Although The Hurt Locker was eligible for last year's Spirit Awards, neither the Iraq War drama nor director Kathryn Bigelow (above) were nominated. But a year — and lots of good buzz — can make a hell of a difference. That's why Bigelow is now considered the front-runner for the best director Oscar even if Jason Reitman's Up in the Air or (Bigelow's former husband) James Cameron's Avatar or Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds take home the best picture Academy Award.
As a woman directing a "men's picture," i.e., a movie about war, violence, bloody mayhem (only fake men like romantic tales), Bigelow has done quite well for herself. She has topped the lists of 14 US-based critics' groups and she's up for both a Critics Choice Award and a Golden Globe. Also, The Hurt Locker has been nominated for a SAG Award for best ensemble, something that reflects quite well on the film's director.
The two distant runners-up at this stage are Jason Reitman, with three wins, and Quentin Tarantino, with two.
The list below includes US-based critics groups (it'll be updated as more results are announced early next year), in addition to the Satellite and National Board of Review awards; and Golden Globe and Spirit Award nominations.
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker – Washington, Toronto, St. Louis, National Society of Film Critics, Southeastern, Satellite, San Francisco, Oklahoma, New York Online, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Chicago, Boston, Austin, plus Critics Choice, Golden Globe nominations
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air – Utah, Florida, Dallas-Ft. Worth, plus Critics Choice, Golden Globe nominations
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds – San Diego, Phoenix, plus Critics Choice, Golden Globe nominations
Clint Eastwood, Invictus – National Board of Review, plus Critics Choice, Golden Globe nominations
James Cameron, Avatar – Critics Choice, Golden Globe nominations
Pete Docter, Up – Detroit
Spike Jonze, Where the Wild Things Are – Indiana
Photo: Jonathan Olley / Summit Entertainment