By Jay A. Fernandez and Matthew Belloni
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual Golden Globes festivities will take over the Beverly Hilton Hotel January 17.
Yes, that’s three weeks from now. But it’s never too early to map out your afterparty attack.
The Beverly Hilton will once again be the Big Top under which the various celebrity circuses will sparkle and whirl, spilling one into the next. Here’s a partial list of locations for all your cocktail and canoodling needs.
(Be sure to check back for updates, as more events and relevant commentary are sure to be added.)
1. Warner Bros. Studios/InStyle — Oasis Courtyard
You get the most bang for your buck at the WB/IS shindig, since it merges fashion with the famous and anyone else who’s got even a tenuous relationship with celebrity. Plus, the Bros. had a mighty fine, eclectic year — “The Hangover,” “Harry Potter,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Watchmen,” “The Blind Side,” “The Final Destination,” “Sherlock Holmes” — so expect the babes, bubbly and back-slapping to be free-flowing.
*Note: InStyle is also having its annual GG viewing dinner, hosted by managing editor Ariel Foxman.
2. HBO – Circa 55 + Poolside
While not quite the critical dynamo it was two years ago, HBO still fields a splendid Globes bash with a reliable hip quotient. Keep in mind: as the night goes on, this thing gets packed, so go early if you want to hang there. With a sublimely resurgent “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (jammed full of “Seinfeld”), the ratings-happy “True Blood” and newcomer “Hung” carrying the series mantle, the cabler also did well with “Grey Gardens” and “Taking Chance” on the feature side. And don’t forget the comedy fixtures — from Will Ferrell and Robin Williams to Wanda Sykes, Danny McBride and Zach Galifianakis — that ramps up the unpredictability factor should they swing by.
3. NBC Universal – Hotel Rooftop
Putting NBC Universal that far off the ground with minimal safety railings seems like a bad idea given the year the film division has had. Better install some kind of aerial netting for when things get drunkenly bleakest. And don’t loiter on the sidewalks.
4. Summit Entertainment – Stardust Room
Summit’s critical breakout, “The Hurt Locker,” has been feted by just about every critics group in the country — for picture, director Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal’s screenplay. The Globes followed with its own tank load of nominations. So here’s looking to an explosive party.
5. The Weinstein Co. – Old Trader Vics space
Yes, TWC still has a party. And this year they actually have a reason to throw one. “The Road” may have dead-ended and “Halloween II” may have run out of candy, but homegrown hero Quentin Tarantino delivered his biggest hit with “Inglourious Basterds.” Between that, “Nine” and Colin Firth’s vaunted turn in “A Single Man,” the glamour and movie geek chic should be thicker than Brad Pitt’s Tennessee accent.