Silent-era film "The Artist" and family drama "The Descendants" were the top film picks at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday (January 15), heating up the race for the best picture Oscar. "The Descendants," named best dramatic movie, also nabbed an honor for its leading man, George Clooney. 　　"The Artist," a romantic tale about a failing actor who finds love at the end of the silent film era, picked up three awards including best musical or comedy and best actor for its French star, Jean Dujardin. Meryl Streep won best actress in a drama with her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." 　　Streep jokingly thanked Globes host Ricky Gervais. SOUNDBITE: Meryl Streep, saying (English): "When Ricky Gervais' deal fell through and they came to me to play Margaret Thatcher. I can't joke ... I'm in this ... this is such a thrill." 　　Michelle Williams took home the trophy for best actress in a comedy or musical with her role as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn," thanking her daughter for listening to her practicing the unmistakable Monroe voice. 　　Other big celebrity winners included Madonna, who won an award for best song for her directorial debut "W.E." and Kate Winslet, who won an acting prize for TV movie "Mildred Pierce." 　　Possibly the big winner at the show was host Ricky Gervais. Mocking his famed stint as controversial emcee last year, [9]Gervais poked fun at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for bringing him back. 　　(Lindsay Claiborn/Reuters)