UPDATE: Academy Awards (2/22), BAFTA (2/8), Director’s Guild winner (1/31), Screen Actor’s Guild winners (1/26), Producer’s Guild winners (1/25), Online Film Critics Society (1/20), Vancouver Critics (1/14), Golden Globe winners, Iowa Critics (1/11), Central Ohio Film Critics (1/8), Critic’s Choice winners (1/9), CAS, DGA, WGA, ACS nominees (1/8), Producer’s Guild noms (1/5), Kansas City critics, National Society of Film Critics (1/4), Oklahoma Critics, African American critics (12/23), Detroit critics (12/22), Las Vegas critics, Utah critics, Florida critics (12/19), London critics nominations, Southeastern critics, Chicago critics, SAG nominations, Women Film Critics Circle (12/18), Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics, Toronto critics, Austin critics, Houston critics (12/17), St. Louis, San Diego, Phoenix critics (12/16), NY Online critics, Boston critics, Satellite Awards, Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ), AFI Top 10 tallied below in AWARD NOMINEES. (12/15)
Handicap the 2008 Oscar Race with precision! In order to give you the absolute most complete picture of where the Oscar race is headed, I’ll be updating every major critic’s awards winners and nominees as they happen. This page will get updated continuously, up until the 81st Academy Awards ceremony on February 22, 2009. The winners will be at the top and you can scroll down to see who has the most nominations so far from various groups that are giving out 2008 movie awards. Here goes…

For in-depth technical coverage on the movies that garnered awards this season, check out Digital Content Producer.

AWARD WINNERS

Best Picture:
(20) Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award, BAFTA, SAG Ensemble Award, Producer’s Guild, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, DC Film Critics, NY Online, Kansas City Critics, National Board of Review, Satellite Award, Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ), San Diego Critics, Phoenix Critics, Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics, Florida Critics, Detroit Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Iowa Critics, Boston Critics (tie)
(4) The Dark Knight - Austin Critics, Utah Critics, African American Critics, Online Critics
(4) Milk - NY Film Critics, San Francisco Critics, Southeastern Film Critics Assoc., Vancouver Critics
(4) Wall-E - LA Film Critics, Chicago Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Boston Critics (tie)
(2) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - St. Louis Critics, Houston Critics
Frost/Nixon - Las Vegas Critics
Happy-Go-Lucky - Satellite Award (comedy)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Golden Globes (comedy)
Waltz with Bashir - National Society of Film Critics
Wendy and Lucy - Toronto Critics

Best Director:
(23) Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award, BAFTA, Director’s Guild, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, LA Film Critics, DC Film Critics, NY Online, Satellite Award, AWFJ, St. Louis Critics, Phoenix Critics, San Diego Critics, St. Louis Critics, Houston Critics, Dallas Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Florida Critics, Detroit Critics, African American Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Iowa Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics
(2) David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - National Board of Review, Vancouver Critics
(2) Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky - NY Film Critics, National Society of Film Critics
(2) Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight - Austin Critics, Online Critics
(2) Gus Van Sant, Milk - San Francisco Critics, Boston Critics (and Paranoid Park)
Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler - Kansas City Critics
Jonathan Demme, Rachel Getting Married - Toronto Critics
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon - Las Vegas Critics
Andrew Stanton, Wall-E - Utah Critics

Best Actor:
(18) Sean Penn, Milk - Academy Award, SAG, Critic’s Choice, NY Film Critics, LA Film Critics, NY Online, AWFJ, St. Louis Critics, Phoenix Critics, St. Louis Critics, Houston Critics, Austin Critics, Dallas Critics, Southeastern Critics, National Society of Film Critics, Vancouver Critics, San Francisco Critics (tie), Boston Critics (tie)
(17) Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler - BAFTA, Golden Globes, DC Film Critics, San Diego Critics, Toronto Critics, Chicago Critics, Women Film Critics Circle, Utah Critics, Florida Critics, Detroit Critics, Kansas City Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Iowa Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics, San Francisco Critics (tie), Boston Critics (tie)
(2) Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon - Las Vegas Critics, African American Critics
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino - National Board of Review
Colin Farrell, In Bruges - Golden Globes (comedy)
Ricky Gervais, Ghost Town - Satellite Award (comedy)
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor - Satellite Award

Best Actress:
(11) Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky - Golden Globes (comedy), NY Film Critics, LA Film Critics, Boston Critics, NY Online, San Francisco Critics, National Society of Film Critics, Oklahoma Critics, AWFJ (tie), Satellite Award (comedy), Women Film Critics Circle (comedy)
(7) Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married - National Board of Review, Houston Critics, Austin Critics, Dallas Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Critic’s Choice (tie)
(6) Meryl Streep, Doubt - SAG, DC Film Critics, Phoenix Critics, Kansas City Critics, Iowa Critics, Critic’s Choice (tie)
(6) Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road - Golden Globes, St. Louis Critics, Las Vegas Critics, Detroit Critics, AWFJ (tie), Vancouver Critics (also awarded for The Reader)
(6) Kate Winslet, The Reader - Academy Award, BAFTA, San Diego Critics, Las Vegas Critics, AWFJ (tie), Vancouver Critics (also awarded for The Reader)
(4) Melissa Leo, Frozen River - Women Film Critics Circle, Utah Critics, Florida Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics
(2) Angelina Jolie, Changeling - Satellite Award, African American Critics
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia! - Women Film Critics Circle
(2) Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy - Toronto Critics, Online Critics

Best Supporting Actor:
(31) Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight - Academy Award, BAFTA, SAG, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, LA Film Critics, Kansas City Critics, DC Film Critics, Boston Critics, NY Online, San Francisco Critics, San Diego Critics, Phoenix Critics, St. Louis Critics, AWFJ, Houston Critics, Austin Critics, Toronto Critics, Dallas Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Florida Critics, Las Vegas Critics, Utah Critics, Detroit Critics, African American Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Iowa Critics, Vancouver Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics
(2) Josh Brolin, Milk - NY Film Critics, National Board of Review
Eddie Marsan, Happy-Go-Lucky - National Society of Film Critics
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road - Satellite Award

