Re: New York Film Critics Circle Winners
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 2:03 pm
When I read Sonic's tweet below, I thought, Hmm, I don't think that's how this process works -- but the way it came out, it looks like he might have been correct. It was the longest Twitter-silent stretch of the day, seemingly reflecting a spirited contest for best director (ending in a slightly oddball choice)...but then The Irishman was announced best film barely a minute later (with two Special Awards in between).
High points:
Banderas, rather startlingly, is the first non-English speaking best actor winner in the 80+ years of NYFCC. There've been MANY such actresses, several directors, films, and supporting actresses, but never a best actor. This pick should help Banderas' hopes of crashing the AMPAS five in what's a very competitive year.
N'yongo underlines my take in the prediction folder: that recent NY surprises have tended to be black women. The best actress field this year is fairly broad, but none of what are seen to be the mainstream choices (Johansson, Theron, Ronan, Zellweger) are A-1 critic-bait (I said yesterday I thought Johansson was closest, which I'll elaborate on when I discuss Marriage Story, but even she has the issue of fading a bit in her film's second half). It may be that LA and the National Society also stay away from the mainstream group, which will probably have the ironic effect of boosting the most mainstream choice of all (Zellweger) with the TV awards and Oscar. As for Lupita herself...she has always been on the fringe for nomination, and remains there, but this certainly doesn't hurt her chances of slipping in.
Marriage Story performed modestly for a film that seemed right up NY's alley, but it was part of a winning platform for Laura Dern. With the additional citation for Little Women, Dern won for two films directed by live-in partners, which feels like it must be a first.
By the way, I continue to monitor the Awards Worthy folk so you don't have to, and they were AGHAST that JLo failed to win here. They were shocked the vote took longer than a few minutes -- they all were sure it would be a first-ballot romp -- and then disbelieving when their choice didn't finish first. They truly live in a bubble over there.
This is Pesci's second win in NY, but Goodfellas is not the earlier one (he lost that year to Bruce Davison/Longtime Companion); his first win was for Raging Bull. And, preview of coming attractions: he's never won at the Globes.
My instinct is the Safdie win migt be like the Sean Baker prize for Florida Project -- a tip of the hat to a small indie that doesn't get full-on Oscar traction. But I haven't seen the movie yet, so maybe I'll change my mind.
With all Quentin's Oscar attention in this millennium -- including a second Oscar -- this is his first attention from NY since Pulp Fiction. Screenplay awards look to be exceedingly competitive on both sides this year.
Below the line, it was a good day for Neon (Parasite, Portrait of a Lady..., Honeyland) and Netflix (I Lost My Body, Atlantics -- along with its Marriage Story/Irishman wins).
Finally, The Irishman. Two major groups, two best picture wins. A long way to go, a lot of movies to compete with, so this doesn't mean anything definitive (Kathryn Bigelow can tell you about being in the same situation 7 years ago). But a good start for an excellent movie.
High points:
Banderas, rather startlingly, is the first non-English speaking best actor winner in the 80+ years of NYFCC. There've been MANY such actresses, several directors, films, and supporting actresses, but never a best actor. This pick should help Banderas' hopes of crashing the AMPAS five in what's a very competitive year.
N'yongo underlines my take in the prediction folder: that recent NY surprises have tended to be black women. The best actress field this year is fairly broad, but none of what are seen to be the mainstream choices (Johansson, Theron, Ronan, Zellweger) are A-1 critic-bait (I said yesterday I thought Johansson was closest, which I'll elaborate on when I discuss Marriage Story, but even she has the issue of fading a bit in her film's second half). It may be that LA and the National Society also stay away from the mainstream group, which will probably have the ironic effect of boosting the most mainstream choice of all (Zellweger) with the TV awards and Oscar. As for Lupita herself...she has always been on the fringe for nomination, and remains there, but this certainly doesn't hurt her chances of slipping in.
Marriage Story performed modestly for a film that seemed right up NY's alley, but it was part of a winning platform for Laura Dern. With the additional citation for Little Women, Dern won for two films directed by live-in partners, which feels like it must be a first.
By the way, I continue to monitor the Awards Worthy folk so you don't have to, and they were AGHAST that JLo failed to win here. They were shocked the vote took longer than a few minutes -- they all were sure it would be a first-ballot romp -- and then disbelieving when their choice didn't finish first. They truly live in a bubble over there.
This is Pesci's second win in NY, but Goodfellas is not the earlier one (he lost that year to Bruce Davison/Longtime Companion); his first win was for Raging Bull. And, preview of coming attractions: he's never won at the Globes.
My instinct is the Safdie win migt be like the Sean Baker prize for Florida Project -- a tip of the hat to a small indie that doesn't get full-on Oscar traction. But I haven't seen the movie yet, so maybe I'll change my mind.
With all Quentin's Oscar attention in this millennium -- including a second Oscar -- this is his first attention from NY since Pulp Fiction. Screenplay awards look to be exceedingly competitive on both sides this year.
Below the line, it was a good day for Neon (Parasite, Portrait of a Lady..., Honeyland) and Netflix (I Lost My Body, Atlantics -- along with its Marriage Story/Irishman wins).
Finally, The Irishman. Two major groups, two best picture wins. A long way to go, a lot of movies to compete with, so this doesn't mean anything definitive (Kathryn Bigelow can tell you about being in the same situation 7 years ago). But a good start for an excellent movie.