Photo, WETA

(Jan. 18, 2010) — Let’s face it, although the Hollywood Foreign Press Association hands out annual awards in a variety of television and film categories, most people really consider the Golden Globes a fashion show and an early indicator of Academy Award potential. Judging by this year’s results, "Avatar," which won for Best Picture (Drama) and Best Director (James Cameron), emerged from the evening with the most Oscar buzz.

In the acting categories, perennial-nominee (24) Meryl Streep took home her seventh trophy for "Julie & Julia," while Sandra Bullock won one for the first time in four tries for "The Blind Side." Mo’Nique was a shoo-in for "Precious" in the supporting actress category, as was Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds."

Lead actor-honorees Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart") and Robert Downey, Jr. ("Sherlock Holmes") appear headed for a showdown at the Oscars, although common sense says George Clooney will remain in the mix. Still, Bridges enjoys the early edge given his body of work, his pedigree, and the fact that he’s been an Academy Awards also ran on several occasions.

As for the evening gowns, most were understandably subdued, given the ongoing tragedy over in Haiti, with glaring exceptions Halle Berry and Mariah Carey turning heads in low-cut outfits. Rest assured, decadence and excess will be back in fashion on the red carpet by the time the Oscars roll around, so brace yourself for a perfunctory parade of gaudy baubles and gratuitous cleavage on March 7.

Complete List of Golden Globe Winners:

FILM

Best motion picture – drama

Avatar

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – drama

Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – drama

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)

Best motion picture – comedy or musical

The Hangover

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – comedy or musical

Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – comedy or musical

Robert Downey, Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)

Best animated feature

Up

Best foreign language film

The White Ribbon (Germany)

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a motion picture

Mo'Nique (Precious)

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture

Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Best director – motion picture

James Cameron (Avatar)

Best screenplay – motion picture

Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air)

Best original score – motion picture

Michael Giacchino (Up)

Best original song – motion picture

The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart)

Cecil B DeMille Award

Martin Scorcese

TELEVISION

Best television series

Mad Men

Best performance by an actress in a television series – drama

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)

Best performance by an actor in a television series - drama

Michael C Hall (Dexter)

Best television series – comedy or musical

Glee

Best performance by an actress in a television series – comedy or musical

Toni Collette (United States of Tara)

Best performance by an actor in a television series – comedy or musical

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

Best mini-series or motion picture made for television

Grey Gardens

Best performance by an actress in a mini-series or motion picture made for television

Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens)

Best performance by an actor in a mini-series or motion picture made for television

Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance)

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television

Chloe Sevigny (Big Love)

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television

John Lithgow (Dexter)