Best Supporting Actress:
(10) Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Academy Award, BAFTA, NY Film Critics, NY Online Critics, National Board of Review, Kansas City Critics, Boston Critics, Southeastern Critics, Iowa Critics, LA Film Critics (also chose her performance in Elegy)
(9) Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler - San Francisco Critics, San Diego Critics, Phoenix Critics, Las Vegas Critics, Florida Critics, Detroit Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics
(5) Viola Davis, Doubt - St. Louis Critics, AWFJ, Houston Critics, Dallas Critics, African American Critics
(5) Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married - DC Film Critics, Satellite Award, Toronto Critics, Utah Critics, Vancouver Critics
(4) Kate Winslet, The Reader - SAG, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, Chicago Critics
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Austin Critics
Hanna Schygulla, The Edge of Heaven - National Society of Film Critics

Best Original Screenplay:
(6) Dustin Lance Black, Milk - Academy Award, Boston Critics, San Francisco Critics, Dallas Critics, Southeastern Critics, Oklahoma Crtics (tie)
(5) Jenny Lumet, Rachel Getting Married - NY Film Critics, DC Film Critics, Toronto Critics, Women Film Critics Circle, Utah Critics
(4) Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon, Wall-E - AWFJ, Chicago Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics
(2) Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky - LA Film Critics, National Society of Film Critics
(2) Martin McDonagh, In Bruges - BAFTA, Phoenix Critics
(2) Thomas McCarthy, The Visitor - Satellite Award, San Diego Critics
(2) Robert Siegel, The Wrestler - Kansas City Critics, Oklahoma Critics (tie)
Nick Schenk, Gran Torino - National Board of Review
Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York - Austin Critics

Best Adapted Screenplay:
(16) Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, DC Film Critics, National Board of Review, Kansas City Critics, NY Online, San Diego Critics, Phoenix Critics, Houston Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Florida Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics
(5) Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon - Satellite Award, AWHJ, San Francisco Critics, St. Louis Critics, Las Vegas Critics
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - National Board of Review
Jonthan Nolan & Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight - Austin Critics
John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the Right One In - Online Critics

Best Animated Film:
(27) Wall-E - Academy Award, BAFTA, PGA, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, NY Film Critics, DC Film Critics, Kansas City Critics, Boston Critics, NY Online, National Board of Review, Phoenix Critics, St. Louis Critics, Satellite Award, Houston Critics, Austin Critics, Toronto Critics, Dallas Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Las Vegas Critics, Florida Critics, Utah Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Iowa Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics
Waltz With Bashir - LA Film Critics

Best Foreign Film:
(14) Let the Right One In - DC Film Critics, Kansas City Critics, Boston Critics, Phoenix Critics, San Francisco Critics, Austin Critics, Toronto Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Utah Critics, Florida Critics, San Diego Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Online Critics
(3) 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days - NY Film Critics, NY Online, Central Ohio Film Critics
(3) Mongol - National Board of Review, Houston Critics, Las Vegas Critics
(2) Waltz with Bashir - Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice
Departures - Academy Award
The Edge of Heaven - Vancouver Critics
Gomorrah - Satellite Award
I’ve Loved You So Long - BAFTA
Slumdog Millionaire - St. Louis Critics
Still Life - LA Film Critics
Tell No One - Dallas Critics

Best Documentary:
(28) Man on Wire - Academy Award, BAFTA (Best British Film), PGA, Critic’s Choice, NY Film Critics, LA Film Critics, Kansas City Critics, DC Film Critics, National Board of Review, Boston Critics, NY Online, Phoenix Critics, AWFJ, St. Louis Critics, Houston Critics, Austin Critics, Toronto Critics, Dallas Critics, Chicago Critics, Southeastern Critics, Florida Critics, Utah Critics, Las Vegas Critics, National Society of Film Critics, Oklahoma Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics, Satellite Award (tie)
Anita O’Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer - Satellite Award (tie)
My Winnipeg - San Francisco Critics
Trouble the Water - AWFJ (tie)

Best Cinematography:
(7) Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight - San Francisco Critics, Dallas Critics, Chicago Critics, Florida Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics, Online Critics
(6) Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award, BAFTA, NY Film Critics, NY Online, San Diego Critics, National Society of Film Critics
(3) Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Phoenix Critics, Houston Critics, Las Vegas Critics
(2) Mandy Walker, Australia - Satellite Award, St. Louis Critics
Colin Watkinson, The Fall - Austin Critics
Yu Lik Wai, Still Life - LA Film Critics
Christopher Doyle, Rain Kathy Li, Paranoid Park - Boston Critics

Best Film Editing
(5) Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award, BAFTA, Boston Critics, Phoenix Critics, San Diego Critics, Online Critics
Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - AWFJ
Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill, Frost/Nixon - Las Vegas Critics
Dan Lebental, Iron Man - Satellite Award

Best Score:
(8) A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, LA Film Critics, NY Online, Satellite Award, San Diego Critics
(2) Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Phoenix Critics, Central Ohio Film Critics
(2) James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmerman, The Dark Knight - Austin Critics, Online Critics
James Newton Howard, Defiance - Las Vegas Critics
Terence Blanchard, The Miracle at St. Anna - Houston Critics
Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, The Visitor - St. Louis Critics
Thomas Newman, Wall-E - Chicago Critics

Best Song:
(3) “The Wrestler” (Bruce Springsteen), The Wrestler - Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, Phoenix Critics
(2) “Another Way to Die” (Jack White and Alicia Keys), Quantum of Solace - Satellite Award, Las Vegas Critics
“Down to Earth” (Peter Gabriel), Wall-E - Houston Critics
“Jai Ho” (A.R. Rahman), Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award

