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The New York Film Critics Circle decided not to announce its list of winners in real time this year, which is a shame because it has always been one of my favorite aspects of the season. What we’re left with is scattered press release reveals, Twitterers scooping the group’s info as emails and phone calls circulated, and basically, the vibe that it’s just another cog in the wheel.
And that’s before you get to the absolutely uninspired list of winners.
Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” took down the Best Picture prize, joining the ranks of “Brokeback Mountain,” “Sideways,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “L.A. Confidential,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Schindler’s List” and “Goodfellas” (just to go back 20 years) with the designation of coming out on top with both the Los Angeles and New York critics.
The rest of the rundown is more of a snooze, other than George Clooney also being cited for “Fantastic Mr. Fox” along with “Up in the Air” for his Best Actor win. “In the Loop” (a film with a popularity totally lost on me) nabbed the screenplay award, so I guess that’s something new.
But honestly, the only award that made me say, “Nice,” was the Best First Feature prize for Steve McQueen’s “Hunger,” which was released in Los Angeles last December and landed on my top 10 list as a result, but didn’t make it to New York until 2009.
The full list of winners after the jump…
Best Picture
“The Hurt Locker”
Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Best Actor
George Clooney, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “Up in the Air”
Best Actress
Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Best Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Supporting Actress
Mo’Nique, “Precious”
Best Screenplay
“In the Loop”
Best Cinematography
“The White Ribbon”
Best Animated Film
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Best Non-Fiction Film
“Of Time and the City”
Best Foreign Language Film
“Summer Hours”
Best First Feature
“Hunger”
Check back later this afternoon for my list of the year’s best films.
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73 responses so far
1 12-14-2009 at 10:17 am
Patrick Gratton said...
EDouglas tweets:
NYFCC go with Hurt Locker, Bigelow, Streep, Clooney, Mo’Nique and Waltz
2 12-14-2009 at 10:21 am
han said...
MERYLLLLLLLLLL
3 12-14-2009 at 10:21 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
I saw Ed’s Tweet. Was trying to verify elsewhere.
4 12-14-2009 at 10:22 am
Toto said...
Wow! They went with UP IN THE AIR (1:25pm)
5 12-14-2009 at 10:22 am
Jim T said...
If this is the case, then best actor and actress are probably the only big categories that will not be predictable. Although I am almost certain Bridges will win the Oscar.
6 12-14-2009 at 10:22 am
Joel said...
Wow. Talk about BORING so far. Though the “In the Loop” win is original. Still haven’t seen that film…
7 12-14-2009 at 10:23 am
Thomas Luffy said...
So predictable! I’m dissapointed by them, less and less good surprises from them:) They’re are just going with the favorites…
8 12-14-2009 at 10:23 am
Sean said...
holy sh@t! They actually gave it to Meryl. I am pleasantly surprised.
9 12-14-2009 at 10:23 am
Nel said...
Kris – How can you call the award to ‘In the Loop’ unoriginal?
10 12-14-2009 at 10:24 am
Jim T said...
This is so not funny! Come on people, post the damn results online!
11 12-14-2009 at 10:24 am
Joel said...
I called that “Fantastic Mr. Fox” steal. I feel proud.
12 12-14-2009 at 10:24 am
Patrick Gratton said...
Indiewire has Clooney winning for both Up In The Air and Fantastic Mr. Fox
13 12-14-2009 at 10:25 am
Jim T said...
Oh, I hadn’t seen they are already posted her. I’m calm now :p
14 12-14-2009 at 10:25 am
Nel said...
Right full list out – they give an award to Steve McQueen for Hunger but think that Clooney was better then Michael Fassbender.
Damn this is why I love these things….
15 12-14-2009 at 10:27 am
Ross said...
By the way, I’m very proud of being the one (I believe) who predicted the win for HUNGER.
16 12-14-2009 at 10:27 am
Speaking English said...
I guess the answer to your poll on the side is pretty much determined. Good things “critics’ darling” doesn’t equal “Oscar winner.” Hopefully this will go the Sideways root.
