December 3rd marked the 79th annual New York Film Critics awards, to officially begin the Oscar race. In a surprise turn, the currently unreleased American Hustle took away the top prize, as well as Best Screenplay. David O. Russell’s fictional depiction of the FBI’s Abscam of the late 1970s, came into the new award season with a lot of questions as to its Globe/Oscar potential, despite having a cast full of previous winners and nominees. Now, after winning the first major critics award, its limited release ten days from now has more anticipation than ever.
Jennifer Lawrence, after having won numerous awards last year for her first dance with David O. Russell in Silver Linings Playbook, was also awarded Best Supporting Actress for American Hustle. With each award she wins, expect J. Law continue to climb Time’s 100 Most Influential People list as well, en route to taking over the world.
This year’s tightest race in this year’s award season is arguably Best Actor, of which, the NYFCC awarded Robert Redford for his one-man-show All is Lost (not in any way related to what everyone thought of his career). Redford, an Oscar winner for Best Director, has never before won a major acting award aside from a BAFTA early in his career (for playing the Sundance Kid among other roles).
Cate Blanchett earned what looks to be the first of several critics’ awards this year for Best Actress in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. Blanchett has always been a critical darling, having been nominated for 5 Oscars, winning Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator. She is potentially this year’s victim of the tiring marathon of acceptance speeches. Time to hire a writing assistant, Cate.
Dallas Buyer’s Club’s Jared Leto nabbed Best Supporting Actor to round out the acting categories. The film has definitely gained some excellent press leading into this year’s Oscar season, but probably would not do as well during a stronger year.
12 Years a Slave’s Steve Mcqueen scored an expected win for Best Director, for the intricately pieced-together, power-house slave biography. Of all the “for your consideration” films, this is the only guaranteed regular at every ceremony and every shortlist, and with good reason. A definite must-see this year.
The race to the Oscars continues tomorrow with the National Board of Review announcing their annual awards, including “the top ten films of the year,” just in case you needed a better idea of what movies to spend your hard earned money at. Happy viewing!
No comments:
Post a Comment