The Globes are seen as the most unserious stop on the road to the Oscars, which will take place on Feb. 24. Only 88 people vote on the Globe nominees and winners. And the top Globes are split into dramatic and comedic categories, often in nonsensical ways.

In a head-scratching policy for an awards program adjudicated by reporters from overseas, foreign-language films are ineligible for the marquee best picture categories. So the nominations did not offer much guidance on the Oscar fortunes of “Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón’s blissfully reviewed epic that has become a lightning rod in Hollywood because it comes from Netflix, which is challenging the traditional model for releasing films. (“Roma” will play in about 600 theaters worldwide while also streaming online, starting Dec. 14.). “Roma” was among the best foreign film nominees, as expected, while Cuarón was recognized for best screenplay and best director.

Movie fans may also be confused by the inclusion of “A Star Is Born” in the best drama category. The romantic remake is plenty dramatic, but the Globes has a whole category specifically for musicals and comedies. “A Star Is Born” has lots of singing, and the 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand won the Globe for best musical. What’s the deal this time around? It boils down to category shopping: “A Star Is Born” producers wanted to compete in the dramatic category, which is seen as having more heft.

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