This morning the Hollywood Foreign Press (and Snoop Dogg) unveiled this year’s batch of nominees for the 79th annual Golden Globes. After a (shall we say) rocky year, the HFPA returns and have left us with plenty to talk about. There are a few surprises and a few headscratchers. But such is the nature of these things. So as I’m prone to do, here are a few Random Thoughts from today’s announcement.

• It was a great morning for “Belfast” which was great to see. Seven total nominations for what is one the year’s best films. Hopefully it can hold out against the inevitable wave of dismissal that is sure to come.
• Speaking of a good morning, “The Power of the Dog” also grabbed seven nominations. This is the kind of movie that scratches the itches of a lot of awards voters. It’s going to have a good awards season run.
• How about “CODA” slipping into Best Picture – Drama? Love seeing it.
• “Dune” gets a well deserved Best Picture nomination. It’s an extraordinary science-fiction epic that could have easily failed. Great seeing it getting recognized.
• Speaking of “Dune”, I love seeing Denis Villeneuve get a Best Director nod. Sadly he has no chance of winning, but he’s (rightfully) nominated.
• By the way, what did Snoop call Denis Villeneuve????
• “Licorice Pizza” gets a lot of love from the HFPA which is both icky and expected. But it’s Paul Thomas Anderson so don’t expect there to be too much outcry (or even conversation) over the film’s ‘problematic’ central relationship.
• LOVE seeing “Cyrano” get nominated for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy. It was one of the biggest and best surprises of a year that was full of them.
• And Peter Dinklage getting nominated for “Cyrano” made me smile. Much deserved and hopefully the Academy takes notice.
• What a batch of talent in both Best Actress categories. But no Jennifer Hudson for “Respect”? In a group that included Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone, and Marion Cotillard, I’m a bit stunned that Hudson got nothing.
• Kristen Stewart vs Lady Gaga? I’m hoping Colman slips in and beats them both.
• So glad to hear Rachel Zegler’s name called. What an amazing debut in “West Side Story”.
• Speaking of “West Side Story”, love seeing it get a Best Picture nomination and I’m sure an Oscar bid is in its future.
• It seems like all of the push is behind Jane Campion in the director’s category, but I love seeing Branagh, Villeneuve, and Spielberg. And Maggie Gyllenhaal? She did a terrific job with “The Lost Daughter”. She absolutely belongs.
• Supporting Actor is the one category that actively annoyed me. No Mike Faist? Seriously?
• I would also liked to have seen J.K. Simmons nominated for “Being the Ricardos”.
• I know Kodi Smit-McPhee seems to be trending as an early favorite, but there were several better turns this year. Put your money on Smit-McPhee though.
• Best Actor – Drama, WOW! Who to pick? Easily one of the strongest categories. In my critics group I went with Denzel Washington for “The Tragedy of Lady MacBeth”. He never disappoints.
• Hooray for Caitriona Balfe. She was such a key part of what made “Belfast” so good. I hope she wins (she should), but I’m not sure if she has a shot.
• Nothing for “Mass”. It’s unfortunate but the movie is just now (finally) getting some kind of push.
• Will Smith gave his best performance in years in “King Richard”. Great to see the HFPA recognize him and the movie. Both were wonderful surprises.
• Nothing for Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley”. Unfortunate. It’s a movie that has really stuck with me the more I’ve thought about it. Cate Blanchett was incredible and should have been in that Supporting Actress field.
• “A Hero” gets a nod for Best Picture – Foreign Language. Not only is it my favorite film from that category, but it deserves a Best Picture nomination. But you know how these things go. I’m glad it at least got a mention.

Well, enough of my rambling. Here’s a full list of this year’s nominees for all of the film categories:

Best Motion Picture, Drama

• “Belfast”
• “CODA”
• “Dune”
• “King Richard”
• “The Power of the Dog”

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy

• “Cyrano”
• “Don’t Look Up”
• “Licorice Pizza”
• “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
• “West Side Story”

Best Director, Motion Picture

• Kenneth Branagh, (“Belfast”)
• Jane Campion, (“The Power of the Dog”)
• Maggie Gyllenhaal (“The Lost Daughter”)
• Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”)
• Denis Villeneuve (“Dune”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

• Mahershala Ali (“Swan Song”)
• Javier Bardem (“Being the Ricardos”)
• Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Power of the Dog”)
• Will Smith (“King Richard”)
• Denzel Washington (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama

• Kristen Stewart (“Spencer”)
• Olivia Colman (“The Lost Daughter”)
• Lady Gaga (“House of Gucci”)
• Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”)
• Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

• Leonardo DiCaprio (“Don’t Look Up”)
• Peter Dinklage (“Cyrano”)
• Andrew Garfield (“Tick, Tick… Boom!)
• Cooper Hoffman (“Licorice Pizza”)
• Anthony Ramos (“In the Heights”)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

• Marion Cotillard (“Annette”)
• Alana Haim (“Licorice Pizza”)
• Jennifer Lawrence (“Don’t Look Up”)
• Emma Stone (“Cruella”)
• Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”)

Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture

• Caitriona Balfe (“Belfast”)
• Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”)
• Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”)
• Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”)
• Ruth Negga (“Passing”)

Best Supporting Actor, Motion Picture

• Ben Affleck (“The Tender Bar”)
• Jamie Dornan (“Belfast”)
• Ciarán Hinds (“Belfast”)
• Troy Kotsur (“CODA”)
• Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”)

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture

• “Licorice Pizza”
• “Belfast”
• “The Power of the Dog”
• “Don’t Look Up”
• “Being the Ricardos”

Best Original Score, Motion Picture

• Alexandre Desplat (“The French Dispatch”)
• Germaine Franco (“Encanto”)
• Jonny Greenwood (“The Power of the Dog”)
• Alberto Iglesias (“Parallel Mothers”)
• Hans Zimmer (“Dune”)

Best Picture, Foreign Language

• “Compartment No. 6”
• “Drive My Car”
• “The Hand of God”
• “A Hero”
• “Parallel Mothers”

Best Original Song, Motion Picture

• “Be Alive” (“King Richard”)
• “Dos Oruguitas” (“Encanto”)
• “Down To Joy” (“Belfast”)
• “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” (“RESPECT”)
• “No Time To Die” (“No Time To Die”)