Up in the Air and The Hurt Locker may have dominated the first batch of critics’ awards, but now there’s a new player to contend with: Avatar. James Cameron’s 3D epic won Best Picture honors from the New York Film Critics Online, which isn’t a huge surprise since the NYFCO often leans towards sci-fi and action films. Still, it’s the first such prize for Avatar, which seems to be gaining awards momentum. Here’s the full NYFCO list:
Picture Avatar
Director Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Actor Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Actress Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Supporting Actor Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Supporting Actress Mo’Nique, Precious
Breakthrough Performer Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Debut Director Marc Webb, (500) Days of Summer
Ensemble Cast In the Loop
Screenplay Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Documentary The Cove
Foreign Film The White Ribbon
Animated Up
Cinematography Inglourious Basterds
Music Crazy Heart
Is it safe to say that Christoph Waltz and Mo’Nique are the definite Oscar frontrunners in their respective categories? They’ve both taken the prizes from several critics associations such as this one.
I think Anna Kendrick is the only one who could challenge Mo’nique at this point. But she’s behind in the critics awards and (unfairly or not), most critics and academy members probably associate her mainly with Twilight. Who knows if that actually affects their votes (or if they’d admit it if they did). I have heard she’s really good in Up in the Air, but I think it’s Mo’nique’s to lose at this point.
Yeah, it really does seem that it’s Mo’Nique’s to lose at this this point. But I was actually thinking that Julianne Moore could possibly upset. Even though she hasn’t won any of these critic awards, her work in A Single Man is said to be fantastic and she is an established Academy favorite. I think she’s previously been nominated for 4 Oscars, and has never won. She could be this year’s “she’s really never won?!?!” type of nominee. And everyone knows how much the Academy loves to reward those who have been long overdue.
Moore’s an interesting choice. I can see her being nominated, but something tells me that she won’t win, especially seeing as the film is “Firth’s movie.”
Moore (like Winslet) seems to be the type where they’ll just wait it out and award her a lead acting Oscar. For example, last year they took Winslet’s strongest role, bumped it up to lead (it had been supporting in most of the precursors) and awarded her for that.
I think when (and definitely WHEN) Moore wins, it’ll be for playing the lead in HER movie, not as a supporting player in someone else’s.
Yeah you make a pretty good point. I can definitely see that happening.
I’m beginning to think that Colin Firth will most likely be the biggest shun come nomination day and without Firth nominated, Moore won’t stand a chance against Mo’Nique. I agree that she’ll win eventually.
After a few Best Actress noms (Briget Jones, Chicago)and no wins, the Academy gave Renee Zellweger a consolation prize in the Supporting Actress category for Cold Mountain (even though she was AWFUL in the movie)So, Moore might be in line for this.
Avatar is so overrated… just because it’s visuals are great doesn’t mean it deserves “The best film of the year.” There are far more deserving films.
Have you seen it?
have you seen it?
Tina, “It’s” is a contraction for it is or it has. “Its” is a possessive pronoun.
Thanks.
Hello grammar police. Douchebag much?
I’m sorry I’m not perfect like you, next time I’ll call you. It’s (see I used it right this time!) been nice chatting with you.
Interesting list. I’m glad that a wider variety of films are getting attention (how boring would it be if Up in the Air or The Hurt Locker or any other single film dominated EVERYTHING).
I think unless Steve Martin pulls an upset (seriously), Waltz is probably a done deal. Mo’nique is doing well, and I’m thrilled that Bigelow is getting directing awards.
While I’m a little surprised that Avatar picked this one up, it makes sense.
Avatar will definitely be in the running for Best Picture. It will definitely win the special effects awards (visual and sounds effects editing)–hey, at least the crappy Transformers sequel won’t win anything!!! But I still think The Hurt Locker is the film that is going to gain momentum this awards season. Despite Mo’Nique being a shoo-in and Gabby being a strong possibility, Precious will end up being a film without a director’s nod. Up in the Air feels like the type of film that will peak in January and realistically, the Academy can (and will) award Reitman for the screenplay. I’m predicting that this year will be Oscar history in the making (first female director win). Plus The Hurt Locker stands a great chance at the technical awards (editing, cinematography, sound).
Tina have you even seen it?
no, but I think I’m justified to have an opinion on it. It’s just like the fanboys raving about it, they haven’t seen it; neither have I.
I think it would be amazing if a woman FINALLY won a Best Director Oscar. It’s a shame that Hollywood rarely nurtures female directors, and as such, there has been what, 3 women nominated for Best Directing Oscars ever?
Yup, only 3 women ever nominated in the category, the most recent being Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation. It really is kind of sad.
There’s an outside chance that there could be two female nominees, depending on how much momentum An Education picks up. Lone Scherfig could sneak in for the fifth nomination, although an acting nod for Carey Mulligan is the film’s most likely honor.
I doubt Lone Scherfig picks up a surprise nomination. If anyone picks up the surprise, it will be Michael Haneke for The White Ribbon. I think there’s a very strong chance that Kathryn Bigelow can win, especially since the Academy can award Ivan Reitman with a screenwriting award. I predict Lee Daniels will be passed over for Tarantino, Eastwood, and Cameron. If The Nine ends up with good reviews, Rob Marshall could also make an appearance.
Has Colin Firth won any of the critics awards so far? I can’t recall that he has. I hope this isn’t going to hurt his chances for an Oscar. He’s my favorite to win right now. And it seems that A Single Man is unlikely to win any of the other major awards, besides possible technical awards. So if they are to recognize the film in any way, I would love for it to be for Firth’s phenomenal performance. I would much rather see Firth take Best Actor over George Clooney or any of the other possible contenders.
Colin Firth had better hope for the New York Critics Circle award today. If he doesn’t get that award, I think his Oscar chances are done.
Considering how seldom these precursor frontrunners falter lately, I guess it’s safe to say that Mo’Nique and Waltz should prepare their speeches. Fine by me, as theirs are performances that I certainly don’t mind endorsing. It’s also interesting to see a group finally recognize Streep. I had my doubts about this performance, but I guess I should see it now.
I am glad to see “UP” taking a large majority of the critics prizes in the animated category, but I worry that it will hurt its chances at a Best Picture nod. I think it deserves to be nominated in both categories AND to win the Animated Picture Oscar.