The Golden Globes: nominees, snubs and controversies

Hollywood's awards season is underway with the Golden Globes this Sunday - and there is already a fair share of surprises, snubs and controversies.

The Globes are chosen by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press to recognise excellence in film and television both around the world. While seen as a hint at which titles will take home an Oscar in February, they are also known for their unpredictable nature.

Comic actor Ricky Gervais is back to host the event for the fourth time (he emceed from 2010–2012). But it's the individual award presenters who have really got people talking. While the likes of Eddie Redmayne, Amy Adams, Channing Tatum, Patricia Arquette and Olivia Wilde seem like safe bets, the choice of Mel Gibson has raised eyebrows.

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The Braveheart star has been something of a pariah in Hollywood in recent years after a series of much-publicised outbursts, including his infamous drunken, anti-Semitic tirade at a Los Angeles police officer and furious rants against an ex-girlfriend and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas.

But Gervais greeted the news with glee. "Mel Gibson is presenting an award at the Golden Globes. Thank you Jesus," he wrote on Twitter.

The Guardian notes that the pair last shared a stage at the 2010 event, when Gervais introduced the actor with: "I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is Mel Gibson."

Someone else who might be in for a roasting is Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump. "Trump might get a mention. He's put his head in a basket. I think he's volunteered for that, you know?" Gervais told the Hollywood Reporter.

There have also been some surprises and snubs in the nominations. Ridley Scott's The Martian has been nominated for Best Picture - but not in the drama category, where it would have been up against The Revenant, Spotlight, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room and Carol. Instead, it's in the comedy or musical category, which the Daily Telegraph predicts it will win, even if they're not sure if it's either.

Long-time Globes favourite Johnny Depp has been overlooked for his role in Black Mass and despite Spotlight's position as an awards season frontrunner for best picture drama and director nominations, no one in the cast has been nominated in the acting categories.

Others actors snubbed include The Revenant's Tom Hardy and Tom Hanks for Bridge of Spies.

As for televisions series, a number of big shows have also missed out, including the farewell series of Mad Men along with True Detective, Downton Abbey and House of Cards. They were left out in the cold in favour of newcomers Mr. Robot and Narcos.

The Golden Globes will be broadcast this Sunday, on E! channel from 11pm.

Nominees in the key categories are:

Best Motion Picture, DramaCarol Mad Max: Fury Road The Revenant Room Spotlight

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

The Big Short Joy The Martian Spy Trainwreck

Best Director, Motion PictureTodd Haynes, CarolAlejandro Inarritu, The RevenantTom McCarthy, SpotlightGeorge Miller, Mad Max: Fury RoadRidley Scott, The Martian

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, DramaCate Blanchett, CarolBrie Larson, RoomRooney Mara, CarolSaoirse Ronan, BrooklynAlicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, DramaBryan Cranston, TrumboLeonardo DiCaprio, The RevenantMichael Fassbender, Steve JobsEddie Redmayne, The Danish GirlWill Smith, Concussion

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or ComedyJennifer Lawrence, JoyMelissa McCarthy, SpyAmy Schumer, TrainwreckMaggie Smith, The Lady in the VanLily Tomlin, Grandma

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or ComedyChristian Bale, The Big ShortSteve Carell, The Big ShortMatt Damon, The MartianAl Pacino, Danny CollinsMark Ruffalo, Infinitely Polar Bear

Best Television Series, DramaEmpire Game of Thrones Mr. Robot Narcos Outlander

Best Television Series, Musical or ComedyCasual Mozart in the Jungle Orange Is the New Black Silicon Valley Transparent Veep

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionAmerican Crime American Horror Story: Hotel Fargo Flesh and Bone Wolf Hall

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, DramaCaitriona Balfe, OutlanderViola Davis, How to Get Away with MurderEva Green, Penny DreadfulTaraji P. Henson, EmpireRobin Wright, House of Cards

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, DramaJohn Hamm, Mad MenRami Malek, Mr. RobotWagner Moura, NarcosBob Odenkirk, Better Call SaulLiev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Musical or ComedyRachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-GirlfriendJamie Lee Curtis, Scream QueensJulia Louis-Dreyfus, VeepGina Rodriguez, Jane the VirginLily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or ComedyAziz Ansari, Master of NoneGael García Bernal, Mozart in the JungleRob Lowe, The GrinderPatrick Stewart, Blunt TalkJeffrey Tambor, Transparent