The Golden Globe nominations were released this morning, and I take it you first read all about it right here on Cinematical, right? Because you love us, right? Anyway, there weren't any major surprises to be found. I'm happy to see The Simpsons Movie land a nod for best animated feature, and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story came away with two nods ... which should help bolster its box office take. Same goes for the other films on the list that still haven't arrived in theaters; most notably Sweeney Todd, The Great Debaters, There Will be Blood and Charlie Wilson's War. Thankfully, Amy Ryan was thrown a bone for her excellent supporting performance in Gone Baby Gone (though the film as a whole was missing from the other, larger categories) and -- whaddya know -- Juno got a whole lotta love.

Atonement looks to be this year's "Best Film That No One Will See," while it almost sickens me to see John Travolta (for his drag performance in Hairspray) listed in the same category as Javier Bardem (for No Country for Old Men). The best motion picture drama category features a whopping seven films, though Michael Clayton and The Great Debaters probably could've been left off. Shockers? How about Don Cheadle coming away empty following his terrific performance in Talk to Me? Personally, and I know a lot of people will argue against this, I thought Joaquin Phoenix in Reservation Road was better than Viggo Mortenson in Eastern Promises. How many lines did Viggo actually have in that film? Seven? I imagine Across the Universe hypnotized people into believing it belonged in the best motion picture (musical or comedy) category, with all its wacky colors and what not. Once is not even mentioned, well, once. And where is the nomination for Waitress? Did I miss it. Oh wait, it's not there. But Cate Blanchett is there -- twice -- for both I'm Not There and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. You're telling me both Hairspray and Across the Universe were better than Waitress? And where's Zodiac? Do you agree with this? Should we write a letter?

So, what do you think?

And for much much more on this year's Golden Globes, be sure to check out Moviefone's official Golden Globes page.

The 2008 Golden Globe nominations were just announced ... at the crack of dawn, like they always are! There's nothing like getting up before the sun does to watch celebrities congratulate themselves. But this is the most exciting time of the year for Hollywood, and though we've shared tons of ups and downs with those folks out in La La Land, it's been a wonderful year for film. Here are the official nominations for the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards telecast, which will be presented live on Sunday, January 13, 2008:

Best Motion Picture (Drama)

American Gangster

Atonement

Eastern Promises

The Great Debaters

Michael Clayton

No Country for Old Men

There Will be Blood

Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy)

Across the Universe

Charlie Wilson's War

Hairspray

Juno

Sweeney Todd

Best Director

Tim Burton - Sweeney Todd

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men

Julian Schnabel -- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Ridley Scott -- American Gangster

Joe Wright - Atonement

Best Screenplay

Diablo Cody - Juno

Joel Coen & Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men

Christopher Hampton - Atonement

Ronald Harwood -- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Aaron Sorkin -- Charlie Wilson's War

Best Actor (Drama)

George Clooney -- Michael Clayton

Daniel Day Lewis -- There Will be Blood

James McAvoy - Atonement

Viggo Mortenson -- Eastern Promises

Denzel Washington --American Gangster

Best 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

Best Actress (Drama)

Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Julie Christie -- Away from Her

Jodie Foster - The Brave One

Angelina Jolie -- A Might Heart

Keira Knightley -- Atonement

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

Amy Adams - Enchanted

Nikki Blonski - Hairspray

Helena Bonham Carter - Sweeney Todd

Marion Cotillard -- La vie en Rose

Ellen Page -- Juno

For TV nods, head on over to TV Squad

Many films are getting a second chance for theatrical success this year. Golden Globes are having a huge effect on box office sales -- especially for arthouse pictures. Films that were originally being overlooked by audiences are now being re-released due to a suddenly sparked interest. I always find it funny -- I fall victim to it too -- that we are so influenced by the kudos given to films by people we don't even know. The opinions of people we may not even respect. But production companies are thanking their lucky stars for these particular individuals' opinions because it is easy marketing for their beloved films.