17 12-14-2009 at 10:28 am
Speaking English said...
Haha, *route.
18 12-14-2009 at 10:28 am
Jim T said...
Well, it is boring. Not that they have to be original but if the NYFCC is predictable, imagine how the race is going to continue…
19 12-14-2009 at 10:29 am
Guy Lodge said...
“Of Time and the City” and “Hunger” are pretty inspired choices.
Frankly, I’m fine with “The Hurt Locker” cruising, even if it’s not the most unexpected outcome … I always get excited when films I love win big, anyway.
20 12-14-2009 at 10:29 am
Aleksis said...
FFS stop giving awards to Meryl Streep and George Clooney plz.
21 12-14-2009 at 10:29 am
Julian Stark said...
Clooney for Up in the Air… AND FANTASTIC MR. FOX?! REALLY?! I mean, in that case, give Streep the award for both of her films… seriously…
22 12-14-2009 at 10:30 am
Harmonica said...
Meryl Streep, again? Colin Firth being passed over, again?
I’m starting to hate these critic awards. And it seems the NBR is the only group ballsy enough to stay away from the Waltz/Monique bandwagon. Not that I’m complaining about them sweeping.
23 12-14-2009 at 10:30 am
The Other James D. said...
Clooney?? Ugh.
I’m beginning to envision In the Loop getting the 5th adapted slot (over J&J).
24 12-14-2009 at 10:31 am
the other mike said...
great list, i have no problem. dont know what an inspired list would be, perhaps rewarding underserving films that non the less dont bore people who are obsessed with the process. I dont think the winners would call it uninspiring.
25 12-14-2009 at 10:31 am
aspect ratio said...
Who knew Streep was going to be cleaning up? Everyone was talking Mulligan vs. Sidibe, and here she is showing who’s boss. I guess it’s very safe to say she’s getting nominated (and possible winning) for Julie & Julia. It’s Complicated is dead for Best Actress.
I like the Clooney pick, especially for picking him for Fantastic Mr. Fox as well.
That said, the Hurt Locker/Bigelow/Waltz/Monique is already boring me to tears and it’s only just in the beginning. Whatever happened to the days when the LA and NY critics would make an effort to be different?
Yawn.
26 12-14-2009 at 10:32 am
The Other James D. said...
@Speaking English: Hopefully, everything you’re hopeful for will fail.
27 12-14-2009 at 10:32 am
Bkles said...
The Hurt Locker’s box office will prevent it from winning Best Picture at the oscars, and I really hope the next crtics’s group doesn’t jump onthe bandwagon.
28 12-14-2009 at 10:36 am
the other mike said...
Hurt Locker backlash starts now.
29 12-14-2009 at 10:38 am
geha714 said...
I’m surprised how safe the choices of NYFCC were. I thought they would take more risks. I’m happy for The Hurt Locker and In The Loop.
In the case of The Hurt Locker, Summit should re-release it by year’s end. Money is not a problem now for them.
30 12-14-2009 at 10:40 am
Speaking English said...
It has nothing to do with a backlash, the other mike. It’s just not a great film.
31 12-14-2009 at 10:41 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
Can you figure out something else to talk about, English? You’re becoming as boring as The Hurt Locker’s sweep.
32 12-14-2009 at 10:43 am
Nel said...
In regards to In the Loop – I thought the movie was excellent but I guess after three mind blowining series of In the Thick of It – I am biased.
Objectively – the movie was good but it wasn’t excellent (compared to the sheer brillance of the series) and to deserve best screen play over say something like A serious man or Bright Star – then no but over 500 days or Inglorious – then yeah.
33 12-14-2009 at 10:43 am
The Other James D. said...
On the contrary, it is a great film.
Sure is easy to speak in absolutes, innit?
34 12-14-2009 at 10:47 am
Paul Outlaw said...
