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The New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Father Geek here with word on the NY critics awards for this year. Well I've seen TRAFFIC's final cut and its a cool flick, I like it alot, but I don't feel its the years best film. However, I do agree totally with Benicio copping the Best Supporting Actor award, he is perfect in this film. I haven't seen YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, but I just can't believe anyone has turned in a better Best Actress job than Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. Anyway here's what the critics in NYC thought...
Father Geek,
Thought you might be interested in seeing these, as the New York Film
Critics Circle just finished voting their annual awards:
Best Picture: Traffic
Best Actor: Tom Hanks, Cast Away
Best Actress: Laura Linney, You Can Count on Me
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro, Traffic
Best Supporting Actress: Marcia Gay Harden, Pollock
Best Screenplay: Kenneth Lonnergan, You Can Count on Me
Best Director: Steven Soderbergh, Traffic and Erin Brockovich
Biggest upset was probably Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon not winning best
foreing film (that went to Yi Yi), but it did win for Best Cinematography.
Check out the site at www.nyfcc.org/awards.html.
Looking at the members of the NYFCC is kind of staggering, as I recognize
more names from more of the major publications than I realized. Yahoo for
Soderbergh and Traffic, and especially for Benicio.
D.C. Maximus
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New York Festival Eh?
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They always vote for the most mundane movies. I couldn't believe they picked The Thin Red line in '98. They also always pick movies that no one has ever seen before. How did all the judges get to see traffic? I don't know about the movie but anything with Michael Douglas has got to be trying. If I made a movie with a Macintosh apple in a pitch black background getting stomped on by a crazy gerbil then turning into an egg I bet I could win their award too. In movie land sundance is the left, Nyfilm critics are the right and the academy is somewhere in the middle. The only awards show I trust is Cannes and Toronto.
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Kudos to Tom Hanks. He and Jim Carrey are my favorite actors. I'm going to see Cast Away as soon as I come home from college on my winter break. And to the NYCCA, maybe this could be a sign of things to come in what is certain to be a weak Oscar race? -
How, in the name of Gorgo, did these mere mortals accomplish such a Herculean feat? Why, through the courtesy of critics screenings, of course! Ain't that something? Special screenings *for* critics! I do think, however, Mr. Glass is quite astute in pointing out how Sundance is far more liberal for naming GIRLFIGHT, a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps melodrama, the best of their fest, while the dogged conservatives of the NYFCC honored TRAFFIC, a film that condemns the United States continued war on drugs. Your powers of perception astonish, sir!
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You Can Count on Me was a great film and Laura Linney definitely deserved best actress as did Kenneth Lonnergan for best screenplay. As for the other choices I have no idea as I haven't seen the films, though I am more looking forward to Traffic now.
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i'm from nyc and i still don't give a shit. only one of the films mentioned in the major awards has even been released yet. i agree with the condemnation of sundance and the academy in favor of cannes, but toronto, too? convince me.
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Do they distribute crack at the voting soiree?
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If any other actor did what Hanks did in Cast Away, you know he'd be surrounded with Oscar Buzz. I haven't watched it yet, but when an A-list actor goes through those lengths for a role, they're normally surrounded with speculation (regardless of the actual result), at least until the finished result is in. Why has Hanks' buzz been tepid at best? 'Cause he's Tom Hanks, and the Academy doesn't want to keep giving the trophy to him, regardless of what he actually does. He got completely gyped out of a nomination for The Green Mile last year. Hopefully, if he merits it, this won't be the case this year.****Not that I expected it to be heard during awards season, but for those talkbackers who like to give out their top ten lists (nothing wrong with that), your list will be hollow if you haven't at least SEEN Frequency.*** I've heard mixed things about Traffic, but with that cast and director, my hopes are still abnormally high. New York critics ARE a notoriously odd bunch (Topsy Turvy last year?), so this isn't really a resounding endorsement, but here's hoping!.**** Dissing a movie with Michael Douglas just because it has Michael Douglas? What sort of asanine comment is that? The star of Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, and Wonder Boys's presence guarentees a shitty movie? I'm going to respect your taste, of course, but, then again, I'm also mindful of the fact that some people drink piss. I guess there are all kinds out there.
