Golden Globes only confuse the Oscar race

So the Oscar nominations won't be out until Thursday. But the Golden Globes awards, which were handed out Sunday night, give some indication as to what we can expect when, on March 2, the Motion Picture Academy finally awards those little gold statuettes. And most indications point … well, all over the place.

Acting: Cate Blanchett (GG Drama for "Blue Jasmine") seems to be a solid choice for Best Actress, though Amy Adams (GG Musical or Comedy for "American Hustle") is a contender, and Jennifer Lawrence (GG Supporting Actress for "American Hustle") seems like an equal bet for the supporting category.

Matthew McConaughey (GG Drama for "Dallas Buyers' Club") improved his chances, though he was going up against some pretty formidable competition in Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejoifor, Tom Hanks and Robert Redford. And that's not even taking into consideration Leonardo DiCaprio (GG Musical or Comedy for "The Wolf of Wall Straat"). Jared Leto (GG Supporting Actor for "Dallas Buyers' Club") seems also to be a front-runner in support, though Bradley Cooper ("American Hustle") and Michael Fassbender ("12 Years a Slave") are strong possibilities.

Direction: Alfonso Cuarón (GG "Gravity") is a popular, and deserving, choice. Though some Academy support is bound to flow toward David O. Russell ("American Hustle"), Martin Scorsese ("The Wolf of Wall Street") and even Paul Greengrass ("Captain Phillips").

Best Film: The GG for Drama went to "!2 Years a Slave," Steve McQueen's version of a true tale. The GG for Musical or Comedy, meanwhile, went to … "American Hustle," which just goes to show you how strange the GG nomination process is. The Oscar race should be between those two and "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Inside Llewyn Davis" and "Her." Adding confusion is the fact that Spike Jonze's imaginative "Her" won the GG for Best Screenplay.

So, the Oscar nominations might not offer too many surprises — unless Hollywood wants to overlook McConaughey again (as it did last year with "Magic Mike"). But who will finally take home gold? We'll have to wait for some other awards ceremonies (Director's Guild, Screen Actor's Guild, etc.) to get a better idea.

See you March 2.

Correction: An earlier version of this post said the 2014 Oscar nominations would be out Wednesday.

Above photo: Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers' Club."