U2, Gleeson and Branagh make Golden Globe shortlist

ACTOR Brendan Gleeson and U2 are among the Irish nominees for the Golden Globe Awards, which were announced yesterday.

The 54-year-old Dubliner is in the running for best actor in a TV movie for his portrayal of British prime minister Winston Churchhill in Into the Storm.

Gleeson won an Emmy earlier his year for the role. The film was directed by Irishman Thaddeus O’Sullivan and details Churchill’s experiences leading Britain through the second World War.

Belfast-born Kenneth Branagh is among the other contenders in this category for his role in Wallander: One Step Behind.

U2 are contenders for the best song category with Winter. It was part of the soundtrack for the film Brothers, which was directed by Dubliner Jim Sheridan and is a remake of a 2004 Danish film. Tobey Maguire secured a nomination in the best actor in a drama category for his role in the film.

Co Wicklow resident Daniel Day Lewis has been nominated for his musical debut in Nine under the category of best actor in a comedy or musical.

The double Oscar winner received a Golden Globe last year for his role in There Will Be Blood. Day-Lewis plays the lead role in the film about the life and loves of an Italian film director. Nine received five nominations including best musical or comedy. However, film Up in the Airreceived six nominations, more than any other film.

Nominations include actor George Clooney for his role as a corporate hatchet man forced to consider his own direction at mid-life.

Science-fiction adventure Avatarearned four nominations, including best drama and best director for James Cameron. Quentin Tarantino's second World War fantasy, Inglourious Basterds, also earned four nominations. Actors Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep received two nominations each.

The Golden Globes will be given out on January 17th and are seen as a key indicator of which films will compete for the Oscars in March. – (Additional reporting Reuters)