Film critics from apparently every city in the US, and a few small suburbs besides, have their own awards ceremonies, and most of them are going down right now.

Charlie missed out on a gong at the LA Film Critics' Awards, losing out to Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor for Sideways. Bloody Alex and Jim, you bastards. Charlie was the runner-up, though. Payne and Taylor were thorns in Charlie's side last year, when About Schmidt and Adaptation kept locking horns at the 80 million awards ceremonies. So I have a deep feeling of dread about the next few months. Thanks to Jamie for the indieWIRE link.

Sideways also kicked everyone's butt in Boston. What's wrong with you, Boston? Luckily you have Steven Wright, otherwise I'd have to hate you.

New York's Film Critics Online gave Charlie the nod for Best Screenplay. wOOt. And Eternal was named one of the 10 best flicks for '04 by the AFI.

Jim, Kate and Michel aren't being mentioned in too many places. But I'm not really surprised. Jim and Kate's roles just aren't typical award-winners, if you ask me, and the film isn't the sort to get a nod for its director. (I say this having not actually seen the damn thing, of course. But I've seen, read and heard enough.) Maybe they'll nab an indie-style award here and there.