Atonement leads Golden Globe list

The nominations for the Golden Globe awards - the most prestigious American cinema awards besides the Oscars - were announced today, with the British historical romance Atonement leading the pack with seven nominations, including best picture and best actress for Keira Knightley (left) and best actor for James McAvoy. The American historical drama There Will be Blood featured in the shortlist for best film and best actor (Daniel Day Lewis) though not -  surprisingly, given the rave reviews - for best director (Paul Thomas Anderson). Other films that feature strongly are No Country for Old Men, nominated for best picture, while Javier Bardem is up for best supporting actor.
Also competing for the best picture award are Ridley Scott's American Gangster, Eastern Promises, Michael Clayton and The Great Debaters.
Sweeney Todd, the new Tim Burton musical which doesn't open until the weekend before Christmas, has nonetheless made an impact: it's shortlisted for best picture (musical or comedy) while both its leads - Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp - are nominated for best actress and best actor in a musical or comedy.
Because the Globes mark musicals and comedies separately from 'straight' movies, it means that two actresses who have so far split the honours in recent critics' awards lists - Julie Christie for Away From Her and Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose - both have a chance of winning.
The Golden Globes are announced at a ceremony on January 13 - six weeks before the Oscars. A full report on the Golden Globes nominations by Christopher Goodwin in Los Angeles will appear on The First Post on Friday at 9am. ·