2010 Oscars nominations announced, "Avatar", "The Hurt Locker" lead

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Nominations for the 2010 Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, have been announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the US.

Science-fiction sensation "Avatar"

The science-fiction sensation "Avatar," and the Iraq war thriller "The Hurt Locker," were in the lead with nine nods apiece. The selections include Best Picture and Best Director for James Cameron and ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. For the first time since 1943, the Oscars feature 10 top movie contenders, instead of the usual five.

Also nominated in the classification are "District Nine," "Up," "Inglorious Bastards," "The Blind Side," "Up In The Air," "A Serious Man," "An Education," and "Precious." Acting category nominees include: Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Jeremy Renner, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Carey Mulligan, and Gabourey Sidibe.