"Slumdog Millionaire" Wins Big at Critics Choice Awards

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From Variety...

"Slumdog Millionaire" was the big winner at the 14th annual Critics' Choice awards, nabbing kudos for picture, director (Danny Boyle), writer (Simon Beaufoy), young actor/actress (Dev Patel) and composer, A.R. Rahman.

Sean Penn won the actor honor for his role in "Milk." He was also honored with the cast of "Milk" as top ensemble.

The Broadcast Film Critics Assn. chose to recognize two thesps in the lead actress category -- marking only the second tie in a lead category -- honoring both Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep for their roles in "Rachel Getting Married" and "Doubt," respectively.

Heath Ledger was honored posthumously for his supporting turn in "The Dark Knight" -- a first for the kudos fest. The pic also picked up the first "Best Action Movie" award.

Kate Winslet won the supporting actress kudo for her role in "The Reader," and Bruce Springsteen received the song award for "The Wrestler."

"Wall-E" picked up honors for animated feature and "Tropic Thunder" won top comedy. HBO telepic, "John Adams," was named top picture made for television, "Waltz With Bashir" won top foreign language film and "Man on Wire," top documentary.

Richard Gere was honored with the second annual Joel Siegel award.

The ceremony was broadcasted live on VH1 Thursday night from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

Complete list of winners:

BEST PICTURE:
"Slumdog Millionaire"
BEST ACTOR:
Sean Penn, "Milk"
BEST ACTRESS - Tie:
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married" and Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Kate Winslet, "The Reader"
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE:
"Milk"
BEST DIRECTOR:
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"
BEST WRITER (Original or Adapted Screenplay):
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
"Wall-E"
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS (Under 21):
Dev Patel, "Slumdog Millionaire"
BEST ACTION MOVIE:
"The Dark Knight"
BEST COMEDY :
"Tropic Thunder"
BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION :
"John Adams"
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
"Waltz with Bashir"
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
"Man On Wire"
BEST SONG (performer/writer, film):
“The Wrestler” – Bruce Springsteen/Bruce Springsteen, "The Wrestler"
BEST COMPOSER :
A.R. Rahman, "Slumdog Millionaire"
JOEL SIEGEL AWARD:
Richard Gere