Best Art Direction:
(4) Donald Graham Burt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Academy Award, BAFTA, San Diego Critics, Las Vegas Critics
Catherine Martin, Ian Gracie, Karen Murphy, and Beverly Dunn, Australia - Satellite Award

Best Costume Design:
(4) Michael O’Connor, The Duchess - Academy Award, BAFTA, Satellite Award, Phoenix Critics
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Las Vegas Critics

Best Sound (Editing and Mixing):
(2) Richard King, The Dark Knight - Academy Award (editing), Satellite Award
(2) Slumdog Millionaire - Academy Award (mixing), BAFTA

Best Visual Effects
(2) The Dark Knight - St. Louis Critics, Phoenix Critics
Australia - Satellite Award
(2) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Academy Award, BAFTA
Iron Man - Las Vegas Critics

Best Makeup
(2) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Academy Award, BAFTA

AWARD NOMINEES

Best Picture:
(8) Frost/Nixon - Producer’s Guild, AFI, Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award
(8) Milk - Producer’s Guild, AFI, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(7) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Producer’s Guild, AFI, Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award
(7) Slumdog Millionaire - Producer’s Guild,Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(5) Wall-E - AFI, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(5) The Wrestler - AFI, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review, Spirit Award, London Film Critics Award
(4) The Dark Knight - Producer’s Guild, AFI, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review
(3) Burn After Reading - Golden Globe (comedy) National Board of Review, Broadcast Film Critics (comedy)
(3) Frozen River - AFI, Spirit Award, Satellite Award
(3) Happy-Go-Lucky - Golden Globe (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy), London Film Critics Award
(2) In Bruges - Golden Globe (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy), London Film Critics Award
(3) The Reader - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award
(3) Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Golden Globe (comedy), Broadcast Film Critics (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy)
(2) Changeling - Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review
(2) Doubt - Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award
(2) Gran Torino - AFI, National Board of Review
(2) In Bruges - Golden Globe (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy)
(2) Revolutionary Road - Golden Globe, Satellite Award
(2) Tropic Thunder - Broadcast Film Critics (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy)
(2) Wendy and Lucy - AFI, Spirit Award
Ballast - Spirit Award
Choke - Satellite Award (comedy)
Defiance - National Board of Review
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Broadcast Film Critics (comedy)
Iron Man - AFI
Hunger - London Film Critics Award
Mamma Mia! - Golden Globe (comedy)
Man on Wire - London Film Critics Award
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Satellite Award (comedy)
Role Models - Broadcast Film Critics (comedy)
Rachel Getting Married - Spirit Award

Best Director:
(6) Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics, Director’s Guild (DGA)
(5) David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics, DGA
(5) Gus Van Sant, Milk - Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics, DGA
(4) Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, DGA
(3) Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight - Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, DGA
(2) Stephen Daldry - The Reader - Golden Globe, Satellite Award
(2) Tom McCarthy, The Visitor - Spirit Award, Satellite Award
Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler - London Film Critics Award
Ramin Bahrani, Chop Shop - Spirit Award
Jonathan Demme, Rachel Getting Married - Spirit Award
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino - London Film Critics Award
Lance Hammer, Ballast - Spirit Award
Courtney Hunt, Frozen River - Spirit Award
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road - Golden Globe

Best Actor:
(7) Sean Penn, Milk - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Spirit Award, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(7) Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Spirit Award, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(6) Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(4) Richard Jenkins, The Visitor - Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, Spirit Award, SAG Award
(3) Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award
(2) Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges - Golden Globe, Satellite Award (comedy)
(2) Josh Brolin, W. - Satellite Award (comedy), London Film Critics Awards
(2) Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Golden Globe (comedy), Spirit Award
(2) Leonardo Dicaprio, Revolutionary Road - Golden Globe, Satellite Award
Michael Cera, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Satellite Award (comedy)
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino - Broadcast Film Critics
Colin Farrell, In Bruges - Golden Globe (comedy)
Michael Fassbender, Hunger - London Film Critics Award
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess - London Film Critics Award
James Franco, Pineapple Express - Golden Globe (comedy)
Ricky Gervais, Ghost Town - Satellite Award (comedy)
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey - Golden Globe (comedy)
Ben Kingsley, Elegy - London Film Critics Award
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight - London Film Critics Award
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaaire - London Film Critics Award
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker - Spirit Award
Sam Rockwell, Choke - Satellite Award (comedy)
Mark Ruffalo, The Brothers Bloom - Satellite Award (comedy)
Mark Ruffalo, What Doesn’t Kill You - Satellite Award
Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon - London Film Critics Award

Best Actress:
(6) Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Spirit Award, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award
(6) Meryl Streep, Doubt - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics
(5) Angelina Jolie, Changeling - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Satellite Award, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award
(4) Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky - London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics, Golden Globe (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy)
(4) Melissa Leo, Frozen River - Broadcast Film Critics, Spirit Award, Satellite Award, SAG Award
(4) Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road - Golden Globe, SAG Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics (also chose her performance in The Reader)
(3) Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long - Golden Globe, Satellite Award, London Film Critics Award
(3) Kate Winslet, The Reader - Satellite Award, London Film Critics Award, Vancouver Critics (also chose her performance in Revolutionary Road)
(2) Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia! - Golden Globe (comedy), Satellite Award (comedy)
Kate Beckinsale, Nothing But the Truth - Broadcast Film Critics
Summer Bishil, Towelhead - Spirit Award
Cate Blanchett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Broadcast Film Critics
Catherine Deneuve, A Christmas Tale - Satellite Award (comedy)
Kat Dennings, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Satellite Award (comedy)
(2) Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona - London Film Critics Award, Golden Globe (comedy)
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona - London Film Critics Award
Lisa Kudrow, Kabluey - Satellite Award (comedy)
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading - Golden Globe (comedy)
Debra Messing, Nothing Like the Holidays - Satellite Award (comedy)
Tarra Riggs, Ballast - Spirit Award
Tilda Swinton, Julia - London Film Critics Award
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey - Golden Globe (comedy)
Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy - Spirit Award

