Release of the Satellite nominations (sometimes referred to as the Golden Satellites, being rivals of the Golden Globes) confused heck outta everybody. Various versions appeared on the web, a few without nominations for "Flags of Our Fathers" as best drama picture and Kate Winslet of "Little Children" as best drama actress. Apparently, however, those contenders did make it in, according to the official list (to see, CLICK HERE).

It's hard to believe that notable contenders could be left off lineups that often include six and even seven nominees per category, but yet there were many major snubs.

Biggest shockeroo; "Pursuit of Happyness" isn't nominated for best pic or actor (Will Smith).

It's no surprise that "The Good Shepherd" is missing because nobody's seen it yet, but "The Good German," "Blood Diamond," "World Trade Center," "United 93," "The Painted Veil" failed to get bids for best picture, too. Many of them earned noms in lower categories, though. Except "Bobby." No noms at all. Anywhere. Compare that to the latest "X-Men" installment, which got four.

"Dreamgirls" led with the most nominations (11), followed by "Flags of Our Fathers" (10).

Meantime, little indie hit "Half Nelson" got a bid for best picture along with an actor's nod for Ryan Gosling. The Satellites love to champion indies. Notice how Donald Sutherland gets a bid as a suicidal Alzheimer's patient in "Aurora Borealis" over Oscar frontrunner Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls." I knew that role was awards bait more than a year ago when I saw it at the TriBeCa Film Festival. "Dawson's Creek" alum Joshua Jackson, who portrays Sutherland's ne'er-do-well grandson, nabbed a nom in the lead-actor race over George Clooney ("The Good German") and Ken Watanabe ("Letters from Iwo Jima," which members didn't see). Gretchen Mol ("The Notorious Bettie Page") is nominated over snubbed Cate Blanchett ("The Good German"), Naomi Watts ("The Painted Veil") and Sienna Miller ("Factory Girl," which members haven't seen).

The Satellites are bestowed by the International Press Academy, a rebel group of foreign journos who broke off from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association about a decade ago. Their awards aren't a big deal on the showbiz scene, frankly, because they're not televised, but voters are similar in taste and psychological profile to HFPA members, so Satellite nominations can often be an early tip-off of the upcoming Globes lineup. Or not. Last year "Happy Endings" and "The War Within" reaped best-pic nominations and Julianne Moore ("The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio") made the lead-actress cut, but none of them surfaced at the Globes or Oscars (a shame). Last year, IPA didn't nominate Globe and Oscar winner Rachel Weisz, but her "The Constant Gardener" costar won the Satellite — Danny Huston, who wasn't nommed by the other award groups. That's how contrary-headed they can be. However, in general, they tend to reveal much about the derby ahead.

IPA members are so eager to be the first kudos group out of the gate that they often miss seeing major films released afterward. They missed "Munich" last year, so didn't nominate a film that ended up getting a best-pic bid at the Oscars. As noted above, they missed seeing many majors this year, including "Letters from Iwo Jima," "The Good Shepherd" and "Factor Girl."

Winners will be announced on Dec. 17, three days after Globe noms will be unveiled.