Tom Hooper wins top honors from the Directors Guild of America

 

The Directors Guild of America on Saturday evening named Tom Hooper best director of 2010 for "The King's Speech," the film based on the real-life story of King George VI's battle to overcome a debilitating stammer. It is the first guild win in the feature category for the 38-year-old filmmaker.

"Oh my God," said a surprised Hooper. "I am so grateful to my wonderful cast. I am overwhelmed. This is the highest honor of my life."

Hooper was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Movie Award. He's also in contention for a BAFTA and an Academy Award.

"The King's Speech" was the surprise winner last week at the Producers Guild of America Awards -- the Facebook drama "The Social Network" had been favored to win the prize -- and leads the list of most-nominated films heading into the Academy Awards with 12.

The DGA Awards are one of the most dependable bellwethers of the Academy Awards. In fact, in the last 62 years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the DGA have disagreed in their choices only six times.

The 63rd annual DGA ceremony was held at the Renaissance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland with Carl Reiner hosting.

The guild awarded its prize for directing a TV drama series to Martin Scorsese for HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," though Scorsese, who was said to be ill, did not attend the ceremony. Charles Ferguson won in the documentary category for his feature "Inside Job." Mick Jackson won for directorial achievement in movies for television and miniseries for HBO's "Temple Grandin," while Michael Spiller won for the ABC hit "Modern Family" in the TV comedy series category.

Glenn Weiss won in the musical/variety race for his direction of the 64th annual Tony Awards (CBS), and Larry Carpenter won for his work on "One Life to Live" in the daytime serials category.

The DGA also kicked off its 75th anniversary at the ceremony with DGA winners including Kathryn Bigelow, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, John Rich and Steven Spielberg introducing special film-clip presentations on "game-changing" moments in the guild's history.

Among the other awards handed out, Eytan Keller won for outstanding achievement in reality programs for "The Next Iron Chef" (Food Network); Eric Bross won top honors in the children's programs category for "The Boy Who Cried Werewolf" (Nickelodeon); and Stacy Wall was recognized for his achievement in commercials directing.

-- Susan King

Photo: Tom Hooper at the James Hotel in Chicago. Credit: Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune

 

'The Social Network' awards sweep is not unprecedented

A few times in awards history, one film has dominated the derby, snatching virtually every laurel en route to the Oscar finish line, but only once did a movie pull off a perfect romp: "Schindler's List" (1993). On other occasions, "L.A. Confidential" (1997), "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), "No Country for Old Men" (2007), "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008) and "The Hurt Locker" (2009) won most prizes, but not all, and, in "Brokeback's" case, of course, it tripped up at the Oscars.

Below is a breakdown of the best-picture prizes bestowed by every major awards group in those years. Note: The Critics' Choice Award was launched in 1995.

This year "The Social Network" has pulled off a perfect sweep so far, bagging best picture from the National Board of Review, New York Film Critics' Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Assn., National Society of Film Critics, Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe.

1993

Los Angeles Film Critics Assn: "Schindler's List"
National Board of Review: "Schindler's List"
New York Film Critics Circle: "Schindler's List"
National Society of Film Critics: "Schindler's List"
Golden Globes: "Schindler’s List" (drama), Mrs. Doubtfire" (comedy/musical)
Producers Guild of America: "Schindler's List"
Academy Awards: "Schindler's List"

1997

National Board of Review: "L.A. Confidential"
New York Film Critics Circle: "L.A. Confidential"
Los Angeles Film Critics Assn: "L.A. Confidential"
National Society of Film Critics: "L.A. Confidential"
Critics Choice:  "L.A. Confidential"
Producers Guild of America: "Titanic"
Golden Globes: "Titanic" (drama), "As Good as It Gets" (comedy/musical)
Academy Awards: "Titanic"

Scorecard: Major awards bestowed so far

Siz leading awards groups have doled out trophies so far this derby season. Below is a rundown of who won what.

CC = Critics' Choice
GG = Golden Globe
LAFCA = Los Angeles Film Critics Assn.
NBR = National Board of Review
NSFC = National Society of Film Critics
NYFCC = New York Film Critics Circle

BEST PICTURE
"The Social Network" – CC, GG, LAFCA, NBR, NSFC, NYFCC

BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher, "The Social Network" -- CC, GG, LAFCA, NBR, NSFC, NYFCC

BEST ACTOR
Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network" – NBR, NSFC
Colin Firth, "The King's Speech" – CC, GG, LAFCA, NYFCC

What effect does the National Society of Film Critics have on the Oscars?

It probably seems logical to believe that "The Social Network" is a cinch to win best picture at the Oscars now that it just won the top prize bestowed by the National Society of Film Critics. After all, if America's leading film critics believe a movie is the best of the year, doesn't it make sense to think that Hollywood leaders – who make films every day and belong to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – must agree?

No, not really. In the 44 years of the society's history, it's agreed with the academy on best picture five times: "The Hurt Locker" (2009), "Million Dollar Baby" (2004), "Schindler's List" (1993), "Unforgiven" (1992) and "Annie Hall" (1977). Sometimes the society opts instead for Oscar nominees for best picture like "There Will Be Blood" (2007) and "Pulp Fiction" (1994). Also, the critics frequently pick offbeat flicks with no Oscar potential at all -- like "American Splendor" (2003) and Taiwan's "Yi Yi" (2000) – just to show how smart they are. Back in the early days of the society, they used to do that all the time, trading between films by Luis Bunuel ("Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoise," 1972), Francois Truffaut ("Day for Night," 1973) and Ingmar Bergman ("Scenes from a Marriage," 1974). Logically plotted films featuring characters speaking English were usually cursed competing for society trophies.

