As expected, sci-fi blockbuster Avatar cleaned up at the 67th Golden Globe awards, taking the prizes for best drama and best director.

This positions the James Cameron 3D spectacular for other big wins at the Academy Awards.

Avatar is not only the most expensive movie ever made – more than $US400 million including marketing costs – it is also poised to become the highest-grossing global release ever.

Global takings so far exceed $US1.6 billion but the buzz in Hollywood was that it had not endeared itself as an Oscar winner.

George Clooney well received business comedy-drama Up in the Air has leapt to the front of the film awards queue with six nominations in the Golden Globe Awards.

James Cameron’s highly anticipated special effects blockbuster Avatar, which is about to go on international release this week, is next with four nominations, including one for best drama.