The nominees for best motion picture-drama are “Avatar” (Twentieth Century Fox); “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment); “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company); “Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate); and “Up in the Air” (Paramount Pictures).

In something of a surprise, “(500) Days of Summer” (Fox Searchlight) is also up for best picture–comedy or musical, along with “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), ”The Hangover” (Warner Bros.), “It’s Complicated” (Universal Pictures), and “Julie & Julia” (Sony PIctures).

In the best director-motion picture category, Kathryn Bigelow (”The Hurt Locker”) will face off against Cameron (”Avatar”), and Quentin Tarantino (”Inglourious Basterds”), Jason Reitman (”Up in the Air”) and Clint Eastwood (”Invictus”).

Previously, only three women had ever been nominated for best director Golden Globes (Barbara Streisand won for her 1983 movie “Yentl”). Three have been nominated in that category at the Oscars, with no winners. Bigelow is considered a favorite in the category by some. She was recently named best director by the New York Film Critics Circle.

Veterans Jeff Bridges (”Crazy Heart”), Morgan Freeman (”Invictus”) and Clooney (”Up in the Air”) are up for awards in the best actor-drama slot.

In best original song for a motion picture, U2 (”Winter” from the movie “Brothers”) will contend against Paul McCartney (”I Want to Come Home” from “Everybody’s Fine”), among others.

Among the fresh faces, Joseph Gordon-Levitt secured a nomination for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performance in “(500) Days of Summer,” and Carey Mulligan (”An Education”) and Gabourey Sidibe both earned nods in the best actress in a drama category. Mo’Nique (”Precious”) is considered a leading contender in the best supporting actress category.

Alec Baldwin, the co-host of the coming Academy Awards telecast, was tapped for a nomination for best performance by an actor in a television series – musical or comedy. No doubt comedian Ricky Gervais, host of the coming Globes telecast, will have some sport with that.

Newcomers “Glee” and “Modern Family” earned nods in the best television series-comedy or musical category.

The nominees for best motion picture-drama are “Avatar” (Twentieth Century Fox); “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment); “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company); “Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate); and “Up in the Air” (Paramount Pictures).

In something of a surprise, “(500) Days of Summer” (Fox Searchlight) is also up for best picture–comedy or musical, along with “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), ”The Hangover” (Warner Bros.), “It’s Complicated” (Universal Pictures), and “Julie & Julia” (Sony PIctures).

In the best director-motion picture category, Kathryn Bigelow (”The Hurt Locker”) will face off against Cameron (”Avatar”), and Quentin Tarantino (”Inglourious Basterds”), Jason Reitman (”Up in the Air”) and Clint Eastwood (”Invictus”).

Previously, only three women had ever been nominated for best director Golden Globes (Barbara Streisand won for her 1983 movie “Yentl”). Three have been nominated in that category at the Oscars, with no winners. Bigelow is considered a favorite in the category by some. She was recently named best director by the New York Film Critics Circle.

Veterans Jeff Bridges (”Crazy Heart”), Morgan Freeman (”Invictus”) and Clooney (”Up in the Air”) are up for awards in the best actor-drama slot.

In best original song for a motion picture, U2 (”Winter” from the movie “Brothers”) will contend against Paul McCartney (”I Want to Come Home” from “Everybody’s Fine”), among others.

Among the fresh faces, Joseph Gordon-Levitt secured a nomination for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performance in “(500) Days of Summer,” and Carey Mulligan (”An Education”) and Gabourey Sidibe both earned nods in the best actress in a drama category. Mo’Nique (”Precious”) is considered a leading contender in the best supporting actress category.

Alec Baldwin, the co-host of the coming Academy Awards telecast, was tapped for a nomination for best performance by an actor in a television series – musical or comedy. No doubt comedian Ricky Gervais, host of the coming Globes telecast, will have some sport with that.

Newcomers “Glee” and “Modern Family” earned nods in the best television series-comedy or musical category.