So, once again the Detroit Film Critics Society got together and rendered their year-end verdict. The society is 20 strong and includes anyone who writes or reports about film within a 150 mile radius of Detroit. To be honest, we should probably be called the Michigan Film Critics Society but, frankly, it doesn’t sound half as cool.
The nominating stage offered up a few surprises but nothing ground breaking. We made the fanboys happy with our nomination of Edgar Wright for Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and the film’s director even tweeted: “Detroit, you know I’ve always loved you” after getting word.
The final results put us in sync with other societies with regard to best flick, but there were a few surprises as well – namely the love we gave to Winter’s Bone. Out of the eight categories I only voted with the membership twice (actor and ensemble), and despite my Herculean efforts, I failed to get Banksy’s Exit Through The Gift Shop (my fave of 2010) on the list.
We’ve handed Colin Firth the acting award for two years running now. I think it’s about time he brought his limey ass to Motown and returned the love.
What were your favorites of the year?
BEST FILM
Winner: THE SOCIAL NETWORK
127 HOURS
INCEPTION
THE KING’S SPEECH
WINTER’S BONE
BEST DIRECTOR
Winner: DANNY BOYLE – 127 HOURS
DAVID FINCHER – THE SOCIAL NETWORK
DEBRA GRANIK – WINTER’S BONE
TOM HOOPER –THE KING’S SPEECH
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN – INCEPTION
EDGAR WRIGHT – SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
BEST ACTOR
Winner: COLIN FIRTH – THE KING’S SPEECH
JEFF BRIDGES – TRUE GRIT
JESSE EISENBERG – THE SOCIAL NETWORK
JAMES FRANCO – 127 HOURS
RYAN GOSLING – BLUE VALENTINE
BEST ACTRESS
Winner: JENNIFER LAWRENCE – WINTER’S BONE
NICOLE KIDMAN – RABBIT HOLE
CAREY MULLIGAN – NEVER LET ME GO
NATALIE PORTMAN – BLACK SWAN
MICHELLE WILLIAMS – BLUE VALENTINE
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Winner: CHRISTIAN BALE – THE FIGHTER
ANDREW GARFIELD – THE SOCIAL NETWORK
JOHN HAWKES – WINTER’S BONE
SAM ROCKWELL – CONVICTION
MARK RUFFALO – THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
GEOFFREY RUSH – THE KING’S SPEECH
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Winner: AMY ADAMS – THE FIGHTER
HELENA BONHAM CARTER – THE KING’S SPEECH
GRETA GERWIG – GREENBERG
MELISSA LEO – THE FIGHTER
JACKI WEAVER – ANIMAL KINGDOM
BEST ENSEMBLE
Winner: WINTER’S BONE
THE FIGHTER
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
THE KING’S SPEECH
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Winner: JENNIFER LAWRENCE – WINTER’S BONE
ANDREW GARFIELD – THE SOCIAL NETWORK/NEVER LET ME GO
GRETA GERWIG – GREENBERG
CHLOE MORETZ – KICK-ASS/LET ME IN
MIA WASIKOWSKA – THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
This article appears in Jan 5-11, 2011.