One day each December, starry-eyed dreamers in Tinseltown wake up before dawn for a first peek at who made the year’s final gift list. No, not wrapped packages heralded by sleighs and reindeer; rather, a potential golden ticket to Hollywood’s hottest dinner party. Today, the Hollywood Foreign Press announced its nominees for the 67th annual Golden Globes. While many of the artists behind 2009′s best movies and TV shows rightfully made the cut, some of the most deserving won’t be preparing acceptance speeches.

Here’s a look at this year’s most glaring nomination snubs:

MOVIES

Brad Pitt, Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, “Inglourious Basterds”
OK, stop laughing. Just because he’s rich, famous, and beautiful doesn’t mean Brad Pitt can’t act, and just because his character in “Inglourious Basterds” was an over-the-top cliche doesn’t mean it didn’t take skill to pull it off. In fact, given the simmering evil of Christoph Waltz’s Col. Landa, and the suffering perseverance of Melanie Laurent’s Shosanna Dreyfus, Pitt’s scenery-chomping Lt. Raine was essential to keep up the energy and pace of “Basterds” — a balancing act he nailed perfectly. In a lesser actor’s hands, Aldo might have gone from a winking hero to a campy cartoon character.

Abbie Cornish, Lead Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, “Bright Star”
Australian actress Abbie Cornish’s understated portrayal of John Keats’ true love, Fanny Brawne, in Jane Campion’s costume drama “Bright Star” is one of the most striking performances of the year. Cornish brings intelligence, passion, and raw, painful emotion to her character. With her pitch-perfect performance, Cornish steals the show from Ben Wishaw (Keats) as subtly as her character steals his heart.

Nicolas Cage, Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans”
Werner Herzog has seen his fair share of loony actors, but even he was wowed by Nicolas Cage’s turn as a drug-addled cop in this hard-boiled drama. According to the LA Times, Cage was so convincingly strung out in front of the camera that the director wasn’t sure whether he had actually delivered his performance while on drugs. So, was Cage going Method, or was it all meth? Who knows, but the performance is still mesmerizing and more than worthy of a nod.

Adam Sandler, Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, “Funny People”
Why should a comedian playing a comedian get a nomination in the drama category? Because Adam Sandler’s performance is truly one of the bravest and most honest turns of the year. He’s not afraid to make George Simmons, the reclusive star dealing with a fatal illness, both sympathetic and unlikable. Of course, he still is funny in the movie, but he’s even more engaging when he isn’t playing for laughs.

Jeremy Renner, Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, “The Hurt Locker”
Playing a soldier with a straightforward job — defuse bombs before they blow him up — Jeremy Renner produces a character charged with complexity. As Staff Sergeant William James, a cowboy by bomb squad standards, Renner ignites polarizing emotion onscreen and among viewers. Within minutes of meeting James we wanted to slap him on account of his recklessness; by “The Hurt Locker’s” final scenes, his brazenness illuminated an endearing saving grace. Yet in the end we never understood James — the product of our relationship with an impenetrable character that only compelling acting can invoke. Jeremy Renner, the Globes bombed; you deserve a nomination!

Melanie Laurent, Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, “Inglourious Basterds”
“Inglourious Basterds” constructs a collage of revenge and suspense, and Melanie Laurent’s performance glues the pieces together. Her sultry, seductive presence as cinema proprietor Shosanna keeps us fixed on every movement of her lips. Her larger-than-life cackling smile, billowing in a wisp of smoke, heralds the movie’s fiery climax. And we feel disgust in the pits of our stomachs as Shoshanna shares strudel with the barbaric Nazi Colonel Landa (an impeccable Christoph Walz) — a scene that Laurent plays with subtle intensity, acting entirely with her eyes. Mademoiselle Laurent, the Globes owe you a nom! Those “Basterds”!

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, “A Serious Man”
In a movie year that saw not one but two movies about sentient rodents, it was nice to see a movie that tackled some of the big questions out there. “A Serious Man” is basically a modern-day retelling of the Book of Job. But it’s seen through the sardonic lens of the Coen brothers, two the best filmmakers out there. Rarely has a movie made you laugh this hard while giving you a major case of the existential heebie-jeebies.

Best Motion Picture – Drama, “Star Trek”
It was the definition of a no-win scenario: reviving a franchise that the general public had lost interest in without upsetting the devoted core fans. J.J. Abrams’ solution was to simply make the most entertaining movie possible. With its grandeur, wit, and unrelenting excitement, “Star Trek” has everything you could ask for in a motion picture.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, “I Love You, Man”
“I Love You, Man” simultaneously salutes and subverts the romantic comedy subgenre by telling the totally platonic love story between two dudes. But it’s the sweet and sincere performances by Paul Rudd and Jason Segel that give the movie its heart. Plus, it has one of the best supporting casts in recent memory, getting big laughs from Thomas Lennon, Jon Favreau, and even Lou Ferrigno.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, “Away We Go”
“Away We Go” simply took our breath away. The hysterical yet melancholy movie was chock full of understated performances and memorable moments. John Krasinski left his sarcastic “Office” banter behind and stepped onto the silver screen with an unexpected charm and sensitivity, while former “SNL” player Maya Rudolph — who plays a lost mom-to-be — was finally given a chance to step into the spotlight. Her expressive face and perfect delivery anchored the underappreciated movie and should have earned her a nomination. And speaking of snubs, the stellar supporting cast — including Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Melanie Lynskey — were all excellent scene stealers who deserve recognition.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”
Perhaps Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” doesn’t fit within the categorical boundaries of “Best Picture — Musical or Comedy.” But forget boundaries! (This is only appropriate given that Jackson created a mythical career of boundary-smashing.) “This Is It” showcases epic songs and world-class dancing; it thrills audiences with drama and suspense; and it stands as one of the most memorable and enjoyable movies of the year. The film masterfully walks a fine line between sentimentality and objectivity, instilling newfound respect for the work ethic of our generation’s greatest entertainer. Just as circumstances leading to the creation of “This Is It” were extraordinary and exceptional, we believe a category exception is in order for the movie’s nomination.

