American black comedy 'Birdman', about a washed-up Hollywood actor who once played the titular superhero in three blockbuster movies, is leading the 72nd Golden Globe Awards nominations with seven nods including best motion picture comedy or musical and best actor.
'Birdman' will compete with comedy 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', musical drama 'Into the Woods', LGBT-related historical film 'Pride' and funny movie 'St Vincent'.
In the coveted best drama category, coming-of-age drama 'Boyhood' and historical thriller 'The Imitation Game' are trailing with five nods apiece along with biographical film 'Foxcatcher', ancient tale 'Selma' and relationship saga 'The Theory of Everything'.
'The Grand Budapest Hotel' is one of the surprising winners. Along with a best picture nod in comedy, it earned nominations for Ralph Fiennes as best actor, and Wes Anderson for screenplay and director.
Jennifer Aniston surprised everyone with a best actress nomination for 'Cake' while best actor nominees include Steve Carell ('Foxcatcher') and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game).
Best acting nominations even favoured acclaimed actors with long careers, like 69-year-old Helen Mirren for her role as widowed owner in 'The Hundred Foot Journey' and Michael Keaton, 63, as washed-up Hollywood actor in 'Birdman'.
The Golden Globe nominations voted by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) are a leading indicator for the awards season including Oscars.
Kate Beckinsale, two-time Golden Globe Award-nominee Peter Krause, Paula Patton and Golden Globe winner and five-time nominee Jeremy Piven today announced the nominees for the awards.
Nominations in the following 25 categories were announced.
The Golden Globes, which will be hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler for the third year in a row, will take place on January 11, 2015.
