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.
Comments
73 responses to “‘Hurt Locker’ keeps it going with NYFCC”
EDouglas tweets:
NYFCC go with Hurt Locker, Bigelow, Streep, Clooney, Mo’Nique and Waltz
MERYLLLLLLLLLL
I saw Ed’s Tweet. Was trying to verify elsewhere.
Wow! They went with UP IN THE AIR (1:25pm)
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.
Wow. Talk about BORING so far. Though the “In the Loop” win is original. Still haven’t seen that film…
So predictable! I’m dissapointed by them, less and less good surprises from them:) They’re are just going with the favorites…
holy sh@t! They actually gave it to Meryl. I am pleasantly surprised.
Kris – How can you call the award to ‘In the Loop’ unoriginal?
This is so not funny! Come on people, post the damn results online!
I called that “Fantastic Mr. Fox” steal. I feel proud.
Indiewire has Clooney winning for both Up In The Air and Fantastic Mr. Fox
Oh, I hadn’t seen they are already posted her. I’m calm now :p
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….
By the way, I’m very proud of being the one (I believe) who predicted the win for HUNGER.
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.
Haha, *route.
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…
“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.
FFS stop giving awards to Meryl Streep and George Clooney plz.
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…
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.
Clooney?? Ugh.
I’m beginning to envision In the Loop getting the 5th adapted slot (over J&J).
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.
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.
@Speaking English: Hopefully, everything you’re hopeful for will fail.
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.
Hurt Locker backlash starts now.
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.
It has nothing to do with a backlash, the other mike. It’s just not a great film.
Can you figure out something else to talk about, English? You’re becoming as boring as The Hurt Locker’s sweep.
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.
On the contrary, it is a great film.
Sure is easy to speak in absolutes, innit?
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.
Okay, I’ll talk about how awesome it is that Fantastic Mr. Fox won the award here AND in LA! That’s really neat.
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)?
“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.
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!!)
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.
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!
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.
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?
I cant believe Meryl is gonna win for that film, UGH
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.
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!)
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.
?????
GOSH, who would have thought the critix would be so far up Streep’s ass she can’t fart anymore ?
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.
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.
I’m good. Just mourning the loss of a unique aspect of the season to a more standard process.