CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS NOMINATIONS

You know how professional movie critics like to judge the merits of a film and then share these valuable insights with the general public in a sometimes quote-worthy manner?  Well, each year, since 1995, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which is the largest film critics organization in the U.S. and Canada representing over 250 such television, radio, and online critics, presents its Critics’ Choice Movie Awards to honor the finest achievements in filmmaking.

Today, the BFCA announced this year’s nominees and awarded a field-leading eleven nominations each for Hugo and The Artist.  Landing an equally impressive eight nominations each were Drive and The Help.  Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and The Descendants picked up seven a piece.

While none of the nominations came as a big surprise, I do find it peculiar that there’s a 40% chance that “The” will be in the title of whichever movie wins ‘Best Picture’.  Plus, if you’re like me, and still reeling from the Ryan Gosling, ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ snub, you’ll be glad to know that he was nominated in the ‘Best Actor’ category along with fellow dreamboats, George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio.  On the ladies side, Meryl Streep, Charlize Theron, Tilda Swinton and Michelle Williams all received ‘Best Actress’ nominations.  I guess if you’re a die-hard Potter fan, you’ll be saddened to hear that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 earned technical nominations, but didn’t receive any nominations in the picture or top acting categories. I hope that doesn’t hurt DVD sales.

For a complete list of the nominees, visit the Critic’s Choice Awards.

The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards will be handed out on Thursday, January 12 at the Hollywood Palladium. Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel will host the show which will be broadcast live on VH1 at 8 p.m.  Fitz and The Tantrums will be the featured house band. Check back with PPLA for coverage of the red carpet!