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but oh well... if you wanna read a REQUIEM review go here:
http://www.unstableground.cjb.net -
Since I have not seen all the movies this year I can only begin to judge, especially with some big ones being held out till the last three days of the year for release. Can that please end? Some aren't even going wide till the end of January. Also, while Requiem did not get under my skin as it did under others (to each his own) I did think that Ellen Burstyn was amazing. Has anyone seen The Gift? Giovanni Ribisi deserves a pat on the back. All I will say is he has one scene where the people in my theatre got up and cheered. YES, THEY GOT OUT OF THEIR SEATS. Thank you NY Film Critics for making some noise about Yi Yi. Crouching Tiger has the buzz that will get people into the theatre and maybe get it an Oscar. There are other films out there though, that deserve recognition and that is, I think, why the NY Film Critics awards were founded in the first place.
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I too pretty much despised RFAD, but its hard attacking the film to people who loved it, so I no longer try. To each his own. Anyway, can't comment on those winners really, cuz I haven't seen the films, but I'm looking forward to CTHD, Traffic, Cast Away, but especially The Gift
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was very good. It was released on December 8th here in Canada.
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I haven't seen OBWAT or CASTAWAY so this is subject to change but here's my top ten for 2000 1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-- Amazing film, this is what we go to the movies for! 2. TRAFFIC--close tie for #1 3. GLADIATOR--Don't front this movie kicked ass! 4. GHOST DOG--I can't believe how underrated this movie is! Did Harry even review it? It's a perfect comic book film! 5. BAMBOOZLED--goose bumps 6. BATMAN BEYOND: ROTJ--YES I'm counting this as FILM!!! I was blown away when I watched this with the kids. the depth and psycological intensity of this film is unbelievable! Definitely the best BATMAN EVER!! And I only saw the cut version!!! pure genius. 7. UNBREAKABLE--this flick will be in library for years to come I gather. 8. CHICKEN RUN-- A little dissappointing, not a complete HOME RUN but good nevertheless. 9. NOT ONE LESS-- A simple, charming, Chinese Film (I can't believe no one's been talking about this great little flick...maybe I spend to much time at the arthouse theaters... 10. BOILER ROOM-- the movie as the moment, great film, very underrated, KILLER score Tell me if I'm forgetting something guys and oh yeah I HATED REQUIEM FOR A DREAM and X-MEN so don't ask why they aren't on the list.
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I agree with Quixote, it may not be a top ten picture this year but Frequency needs to be given proper credit. Haven't been to the theatre enought this year, but I am definitely going to see Traffic. I am a big fan of Soderbergh's films, and Out of Sight was the best adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel I have ever seen.
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Whoever was doubting the brilliance of REQUIEM FOR A DREAM or Ellen Burstyn's performance in it needs to go see it again. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying there's a good chance you were too turned-off by the shock-value kitsch of it all to realize just how technically solid both the film and Ms. Burstyn's performance was. I never saw Pi, but I'm a fan of Aranofsky's now. And Ellen Burstyn has always been good... has never gotten credit for her great performance in SPITFIRE GRILL, which was otherwise kinda lame. Anyway, Ellen Burstyn's work in this film is peerless as far as I'm concerned. I saw this and thought of my widowed grandmother and it really disturbed me. I think that's the point of this character... Most druggie characters in the film are pretty stereotypical and caged, but Ellen Burstyn's character was just a lonely old woman, and that's what made it so resonant. Anyway, respectfully, if you didn't like the movie or even her performance, hey so be it. But you might want to give it another shot. Burstyn earned it.
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Someone please either post here or email me the answer concerning just "who" exactly is the surprise cameo at the end of Gus van Sant's "Finding Forrester" starring Sean Connery, Anna Paquin etc.
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No, really, I have zip opinion on these as I haven't even seen most of these movies. I think Tom Hanks should be abolished by act of congress though. He's such a relentless everyman.
