-
Director Kathryn Bigelow - Source: Reuters -
Related
The Hurt Locker, a low-budget movie about an American bomb-disposal unit in Iraq, was named best picture on Saturday (NZT) at the Critics' Choice Awards, a ceremony that has an uncanny knack of foretelling Oscar success.
The movie's director, Kathryn Bigelow, also was honoured, beating a high profile field that included her ex-husband, James Cameron, for Avatar.
Jeff Bridges was named best actor for playing a drunken country singer in Crazy Heart, while the actress award was a tie between Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia and Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side.
Check out the full list of winners.
Inglourious Basterds did win three awards, including supporting actor (Christoph Waltz), original screenplay and best ensemble. Along with the all-star musical Nine, it led the field with 10 nominations.
Other awards went to Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for their adapted screenplay for Up In The Air, and to comedienne Mo'Nique for her supporting turn as an abusive mother in the harrowing urban drama Precious.
Avatar, which scored nine nominations, was named best action movie, and picked up five other awards in newly established technical categories to lead the overall field.
The Critics' Choice Awards, organised by the 235 members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, have established a reputation as the leading barometer of Oscar success. In the past 10 years, 80% of its best-picture winners went on to take Oscar gold. The success rate for director, best actor and actress is 70%.
The Golden Globes, by contrast, have a 60% rate for best picture in the same period, even after dividing its category into drama and comedy. Its hit rate with best director is 50%. Up In The Air is the leading contender at the Globes, which will take place in Beverly Hills on Monday (NZT).
Follow the Golden Globes with TVNZ
tvnz.co.nz's Anna Murray will be live blogging the Golden Globes, with help from resident film connoisseur, Darren Bevan, and TV guru, Kate Saunders.
Join us on Monday afternoon from 1.00pm - we'll have the best in Golden Globes fashion, speeches, and who won what, of course. We'll also have a message board running so you can share your thoughts.
Then at 6pm, ONE News will have a full wrap and reaction to the first big awards night of the year.
You can also follow all the happenings on our dedicated Golden Globes Twitter page .