Actually, if you replaced the Best Actor pick with *anyone* (but especially Viggo or someone in a foreign-language film), this would be a completely inspired and inspiring list. The fewer awards for An Education, Up in The Air and Avatar, the more exciting the awards season, as far as I’m concerned.
35 12-14-2009 at 10:48 am
Speaking English said...
Okay, I’ll talk about how awesome it is that Fantastic Mr. Fox won the award here AND in LA! That’s really neat.
36 12-14-2009 at 10:51 am
Paul M. said...
No one has said anything about The White Ribbon winning Best Cinematography in NY and LA. Is this, as I hope, a legitimate contender at the Oscars, or will it be passed over for more conventional Oscar winners like those listed in Kris’s sidebar (like Nine, ugh)?
37 12-14-2009 at 10:51 am
John H. Foote said...
“The Hurt Locker” is indeed brilliant, but I am not so sure it will win the Oscar — can see Bigelow winning (and she should) but stil like “Up in the Air” for Best Pic — shocked at the lack of love for “Precious” other than for Mo’nique.
38 12-14-2009 at 10:51 am
Nel said...
Can I just also say it is rather cool that both LA and NY went with the rather superb Summer Hours for best foreign picture. (I will admit it I am a big Charles Berling Fan and Oliver Assayas fan!!)
39 12-14-2009 at 10:53 am
Mr. Gittes said...
Something to talk about: How bad a film year is 2009?
I think I’m losing my mind. Why am I only one that despises The Hurt Locker? And I love political/war films.
40 12-14-2009 at 10:58 am
Speaking English said...
I don’t think it’s a bad year at all, it’s just that the wrong film keeps winning.
But wow! Fantastic Mr. Fox! How cool!
41 12-14-2009 at 10:58 am
Simone said...
Very pleased that The Hurt Locker is doing so well, I did not want Precious to win this, and therefore, pretty much securing ‘Locker’s’ Oscar chances.
Very happy about the continued praise for Waltz, and lastly, like you Kris, I was like ‘fuck yeah’ for Steve McQueen’s ‘Hunger’ getting Best First Film. It deserves so much more respect, but something is better than nothing.
42 12-14-2009 at 10:58 am
Brentg said...
Is Berger a big player for Cinematography now?
That’s a couple of stellar recognitions, or should we chock it up to the always surprising critics awards?
43 12-14-2009 at 10:59 am
Lina said...
I cant believe Meryl is gonna win for that film, UGH
44 12-14-2009 at 11:01 am
Chris138 said...
Well, The Hurt Locker is my favorite movie of 2009 so far, so I’m glad to see it getting all kinds of love. I must say I am surprised it is winning as much as it has been, though. I’m also not sure about it winning the Best Picture Oscar, despite feeling pretty confident about Kathryn Bigelow’s chances of winning Best Director. But I’ve already mentioned that a billion times.
Christoph Waltz’s chances are looking pretty good, too.
45 12-14-2009 at 11:01 am
Guy Lodge said...
Nel: “Summer Hours” won in Boston too. Glad the film has found such support — even if it feels ancient to me. (It opened here in summer 2008!)
46 12-14-2009 at 11:02 am
Simone said...
Oh, one more thing.
Why in the hell is Viggo Mortensen being ignored? Outside of Michael Fassbender in ‘Hunger’, Viggo gave the best performance in The Road.
?????
47 12-14-2009 at 11:05 am
Albiony said...
GOSH, who would have thought the critix would be so far up Streep’s ass she can’t fart anymore ?
48 12-14-2009 at 11:05 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
RE: Summer Hours, like Desplechin’s work, I don’t get it. Not exactly “cinematic,” even if it can be compelling for two or three minute stretches due to fully realized perfs. Felt the same way about, say, The Barbarian Invasions.
49 12-14-2009 at 11:09 am
Rob said...
So it’s “just another cog in the wheel” because you can’t actually experience it in real time and you have to wait a whole extra two hours before you find out who won?
Time to step out of the bubble for a few minutes and take a deep breath, Kris.
