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Reel 'em in
What do hobbits, clownfish and accused child molesters have in common? They've all been singled out for praise by the Florida Film Critics Circle. As 2003 dwindled to a close, a voting body of 16 Sunshine State reviewers (including Orlando Weekly's Steve Schneider) pronounced "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" the year's best picture, topping a list of honors that also included "Finding Nemo" as best animated feature and "Capturing the Friedmans" as best documentary. (In a further display of the FFCC's critical acumen, no one seems to have confused the three.) Here's a full list of winners in all 14 categories.
2003 FFCC AWARD WINNERS
Best picture: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
Best actor: Sean Penn, "Mystic River" and "21 Grams"
Best actress: Naomi Watts, "21 Grams"
Best supporting actor: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"
Best supporting actress: Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April" and "The Station Agent"
Best director: Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best screenplay: Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Best cinematography: Andrew Lesnie, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best foreign-language film: The Man on the Train (France)
Pauline Kael Breakout Award: Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini (writers-directors, American Splendor)
Best ensemble acting: A Mighty Wind
Best animated feature: Finding Nemo
Best documentary: Capturing the Friedmans
Golden Orange for Outstanding Contribution to Film: Cinematique of Daytona, "for inaugurating its film festival with an impressive program of new and classic films."