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I have to say it's was great to see another movie win the foreign award since Crouching Tiger... will win the Oscar. Don't get me wrong I like the movie as much as the next guy but it's IMO far from the best film Ang Lee has made. It looks amazing and Zhang Ziyi (If I remember correctly that is her name) should be nominated for an academy award for her performance. But the problem to me was that it didn't really do anything for me. It didn't bring out the same emotions as some of Ang Lee earlier work. As Eat Drink Man Woman or his masterpiece The Ice Storm. The best foreign language film of the year should be The Girl on the Bridge. It's amazing and if I'm not mistaken it qualifies for this years Oscars.
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I just found out that The Girl on the Bridge was nominated for a Golden Globe last year so it probably doesn't qualify for this year...
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That's actually a pretty decent list. I just wonder why everyone seems to have forgotten Philip Seymor Hoffmans incredible performance in Almost Famous. I just hope he will remembered at the Oscars (like the movie itself should).
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Dec 14, 2000 6:11:05 AM CST
Best film award for YI YI and best cinematography award for CTHD
by tingting
That sounds about right to me. YI YI is wonderful, people - do yourself a favor and watch it. Don't think all Taiwan has to offer this year is CTHD!
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I agree completely. "Crouching" is way way too overrated. I'm glad to see "Yi Yi" up for this award, esp. since it really deserved it. Just saw "Traffic" the other night. Fantastic film too. And "You Can Count On Me" is quite good. One film that everyone's gonna ignore even though they shouldn't? "East Is East"! Hit the video racks and check out this Brit import. It's funny, touching, you name it.
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For those who are panning RFAD I just must say this one thing about it. It is miles above PI. So whether or not you like it...it cannot be called a "sophomore slump."
It's not my best picture of the year but it is definitely one of the best. Finally a film that understands that the cinema is a visual art form. I couldn't believe it watching it that there was no narration. I get so sick of movies telling me how to feel (see Chocolat for the absolute worst force fed narration) and this is the type of film that usually has an abundance of voiceover. Aronofsky TRUSTS his visuals. You can see more in the images and the cuts and the split screens and everything than you could ever be told... It would work as a silent (although the movie also has one of the year's best scores)
anyway. That's my two cents.
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I loved most of East is East but it left me SO pissed off and disappointed, that the father never really got any kind of come-uppance. Somebody should have AT LEAST slapped him back or otherwise cussed or hit him. Great acting, but that character: what a prick! Sorry to be corny but I needs my resoultion in the end. BTW pretty good list above, as usual full of movies that haven't hit the mall in my town.
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Marcia Gay Harden was better. Pollock is a better film than Requiem, which is just preachy and pretentious.
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Requiem, hmm... It would probably be in my top ten this year, but I really thought the style of the film -- though expertly done -- sacrificed a good chunk of the characters' humanity. When did I really feel pathos? When the camera stopped whirrling and focussed on Ellyn and Jared during her "I'm old..." scene over coffee. When did the film really convey what it was like to be high? When Jared and Marlon and grooving to the music; Jared stops the disc for a moment, lets it rip just at the right time, and the guys are laughing at how right it all is. That's no representation of a bum trip, but neither is the rest of the film; good high or bad, for me at least, never made me look at the world through a fisheyed lens. I liked the movie and it hit me, but overwhelming me with style was a serious flaw. I was thinking about the director as much as the characters, if not more.
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For Best Actress? Whoa. This is wierd - National Board of Review votes Julia Roberts and this one chooses Laura Linney. Crazy.
I haven't seen Crouching Tiger yet - but will when it finally opens in Portland, Or on Jan. 12. Once I see it - I believe that I'll think it deserves Best Foriegn awards. Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman was just a beautiful movie all around. The last movie I thought was robbed for Best Foriegn was Queen Margot. Oh well.
Haven't seen Traffic yet. However we are going to see Goya in Bordeaux tomorrow night for my B-Day. Cinamatography by Vittorio Sterraro (dude behind Apocolypse Now, Dick Tracy and most recently "Dune" among others). NOW, I can't wait to see this movie!
I did enjoy The Contender and Gladiator (and have been watching the Gladiator DVD religiously!). -
Hey, I thought Michael Douglas's performance in Wonderboys was the best of his career! I had to add this - this has been bugging me. I have not been a beeg Tom Hanks fan. I do not believe Forest Gump was a great movie. Shawshank Redemption was the best flick of that year and Morgan Freeman was robbed of the Best Actor award! And Tim Robbins should have won for Best Supporting Actor.
