Traffic, Gladiator Lead Golden Globe Noms

December 21 -- It was a doubly golden morning for director Steven Soderbergh, who received two best picture and two best director nominations for his drug war saga, Traffic, and for his legal drama, Erin Brockovich. As Hollywood's fast-and-furious awards season kicks into gear, Traffic and Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandal epic, Gladiator, are sitting pretty, each earning five Golden Globe Award nominations today.

Other contenders include Cameron Crowe's nostalgic rocker flick Almost Famous and the sugary Lasse Hallström fable Chocolat, which grabbed four noms apiece.

The 58th annual Golden Globe Awards, which are voted on by the 84 voting members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will be aired on television Jan. 21. Unlike the Oscars, which are limited to films, Golden Globes are given out to TV shows and performers as well.

Best dramatic film contenders include Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Billy Elliot, Wonder Boys, Gladiator, and Sunshine. Brockovich star Julia Roberts is in the running for best dramatic actress, along with Joan Allen (The Contender), singer-actress Björk (Dancer in the Dark), Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream), and Laura Linney (You Can Count on Me).

Two couples appeared in the nominations list: Michael Douglas, who stars in dual best picture nominees Wonder Boys and Traffic, grabbed a nomination for the latter in the best dramatic actor category. His wife and Traffic co-star, Catherine Zeta-Jones, was named in the supporting actress category. Meanwhile, recently separated couple Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger were given best comedic actor/actress noms for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Nurse Betty, respectively.

In the category for best musical or comedy film, Almost Famous was joined by Best in Show, Chicken Run, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Chocolat.

Nominees for best actor in a dramatic movie were led by Douglas, Tom Hanks for Cast Away, Russell Crowe for Gladiator, Geoffrey Rush for Quills, and Javier Bardem for Before Night Falls.