Best Supporting Actor:
(4) Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award, Vancouver Critics
(4) Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award, Vancouver Critics
(3) Josh Brolin, Milk - Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award, Vancouver Critics
(3) Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award
(2) James Franco, Milk - Broadcast Film Critics, Spirit Award
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder - Golden Globe
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess - Golden Globe
Anthony Mackie, The Hurt Locker - Spirit Award
Charlie McDermott, Frozen River - Spirit Award
Jim Myron Ross, Ballast - Spirit Award
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire - SAG Award
Haaz Sleiman, The Visitor - Spirit Award

Best Supporting Actress:
(4) Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Spirit Award, SAG Award
(4) Viola Davis, Doubt - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award, Vancouver Critics
(3) Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, Vancouver Critics
(3) Kate Winslet, The Reader - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award
(2) Amy Adams, Doubt - Golden Globe, SAG Award
(2) Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married - Spirit Award, Vancouver Critics
(2) Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Broadcast Film Critics, SAG Award
Vera Farmiga, Nothing But the Truth - Broadcast Film Critics
Rosie Perez, The Take - Spirit Award
Misty Upham, Frozen River - Spirit Award
Debra Winger, Rachel Getting Married - Spirit Award

Best Original Screenplay:
(2) Dustin Lance Black, Milk - Broadcast Film Critics, Writer’s Guild (WGA)
(2) Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Spirit Award, WGA
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Burn After Reading - WGA
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges - London Film Critics Award
Christopher Zalla, Sangre De Mi Sangre - Spirit Award
Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Sugar - Spirit Award
Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York - Spirit Award
Tom McCarthy, The Visitor - WGA
Robert Siegel, The Wrestler - WGA

Best Adapted Screenplay:
(4) Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, London Film Critics Award, WGA
(4) Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, London Film Critics Award, WGA
(4) Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, London Film Critics Award, WGA
(3) John Patrick Shanley, Doubt - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, WGA
(2) David Hare, The Reader - Golden Globe, London Film Critics Award
Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight - WGA
Howard A. Rodman, Savage Grace - Spirit Award

Best Animated Feature:
(3) Bolt - Producer’s Guild, Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(3) Kung Fu Panda - Producer’s Guild, Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(3)Wall-E - Producer’s Guild, Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - Broadcast Film Critics
Waltz With Bashir - Broadcast Film Critics

Best Foreign Language Film:
(3) Let the Right One In - Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review, Vancouver Critics
(3) Waltz With Bashir - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review
(2) Gomorrah - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(2) I’ve Loved You So Long - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
Baader Meinhof Complex - Golden Globe
A Christmas Tale - Broadcast Film Critics
The Edge of Heaven - Vancouver Critics
Everlasting Moments - Golden Globe
Roman de Gare - National Board of Review
A Secret - National Board of Review
Tell No One - Vancouver Critics

Best Documentary:
(2) Man On Wire - Producer’s Guild, Broadcast Film Critics
(2) Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired - Broadcast Film Critics, National Board of Review
(2) Standard Operating Procedure - Producer’s Guild, Broadcast Film Critics
American Teen - National Board of Review
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) - National Board of Review
Dear Zachary - National Board of Review
Encounters at the End of the World - National Board of Review
I.O.U.S.A. - Broadcast Film Critics
Trouble the Water - Producer’s Guild
Young At Heart - Broadcast Film Critics

Best Cinematography:

Lol Crawley, Ballast - Spirit Award
Michael Simmonds, Chop Shop - Spirit Award
Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight - ASC
James Laxton, Medicine for Melancholy - Spirit Award
Harris Savides, Milk - Spirit Award
Roger Deakins and Chris Menges, The Reader - ASC
Roger Deakins, Revolutionary Road - ASC
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire - ASC
Maryse Alberti, The Wrestler - Spirit Award

Best Score:
(2) Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(2) Clint Eastwood, Changeling - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(2) A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
James Newton Howard, Defiance - Golden Globe
Hans Zimmer, Frost/Nixon - Golden Globe
Danny Elfman, Milk - Broadcast Film Critics
Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard, The Dark Knight - Broadcast Film Critics

Best Song:
(2) “Down to Earth” (Peter Gabriel), Wall-E - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(2) “I Thought I Lost You” (Miley Cyrus and John Travolta), Bolt - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
(2) “The Wrestler” (Bruce Springsteen), The Wrestler - Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics
“Once in a Lifetime” (Beyonce), Cadillac Records - Golden Globe
“Gran Torino” (Clint Eastwood), Gran Torino - Golden Globe
“Another Way to Die” (Jack White and Alicia Keys), Quantum of Solace - Broadcast Film Critics
“Jaiho” (A.R. Rahman), Slumdog Millionaire - Broadcast Film Critics

Best Sound Mixing:
The Dark Knight - Cinema Audio Society (CAS)
Iron Man - CAS
Quantum of Solace - CAS
Slumdog Millionaire - CAS
Wall-E - CAS

This autobot, Optimus Prime’s longtime friend, was killed by Megatron in the animated “The Transformers: The Movie” (1986) feature film.

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Since 1981, every day before the Oscar ceremony is held, the Golden Raspberry Awards are handed out. Not surprisingly, the winners themselves are usually not present to pick up their shameful plastic trophies. Notable exceptions: “Showgirls” director Paul Verhoeven, “Freddy Got Fingered” writer/star/director Tom Green (who accepted five awards for the movie, which I think is a brilliant, misunderstood piece of modern art), and Halle Berry, who won Worst Actress for “Catwoman.”