50 12-14-2009 at 11:12 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
I’m good. Just mourning the loss of a unique aspect of the season to a more standard process.
51 12-14-2009 at 11:30 am
Josh said...
I’m going to be honest: I really didn’t like Hurt Locker when I saw it this summer. It was kind of a bore. A few good suspense moments and a couple of insightful glimpses into the psychology of a soldier aside, it seemed a bit pedestrian. For me, there were a few bad plotholes (where did the British soldiers disappear to?). And a really ridiculous “badass” ending. So, I’m disappointed. Hoping for more love for Up in the Air, A Single Man or A Serious Man.
52 12-14-2009 at 11:36 am
lance said...
Why should awards be inspired and original? Are they in place to entertain us or to recognize excellence?
53 12-14-2009 at 11:36 am
Billyboy said...
You got me excited over the Tilda Swinton-Julia prediction and now I get this…
Why is it that this brilliant performance is getting no love?? One of the best performances of the decade, easily.
54 12-14-2009 at 11:39 am
Brian said...
This season isn’t anywhere near as boring as the Slumdogathon last year.
55 12-14-2009 at 11:41 am
Eunice said...
Whoa. Another for Streep. Count her safely in the race. If ‘It’s Complicated’ does well in the box office, she’s off to a really great start.
And I love the ‘The Fantastic Mr. Fox’ love–not just for the movie, but also for its stars, Clooney and Streep.
56 12-14-2009 at 11:47 am
lance said...
“The Hurt Locker” is not only getting critic’s awards but it’s about war which the academy loves if you look at their history. It’s also a chance to recognize a female director. I see this as the eventual winner.
57 12-14-2009 at 11:50 am
Hans said...
So it looks like we have a race in Best Animated Feature at least. Appropriate in such a good year for animation. Although, one has to wonder, if Up is the only animated BP nominee, then, by default and by logic, wouldn’t/shouldn’t it be the automatic BAF winner?
58 12-14-2009 at 11:52 am
Mike_M said...
Mr. Gittes I agree with your comment: “How bad a film year is 2009?”
But I enjoyed Hurt Locker more than you, it was extremely well crafted and the suspense was intense, over all, this year in film has been consistently good, only a few movies really stand out for me as great.
59 12-14-2009 at 11:58 am
Andrew said...
Well, I am happy that Streep got Best Actress and Fantastic Mr Fox got Animated Feature. Streep is on her way to the third. Got all my predictions right!
Kris: Don’t understand why you are moaning so much. Every year a movie gets more awards than the others so I don’t see the point of saying that it is boring. Repetitive, yes, but look at the past years winners. They should move the Oscars to December if they want it to be less predictable then. So many minor awards every week.
60 12-14-2009 at 12:07 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Not really moaning, just bracing myself for a season that, once again, doesn’t have room for outside-the-box thinking.
61 12-14-2009 at 12:08 pm
Martin James said...
It seems as if critics groups are responding more to non-showy, detail-specific, soulful comedic performances ala Meryl and Sally Hawkins. Clooney’s perf might fall into this category as well.
If you want awards recognition, do the cerebral comedy with dramatic elements.
62 12-14-2009 at 12:10 pm
Stop the whining said...
Wow, listen to all the whiners and poor sports. Yes a girl has won. Get over it. You tried to stop her with your postings about other crappy films, trying to distract from the obvious choice. “The Hurt Locker” is sweeping for one reason, it’s the best picture of the year and really doesn’t have much competition. Period. End of story.
None of the other films have the drama, the action, the scope, the guts, the soul, nor did any other filmmaker go to freaking the border of Iraq to shoot their drama with people throwing rocks at them. If anyone thinks a lightweight “dramedy” should win over that or a bunch of CGI animated blue people, or a campy fantasy Grindhouse Nazi film with cartoon circle wipes and a hammy Brad Pitt accent, you just aren’t thinking about what critics and Academy members like. Class and significance!
