Last night's Golden Globes broadcast was one of the worst things I've sat through on two separate channels. I suspect there will be a lot of scarred memories, the kind you tell to your grandkids: "I watched the night the Golden Globes were telecast during the WGA strike." "Really, grandpa?"

But there is another obvious reason to talk about last night's show and that is how much it affected the Oscar race. Here's the short answer: Very little. For everyone else, let me start with a look at the biggies: Picture, Actor and Actress.

BEST PICTURE
And the winners were... Atonement won for Best Picture Drama and Sweeney Todd won for Best Picture Comedy or Musical.
Cui bono? Both of these films benefited last night. I know what you're thinking, Really, Sherlock? But look ... the Academy is not going to just nominate a movie because the HFPA handed them an award. Now Atonement always had the best shot at an Oscar nom. Yet the feeling was that it was on life-support lately. Meanwhile, Sweeney Todd scoring a Best Picture and Actor nod is giving me hope that maybe, just maybe, the Academy will say "yes" to this great, dark anti-musical.

Still, this is relatively interesting in that both films seemed to be on life support in the Best Picture Oscar race. I still question how much of a Globe victory means in the grand scheme of things, especially when you consider the fact that Dreamgirls (which failed to be nominated Best Picture by the Academy last year) scored big at last year's Golden Globes.

The only thing I'm sure about is this: No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood will be among the nominees. After that, it's a battle for the last three spots and this being such a good and diverse year for films, it's too close to call. I will say no favors were handed to films like American Gangster and Charlie Wilson's War, though.

BEST ACTRESS
And the winners were... Marion Cotillard and Julie Christie's wins last night for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and Best Actress in a Drama changed nothing since these were both locks to begin with.
Cui bono? Nobody really. The rest of the nominees should go the way of the SAG's with Ellen Page, Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie getting the last three spots. You could make a possible argument that maybe, maybe Helena Bonham Carter scored some points because of Sweeney Todd's showing.

BEST ACTOR
And the winners were .... Daniel Day-Lewis won for Best Actor in a Drama and Johnny Depp won for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
Cui bono? This is easy. Depp easily got the biggest boost last night. Day-Lewis was already padlocked for a nom, just like George Clooney. Depp might have earned himself the number three spot after those two guys. I think Hanks was the biggest loser last night. His movie failed to get one major nomination and without the SAG support, Charlie Wilson's War is looking like one lame duck. Denzel was hurt too. American Gangster, which months ago looked like a giant, received nada. Now Viggo Mortensen's movie is in the same boat. But the difference is Viggo landed himself a SAG nomination. Hmm...

But here's the rub: it's the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. They have about as much credibility as my foot. Academy members like to get together on Globe night and piss their pants with laughter at what a joke these people are compared to them. I ain't saying it's right. It's just the law of the land. And the Oscar's the sheriff 'round these parts.

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Dre writes three times a week for Film.com. Email him!

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