Julian Sancton’s Vanity Fair Little Gold Man blog says “Leave Sly alone,” but I think his defense of 29-time nominee Sylvester Stallone (a Raspberry record) is misplaced. My cry? “Leave ‘Speed Racer’ alone!” Oh well, you’ve all heard that ad nauseum from me, so I’ll stop now.

I think the Raspberry Awards are at their funniest when they reward stuff that was supposed to be good and really revolted people, like M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” Some of these possible nominees are too easy a target: “High School Musical 3,” “Postal,” “The Hottie & the Nottie.” Hell, I’ve never even heard of that last one. Although I will admit that those soul-killing, witless spoof movies from Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (”Meet the Spatans,” “Disaster Movie”) need to stop immediately. Satire without context or content is not satire at all, just a lot of really unfunny and outdated jokes.

I’ll make this prediction for the winner before the final nominees are even announced: Mike Myers’ “The Love Guru.” Bank on it. Anyway, here’s the shortlist of possible nominees:

Worst Picture: Speed Racer, Disaster Movie and Meet the Spartans, The Day the Earth Stood Still, High School Musical 3, The Hottie & The Nottie, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale, The Love Guru, Postal, Rambo, The Happening, Meet Dave, Witless Protection

Worst Actor: Zac Efron, Dane Cook, Larry the Cable Guy, Eddie Murphy, Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise (Valkyrie), Will Ferrell, Ashton Kutcher, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Mark Wahlberg

Worst Actress: Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, The cast of The Women, Camilla Belle, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Diane Keaton, Jennifer Connelly, Zooey Deschanel, Vanessa Hudgens, Eva Longoria-Parker, Reese Witherspoon

Worst Screen Couple: Any couple from HSM 3, Cameron Diaz & Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton & Joel David Moore, Kate Hudson & Dane Cook, Kate Hudson & Matthew McConaughey, Larry the Cable Guy & Jenny McCarthy, Any couple from Mamma Mia, Eddie Murphy & Eddie Murphy (Meet Dave), Al Pacino & His Hair, Mark Wahlberg & Zooey Deschanel, Mark Wahlberg & Mila Kunis, Sylvester Stallone & His Ego

Worst Director: Uwe Boll, Scott Derrickson, Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer, Tom Putnam, Marco Schnabel, Sylvester Stallone, Jon Avnet, Diane English, Roland Emmerich, Brian Robbins, Kenny Ortega, M. Night Shyamalan

Worst Prequel, Sequel, Remake or Rip-Off: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Rambo, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Disaster Movie, Meet the Spartans, An American Carol, The Women, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Prom Night, Speed Racer, The X-Files: I Want To Believe

Worst Career Achievement: Uwe Boll, Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer, Madonna, Keanu Reeves, Sylvester Stallone

What is the name of the perfume that is advertised throughout the graphic novel “Watchmen” (not the one shown only at the end)? HINT: It’s not Millenium.

Tags: 2008, 2008 golden raspberrys, 2009, 2009 golden raspberrys, golden raspberry awards, love guru, nominees, shortlist

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the seven films that have been shortlisted and still have a shot for the Oscar for best visual effects.

“Australia”
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army”
“Iron Man”
“Journey to the Center of the Earth”
“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”

And of course, the one movie that every effects house in town worked on was left off the list, probably because it was too silly and its colors were too bright and it’s edits were too fast. I didn’t expect “Speed Racer” to get any other nods, but considering that the VFX artists basically became virtual cinematographers, this is soooooooo damned lame. To read more about why this is so wrong, read my SIGGRAPH 2008 blog from L.A., written after a panel featuring talented artists from BUF, Digital Domain, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Industrial Light & Magic.

Also, “Mummy” and “Australia” over “Cloverfield”? Sad and wrong.

Tags: 2008, 2009, academy awards, oscar, snub, Speed Racer, visual effects

On January 4th, 2009, the Kansas City Film Critic’s Circle chose the winners of the 42nd Annual Loutzenhiser Awards, and “The Wrestler” nabbed the most wins with three, for director Darren Aronofsky, actor Mickey Rourke, and screenwriter Robert Siegel. The KCFCC is the first major critic’s organization to award Aronofsky. “Slumdog Millionaire” won the top prize with Best Film, while its screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy, won in the adapted screenplay category. Formed in 1966, the KCFCC is the second oldest professional film critic’s group in the country, after only the New York Film Critic’s Circle. The full list of winners is below:

Best Film: “Slumdog Millionaire”

Robert Altman Award for Best Director: Darren Aronofsky, “The Wrestler”

Best Actor: Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Doubt”

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Best Original Screenplay: Robert Siegel, “The Wrestler”

Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, “Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Foreign Language Film: “Let the Right One In” (Sweden)

Best Documentary: “Man on Wire”

Best Animated Film: “WALL*E”

Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror Film: “The Dark Knight”

For a tally of every major critic’s awards and awards show nominees and winners leading up to the Oscars, click here.

Tags: 2008, 2008 awards, 2009, 2009 awards, film critics, kansas city, millionaire, Slumdog, wrestler

After the busiest December in movie-watching history, I finally managed to squeak out a list of the best movies of 2008. After going back through my favorite films of the year, I noticed that the last-minute Oscar contender cramming didn’t really change things all that much. Sure, “The Wrestler” and “Let the Right One In” were Oscar season additions, but the other ten or so movies that you’ll be hearing about between now and February 22 didn’t make the list. For another take see Alan Rapp and Ian McFarland’s lists at sister site Transbuddha.

10. Speed Racer

To dismiss one of the most inventive movies of the year as a candy-colored assault on the senses is missing the point completely. This groundbreaking offering from the Wachowski brothers was unfairly bashed like no other movie this year. Like most films that are ahead of their time, though, I’m sure that “Speed Racer” will have its day. Rather than depicting reality, 14 different effects houses worked together to create a new form of “layered unreality” where nothing that is seen on the screen can actually exist in real life. The goal? A live-action interpretation of Japanese anime. The effects teams literally pieced together layer upon layer, essentially becoming the production design heads and “virtual” cinematographers. The pacing is frenetic, and the movie is probably too long for its own good, but as a bold experiment in storytelling, nothing else is as invigorating this year.

