'Basterds,' 'Avatar' early Critics' Choice winners

[February 04, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Quentin Tarantino's World War II tale "Inglourious Basterds" came into Friday's Critics' Choice Awards with a leading 10 nominations, and it made good on two of them early in the night.

Christoph Waltz was named best supporting actor and the film's cast was the critics' pick for best ensemble.

"All credit is due to him for putting together this wonderful ensemble, so Quentin, thank you," said "Basterds" co-star Eli Roth.

James Cameron's "Avatar" was also an early winner. Up for nine awards, it won for best action movie.

Mo'Nique was named best actress for her visceral portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious." She thanked director Lee Daniels and co-star Gabourey Sidibe, both fellow nominees.

Kristin Chenoweth, who hosted the ceremony at the Hollywood Palladium, playfully poked fun at the year's nominees, including best-picture contenders "Basterds," "Avatar," "Nine," "An Education," "The Hurt Locker," "Invictus," "Precious," "A Serious Man," "Up" and "Up in the Air."

"Up" was named best animated film early in the night.

Winners were yet to be named for best director, which pits Tarantino against Cameron, Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker"), Lee Daniels ("Precious"), Clint Eastwood ("Invictus"), and Jason Reitman ("Up In The Air").

"I've never won any big award for best director," Tarantino had said earlier, "so I guess that would be the coolest."

Competing for best actor are George Clooney for "Up in the Air," Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart," Colin Firth for "A Single Man," Morgan Freeman for "Invictus," Viggo Mortensen for "The Road" and Jeremy Renner for "The Hurt Locker."

Up for best actress are Emily Blunt for "The Young Victoria," Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side," Carey Mulligan for "An Education," Gabourey Sidibe for "Precious," Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia" and the night's best young actor winner Saoirse Ronan for "The Lovely Bones."

Winners are chosen by members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest such group in North America comprising 200 TV, radio and online film critics.

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On the Net:

http://www.bfca.org/

[Associated Press; By SANDY COHEN]

AP Television Producer Mike Cidoni contributed to this report.

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