AND THE ACADEMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS ARE 2010

The stage is set for a David vs. blue Goliath battle at the Oscars, as independently made Iraq-war drama "The Hurt Locker" faces off with the most expensive movie of all time, "Avatar."

Both movies were nominated for nine Academy Awards, including best picture in a newly expanded field of 10, and best director.

Other best picture nominees include "Precious - Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire," "Inglourious Basterds," "Up in the Air," "The Blind Side," "District Nine," "An Education," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "A Serious Man," "Up," and "Up in the Air."

In the top categories, "Up in the Air" scored the most nominations with 5, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapated Screenplay, as well as Best Actor, for which George Clooney was nominated, and Best Supporting Actress nods for both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.

The other best supporting actress nominees included Penelope Cruz for "Nine," Mo'Nique for "Precious," and Maggie Gyllenhaal for "Crazy Heart," whose performance had been largely overlooked by early awards shows.

Best supporting actor nods went to Matt Damon, for "Invictus," Woody Harrelson, for "The Messenger," Christopher Plummer, for "The Last Station," Stanley Tucci for "The Lovely Bones," and Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds."

The best actor nods went to Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart," Clooney, Colin Firth for "A Single Man," Jeremy Renner for "The Hurt Locker," and Morgan Freeman for "Invictus."

In the best actress category, Meryl Streep was recognized for "Julie & Julia," along with Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side" - a nod that drew audible cheers from the audience watching the announcements in Los Angeles - Gabourey Sidibe for "Precious," Helen Mirren for "The Last Station," and Carey Mulligan for "An Education."