But NSFC choices have become much more Oscar-friendly in recent times, as evidenced by the "Hurt Locker's" victory last year. "Hurt Locker" also proved itself to be a critics' darling by winning the prize bestowed by the New York media wags. Some Oscarologists believe that academy members are paying special attention to journalists' awards nowadays whenever there is a consensus among them. Next, let's see what happens Friday at the Critics' Choice Awards, which went to "The Hurt Locker" last year too.

— Tom O'Neil

Photo: "The Social Network" (Columbia Pictures)

 

'The Social Network' dominates the National Society of Film Critics awards [Updated]

 
"The Social Network" express continues to pick up steam this movie-awards season, winning best picture Saturday from the National Society of Film Critics. The fast-paced drama about the creation of Facebook won a total of four awards. In addition to best picture, it also won best actor for Jesse Eisenberg, best director for David Fincher and screenplay for Aaron Sorkin.

The 45th annual National Society awards, which is known for its more esoteric choices, selected Giovanni Mezzogiorno as best actress for her role as Mussolini's mistress in the Italian film  "Vincere." Best supporting actress went to Olivia Williams in "The Ghost Writer," and Geoffrey Rush was named best supporting actor for "The King's Speech."

"The Social  Network" has won the lion's share of critics group honors this year, including from the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. and the New York Film Critics Circle. It also is nominated for several Golden Globe awards.

Best nonfiction-film honors went to "Inside Job," while "Carlos" earned the best foreign language honor.  Best cinematography went to Roger Deakins for "True Grit." A special category was added to the awards Saturday at Sardi's Restaurant in New York: the best film still awaiting American distribution. The winner was "Film Socialisme."

Notably missing from the list of winners were such awards contenders as "Black Swan," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right" and "Winter's Bone."

The National Society of Film Critics names 'The Social Network' best of 2010

"The Social Network" express continues to pick up steam during the movie-awards season, winning best picture Saturday from the National Society of Film Critics. The acclaimed drama about the creators of Facebook also won best actor for Jesse Eisenberg, best director for David Fincher and screenplay for Aaron Sorkin.

The 45th annual awards, which is known for its more esoteric choices, selected Giovanni Mezzogiorno as best actress for her role as Mussolini's mistress in the Italian film "Vincere."  Best supporting actress went to Olivia Williams in "The Ghost Writer," and Geoffrey Rush was named best supporting actor for "The King's Speech."

The voting is still going on at Sardi's Restaurant in New York City.

-- Susan King

 

'The Hurt Locker' wins National Society of Film Critics' best picture award [updated]

The gritty Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" continues its winning ways. After earning best film honors last month from the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. and the New York Film Critics Circle, the independent drama was named best picture of 2009 Sunday by the National Society of Film Critics. The critically acclaimed drama also earned a best director award for Kathryn Bigelow and best actor for Jeremy Renner. Bigelow also won best director from the L.A. and New York film groups. "Hurt Locker," which has earned $12.7 million at the domestic box office, is also a contender for tThe gritty Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" continues its winning ways. After earning best film honors last month from the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. and the New York Film Critics Circle, the independent drama was named best picture of 2009 Sunday by the National Society of Film Critics.

The critically acclaimed drama also earned a best director award for Kathryn Bigelow and best actor for Jeremy Renner. Bigelow also won best director from the L.A. and New York film groups.

"Hurt Locker," which has earned $12.7 million at the domestic box office, is also a contender for the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for best film and director. Renner and the ensemble are also up for the Screen Actors Guild awards.

Yolande Moreau was named best actress for "Séraphine," a French biographical drama about painter Séraphine de Senlis. Moreau previously received honors from the LAFCA as well as a Cesar for her performance.

Best supporting actor went to Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds," and supporting actress went to Mo'Nique for "Precious." Both performers have won numerous critical honors and are nominated for Golden Globe, SAG and Critics Choice awards.

The voting took place Sunday at the venerable Sardi's restaurant in New York -- 46 out of the 64 members voted using a weighted ballot system.

France's "Summer Hours" won best foreign language film. Agnès Varda's "The Beaches of Agnès" was named best non-fiction film.

Screenplay honors went to Joel and Ethan Coen for "A Serious Man." Christian Berger was singled out for his black-and-white cinematography for "The White Ribbon," and Nelson Lowry won best production design for the animated film "The Fantastic Mr. Fox."

Notably missing from the list of winners were such acclaimed films as "Up in the Air," "Avatar," "Invictus" and "Up."

The group, founded in 1966, is notoriously esoteric in its selections. Last year's best picture winner was the Israeli animated documentary "Waltz with Bashir." The last time the group and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences agreed on a best film was in 2004, for "Million Dollar Baby."

Several Heritage Awards were also given out Sunday: for the restoration of "Rashomon" by the Academy Film Archive, the National Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art and Kadokawa Pictures Inc.; Bruce Posner for the restoration of "Manhatta"; "Treasures from the Film Archives, Vol. 4: Avant Garde 1947-1986" (National Film Preservation Foundation); Warner Archive Collection; UCLA Film & Television Archive for its restoration of "The Red Shoes"; and Kino International "Avant-Garde Volume 3 (Experimental Cinema 1922-1954)"

There is no awards ceremony. Scrolls will be sent to the winners.

-- Susan King