9. The Visitor

Writer/director Tom McCarthy’s character study of a widowed university professor who finds some squatters in his New York City apartment avoids all the trappings of a political treatise, despite a plot device that indicts post-9/11 immigration policies. Richard Jenkins’ understated and nuanced performance gives us a clear sense of the decency of a man who would prefer to blend into the background. The relationships he forms in the movie are unlikely, but only on the surface. Watching the man come out of his shell and embrace friendship with a Syrian djembe player and his Senegalese girlfriend was one of the biggest surprises of the year. It’s like “Gran Torino,” except without all the racism, bad acting, and inappropriate martyrdom!

8. Wall-E

Having a cinematographer like Roger Deakins work as an advisor on Pixar’s latest was one of many smart choices that led director Andrew Stanton to realize the most filmic-looking animated movie ever produced. The first half of “Wall-E” is an expertly rendered whimsical “silent” film told through the binocular eyes of the last robot on Earth. If the first part of that sentence sounded different from the futuristic dystopia of the last half, that’s because it is. Big sci-fi ideas about the possible fate of the world are in store for the movie’s second half, but “Wall-E” also never loses sight of what’s at its robotic little heart—a love story for the ages.

7. The Fall

Young Romanian actress Catinca Untaru was remarkable in Tarsem’s underappreciated melancholic fantasy “The Fall.” She overshadowed even the movie’s startling imagery with reactions so unaffected (she stumbles over her words searching for the right way to communicate), it’s as if she’s not even working off of a script. The movie was filmed over four years in 23 different countries, and features almost no CGI. Instead, remarkable
Tarsem avoids computer generated graphics as much as possible to create a look that is almost exclusively in-camera. I think on some subliminal level, this approach pays off because, as far out as the imagery he presents is, it always feels like it is actually there. It actually exists, in some form or another. The more CGI that becomes common in movies, the more likely we are to feel when it’s not being used, on some level. As fantastic as the story sequences in “The Fall” are, we are grounded by the fact that characters we believe in have created them, and they have happened right there in front of our eyes.

6. Slumdog Millionaire

A kinetic, multi-genre sociopolitical fairy tale, “Slumdog Millionaire” is British director Danny Boyle’s love letter to maximum city Mumbai, India. Simon Beaufoy’s script is one of the most narratively tight of the year, jumping back and forth in time to tell the story of a young chai walla’s search for his lost love. It’s the device of the plot that he finds her by appearing as a contestant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” but Jamal (the enigmatic Dev Patel) is less interested in winning money than he is finding his true love. Boyle directs the film like a chase picture, never staying too long on any of the film’s memorable shots of the teeming Mumbai, and that’s one of the reasons the movie is so successful.

5. Man on Wire

The best documentary of the year is a lot like “Slumdog Millionaire”—it works on so many levels. As a suspense thriller, it tells the story of a gutsy and improbable break-in carried out by a French tightrope walker and his buddies. As a portrait of a man, it reveals Philippe Petit as an obsessive whose life is consumed by his feats of daring long after the deeds are done. As a snapshot in time, it paints a picture of a world whose imagination was captured by the gigantic World Trade Center and the mischievous act of one man dancing on a thin line between the two towers. “Man on Wire” is easily one of the most riveting films in recent memory—documentary or not.

4. Let the Right One In

The cold, formalistic composition of Swedish import “Let the Right One In” is simply stunning. Stark images of snow-covered landscapes and rundown apartment buildings stay onscreen long enough to burn into the brain. Director Tomas Alfredson’s vampire flick is a high water mark for the genre, and should draw comparisons to George Romero’s ultra-realistic take on the legend in “Martin.” The loneliness and despair of a Stockholm suburb in 1982 sets the tone for a movie where the vampire is not portrayed as a sexy outsider (see “Twilight”), but rather a pathetic freak of nature that’s ashamed of its own being.

3. The Dark Knight

My third viewing of “The Dark Knight” in the theater convinced me of one thing—Christopher Nolan’s script and direction in this culturally relevant crime drama are nothing short of miraculous. Heath Ledger’s re-invention of the Joker is as exciting as anything that was onscreen this year, and fine turns by Gary Oldman and Aaron Eckhart bolster the idea that this is not merely a Batman movie. It’s an ensemble piece. Weaving multiple storylines and themes together in a film that explored the fine line between security and fascism in such gloriously entertaining fashion is not easy, and Nolan has proven himself again to be a mature, world-class filmmaker.

2. Synecdoche, New York

Charlie Kaufman’s latest confounded and frustrated many, but I found it to be an exhilarating expressionistic picture. There is no way to dissect “Synecdoche, New York” in order to find out “what really happened;” no surefire method to construct a realist narrative. Instead, it’s a very intimate and internalized snapshot of a frustrated theater director (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and how he saw his life as a constantly evolving story. His own profession and way of analyzing things result in a picture where characters and actors interchange, blurring the line between what is dreamt up by the playwright and what’s actually taking place—so much so that it doesn’t matter anymore. Kaufman offers an unflinchingly honest and deep examination of the soul of a person by taking us headfirst into the scariest and ugliest recesses of his mind.

1. The Wrestler

This movie accomplishes a task simlar to “Synecdoche,” but through completely different stylistic means. No movie this year made you feel the pain and longing of its main character like Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler.” The low-budget POV camerawork puts you in Mickey Rourke’s shoes as this former superstar struggles with his identity and the thought of redemption in the face of a life-changing event. Every moment is perfectly realized and drips with authenticity, even when the story flirts with standard subplots. Rourke is the only actor this year who looks as if he lived in his character’s body for years. Despite all this, Randy “The Ram” Robinson is a charmer; someone who is a decent person deep down. You want to root for him. He comes with all Rourke’s hard-scrabble emotional baggage, and it feels so real, it doesn’t even look like acting.

