It seems obvious now there are three critical darlings in the race this year, as three more critics groups announce and go different ways for the top prize, one for each pick.
TORONTO
These guys loved Carol as the year's best and picked a variety for the rest, including nods for the direction of Ex Machina and Phoenix. A nice touch in choosing Shaun the Sheep for best animated film too.
- Best First Film: Ex Machina
- Best Foreign Language Film: Phoenix
- Best Documentary: The Look of Silence
- Best Animated Feature: Shaun the Sheep Movie
- Best Screenplay: The Big Short
- Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
- Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
- Best Actress: Nina Hoss, Phoenix
- Best Actor: Tom Hardy, Legend
- Best Director: Todd Haynes, Carol
- Best Picture: Carol
SAN FRANCISCO
The Bay area critics went with Spotlight up top but also loved Brooklyn and Love and Mercy to some extent, showering both with screenplay and acting wins, along with Mad Max in the tech and director categories.
- Best Picture: “Spotlight”
- Best Director: George Miller, “Mad Max: Fury Road”
- Best Original Screenplay: “Love & Mercy”
- Best Adapted Screenplay: “Brooklyn”
- Best Actor: Paul Dano, “Love & Mercy”
- Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan, “Brooklyn”
- Best Supporting Actor: Michael Shannon, “99 Homes”
- Best Supporting Actress: Mya Taylor, “Tangerine”
- Best Animated Feature: “Anomalisa”
- Best Foreign Language Film: “Son of Saul”
- Best Documentary: “Listen to Me Marlon”
- Best Cinematography: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
- Best Production Design: “Carol”
- Best Film Editing: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
ONLINE FILM CRITICS SOCIETY
The OFCS went all in for Mad Max, as could be expected, but they also liked Carol quite a bit and yay- another one for Michael Fassbender in Best Actor. If Fassbender was the kind of guy who agreed to campaign, I do believe he could win that Oscar for this- right now Leo Dicaprio appears the frontrunner, but only as a default choice, since the movie isn't exactly beloved. It's definitely up for grabs if Fassy wanted it.
- Best Picture: Mad Max: Fury Road
- Best Animated Feature: Inside Out
- Best Film Not in the English Language: The Assassin (Taiwan)
- Best Documentary: The Look of Silence
- Best Director: George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
- Best Actor: Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
- Best Actress: Cate Blanchett (Carol)
- Best Supporting Actor: Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina)
- Best Supporting Actress: Rooney Mara (Carol)
- Best Original Screenplay: Spotlight
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Carol
- Best Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road
- Best Cinematography: Mad Max: Fury Road
