MUMBAI: Avatar and Inglourious Basterds bagged the most awards at Friday‘s Critics‘ Choice Awards but the top honour went to the Iraqi war drama The Hurt Locker and its director-producer Kathryn Bigelow.
Hurt Locker was named best picture and Bigelow the best director.
Accepting the best picture prize, screenwriter-producer Mark Boal said the award belongs to Bigelow "for her singular vision, for her endless inspiration and for never taking no as an answer."
While collecting the best director‘s award, Bigelow had thanked Boal saying, "I stand here really because of one man and that‘s Mark Boal."
"It‘s wonderful to have this honor," she continued, "but the recognition should also go to the men and women who are in the field to this day."
Avatar was named best action film and it collected a lot of technical awards, including honours for cinematography, editing, art direction, sound and visual effects.
The cast of Basterds was the critics‘ pick for best ensemble. The film‘s villain, Christoph Waltz, was named best supporting actor while Tarantino won for his original screenplay.
Crazy Heart was a double winner, with Jeff Bridges claiming the best actor prize for his turn as hard-drinking country singer Bad Blake. The film‘s theme, The Weary Kind won for the best song.
Up won a pair of prizes, too: Best animated feature and best score.
There were actually two winners in the actress category, with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock tying for the honor.
While Streep won for Julie and Julia, Bullock won for her performance in The Blind Side.
Jason Reitman, won best adapted screenplay for Up in the Air with co-writer Sheldon Turner.
Other honors went to Mo‘Nique, who was named best supporting actress for her visceral portrayal of an abusive mother in Precious while Saoirse Ronan won best young actress for her role in The Lovely Bones and The Hangover which was voted best comedy film.
While District 9 won for best makeup, Grey Gardens was adjudged best TV movie. The Cove was named best documentary.
Nine, that entered the contest tied with "Basterds" with a leading 10 nominations, ended up winless.
