Each of the five Golden Globe nominees for best comedy/musical picture -- "(500) Days of Summer," "The Hangover," "It's Complicated," "Julie & Julia," and "Nine" -- is predicted to win by some of our pundits panel. Normally, Golden Globe voters automatically choose successful musicals in the race for best comedy/musical picture. Past champs include "Sweeney Todd," "Dreamgirls," "Walk the Line," "Chicago," "Moulin Rouge," "Evita," etc.

However, box office blockbuster "Mamma Mia" lost last year to "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," probably because film critics weren't dancing in the aisles alongside crazed moviegoers. That means "Nine" might be in trouble at the Golden Globes this year, if it doesn't rally soon with reviewers. It's only scoring 26% at RottenTomatoes.

Was the anti-"Mamma Mia" vote last year a slap at Meryl Streep? If so, she's got two films in contention in this category now: "It's Complicated" and "Julie & Julia."

Globers don't usually endorse laffers with a fratboy sensibility like "The Hangover." They didn't even nominate "Knocked Up" or "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," but I hear that HFPA members are popping champagne corks over this one this year.

"(500) Days of Summer" was a surprise inclusion, bumping out "A Serious Man." Does that mean that there's a wellspring of love for this romantic comedy that could erupt in a big upset victory?

Left photo: A scene from "It's Complicated. " Credit: Universal

Right photo: A scene from "Julie & Julia." Credit: Columbia

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