Critics' Choice Awards 2013: An Oscar predictor?
The Broadcast Film Critics Association boasts that the Critics' Choice Movie Awards are historically "the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations." But what about winners of the annual ceremony? Do the films and actors who score a Critics' Choice honor get to place an Oscar statuette on the mantle, too?
- Oscars 2013: Nominees announced
- Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2013: List of winners
- Watch: Oscar nominations 2013: Snubs and surprises
The answer to that isn't simple. A look back at the last two years suggests that it truly depends.
In 2012, the black-and-white, silent film "The Artist" won the best picture Critics' Choice trophy and also went on to win the Academy Award. The same went for the film's director, Michel Hazanavicius.
But in 2011, "The Social Network" and its director David Fincher received the best picture and best director Critics' Choice honors, but the following month, "The King's Speech" and director Tom Hooper were the ones to waltz away with Academy Awards.
This year, Ben Affleck and "Argo" won the Critics' Choice best director and best picture trophies, respectively, on Thursday night. And when it comes time for the Oscars, "Argo" will also be in the running for best picture, but it's left out of the best director Academy Award category completely. So there's no chance for a double-win there.
When it comes to acting honors, in 2011, Critics' Choice winners -- Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo -- all went on to receive Oscars.
But last year, things were mixed. Christopher Plummer took home supporting actor for "Beginners" at both awards shows, as did Octavia Spencer of "The Help." But the best actor and actress winners weren't aligned. Viola Davis won the Critics' Choice best actress award for "The Help," but the Oscar went to Meryl Streep for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Meanwhile, the critics chose George Clooney for "The Descendants," but the Academy gave French actor Jean Dujardin the best actor honor for his work in "The Artist."
On Thursday night, Daniel Day-Lewis won the best actor Critics' Choice award for "Lincoln." He's also nominated for an Oscar in the same category. In a few weeks, we'll find out of he has what it takes to top fellow best actor Oscar nominees Denzel Washington ("Flight"), Hugh Jackman ("Les Miserables"), Bradley Cooper ("Silver Linings Playbook") and Joaquin Phoenix ("The Master").
Jessica Chastain picked up the best actress trophy Thursday for "Zero Dark Thirty" at the Critics' Choice ceremony. Looking ahead, Chastain, who lost the best support actress last year to Spencer, her co-star in "The Help," has Oscar competition this year from Naomi Watts ("The Impossible"), Jennifer Lawrence ("Silver Linings Playbook"), Emmanuelle Riva ("Amour") and Quvenzhane Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild) when the Academy Awards take place on Feb. 24.