Many films went under the radar this year once they hit theatres -- The Last King of Scotland to be exact -- had limited box office draw but after a Golden Globe nomination for Forest Whitaker the people are finally curious. Their curiosity is cause for its relaunch by Fox Searchlight hopefully in the next few weeks. For this I am very happy -- I anticipated its original release and when I went to see it, it was already out of the only two theatres it was screening at!

Many films even waited for nominations in order to boost their screening expansion; Little Children did just that. Only one theatre in Los Angeles is screening this critically acclaimed film but now that nominations are rolling in it may receive a wider release; relying on possible Oscar nominations to create even more ticket sales.

So maybe awards are good for something...marketing. I'm not a fan of award shows. I tend to have a big mouth when it comes to nominations and an even bigger one when people finally win the awards. But currently my mouth is shut and content due to the Golden Globes' generosity for inspiring interest in what I think are some of this year's best films.

I shed a tear after the Golden Globe nominations were announced. I was thoroughly disappointed that Djmon Hounsou did not receive any acknowledgments for his performance in Blood Diamond. I became a devoted fan of Hounsou after watching his unbelievable portrayal of a recluse neighbor dying of AIDS in the 2002 indie hit In America. Luckily, Variety reminded me that just because he wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe, doesn't mean he won't get nominated for an Oscar.

I forget sometimes that the Golden Globes aren't always a prediction of who or what will appear on the ever-so-important Academy Awards nomination list. I remember thoroughly Jim Carrey's reaction in 1999 -- after winning the Golden Globe for best actor in The Truman Show; as well as Man on the Moon in 2000 -- it was like he never existed once the Oscars rolled around. The same holds true vice versa. Many who are completely overlooked during the Golden Globes are often times the dark horses that win the race during the Oscars.

Specific rules contribute to why the Golden Globes and Oscars tend to be so different. Variety pointed out that the Academy prohibits an actor from competing against oneself in the same category; therefore, Leonardo DiCaprio would have to choose just one film to be a contender for best actor.

This also means that foreign films will be left only to those made by foreign artists. Mel Gibson's Apocalypto and Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima will leave spaces open for (let's keep Pedro Almodovar's Volver all nice and cozy where it is in the best foreign film category) some other nice fellows who are deserving of the coveted final two slots. Personally, I'd love to see Catherine O'Hara get a nomination for her role in For Your Consideration -- maybe even a win. I think it would be a great honor -- not to mention a pivotal one -- for such a funny female to take home that little golden statue. Any Globe rejects who you'd like to see nominated for an Oscar?

The Golden Globes were announced at 5AM PST this morning (why do they do these things at the crack of dawn, again?), and, well, are you as excited as I am? Jessica Biel, Rosario Dawson and Matthew Perry (why are the stars who announce the noms always so random?) joined Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berk and told us who was nominated in each category. Of course, the Globes are important because they usually (not always) foreshadow the Oscars. It's also a unique awards ceremony because they honor the year's best in both film and television -- however, here at Cinematical we're only concerned with the film nominations. Those are you interested in the television side are welcome to head on over to our sister site, TV Squad, for all that info.

As expected, Jennifer Hudson took home a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the upcoming Dreamgirls. The big surprises: Leonardo DiCaprio is competing against himself in the Best Actor category -- both for The Departed and Blood Diamond. Neither 9/11-related film was nominated at all. Clint Eastwood will also be competing against himself in the Best Director category for both of his Iwo Jima-related films (Letters and Flags). Sacha Baron Cohen walked away with two nods, Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy for Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, as well as Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Emily Blunt gets a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Devil Wears Prada. Oh, and how about Maggie Gyllenhaal -- she took a nod in the Best Actress category for Sherrybaby. The biggest let down (for me, at least) was the fact that Little Miss Sunshine was not nominated for Best Screenplay. That's a bummer. Does that mean The Queen is our official frontrunner?

You can watch the Golden Globes ceremony live when it airs on NBC this January 15. What do you think about the nominations?

A full list of Golden Globe nominations (film only) is waiting for you after the jump.