Thoughts on the BFCA

Some quick thoughts on the Broadcast Film Critics Awards (BFCA) which were held on Friday before I begin listing off my selections for best music of the year (my picks for films of the decade to follow soon). Along with the guild awards (directors, writers, producers and actors), the BFCA has shown an incredible amount of clairvoyance in the way of predicting Oscars - at least they have in the last few years. And considering quite a few disqualifications of some films with some of the guilds (which won't affect their Oscar chances), the BFCA might be an even better precursor for the big night than ever before.

To recap:
Best Picture - The Hurt Locker
Best Director - Kathryn Bigelow
Best Original Screenplay - Inglourious Basterds
Best Adapted Screenplay - Up in the Air
Best Acting Ensemble - Inglourious Basterds
Best Actor - Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Best Actress - (tie) Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia; Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress - Mo'nique, Precious
Best Documentary - The Cove
Best Foreign Language Film - Broken Embraces
Best Animated Film - Up

The honorees line up pretty much perfectly with the last couple months of awards discussion and year-end appraisal, save for the surprising tie between Streep and Bullock (which won't repeat come Oscars, I guarantee it), and I think it'd be plenty satisfying if these folks go on to win the golden naked man. Although the radio ads for 'Up in the Air' declare it the best-reviewed film of 2009, that accomplishment should actually go to 'The Hurt Locker' which has maintained its critical favor through the entirety of the year, and deservedly. One hell of a movie that explores the hellish landscape of war. I think the only locks for Oscar remain to be Waltz and Mo'nique (unless she blows it), with 'Up' still vulnerable to the magic of 'Coraline' and 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' - all of which would be excellent for the win. If I had to swap anyone out at all for Oscar, it'd be Jeff Bridges, who I'd replace with Colin Firth from 'A Single Man' wherein he delivered an absolutely effortless performance of range and dexterity. Bridges is the favorite though.

As for the losers and the snubbed, I'm glad 'Avatar' didn't pull an upset in the Picture or Screenplay categories since it doesn't really deserve either in my opinion. I say, give it a bunch of technical awards and call it a day for James Cameron's epic. Beautiful film, and an icon for innovation in filmmaking, but the script's really clunky (broad enough to make a franchise out of, though) and several other films are just stronger. It's a pity that Zoe Saldana isn't getting any recognition at all for her performance, she anchors the film with such soul and wit, and unquestionable elegance. Odd that Rob Marshall's 'Nine,' which had the most nominations of any film this year - with ten - walked away with nothing at all. And poor Jeremy Renner, who still gets nothing to his name for having given such a confident and deep performance in 'Hurt Locker' and whose name should very easily belong to a list of actors from 2009. I see him getting edged out by Morgan Freeman or Colin Firth anyhow, which is just as well. Even though the Picture category has been expanded this year, I don't think it'd work to the Academy's favor if they did the same to the Acting categories; would simply dilute the impact of the nomination.

I missed the ceremony because of work, but I heard Kristen Chenoweth was funny and adequate as host. Kudos to her for her success. I look forward to Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, huzzah!

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