63 12-14-2009 at 12:12 pm
tintin said...
Fox again!!!!!!!!? Noooo!
64 12-14-2009 at 12:26 pm
snowballa said...
@stop the whining: yes, because i, a fellow female, hate “the hurt locker” winning best picture because of kathryn bigelow’s gender rather than the mediocre characters and overrated script.
your ignorance is encyclopedic.
65 12-14-2009 at 12:27 pm
M.Harris said...
I agree with your comment Lance, regarding post #52.
66 12-14-2009 at 12:43 pm
Nel said...
Unoffical Break Down of NYFCC Awards Votes tallies.
If true my heart breaks for Tilda
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/movies/oscar_watch_ny_la_critics_boost_D2dyUFQdy2RlIe1IazdQSO
Complete, unofficial vote tallies for the leaders in each category are below. Note that in the first ballot, members present (21) and proxies (8) voted for a single choice. In the second ballot, members present and proxies vote on a weighted ballot with up to three choices, but the winner must appear on a majority of ballots. This is also true of the third ballot, which does not allow proxy votes nor the introduction of new contender. If there is still no winner, a simple majority determines the outcome of the fourth ballot.
BEST ACTRESS
First ballot: Meryl Streep, 5; Tilda Swinton, 5; Charlotte Gainsbourg, 4.
Second ballot: Streep, 31; Swinton, 29; Carey Mulligan, 24
SUPPORTING ACTOR
First ballot: Christophe Waltz 11, Christian McKay 5, Anthony Mackie 3, Peter Capaldi, 3
Second ballot: Waltz 39, McKay 31, Capaldi, 26
Third ballot: Waltz 36, McKay 25, Capaldi, 13
BEST DIRECTOR
First ballot: Kathryn Bigelow 11, Jason Reitman 3, Wes Anderson 2, Oliver Assayas, 2
Second ballot: Bigelow 56, Anderson 15, Tarantino, 13
BEST PICTURE
First Ballot: Hurt Locker 8, Up in the Air 5, Fantastic Mr. Fox, 3
Second Ballot: Hurt Locker 42, Up in the Air 25, Fantastic Mr. Fox 16
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
First and only ballot: Fantastic Mr. Fox 14, Up 8, Coraline, 3
BEST DOCUMENTARY
First ballot: Beaches of Agnes 5, The Cove 4, Anvil, 3
Second ballot: Anvil 26, Tyson 25, Time and the City, 20
Third ballot: Anvil 29, Time and the City 22, Tyson 14
Fourth ballot: Time and the City 28, Anvil 27, Tyson, 16
CINEMATOGRAPHY
First Ballot: White Ribbon 5, Hurt Locker 3, A Serious Man 3
Second ballot: White Ribbon 32, Serious Man 20, Avatar 17
Third ballot: White Ribbon 30, Avatar 21, Serious Man 18
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
First ballot: Mo’Nique 13, Vera Farmiga 3, Samantha Morton 2, Anna Kendrick 2, Maggie Gyllenhaal, 2
Second ballot: Mo’Nique 49, Farmiga, 26, Kendrick 21
SCREENPLAY
First ballot: In the Loop 6, Up in the Air 6, A Serious Man 5
Second ballot: Up in the Air 33, In the Loop 31, A Serious Man 24
Third ballot (voided): Up in the Air 31, In the Loop 30, Inglourious Basterds 22
Third ballot (re-vote): In the Loop 29, Up in the Air 28, Inglourious Basterds, 19
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
First ballot: Summer Hours 6, White Ribbon 3, Everlasting Moments 3
Second ballot: Summer Hours 32, Broken Embraces 21, Everlasting Moments 15
BEST ACTOR
First ballot: George Clooney 8, Jeff Bridges 5, Jeremy Renner 3
Second ballot: Clooney 38, Bridges 31, Renner 27
Third ballot: Clooney 38, Bridges 29, Renner 18
67 12-14-2009 at 12:55 pm
salma said...
