Film critics honor "There Will Be Blood"

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01/05/2008 Reported By: Senaxis News Services Source: Associated Press

NEW YORK - The National Society of Film Critics on Saturday named "There Will Be Blood," a gritty tale about a turn-of-the-century oil man infected with greed, the best picture of 2007.

The film topped Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and Joel and Ethan Coen's harrowing saga, "No Country for Old Men."

In "There Will Be Blood" — partly based on Upton Sinclair's 1920s novel "Oil!" — Daniel Day-Lewis plays a riveting and dynamic Daniel Plainview who loses his morals and mind in his Ahabesque quest for black gold.

The movie was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who was also tapped as best director, beating out Schnabel and the Coen brothers. Previous movies by Anderson include "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia."

Acting honors went to Day-Lewis and Julie Christie for "Away from Her."

Best supporting actor honors went to Casey Affleck for "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" and Javier Bardem for his terrifying performance in "No Country for Old Men."

"No End in Sight," made by Charles Ferguson, was chosen as the best documentary of the year. The movie depicted the costly mistakes made shortly after President Bush invaded Iraq, helping fuel a deadly insurgency.

The society also honored "There Will Be Blood" for cinematography, and Tamara Jenkins won best screenplay for "The Savages," a sibling comic drama.

The 42nd annual awards were given out by the National Society of Film Critics, an association of 61 movie critics from across the country.

Only 41 members cast ballots at the group's annual meeting Saturday in New York City, the society said in a news release.

The group's opinions often diverge from those of Oscar voters. This year's Oscar nominees will be announced Feb. 24.