'Atonement', 'Juno', and 'Michael Clayton' were amongst the movies that received nominations for the 80th Academy Awards, but it is 'No Country for Old Men' and 'There Will Be Blood' that lead the shortlist with eight nods each.

Despite receiving seven nominations, 'Atonement' stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, were denied recognition for their role in the film - with teenager Saoirse Ronin receiving the only nod for best for supporting actress. 

Cate Blanchett picked up two nominations for Best Actress for 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age,' as well as Best Supporting Actress for her role as 'Bob Dylan in I'm Not There.'

Best Picture

Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saorise Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck, The Assassination Of Jesse James
Javier Bardem, No Country For Old Men
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Actor

George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones, In The Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Despite organisers fiercely making plans for the February 24 ceremony – there are still fears that the event will fall victim to the current Hollywood writers strike.

The 2008 Golden Globes ceremony was reduced to a TV press conference earlier this month after striking writers threatened to protest at the red carpet event.

"I would never cross a picket line ever. I couldn't," said Tony Gilroy, a directing nominee for 'Michael Clayton.' ''I'm a 20-year member of the Writers Guild. I think whatever they work out is going to be one way or the other but no, I could never cross a picket line. I think there's a lot of people who feel that way."

Members of the WGA have been on strike since November 2007, causing utter chaos in the U.S. film and TV industry - which has been forced to put a hold on projects.