BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The science-fiction blockbuster “Avatar” won best drama at the Golden Globes on Sunday and picked up the directing honor for James Cameron, raising the “Titanic” filmmaker’s prospects for another Academy Awards triumph.
Cameron had kind words for ex- wife Kathryn Bigelow, nominated as best director for “The Hurt Locker.”
“Frankly, I thought Kathryn was going to get this. She richly deserves it,” said Cameron, whose “Titanic” earned the directing and best-drama Globes 12 years ago.
Winning the dramatic-acting honors were Sandra Bullock for the football tale “The Blind Side” and Jeff Bridges for the country-music story “Crazy Heart.” The acting prizes for musical and comedy went to Meryl Streep for the Julia Child story “Julie & Julia” and Robert Downey Jr. for the crime romp “Sherlock Holmes.”
Streep’s competition for best actress in a musical or comedy included herself. She also was nominated for the romance “It’s Complicated.”
“I just want to say that in my long career, I’ve played so many extraordinary woman that I’m getting mistaken for one,” Streep said. “I’m very clear that I’m the vessel for other people’s stories and other people’s lives.”
The Vegas bachelor bash “The Hangover” won for best musical or comedy. The win for the huge audience favorite brought uncharacteristic awards attention for broad comedy, a genre that often gets overlooked at Hollywood honors.
“I just want to thank my mom, who supported my decision to become a director when she realized I wasn’t as smart as my two sisters,” said “Hangover” director Todd Phillips.
The supporting-actress prize marked a dramatic turning point for Mo’Nique, who was mainly known for lowbrow comedy but startled audiences with her ferocious performance in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”
“First let me say, thank you, God, for this amazing ride that you’re allowing me to go on,” the tearful Mo’Nique told the crowd.
She went on with praise for “Precious” director Lee Daniels and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, a best-dramatic-actress nominee with her first film role, playing Mo’Nique’s abused, illiterate daughter.
The winner list
MOTION PICTURES
Drama: “Avatar”
Comedy or musical: “The Hangover”
Director: James Cameron, “Avatar”
Actor, drama: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Actor, musical or comedy: Robert Downey Jr., “Sherlock Holmes”
Actress, drama: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Actress, musical or comedy: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Supporting actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Supporting actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
TELEVISION
Drama: “Mad Men”
Comedy or musical: “Glee”
Actor, drama: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Actress, drama: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Actor, musical or comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Actress, musical or comedy: Toni Collette, “United States of Tara”
Miniseries or movie: “Grey Gardens”
Supporting actor: John Lithgow, “Dexter”
Supporting actress: Chloë Sevigny, “Big Love”
