The Golden Globes are this Sunday, ringing in the New Year with the first of the major award ceremonies. It was a powerhouse year for film, which means each category is loaded with deserved nominees. Who will win? It’s hard to say, but here are my predictions for the 71st Golden Globes:

Best Motion Picture (Drama): The only two films that hold any real weight in this category are “12 Years A Slave” and “Gravity.” That’s not to say the other films in this category aren’t good, but the former have been garnering awards buzz since they were in the early festival circuit. Realistically, “12 Years A Slave” should be the winner because in a nutshell it’s award bait. A great cast, great script, fantastic direction, and above all, it’s a historical biopic. Plus it’s a fantastic film, and definitely my choice to win at the globes. Winner: “12 Years A Slave”

Best Motion Picture (Musical Or Comedy): This category is always up in the air, because they’re all films that wouldn’t normally be recognized at other awards shows (see the 2010 nominees in this category). However, this year is somewhat different. Each nominee has gotten rave reviews and each could potentially be an Oscar nominee for Best Picture. The crowd pleaser in this category would have to be “American Hustle,” which is typically the film the globes go for in this category. And I could see it winning; the reviews are great and the cast is incredible. Out of the five, this is the one to win it. Winner: “American Hustle”

Best Actor (Drama): This award is Chiwetel Ejiofor’s to win. He’s been the favorite to win at most of the awards ceremonies for sometime, and his performance in “12 Years A Slave” is heart wrenching and incredibly moving; it’s a triumph of acting. His only real competition is Matthew McConaughey, who also gave a career best performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.” If the odds aren’t in Ejiofor’s favor than it’s McConaughey’s to win, but I think the odds are still in his favor. Winner: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Best Actress (Drama): Again, this category is no contest; Cate Blanchett is guaranteed to win. Her performance in “Blue Jasmine” as a mentally unstable housewife trying to get her life back together is being described as the best of her career. It’s hard to picture her not walking away with a globe. Winner: Cate Blanchett

Best Actor (Musical Or Comedy): Out of the five nominees, Bruce Dern has been getting the most love for his performance in “Nebraska,” so it should be no surprise if he nabs the award this year. But that’s not to say other powerhouse actors like Christian Bale or Leonardo DiCaprio should be ruled out, as they could easily win as well. Still, Dern is my pick for the victor. Winner: Bruce Dern

Best Actress (Musical Or Comedy): Meryl Streep is nominated this year, which almost guarantees she’ll take home another Golden Globe this Sunday. And she’s pretty fantastic in “August: Osage County.” But, should the Hollywood Foreign Press decide not to award her this year, I could very well see Amy Adams winning in this category for her excellent performance in “American Hustle.” Winner: Meryl Streep

Best Supporting Actor: A tough and very loaded category, with great performances all around. But, if the buzz persists, I’d choose Michael Fassbender to win with his powerhouse turn in “12 Years A Slave.” Bradley Cooper could also have a chance to win, and the HFPA could award him after getting snubbed at last year’s ceremony. Plus, his performance in “American Hustle” is probably the best of the whole cast. For now, I pick Fassbender. Winner: Michael Fassbender

Best Supporting Actress: With the absence of Oprah Winfrey in this category, it looks like newcomer Lupita Nyong’o might take home this award. And very deservedly; her performance is rich, layered, and above all tear jerking. It’s what awards shows go for, and awarding a debut performance is never a bad thing, especially if it’s as good as hers. Winner: Lupita Nyong’o

Best Director: Again it’s between “12 Years A Slave” (Steve McQueen) and “Gravity” (Alfonso Cuaron), with the latter being more deserved, but the former being the more obvious candidate. Both are fantastic directors who made fantastic films nonetheless. Predictability is usually what the Golden Globes go for, and for that I see Steve McQueen taking home an award. Winner: Steve McQueen

Best Screenplay: With all the buzz that “Her” has gotten recently, I wouldn’t be surprised if Spike Jonze won for his impressive solo writing debut. But John Ridley and Bob Nelson also stand an equal chance of picking up the award for screenplays that have been lauded by critics. Hopefully though, Jonze doesn’t go home empty handed. Winner: Spike Jonze