Filed under: News
Singer John Legend was recently nominated for the Jan. 14 Critics' Choice Movie Awards . He wrote and sang the song 'Shine' for the critically acclaimed documentary, 'Waiting for Superman.'
The Darren Aronofsky-directed pic 'Black Swan,' about a ballerina dealing with deep psychological issues earned the biggest noms tally (12) from the 150 members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association.
Historically, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations. All four major acting category winners at the Academy Awards in 2010 were first Critics' Choice Movie Awards winners in the same categories and were present at the January 15, 2010 ceremony to graciously give their first acceptance speeches of the awards season.
The BFCA also recognized 'The Hurt Locker' for Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow as Best Director, making her the first female to win the award. 'The Hurt Locker' and Bigelow also went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, but were both overlooked at the Golden Globes.
Legend's song will be in competition with the following song: 'I See the Light,' performed by Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi/written by Alan Menken & Glenn Slater for the animated film 'Tangled;' 'If I Rise,' performed by Dido and A.R. Rahman/music by A.R. Rahman/lyrics by Dido Armstrong and Rollo Armstrong for the Danny Boyle film '127 Hours;' 'We Belong Together,' performed and written by Randy Newman for the Pixar/Disney film 'Toy Story 3;' and 'You Haven't Seen the Last of Me Yet,' performed by Cher/written by Diane Warren for the 'Burlesque.'
Following 'Black Swan,' 'The King's Speech' and 'True Grit' tied with 11 noms.
Among the 12 bids for "Black Swan" are best picture, lead actress (Natalie Portman), supporting actress (Mila Kunis), director for Aronofsky and original screenplay for Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin.
In the picture category, 'Black Swan' will vie against '127 Hours,' 'The Fighter,' 'Inception,' 'The King's Speech,' 'The Social Network,' 'The Town,' 'Toy Story 3,' 'True Grit' and 'Winter's Bone.'
Unlike the Oscars, where there are five nominees in each of the four acting categories, the BFCA selects six. Lead actor nominees are Jeff Bridges ('True Grit'), Robert Duvall ('Get Low'), Jesse Eisenberg ('The Social Network'), Colin Firth ('The King's Speech'), James Franco ('127 Hours') and Ryan Gosling ('Blue Valentine').
In addition to Portman, the contenders for lead actress are Annette Bening ('The Kids Are All Right'), Nicole Kidman ('Rabbit Hole'), Jennifer Lawrence ('Winter's Bone'), Noomi Rapace ('The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo') and Michelle Williams ('Blue Valentine').
The Critics' Choice kudos will be handed out Jan. 14 in a ceremony carried live on VH1 from the Hollywood Palladium.