TELEVISION

Katey Sagal, Lead Actress in a TV Series – Drama, “Sons of Anarchy”
“Sons of Anarchy” is ostensibly about the struggle between aging biker club president Clay Morrow and reformist VP Jackson Teller, but it was Katey Sagal’s Gemma Morrow — Clay’s wife and Jackson’s mother — who stole the show in Season 2. The onetime “Married … With Children” actress flexed her dramatic muscles as Gemma was raped by a white-supremacist group and then simmered with rage as she kept the attack a secret, nearly destroying her marriage in order prevent the Sons from destroying themselves in a ruinous revenge attempt.

Tracy Morgan, Supporting Actor in Series/Mini-Series/TV Film, “30 Rock”
Sure, “30 Rock” is the brainchild of lead actress Tina Fey, but who gets more laughs than Tracy Morgan? His Tracy Jordan character could have easily become an annoying buffoon, but Morgan infuses the craziness with a likability that makes all of us want to join Grizz and Dot Com in his posse. Plus, he gave the best speech at this year’s Golden Globes ceremony when “30 Rock” won best comedy, taunting Cate Blanchett and praising the woman who makes tacos on the sitcom’s set.

Christina Hendricks, Supporting Actress in Series/Mini-Series/TV Film, “Mad Men”
Though January Jones may be the female face of “Mad Men,” it’s Christina Hendricks who steals the show as secretary Joan — and not just because of that va-va-voom bod. She gives the character a confidence most of the other office help lacks yet makes it clear Joan wants nothing to do with feminism, the beginnings of which are just starting to take shape in the early ’60s. Hendricks shows us that Joan wants to want to be a good wife (to the man who raped her no less) but proves she can be so much more if she’d just allow herself to go for it. The character’s complexity is thanks in part to good writing, of course, but is also created by Hendricks’ perfect portrayal, and the HFPA really missed an opportunity to honor her for it.

Rico Rodriguez II, Supporting Actor in Series/Mini-Series/TV Film, “Modern Family”
The phrase “age is just a number” doesn’t just apply to those with gray hair; the fact that “Modern Family’s” Rico Rodriguez is 11 years old is no reason to exclude him from a best supporting actor nod. (And hey, Ricky Schroeder won when he was 9!) Week after week, Rodriguez’s “Manny” delivers the show’s most hilariously memorable lines, which is quite a feat considering the size and talent of the program’s ensemble cast.

Paul Schulze, Supporting Actor in Series/Mini-Series/TV Film, “Nurse Jackie”
Don’t get us wrong, we were thrilled to see Edie Falco receive a Golden Globe nomination for her title role in the standout new dramedy “Nurse Jackie,” but we’re disappointed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association didn’t give credit to little-known actor Paul Schulze for his role as Jackie’s enabling pharmacist and love interest Eddie Walzer. Though it’s easy to think of the show as Falco’s alone, it was Schulze’s portrayal of the increasingly frustrated (and potentially destructive) Schulze that added an edge-of-your-seat intensity to the season. But even without the nom, we’re still happy Schulze — who “Sopranos” fans remember as the confused priest that Falco’s mafia matriarch, Carmela, had a bizarre flirtation with — was cast opposite her yet again.

Best TV Series – Comedy, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Yes, “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David’s over-the-top HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm” may be “partially improvised,” but that doesn’t mean the program deserves any less credit. The show dares to go where most comedies don’t (or can’t) via the neurotic David, who constantly digs himself into catastrophically deep holes thanks to his very un-PC, tell-it-like-he-sees-it attitude, prompting cringes from viewers weekly. Unlike traditional sitcoms, “Curb” is forced to stay razor sharp, relying solely on humor. No serious romances, no lessons learned — just good comedy. “Curb” has been nominated before, but this year, by successfully pulling off a “Seinfeld” reunion (and admitting it needed to make up for the ’90s hit’s disappointing finale), the show definitely deserved another nod.

Best TV Series – Drama, “Friday Night Lights”
Respect continues to elude the criminally overlooked “Friday Night Lights” (no, an Emmy for outstanding casting does not count as proper recognition). Season 3 of the football drama continued to lift viewers’ spirits … and send them scrambling for the tissue box. But most of all, it provided a welcome turn-around from the bizarre ratings-grab plot twists of Season 2 that almost ruined the near-perfect show.

Best TV Series – Comedy, “Party Down”
If you’ve never heard of this offbeat comedy, which follows a ragtag group of Hollywood caterers who all want to be doing something else, you’re not alone. The series, created by heavyweights including Paul Rudd and Rob Thomas, launched on Starz with no major stars to speak of — though Jane Lynch has finally gotten the recognition she deserves on “Glee.” But thanks to witty dialogue, so-absurd-they’re-hilarious plotlines, and random guest stars (hello, George Takei!), the series is one of the funniest on television and deserves a Globe nod more than most of the old-fashioned network sitcoms that got one instead.

Best TV Series – Drama, “Breaking Bad”
Once again, AMC’s darkly delicious “Breaking Bad” is overshadowed by the channel’s breakout hit, “Mad Men.” Season 2 found antihero Walter White’s cancer going into remission, but the high school chemistry teacher had already gone too far over to the dark side. As he struggled to keep his meth business hidden from his wife, the show explored its rich supporting characters and gave us such unforgettable scenes as Bryan Cranston wandering a supermarket naked, and a tension-filled standoff in the desert worthy of a Tarantino film.

-yahoonews