Tags: 2008, 2008 in film, Best Movies of 2008, Top 10 Movies of 2008, top ten movies of 2008, year in film, year in movies

The 2008 Screen Actor’s Guild Award nominations were announced this morning. There were some really nice surprises her for people who’s Oscar chances were waning. Melissa Leo (”Frozen River”) and Richard Jenkins (”The Visitor”) got nods for low-budget indie films that have scored pretty well in various critic’s polls (all aggregated here), but the biggest surprise on this list is the inclusion of Dev Patel from “Slumdog Millionaire.” Yes, the movie is a Best Picture nom cinch, but three actors play each of three main roles in the movie, so Patel’s performance (which has been all but ignored elsewhere) getting a nomination here is a big deal. Leo Dicaprio got shut out for “Revolutionary Road,” as did Clint Eastwood for “Gran Torino,” Sally Hawkins for “Happy-Go-Lucky,” Cate Blanchett for “Button,” and Marisa Tomei for “The Wrestler.” And five nominations for “Doubt”? That’s overdoing it, don’t you think?

BEST ENSEMBLE
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Doubt”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”
Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn, “Milk”
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”
Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”
Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, “Milk”
Robert Downey Jr., “Tropic Thunder”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
Dev Patel, “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis, “Doubt”
Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

Tags: 2008, actors, announced, Award, guild, nominations, SAG, screen

The American Film Institute has named its top 10 American films of 2008, and there are some pretty big surprises. “The Dark Knight” and “Wall-E” are the two awards-bound mainsteam hits of this year, so its no surprise to see them, but the inclusion of “Iron Man” is a bit of a shocker. Then again, this is the same list that included “Knocked Up,” which every other awards group pretty much ignored, just because it was a comedy.

“Slumdog Millionaire” doesn’t make the list because its a foreign production, but “Doubt,” “Revolutionary Road,” “Vicky Christina Barcelona,” and “The Reader,” who all just scored big in the Golden Globe nominations last week, are conspicuously absent.

I would like to have seen “The Visitor” on this list, but I’m not going to complain at all because Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” made the cut. So many people this year have singled out Mickey Rourke’s transormational performance in this movie, but no one seems to also be willing to admit what a work of art the picture itself is. Rourke anchors the entire film, appearing in virtually every scene, but Aronofsky’s neo-realistic approach puts you right n the middle of his character’s dilemma.

Anyway, it’s great to see “The Wrestler” getting some acknowledgement. Now let’s get some people talking about Aronofsky for best director.

“Milk” roars back from its virtual Globes shutout (Sean Penn was the only nomination that scored), and indie darlings “Frozen River” and “Wendy and Lucy” came straight out of left field! (And you all thought I was crazy when I mentioned that Melissa Leo not getting a Globe nom was a snub. Told ‘ya!) It will be interesting to see if this does anything for Michelle Williams’ (from “Wendy and Lucy”) chances at Oscar? How weird would that be if she and ex Heath Ledger were both nominated?

(Also, don’t forget my continuously updated Awards Tally 2008, where I’m adding up all the awards and nominations of every movie leading up to the 81st Academy Awards. The AFI list is already in there!)

Here’s the AFI list, in alphabetical order:

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Frozen River”
“Gran Torino”
“Iron Man”
“Milk”
“Wall-E”
“Wendy and Lucy”
“The Wrestler”

Tags: 10, 2008, afi, AFI lists Top 10 American Films of 2008, american, ten, top

Huh?

OK, I know Jon Stewart’s two years as host didn’t exactly bring in the ratings and the Chris Rock year made everybody uncomfortable when he started poking at fun at Jude Law, but Hugh Jackman? ABC announced today that Jackman will host the Oscars on Feb. 22, 2009.

Earlier in the year, I was hoping for Ricky Gervais (from the UK “The Office” and “Extras”), but when his underappreciated grumpy-man romantic comedy “Ghost Town” tanked this fall, I knew that idea was dead in the water. I still think that he would be the absolute best host, even though I know he won’t bring in any kind of viewership.

Hugh Jackman is a genial chap. He’s got a musical theater background (so maybe he can do an opening number like best-host-ever Billy Crystal’s classic Best Picture medleys), he’s hosted the Tonys three times and received glowing reviews. He makes a great Wolverine, and…and perhaps the most important thing of all to ABC producers…he was recently named The Sexiest Man Alive. His reps are already saying that he won’t be doing an opening standup rouutine, though, so I assume he’s going to sing. (Maybe a duet with Snow White?)

What this means is that the running time for the show could be way less, but what will that make way for? Let’s just hope its not accepting awards at the back of the room like they did a couple years back. Oh well. Look at the bright side. Anything’s better than “Australia.”

Tags: 2008, 2009, academy, awards, host, Hugh Jackman named as host of 81st Academy Awards, Hugh Jackman named as host of Oscars, oscar, Oscars

The 66th Annual Golden Globes Awards nominees were just announced this morning.

Thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, it looks like Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road” is back in business, as is “Benjamin Button.” As much love as they gave to “Button,” though, they left out perennial Golden Globe favorite Cate Blanchett. “Milk,” which swept the NY Film Critics poll, only gets one nod, for Sean Penn? “The Dark Knight” gets only one nomination, and it’s for Heath Ledger? Tom Cruise gets one for his over-the-top studio boss in “Tropic Thunder”! Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep have two each, and James Franco gets one for “Pineapple Express” but not “Milk”? Brad Pitt’s nomination for Best Actor for “Button” has to be a surprise. He’s gotten no attention in that category before now, and that spot will surely go to someone else at the Oscars. (Perhaps Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor”?) I think they should have nominated Pitt instead for his comedic role in “Burn After Reading.” Ralph Fiennes snuck in the Best Supporting category for “The Duchess.” And it looks like the Lifetime Achievement Award will go to someone named Steven Spielberg. Here is a running tally of all the awards and nominations so far leading up to the Oscars in February.

