'Social Network' wins London Film Critics Circle

Film of the Year: The Social Network
Actor of the Year: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Actress of the Year: Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Director of the Year: David Fincher, The Social Network
British Film of the Year: The King's Speech
Screenwriter of the Year: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
British Actor of the Year: Christian Bale, The Fighter
British Supporting Actor of the Year: Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
British Actress of the Year: Lesley Manville, Another Year
British Supporting Actress of the Year: Olivia Williams, The Ghost Writer

On 1941

For film buffs, it's one of the most legendary Academy blunders of all time, a decision that has only gotten worse as history has gone on, the moment we all point to as undeniable evidence that AMPAS has never really had any idea what they're doing in terms of "the big picture."

How Green Was My Valley beat Citizen Kane for Best Picture at the ceremony for 1941, netting John Ford his third Oscar (his second in as many years). Orson Welles did walk away with a win -- he and Joseph L. Mankiewicz shared the Best Screenplay Oscar. It was the film's only win (it had nine nominations). How Green Was My Valley, a small and pretty good movie, won five.

For the film scholars who would later declare (and still declare) Citizen Kane the finest motion picture ever made, it become an instance where the Academy could not, would not see it for its innovation. They were too narrow-sighted; they voted with their hearts because they loved John Ford and Valley was a nice, character-driven drama that didn't ask too much and was a good watch.

'Dragon' tops Animated Film Awards

The "Annies" announced their winners as well tonight, and even though my source site AwardsDaily hasn't posted a full list of winners, I hear tell How to Train Your Dragon has won 10 awards, including:
Best Film
Best Production Design
Best Character Design
Best Directing
Best Writing
Best Voice
Best Storyboard

Art Directors Guild Awards

Best Contemporary Film: Therese DePrez for Black Swan
Best Fantasy Film: Guy Hendrix Dyas for Inception
Best Period Feature Film: Eve Stewart for The King's Speech
 

Writers Guild of America Awards

Well how about that? Not only did Aaron Sorkin win as expected, capping a major day with dual wins at the Scripter and the Writers Guild, but Christopher Nolan won Original Screenplay. Keep in mind, The King's Speech writer David Seidler was ineligible for this award, as he is not a guild member.

Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan for Inception
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network
Best Documentary Writing: Inside Job