As the precursor to Oscar nominations that gains worldwide attention, amidst numerous critics awards groups, the nominations for the Golden Globes were announced, and among the Best Picture nominations were 'American Gangster' and 'The Great Debaters'.

Denzel Washington --who star in both films -- was also nominated for Best Actor in the Drama category.

'American Gangster', which also stars Russell Crowe, was released in October and has grossed over $100 million dollars at the box office, while 'The Great Debaters', which comes out on Christmas Day, was directed by Washington, and also stars Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Jurnee Smollett, and newcomers Nate Parker and Denzel Whitaker.

The film is produced by Oprah Winfrey.

Among some of the snubs this year were Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor for their performances in 'Talk To Me'; Halle Berry for 'Things We Lost In The Fire', Cuba Gooding Jr. for 'Daddy Day Camp' (JUST KIDDING!!!), and Morgan Freeman for 'The Bucket List'.

Usually, there are five nominations in a category, but this time, a total of seven film were included.

A complete list of nominees follows:

Motion picture -- drama

"American Gangster","Atonement","Eastern Promises","The Great Debaters", "Michael Clayton","No Country for Old Men","There Will Be Blood."

Actress -- drama

Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age", Julie Christie, "Away From Her", Jodie Foster, "The Brave One", Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart", Keira Knightley, "Atonement"

Actor -- drama

George Clooney, "Michael Clayton", Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood", James McAvoy, "Atonement", Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises", Denzel Washington, "American Gangster"

Picture -- musical or comedy

"Across the Universe","Charlie Wilson's War","Hairspray","Juno","Sweeney Todd"

Actress -- musical or comedy

Amy Adams, "Enchanted",Nikki Blonsky, "Hairspray", Helena Bonham Carter, "Sweeney Todd", Marion Cotillard, "La Vie En Rose", Ellen Page, "Juno"

Actor -- musical or comedy

Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd", Ryan Gosling, "Lars and the Real Girl",Tom Hanks, "Charlie Wilson's War", Philip Seymour Hoffman, "The Savages", John C. Reilly, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"

Supporting actress

Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There", Julia Roberts, "Charlie Wilson's War", Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement", Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone", Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"

Supporting actor

Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford", Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men", Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War" , John Travolta, "Hairspray" , Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton"

Director

Tim Burton, "Sweeney Todd", Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men", Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", Ridley Scott, "American Gangster", Joe Wright, "Atonement"

Screenplay

Diablo Cody, "Juno", Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men", Christopher Hampton, "Atonement", Ronald Harwood, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", Aaron Sorkin, "Charlie Wilson's War"

Foreign-language film

"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," Romania, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," France and U.S., "The Kite Runner," U.S., "Lust, Caution," Taiwan, "Persepolis," France.

Animated film

"Bee Movie", "Ratatouille", "The Simpsons Movie"

Original score

Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder, "Into the Wild", Clint Eastwood, "Grace Is Gone", Alberto Iglesias, "The Kite Runner", Dario Marianelli, "Atonement", Howard Shore, "Eastern Promises"

Original song

"Despedida" from "Love in the Time of Cholera", "Grace Is Gone" from "Grace Is Gone", "Guaranteed" from "Into the Wild", "That's How You Know" from "Enchanted", "Walk Hard" from "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"