Love of History

With "Lincoln" and "Django Unchained" leading the charge, the Hollywood Foreign Press continues to shower love on period pieces (and a good British accent)

Steven Spielberg's civil-war set drama "Lincoln" led the way with seven nods when the Hollywood Foreign Press announced the Golden Globe Award nominations in Hollywood.

Proof once again that when it comes to getting attention at the Globes, the more historical your vehicle (real or imagined) the more love the Hollywood Foreign Press is likely to bestow.

A quick look back at films that have walked away winners at the Globes for best picture in either a drama or comedy/musical show a long history for works that imagine the past: "Amadeus" (1985), "Out of Africa" (1986), "The Last Emperor" (1988), "Driving Miss Daisy" (1990), "Schindler's List" (1994), "Titanic" (1998), "Shakespeare in Love" (1999), "Gladiator" (2001), "Chicago" (2003), "The Aviator" (2005) and "Dreamgirls" (2007).

It's only been in recent years that the HFPA has cast its eyes more consistently to current times, rewarding films such as "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008), "The Social Network" (2011) and "The Descendants" (2011).

That streak looks to be threatened with "Lincoln's" seven nominations, among them best director for Spielberg, best drama, best screenplay and acting honors for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. These follow in the wake of four earlier nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and a record-breaking 13 nominations for the Critics Choice Movie Awards.

"Django Unchained," Quentin Tarantino's brutal revenge western, also received a large helping of award nomination love. The film, which scored Globe nominations for best drama, director, supporting actors (Leonardo DiCaprio and Christoph Waltz) and screenplay, was completely shut out of the Screen Actors Guild nominations in favor of "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Les Miserables."

Full List of 2013 Golden Globe Nominees

History-based drama from a more modern age was acknowledged with the Ben Affleck-directed Iran hostage crisis thriller "Argo" muscling in with four nominations for best drama, director, supporting actor (Alan Arkin) and screenplay.

And in the comedy-musical category, "Les Miserables" is the heavy-weight contender to compete with "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," "Moonrise Kingdom," "Salmon Fishing in Yemen," "Silver Linings Playbook."

When it came to small screen fare, it was history-in-the-making that received the most attention. The Sarah Palin biopic "Game Change" racked up five nominations for best miniseries, actor (Woody Harrelson), actress (Julianne Moore), supporting actor (Ed Harris) and supporting actress (Sarah Paulson). Coming in second with four nods was the terrorist plot-based series "Homeland" up for best drama, actor (Damian Lewis), actress (Claire Danes) and supporting actor (Mandy Patinkin).

Another notable inclusion here was "Political Animals," the now canceled TV drama that revolved around a Hillary Clinton-esque Washington politician played by Sigourney Weaver that will compete for best miniseries and best actress (Weaver). The stiff upper lip of PBS darling "Downton Abbey" received three nominations: best drama, best actress (Michelle Dockery) and supporting actress (Maggie Smith, who also was named to the best actress comedy/musical category for "Quartet").

Offering up accolades in categories that cover drama, comedy and musicals on both big and small screens, it's no surprise the remaining list of nominees for the award ceremony set for Jan. 13 comprises a mixed bag of familiar names (Meryl Streep for "Hope Springs", Helen Mirren for "Hitchcock," Julia Louis-Dreyfus for "Veep"), already celebrated titles ("Les Miserables," "Zero Dark Thirty"  with four nominations apiece) and few new, or left field inclusions ("Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," "Moonrise Kingdom," "Girls," the leading ladies of "Nashville").

"Yemen" - a gentle, comedy of manners from Britain - was a big surprise when it was announced it would compete in the best comedy/musical category as well as best acting for leads Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor. Released in March, the inclusion has turned the audience-appreciated yet oddly titled indie into the dark horse of the Globes.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Sparkle in Golden Globes Promo

New additions to this year's race are Connie Britton and Hayden Panetierre, who showed their singing chops on TV's "Nashville" to earn nominations for best actress and best supporting actress respectively. The love-it or loathe-it HBO series "Girls" scored two times for best series comedy and best actress (show creator and writer Lena Dunham). And Aaron Sorkin's "The Newsroom," also from HBO, is up for best series drama and best actor Jeff Daniels.

Wes Anderson’s films have long been Oscar bait but ignored by the HFPA. "Moonrise Kingdom's" elevation to the best picture comedy/musical category is a pleasant surprise, though it was the only recognition it received with Anderson failing to score a berth in the best director category.

A small screen snub went to "Mad Men," left hanging with only one nomination going to Jon Hamm in the best actor drama category.

Following last years' Globe love-fest of raunchy comedy "Bridesmaids," rumors swirled that the potty-mouthed teddy bear buddy comedy "Ted," directed by Seth MacFarlane, would be up for acknowledgment. No such luck as the Mark Wahlberg vehicle was noticeably absent when the nominees were revealed.

Adding extra comedy fodder to their hosting duties is the race between Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation") and Tina Fey ("30 Rock"), both named to the best actress TV comedy category. With former Globe winner Fey and former nominee Poehler both riding high on their current television success, the biggest winners on the night could end up being the viewers.

The Golden Globes, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will be broadcast live on NBC Jan. 13.

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