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Though I haven't seen it yet, when I saw the trailer for Yi-Yi and the images were so startling, so vivid, I was already in tears. And it seems like it's a good example of what Aronofsky has no idea how to do. Create indelible, psychologically resonant images using composition and character instead of just lenses and jump cuts. For the poster who said Aronofsky doesn't tell you how to feel, are you high yourself? If ever a film did just that it's Requiem For A Dream. And though Ellen Burstyn's been one of my favorite actresses for years (see also The Last Picture Show, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Alex In Wonderland, The Exorcist), Laura Linney is the performance of the year. Real, complex, funny, subtle, alive. You Can Count On Me is the most insightful film of the year.
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If it was me voting, I'd give it to Michael Douglas for Wonderboys too, though I have yet to see Cast Away, the trailer [the first one, not the one that gave away the ending...fuck you Zemeckis] gave me chils. But Hanks at least deserves consideration, considering the effort. Switch the roles, and everybody and his fucking dog are raving for months about what Douglas did on that island. Hanks runs the risk of being underrated 'cause people are too concerned with overrating them. His best performances (Big, Green Mile) are often overlooked, and I agree that, while Gump was a good movie, Shawshank was way better. Don't know how you can say Robbins was the supporting actor in that flick though.
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Didn't do anything though. Except make me hungry. And cough.
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Was The Wedding Banquet Ang Lee? I thought it was Wayne Wang.
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When you bitch about Tom Hanks don't bitch about him playing the everyman. That's just not an arguement. That would be like complaining about the storylines of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" because they focus too much on vampires and the supernatural. Hanks plays the everyman and plays it well, although it's nice to see him do different things. Some of Jimmy Stewarts best performances were as the everyman and I think the same will be said for Hanks when he is long gone. I say, though, Hanks has some balls to do "Cast Away". The man has to carry the movie BY HIMSELF for a good portion of the film. It's not going to be liked by everyone because there are too many people out there who can't handle two minutes of silence, let alone 25. If Hanks has done what Quint and others have said, then more power to him to get awards for it.
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Just because a movie has stylistic camera work, all of a sudden it's "all style no substance"? The style was wrapped up in the substance. Every visual 'trick' had a point to it- split screens showing isolation, alteration of speed showing "highs" and "lows", the series of close-ups for the shooting up sequences showing the almost thoughtless, instantaneous nature of the addiction. And that's really what the film is about- obsession in general, not just with drugs. The mother's obsession with TV leads to her obsession with losing weight, which gets her hooked on the diet pills. The protagonist's obsession with becoming a dealer leads to a greater dependence on what he's trying to sell. Yes, it's relentlessly downbeat, but so was Kafka's THE TRIAL.
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I am a huge fan of Soerberg's,but Julia ruined Erin Brockovich. I just hope he comes back to form with Traffic. Also, Dancer in The Dark is hands down my pick for movie of the year.
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I don't think that's fair for just New York Film Critics to see the movie and vote. The critics only vote for the most unappatizing films that are beneath the mainstream. Soderbergh is just a sypathy vote for sex lies and videotape and out of sight.
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They deserve serious kudos. Lebute, Freeman, Rock and Zelwegger gave a veeeeeery slim script more depth than anyone could've ever imagined.
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Can someone mention Ratcatcher? This little Scotish thing was really touching and those shots in the fields are some of the most enduring images of the year. Remember when there was all that talk of Dancer in the Dark polarizing audiences? It seems Requiem has been the real divider. I think they both sucked even though the lead actresses (Burstyn and Bjork) were heartbreaking. Does anyone find it creepy that Nurse Betty, Dancer in the Dark, and Requiem had similar themes? (Mass Media escape from reality) Hmmm...
