Hurt Locker Wins Critics' Choice Best Picture

Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker and its director took top honors at the Critics' Choice Awards, while Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and James Cameron's Avatar won the most awards. Director-producer Kathryn Bigelow was named best director at last night's ceremony for Locker, winner of the best picture prize. "It's wonderful to have this honor," Bigelow said, accepting the director's award, "but the recognition should also go to the men and women who are in the field to this day."

• 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 best song.
• Up won a pair of prizes, too: Best animated feature and best score.
• Nine, which came into the contest tied with Basterds with 10 nominations, ended up winless.
• The Basterds cast was the critics' pick for best ensemble. The film's villain, Christoph Waltz, was named best supporting actor and Tarantino won for his original screenplay.
• Avatar was named best action movie and it collected a heap of technical awards, including honors for cinematography, editing, art direction, sound and visual effects.
• There were actually two winners in the actress category, with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock tying for the honor. Streep said she loved playing Julia Child in Julie & Julia. "I love to work, and I love food and I love sex. And so did Julia Child. So it wasn't that much of a stretch."

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