Meryl Streep for the Oscar: http://i48.tinypic.com/w8nfhf.jpg
68 12-14-2009 at 1:04 pm
billybil said...
Well – I’m surprised. I didn’t expect Meryl here and it makes me think she’s really got a chance at winning her third. It looked like Mulligan was gonna have a real run of it (and she still has lots of wins ahead of her, I bet, but for the last 3 critics groups to give it to Meryl – hmmmm. (I do sincerely believe the work Streep did in JULIE & JULIA is really top notch – lots of living inside the recreation of a well-known personality. I would like to think that people in the business would recognize the challenge and accomplishment in the role. I have not seen Swinton’s JULIA so I can’t fairly judge, but like some of the other highly touted performances this year, it may have been a relatively simpler challenge (and, again, my emphasis is on relatively – we’re are talking about world class talents here and I do include Sidibe in that group – remarkable first performance in a major role!) than what Streep faced with Julia Child.
I, too, am disappointed in Clooney. He’s such a charmer and he may well have reached beyond himself in UP IN THE AIR but, sorry, that’s not reaching that far. I’ll see soon – if I can ever stop having to work and get to see another damn movie! But it is very difficult for me to believe he gave the best performance this year. (But then I’m the guilty one for wanting Meryl last year no matter what so I better keep my mouth shut here.) I’m still rooting for Bridges here even though I haven’t seen either performance yet. Boo to me.
When it comes to Mo’Nique and Waltz we all set ourselves up to be bored by predictability because we care so much and pay such close attention to movie awards like we do. I do remember a time when these nominations/wins were surprising to me but that’s before I discovered all you other movie freaks out there. I had no idea so much information was available so quickly!! Both performances (yes, I have actually seen these!) are spectacular and very special in their own ways. It’s difficult when a performance flies off the screen like these do – to have more subtle, perhaps even more challenging performances, compete. (This may be why some people are suffering so over the absence of Swinton in the Best Actress race – it sounds like she flies off the screen for people.)
I’m torn about HURT LOCKER but I haven’t seen enough of the December releases yet to have a valid opinion. I still can’t believe what I’m hearing about AVATAR. Is it really going to be so amazing?
But, again, partly because I think the film is remarkably well directed but also because I am a feminist – I am thrilled about Bigelow! Keep the awards coming!!
It is fun to see FANTASTIC MR. FOX winning some awards but I still can’t see the Academy going for it over UP – especially if UP gets a Best Pic nomination and FOX doesn’t.
Funny enough, now that awards are coming out I’m sorry not to see WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE in the mix. I was not as moved by the film as I had expected to be but DAMN that was a risky and artistic vision for a mainstream film.
69 12-14-2009 at 1:30 pm
Dylan said...
I may be getting ahead of myself…but is there a possibility, if remote, of Fox getting the BP nod over Up? People act as if an Up nod is inevitable, but I’m not so sure.
70 12-14-2009 at 2:22 pm
The Other James D. said...
I’ve maintained for a while that people are overestimating Up‘s chances in Best Picture. I think it’s a very on-the-fence contender and something like Inglourious Basterds (personally, hopefully not) or one of the other sci-fi movies could snag the spot many presume it to have.
But perhaps Fantastic Mr. Fox WILL curry more favor. That would be incredible (and shocking to many). But just because it’s Pixar doesn’t make it superior. FMF had a wonderfully quirky animation-style and, more importantly, was a more adult animated feature. That may or may not be a plus….
71 12-14-2009 at 2:35 pm
Dylan said...
Also people are going on about Up being the first animated BP nominee since animated films got their own category. But what about Avatar?
72 12-14-2009 at 4:23 pm
Carson Dyle said...
Glad to see any In the Loop love. Easily the best film of the year.
73 12-14-2009 at 4:49 pm
SHAAAARK said...
Lol, awesome, Peter Capaldi was third place in Supporting Actor. Ugh, I hope he wins somewhere. BAFTAs, maybe?