Oscars Await as Avatar Bags Two Golden Globes

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James Cameron rewarded with Best Picture and Best Director for Avatar.

Last night’s Golden Globes threw up some surprise winners with The Hangover, Jeff Bridges and Robert Downey Jr all picking up unexpected awards.

One thing that was not a surprise, was the double nod to Avatar which is surely racing towards a couple of Oscars following its immense box office success. Avatar has grossed $1.6 billion since its release in December and is set to topple James Cameron’s other epic money-maker Titanic, currently the highest grossing movie ever at $1.8 billion worldwide.

Avatar won the award for Best Motion Picture, and Cameron was honoured with the accolade for Best Director. Other Globe winners included Meryl Streep, who added to her plethora of awards by scooping Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical and UP took the award for best animated feature.

The upsets started with the Best Actor awards. George Clooney was hotly tipped to win for his performance in Up in the Air, but was left sitting in his seat applauding Jeff Bridges as he stepped up to receive his Globe for Crazy Heart.

Meanwhile Robert Downey Jr took the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical for his portrayal of Sherlock Homes, against heavyweight opposition from Daniel Day Lewis and Matt Damon.

The Best Supporting Actress Globe looked like a tough decision between strong performances from Nine and Up in the Air, the two most nominated movies at this year’s awards. However, despite three entries for the Globe from Penelope Cruz, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick, the award went to Mo’nique for her role in Precious.

Given the number of nominees for Nine and Up in the Air, it was a surprise that only one Globe was awarded out of a possible 11 nominations. Up in the Air took the Globe for Best Screenplay.

In a night of upsets, some of Hollywood’s most famous faces were also cringing as British funnyman Ricky Gervais sizzled with unchecked scorn for the biggest celebrities in the movie industry.

Announcing Jennifer Aniston as “Rachael from Friends“, Gervais paid no attention to “the line” as he boldly quipped: “I like a drink as much as the next man… unless the next man is Mel Gibson.” Gibson was stoic but clearly not amused.