[img]http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100202/capt.5e09659e3d054d3785a413899d563569.oscar_nominations_cags111.jpg?x=117&y=130&q=85&sig=9a8kWfDm0ltKlcHRDLJ_Iw--[/img]AP - The science-fiction sensation "Avatar" and the war-on-terror thriller "The Hurt Locker" lead the Academy Awards with nine nominations each, including best picture and director for former spouses James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow.