As the announcement that “The Artist” won the New York Critics Circle award as best film, I was also involved in digesting and getting a look at all the nominees for the Independent Spirit Awards. As a media person who ventures west each year for award season activities, I truly like the Spirit Awards, which are handed out the night before the Oscars.
So, first a couple others from the New York awards were Meryl Streep as actress for “The Iron Lady” and Brad Pitt for “Moneyball” and “The Tree of Life.” Award season has started and it is showing my list was worthy so far. Now, a sigh of relief as we venture forward. The Independent Spirit Awards are just that – – independent, but some of them seem like they should be considered major studio, right?
That’s a discussion for some other time, because there are rules, of course.
Best Feature
“50/50″
“Beginners”
“Drive” “Take Shelter”
“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
Notes – – This makes me want to rediscover “Drive” and take a look at “take Shelter. And I will, but “The Descendants,” and “The Artist” seem poised to battle it out here. I love “50/50″ and it’s nice it gets recognition. Frankly, I am surprised that “My Week With Marilyn” is not here. But then again, it is a glorious made for TV movie. And in my top two.
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist”
Mike Mills – “Beginners”
Jeff Nichols – “Take Shelter”
Alexander Payne – “The Descendants”
Nicolas Winding Refn – “Drive”
Notes – – When Oscars come around I always look at this category and best picture than match them up. The ones that do not get a nod in both, I take out. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s a good start. It will not work here.
Best Female Lead
Lauren Ambrose – “Think of Me”
Rachael Harris – “Natural Selection”
Adepero Oduye – “Pariah”
Elizabeth Olsen – “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Michelle Williams – “My Week with Marilyn”
Notes – – Yes, goes to the other Olsen sister and I think she has a shot against Michelle Williams.
Best Male Lead
Demián Bichir – “A Better Life”
Jean Dujardin – “The Artist”
Ryan Gosling – “Drive”
Woody Harrelson – “Rampart”
Michael Shannon – “Take Shelter”
Notes – – A toss up category in the making. No George Clooney makes me wonder if certain factions are tiring of him or he will not be the Oscar front-runner many think he is.
Robert Altman Award for ensemble
“Margin Call”
Let’s stop here and let the awards speak for themselves. In other words, what are they: The Spirit Awards nominees were chosen by panels of film professionals. Members of Film Independent, who include filmmakers and movie fans, are eligible to vote on the winners. Eligible films must have production budgets of no more than $20 million and meet independent-cinema criteria that include uniqueness of vision and original, provocative subject matter.
In the spirit of that, here are a few more awards:
Someone To Watch Award – The 18th annual Someone to Watch Award. This award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Simon Arthur – “Silver Tongues”
Mark Jackson – “Without”
Nicholas Ozeki – “Mamitas”
Truer Than Fiction Award – The 17th annual Truer Than Fiction Award. It is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Heather Courtney – “Where Soldiers Come From”
Danfung Dennis – “Hell and Back Again”
Alma Har’el – “Bombay Beach” Piaget
Producers Award – The 15th annual Piaget Producers Award. It honors emerging producers who demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
Chad Burris – “Mosquita y Mari”
Sophia Lin – “Take Shelter”
Josh Mond – “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Now, here are the rest:
Best Supporting Female
Jessica Chastain – “Take Shelter”
Anjelica Huston – “50/50″
Janet McTeer – “Albert Nobbs”
Harmony Santana – “Gun Hill Road”
Shailene Woodley – “The Descendants”
Best Supporting Male Albert Brooks – “Drive”
John Hawkes – “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Christopher Plummer – “Beginners”
John C. Reilly – “Cedar Rapids”
Corey Stoll – “Midnight in Paris”
Best Cinematography
Joel Hodge – “Bellflower”
Benjamin Kasulke – “The Off Hours”
Darius Khondji – “Midnight in Paris”
Guillaume Schiffman – “The Artist”
Jeffrey Waldron – “The Dynamiter”
Best Documentary
“An African Election”
“Bill Cunningham New York”
“The Interrupters”
“The Redemption of General Butt Naked”
“We Were Here”
Best International Film
“A Separation” (Iran)
“Melancholia” (Denmark/Sweden/France/Germany)
“Shame” (UK)
“The Kid With a Bike” (Belgium/France/Italy)
“Tyrannosaur” (UK)
Best Screenplay
Joseph Cedar – “Footnote”
Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist”
Tom McCarthy – “Win Win”
Mike Mills – “Beginners”
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – “The Descendants”
Best First Feature
Mike Cahill – “Another Earth”
Patrick Wang – “In the Family”
J.C. Chandor – “Margin Call”
Sean Durkin – “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Robbie Pickering – “Natural Selection”
Best First Screenplay
Mike Cahill, Brit Marling – “Another Earth”
J.C. Chandor – “Margin Call”
Patrick deWitt – “Terri” Phil Johnston – “Cedar Rapids”
Will Reiser – “50/50″
John Cassavetes Award – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000
“Bellflower”
“Circumstance”
“Hello Lonesome”
“Pariah”
“The Dynamiter”
Source: spiritawards.com
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