Here’s the Golden Globes list:

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Frost/Nixon”
“The Reader”
“Revolutionary Road”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
“Burn After Reading”
“Happy-Go-Lucky”
“In Bruges”
“Mamma Mia!”
“Vicky Christina Barcelona”

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”
David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
Sam Mendes, “Revolutionary Road”

BEST DRAMATIC ACTOR
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”
Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn, “Milk”
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

BEST DRAMATIC ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”
Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
Kristin Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Colin Farrell, “In Bruges”
James Franco, “Pineapple Express”
Brendan Gleeson, “In Bruges”
Dustin Hoffman, “Last Chance Harvey”

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Rebecca Hall, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Sally Hawkins, “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Frances McDormand, “Burn After Reading”
Meryl Streep, “Mamma Mia!”
Emma Thompson, “Last Chance Harvey”

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Cruise, “Tropic Thunder”
Robert Downey, Jr., “Tropic Thunder”
Ralph Fiennes, “The Duchess”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis, “Doubt”
Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”
Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

ANIMATED FILM
“Bolt”
“Kung Fu Panda”
“Wall-E”

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE
“Baader Meinhof Complex”
“Everlasting Moments”
“Gomorrah”
“I’ve Loved You So Long”
“Waltz With Bashir”

SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, “Slumdog Millionaire”
David Hare, “The Reader”
Peter Morgan, “Frost/Nixon”
Eric Roth, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
John Patrick Shanley, “Doubt”

ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Clint Eastwood, “Changeling”
James Newton Howard, “Defiance”
Hans Zimmer, “Frost/Nixon”
A.R. Rahman, “Slumdog Millionaire”

SONG
“Down to Earth” (performed by Peter Gabriel, written by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman), “Wall-E”
“Gran Torino” (performed by Clint Eastwood), “Gran Torino”
“I Thought I Lost You” (performed Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, written by Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele), “Bolt”
“Once in a Lifetime,” (performed by Beyonce), “Cadillac Records”
“The Wrestler” (performed by Bruce Springsteen, written by Bruce Springsteen), “The Wrestler”

CECIL B. DEMILLE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Steven Spielberg

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

DRAMATIC TV SERIES
“Dexter”
“House M.D.”
“In Treatment”
“Mad Men”
“True Blood”

BEST ACTOR, TV DRAMA
Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House M.D.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, “The Tudors”

BEST ACTRESS, TV DRAMA
Sally Field, “Brothers & Sisters”
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: SVU”
January Jones, “Mad Men”
Anna Paquin, “True Blood”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
“Californication”
“Entourage”
“The Office”
“30 Rock”
“Weeds”

BEST ACTOR, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Kevin Connolly, “Entourage”
David Duchovny, “Californication”
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”

BEST ACTRESS, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who?”
America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Debra Messing, “The Starter Wife”
Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“Cranford”
“Bernard & Doris”
“John Adams”
“A Raisin in the Sun”
“Recount”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Judi Dench, “Cranford”
Laura Linney, “John Adams”
Catherine Keener, “An American Crime”
Shirley MacLaine, “Coco Chanel”
Susan Sarandon, “Bernard & Doris”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Ralph Fiennes, “Bernard and Doris”
Paul Giammatti, “John Adams”
Kevin Spacey, “Recount”
Keifer Sutherland, “24: Redemption”
Tom Wilkinson, “Recount”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Eileen Atkins, “Cranford” Laura Dern, “Recount”
Melissa George, “In Treatment”
Rachel Griffiths, “Brothers & Sisters”
Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother”
Denis Leary, “Recount”
Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”
Blair Underwood, “In Treatment”
Tom Wilkinson, “John Adams”

Tags: 2008, 2009, 66th, announced, annual, Globe, Golden, nominees, poll, snub

The National Board of Review today named “Slumdog Millionaire” the 2008 Best Film of the Year, which is pretty crazy because they are usually pretty mainstream. Notice that while “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” didn’t win the big prize, it did win director. Clint Eastwood for Best Actor is a huge upset over Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. Josh Brolin over Heath Ledger is crazy, and “Revolutionary Road” was shut out completely! I love the choice of Best Documentary, but outside of that, something tells me “Slumdog” and Anne Hathaway are the only other ones on this list that are possibly Oscar-bound.

National Board of Review full list:

Best Film: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Best Director: DAVID FINCHER, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Actor: CLINT EASTWOOD, Gran Torino
Best Actress: ANNE HATHAWAY, Rachel Getting Married
Best Supporting Actor: JOSH BROLIN, Milk
Best Supporting Actress: PENELOPE CRUZ, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Foreign Language Film: MONGOL
Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE
Best Animated Feature: WALL-E
Best Ensemble Cast: DOUBT
Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: DEV PATEL, Slumdog Millionaire
Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: VIOLA DAVIS, Doubt
Best Directorial Debut: COURTNEY HUNT, Frozen River
Best Original Screenplay: NICK SCHENK, Gran Torino
Best Adapted Screenplay: SIMON BEAUFOY, Slumdog Millionaire and ERIC ROTH, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Spotlight Award: MELISSA LEO, Frozen River and RICHARD JENKINS, The Visitor

Top Ten Films:
(In alphabetical order)

BURN AFTER READING

CHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

DEFIANCE

FROST/NIXON

GRAN TORINO

MILK

WALL-E

THE WRESTLER

Tags: 2008, 2008 Best Film of the Year, 2009, best, best picture, film, movie, named, National Board of Review, Slumdog Millionaire, the, today