Detroit Film Critics Society announces 2011 winners

Friday, Dec. 16 — The Detroit Film Critics Society has announced its choices for the best in film in 2011. The society is made up of print, online, TV and radio critics from Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Lansing (including City Pulse’s James Sanford).

The DFCS members screen the major films that are up for Academy Award consideration, including pictures that don’t go into nationwide release until January or February.

For more information, visit detroitfilmcritics.com, or the Detroit Film Critics Society page at Facebook.

Best Picture: “The Artist” (opens in January)
Also nominated: "The Descendants"; "Hugo"; "Take Shelter"; "The Tree of Life"

Best Director: Michel Hazanivicius, “The Artist”

Also nominated: Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"; Jeff Nichols, "Take Shelter"; Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"; Nicolas Winding-Refn, "Drive"

Best Actor: Michael Fassbender, “Shame” (scheduled to open locally in January)

Also nominated: George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"; Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"; Michael Shannon, "Take Shelter"

Best Actress: Michelle Williams, “My Week with Marilyn” (scheduled to open locally in January)

Also nominated: Viola Davis, "The Help"; Felicity Jones, "Like Crazy"; Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"; Charlize Theron, "Young Adult"

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners” (on DVD)

Also nominated: Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"; Albert Brooks, "Drive"; Ryan Gosling, "Crazy, Stupid, Love."; Patton Oswalt, "Young Adult"

Best Supporting Actress: Carey Mulligan, “Shame”

Also nominated: Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"; Jessica Chastain, "Take Shelter"; Vanessa Redgrave, "Coriolanus"; Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Best Ensemble: “Carnage” (scheduled to open locally in January)

Also nominated: "Cedar Rapids"; "Crazy, Stupid, Love."; "The Help"; "Margin Call"; "Win Win"

Best Breakthrough Performance: Jessica Chastain, “The Tree of Life,” “Take Shelter,” “The Help” (“Tree” and “Help” are on DVD, “Take Shelter” is scheduled to open early in 2012)

Also nominated: Felicity Jones, "Like Crazy"; Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"; Elizabeth Olsen, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"; Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

Best Screenplay: Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, “Moneyball”

Also nominated: Will Reiser, "50/50"; Michel Hazanvicius, "The Artist"; Mike Mills, "Beginners"; Jeff Nichols, "Take Shelter"

Best Documentary: “Tabloid” (on DVD)

Also nominated: "Into Eternity"; "Into the Abyss"; "Marwencol"; "We Were Here"