‘The Hurt Locker’ Best Film of 2009?

Kathryn Bigelow’s war drama set in the plains of Iraq, “The Hurt Locker” has earned the merits of top critics as it is named as the best film of the year in the 2009 New York Film Critics’ Circle. The film became a juggernaut in the categories as it also garnered the year’s best director for Bigelow from L.A, Boston, New York Film Critics Online, and the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association.

The New York Film Critics Circle awards are highly recognized in society as they are handpicked by the leading organization of film critics in the country. The group defines their awards distinctively “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring aesthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures”.

Other films and actors were recognized by New Yorkers including Meryl Streep as best actress for “Julie & Julia”, George Clooney as best actor for “Up In the Air”, Mo’Nique as best supporting actress for “Precious”, Christopher Waltz as best supporting actor for “Inglourious Basterds”, and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” as best animated film of 2009.

Aside from film awards, the group celebrating their 75^th anniversary would also be handing out honor to a fellow film critic for the very first time. Andrew Sarris who recently departed from the New York Observer was chosen to receive a special award for his contribution to the thriving field of film criticism.

Awards would be officially presented to winners on January 11, Monday, at Crimson in New York’s Flat Iron district.

Here’s a complete list of the 2009 New York Film Critics’ Circle Award Winners:

Best Film: ‘The Hurt Locker’

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, ‘The Hurt Locker’

Best Screenplay: ‘In the Loop’

Best Actress: Meryl Streep, ‘Julie & Julia’

Best Actor: George Clooney, ‘Up In The Air’ and ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’

Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, ‘Precious’

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, ‘Inglourious Basterds’

Best Cinematography: Christian Berger, ‘The White Ribbon’

Best Animated Film: ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’

Best Non-fiction Film: ‘Of Time and the City’

Best Foreign Language Film: ‘Summer Hours’

Best First Feature: ‘Hunger,’ director Steve McQueen

Special Award: Andrew Sarris for his contribution to film criticism