Aussies in hunt for Globes glory

If Jacki Weaver wins the Golden Globe on Monday AEDT don't be surprised if the A-list stars who present the trophy on stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel shield their mouths to protect the Australian actress from planting a kiss on their lips.

Not since Anthony Hopkins as psychopath Hannibal Lecter planted a juicy one on Julianne Moore's trembling lips in 2001's Hannibal has Hollywood been so shocked by a kiss as Weaver's in Animal Kingdom.

In her much-acclaimed performance in the Aussie crime drama, Weaver's character Janine "Smurf" Cody, the matriarch of a notorious Melbourne crime family, has a habit of zeroing in on her hoodlum sons for a kiss on the mouth.

In Hollywood it's OK to blow up buildings or chop off someone's head on screen, but a mum kissing her son on the lips? That's not so palatable.

"She bestows kisses that linger just a little too long for comfort," a glowing review of Animal Kingdom in the New York Times declared.

The moments of incestuous affection jolted weary Hollywood a year ago when Animal Kingdom had a spectacular, prize-winning debut in the US at the Sundance Film Festival and could carry 63-year-old Weaver not only to the winner's podium at the Globes on Monday but to an Oscar nomination later this month and, if the planets align, an Academy Award win on February 27.

Not only is Weaver excited about possibly winning the best supporting actress Globe, she has been telling the media as she campaigns across the US just how much she is looking forward to a drink or two at the glamourous ceremony.

Unlike the Oscars, champagne runs freely throughout the Globes telecast.

"Apparently it's a bit of a riot and everyone gets pissed. I'm looking forward to that," Weaver told the New York Post.

Weaver is one of four Australians in the hunt for a Globe, with nominees Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush and Toni Collette also set to stroll down the red carpet.

The four are outsiders according to Las Vegas and British bookmakers.

Rush, a best supporting actor nominee for his brilliant performance as an Australian speech therapist in The King's Speech, is probably Australia's best chance.

But the favourite in Rush's category is Christian Bale, who steals boxing biopic The Fighter from lead Mark Wahlberg.

Bale plays Dicky Eklund, the real-life crack-addicted half brother of junior welterweight champ Micky Ward.

Expectant mum Natalie Portman is the odds on favourite to win the Globe for best dramatic actress for her role in Black Swan, while Kidman is a distant second for her role in drama Rabbit Hole.

Collette is nominated in the TV comedy musical actress category for her series United States Of Tara, but is a longshot with Laura Linney the favourite for The Big C.

Weaver's best supporting actress category is shaping up as the most competitive of the awards season with five legitimate Globe and Oscar chances.

Bookmakers currently have The Fighter's Melissa Leo as favourite for the Globe, with The King's Speech's Helena Bonham Carter second and The Fighter's Amy Adams tied with Weaver in third. Black Swan's Mila Kunis is fifth.

There are some interesting battles in the Globes' other categories, with The Social Network favourite for best dramatic picture. The King's Speech is a close second and Inception a distant third.

David Fincher is a sure thing for best director for The Social Network, while Colin Firth (The King's Speech) is at unbackable odds for best dramatic actor.

The Golden Globes begin Monday at noon AEDT.

The Oscars will be handed out on February 27.