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Haven't seen many of them, but Hanks deserves any awards he can get. Who cares that he's won twice before Oscar voters. Grow up, get some balls, and vote for th BEST PERFORMANCE. PERIOD! And from what I've read, it's a two man race between Douglas (Wonder Boys) & Hanks. GOOD. I think Hanks is the BEST actor doin film today wit Russell Crowe and Jim Carrey not far behind. Thae Best movies I've seen this year in no particular order are: GLADIATOR, ALMOST FAMOUS, FREQUENCY, PERFECT STORM, & BOILER ROOM. HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH THOUGH. WORST MOVIE: BY FAR BLAIR WITCH 2: BOOK OF SHADOWS. HOOOOOOOOOOORIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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No "Dancer in the Dark"? Wow!!! Again Hollywood & popular bullshit take precedence over cinematic achievement in U.S. award shows. I guess I can't knock the NYFCCA too much because I believe they honored one of the greatest directors to ever have lived, Kieslowski(Decalogue, Three Colors Trilogy...Blue, White & Red), a few years back. I think they also awarded
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Are you implying that the New York Film Critics are "elitist" for simply doing their job? They review movies for a living, and they have traditionally been the first of the city critics' organizations to bestow their awards. The rest of your accusations make so little sense, I will refuse to address them, lest I lead you into believing there is even an ounce of merit within their ramshackle confines.
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Actually QuizKidDonnie, the father in "East Is East" does get his comeuppance. It may not have occurred by someone slapping him or something but by losing his family's respect and trust, he has lost everything that he has worked for and the truth is, he cares a great deal about them. He just doesn't know how to express his emotions and uses anger/violence instead. That line that Om Puri says how his kids will never truly be British and can be accepted under Muslim as equal is heartbreaking. Amazing stuff. Just not so cut and dry.
By the way, I love your handle since "Magnolia" totally rules. -
All three of these were great choices - Soderbergh's definitely kicking ass this year & his work on TRAFFIC is just amazing. He should have gotten Best Cinematography (under his pseudonym "Peter Andrews") too. The visual style was not only bold, but actually became another character in the movie that accentuated the emotions. And Benicio is just remarkable. There's nothing flashy about his work, just focused intensity that captures the moral dilemma at the heart of the film perfectly. Quite honestly, Crouching Tiger was entertaining, but it's far from a great film. It's watered down Yuen Woo-Ping (why don't they just let him direct without dealing with lesser director??!) and alot of middlebrow melodrama. I guess that's my problem with Ang Lee. His work is intelligent, skillful, well-acted tactful...but there's something uptight and too even-handed about it. It never takes the wild risks and goes off into the excesses of emotion where truly great art goes. People praising Crouching Tiger to the skies have never seen Iron Monkey, Tai Chi Master,Once Upon a Time in China, or Peking Opera Blues because any of those films kicks its ass. Yi-Yi is a much better film, so I'm glad it won. However, it's a shame that In the Mood For Love didn't qualify for this award because it's actually the best movie I saw in 2000. It definitely deserves a nod for cinematography by Chris Doyle and Mark Lee. A Pity. I'm glad that Lonergan and Linney got recognized for their fine work as well. You Can Count on Me is a rarity: a beautifully acted and written family dramas that isn't corny or sentimental. I'm sad that people are forgetting about Renee Zellweger in Nurse Betty. She did an amazing job in an extremely difficult role. I hope the Golden Globes give her the nomination she so richly deserves. Morgan Freeman also did his best work since Shawshank in that movie. As for those people still harping over Requiem, I won't argue any more...but you guys need to watch Drugstore Cowboy and Naked Lunch again to see a true subjective drug movie with heart and imagination. I'd rather watch a NIN video than any of Aronofsky's work again.
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I don't know why you're ragging on the NYFCC - they made some of the best choices I've ever seen an awards group give. TRAFFIC is by far the worthiest film in terms of ambition, scope and execution. Soderbergh is just amazing! Del Toro really should be in the Best Actor category, but he deserves as many awards as they can give. And as for seeing the film before it opens, it's standard practice in NY & LA to hold advance screenings all the time. Not just for critics, passes are handed out and if you have friends in the industry, it's not that hard to see things. I was invited to this movie a few times actually & got to go twice. And why are you complaining about elitism? Shouldn't true critics be selective about picking the creme de la creme? Or would you prefer the Blockbuster Awards or something even lamer like the MTV Movie Awards? Anyway, I'm glad that Soderbergh & Del Toro are getting props. THey deserve it 100%
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