A host of Oscar nominees came together for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, which saw Gravity win a record seven prizes.
The awards are a likely indicator of Oscar success and have predicted many of the winners in recent years. Gravity was named best sci-fi film, while Alfonso Cuaron won best director and Sandra Bullock took best actress in an action movie. However, 12 Years a Slave collected the coveted best picture prize. Determined by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the best picture winner has gone on to win the best picture Oscar in six of the past seven years. The ceremony saw Matthew McConaughey and Cate Blanchett win the top acting awards for their performances in Dallas Buyers Club and Blue Jasmine. The pair also both won Golden Globes for their roles at the weekend. McConaughey thanked the late Ron Woodroof, whom he portrayed on
screen, saying he had “a life that was damned well worth putting to the big screen”. 12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong’o was named best supporting
actress, while McConaughey’s co-star Jared Leto picked up best supporting actor. Leto, who plays a transsexual woman in the Aids drama, dedicated his award to “all the people around the world who are living with HIV [and] all the people who have lost their lives to this horrific disease”. American Hustle – which received 10 Oscar nods – collected four awards in total, including best comedy film, acting ensemble, hair and make-up and best actress in a comedy for Amy Adams. Leonardo DiCaprio followed up his Golden Globe win another best actor in a comedy prize for The Wolf of Wall Street. Mark Wahlberg picked up best actor in an action film for war film Lone Survivor, which also collected best action film. French film Blue is the Warmest Colour, which was snubbed by the Oscars, won the best foreign language film award, with its star Adele Exarchopoulos named best young actress. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Oscar talk dominated the red carpet from the nominees. American Hustle director David O Russell said he was “very grateful to
be part of it all”, while 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen said he was “happy to be amongst” the best picture shortlist. British 12 Years a Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor – who is Oscar nominated for best actor – said the day had been “completely thrilling”. “It was excellent and I was so excited, obviously for myself, but I was excited for everybody in the film and in the project.” Bruce Dern, who is nominated for his role in Nebraska, added: “It’s nice to have your fellow teammates stand up and say, ‘Hey, you had a good year, congratulations’.” – BBC Entertainment
