Throughout his many years as film critic at Newsday, Gene Seymour demonstrated impressive savvy as an awards forecaster. Don't be fooled by his modesty now. When we asked Gene to give us his Golden Globes predictions, he agreed but pooh-poohed his prognostication powers here in his text — always a good ploy when taking risks, eh? Granted, even gurus as deft as Gene will make a few goofs now and then. Below, what Gene tells Gold Derby readers about the leading Golden Globes races. Check out my own detailed analysis HERE, plus see a rundown of predictions made by more than a dozen famous media pundits like Dave Karger (Entertainnment Weekly) and Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) HERE. :

It’s been two years since I’ve done this, so let me remind you all of one crucial fact: I suck deeply at handicapping the Glob(e)s. My vaunted powers are useless when forced to meld with the Foggy Bottom of the Glitz Machine that is the HFPA. Nevertheless, since you were nice enough to ask.

BEST DRAMA PICTURE
"Slumdog Millionaire"

People REALLY love this movie, even if it doesn’t have big stars or a Hollywood pedigree. The rest either aren’t as inspiring or as good. Which doesn’t necessarily rule out one of the others getting an unexpected bump.

BEST DRAMA ACTRESS
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"

The toughest, most competitive field for actresses in many years. La Streep is the least subtle, most showboating of the perfs here –- which means she’ll probably get the nod. Hathaway is the dark horse, though, and Thomas, the most deserving.

BEST DRAMA ACTOR
Sean Penn, "Milk"

Whoever snags this one will have the wind at his back carrying him to Oscar Night. Mickey Rourke’s is the kind of comeback-kid story that the HFPA loves, but he’s been making some ungallant noises in Penn’s direction. Could go either way and the coin toss comes up Penn.

BEST COMEDY/MUSICAL PICTURE
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Woody Allen’s sunniest, most ingratiating hit in what seems like decades is the only one here that doesn’t come with qualifiers showing; even "Happy-Go-Lucky," the best of the rest, has that art-house smell emanating from its own sunny, ingratiating surface.

BEST COMEDY/MUSICAL ACTRESS
Emma Thompson, "Last Chance Harvey"

If "Happy" gets "Lucky" in the previous category, it’ll be Hawkins. But Thompson’s got quite a buzz leading her into awards season.

BEST COMEDY/MUSICAL ACTOR
James Franco, "Pineapple Express"

Dustin Hoffman’s perf has generated as much juice as his costar’s. But Franco commits one of the year’s most conspicuous acts of grand larceny this side of Heath Ledger. And he’s transformed his career in the process.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
"Wall-E"

Even writing the words, "no brainer" feels like too much work here.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Cruz has the Big Mo heading on the home stretch to the Oscar winners' circle and though the others are worthy in wildly different ways, Cruz’s supporting turn is one of those ringer roles that dominate every scene she’s in.