The Bob Awards!

Good news, everyone! The Bob Awards are here! No trophies, no meaning for the film industry, but there are mailed Red Robin gift certificates involved. Mickey Rourke, I still need your address from last year.

Art Direction
OSS 117: Rio Doesn't Answer - Like its predecessor, this French spy spoof is full of rich colorful detail that goes perfectly with the film's silliness. Maamar Ech-Cheikh did outstanding work here.

Cinematography
Black Dynamite - Most cinematographers today would have just used a computer to create the saturated look of a '70s "blaxploitation" movie, but Shawn Maurer opted to create the look naturally on film. The result goes a long way towards "Black Dynamite" being much more than a genre parody. It helps it become a '70s blaxploitation movie while satirizing them.

Costume Design
The Brothers Bloom - Beatrix Aruna Pasztor's costumes were as stylish and timeless as Rian Johnson's underappreciated second film.

Film Editing
The Hurt Locker - From first scene to last this film is as intense as anything you've ever seen. Editors Chris Innis and Bob Murawski ratchet up the relentless sense of fear.

Makeup
Star Trek - I couldn't come up with anything clever to say here. It just wins.

Original Score
Up - The best film scores are perfectly in sync with and even help establish a movie's tone. Michael Giacchino did just that in Pixar's latest masterpiece.

Original Song
Crazy Heart - In a time when so much so-called country music is bland and watered down, Ryan Bingham and T. Bone Burnett reminded us how great it can really be with "The Weary Kind."

Sound
The Road - The sound work is key to this film's sense of dire atmosphere and moments of terror.

Visual Effects
Avatar - The biggest box-office hit of all-time is notable as a piece of filmmaking for its technological breakthroughs. Now if only there had been a decent story, interesting characters, and even a scrap of heart.

Supporting Actor
(tie)
Peter Capaldi: "In the Loop" - Spewing a constant stream of bile and obscenities has rarely been this funny. Or creative. Malcolm Tucker was the funniest character on film in 2009.
Christoph Waltz: "Inglourious Basterds" - This German actor previously unknown to American audiences simply steals Quentin Tarantino's revisionist WWII tale. "It's a bingo!"

Sup. Actress
Rinko Kikuchi: "The Brothers Bloom" - In a nearly wordless performance, Kikuchi was the right mix of expressive, hilarious, and mysterious as a con-artist with a love of dynamite.

Actor
Sam Rockwell: "Moon" - Criminally overlooked by pretty much every movie award organization but this one, Rockwell gives the performance of his already stellar career. The day will come when he's finally recognized as one of the finest actors of his generation but he may never be better than he is as an astronaut clinging to sanity.

Actress
Carey Mulligan: "An Education" - We've seen coming of age movies about teenage girls "wise beyond their years" before, but I'm hard pressed to think of an actress who's pulled it off as well. Her performance as a brilliant 17 year old in 1961 London is natural and effortless.

Monty Python Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Star Trek: The degree of difficulty here was extraordinary. An entirely new cast was asked to become characters whom fans have held dear for over forty years. They haven't replaced the original cast but they have become the crew of the Enterprise for the 21st century.

Adapted Screenplay
"Up in the Air": Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner - 2009's most timely film is really a thorough character study of a middle-aged man trying to truly connect with someone for the first time in his life.

Original Screenplay
"(500) Days of Summer": Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber - A romantic comedy free of cliches and that feels like real life? Yes. An independent film script that doesn't rely on quirkiness? Double yes. Fresh, funny, and just plain wonderful writing.

Director
John Hillcoat: "The Road" - No film had a stronger sense of place than this unheralded post-apocalyptic tale of a father and son just trying to survive. From the very beginning you feel immersed in a world that's bleak to be sure, but it's powerful and atmospheric filmmaking.

Best Picture
(500) Days of Summer - This "story about love" may not advance film technology or tackle important social issues but it's my number one film of the year because it's a great story, well told, with characters who feel like real people. And that's what it's all about, isn't it?

And now the Fun Stuff...
Funniest Movie: Black Dynamite

Funniest Performance: Peter Capaldi - In the Loop

Most Entertaining Movie: The Brothers Bloom

Favorite Quote: "Your knowledge of scientific biological transmogrification is only outmatched by your zest for kung-fu treachery!" - Black Dynamite

Best Action Sequence: The first ten minutes - Star Trek

"Withnail and I" Award For Best Friendship: (tie) - Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, "I Love You Man." Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, "Sherlock Holmes."

Best Fight Scene: Black Dynamite - "I told you never to call me when I'm doing my kung fu!"

Funniest Scene: Black Dynamite - Breaking down the conspiracy. "LITTLE RICHARD!"

Best Dramatic Scene: Carl and Ellie's married life at the beginning of "Up." Unforgettable.

Best Villain: Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

Most Despicable Character: Kyle (Daryl Sabara) - World's Greatest Dad

Best Couple: John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph - "Away We Go."

Best Movie You Probably Missed: World's Greatest Dad

Best Local Movie (that was actually shot in Seattle!): World's Greatest Dad

Best Work Movie: Adventureland

Worst Performance: Verne Troyer - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Worst Movie I Subjected Myself To: Miss March

Best Animated and Family Film: Up

Best Cameo: It's in "Zombieland." If you've seen it you know who it is. If you haven't I dare not spoil it for you.

Best Sequel: OSS 117: Rio Doesn't Answer

Best Ending: Away We Go