To: Hollywood. You’re Great! From: Hollywood.

source: rottentomatoes.com

Over the last weekend, both the British Academy of Film and Television and the Writers Guild of America handed out their annual awards.

Less than two weeks until the Academy Awards, they are the final major indicators of who will walk away with Oscar glory.

The Orange British Academy Film awards were handed out in London, with many Oscar favourites securing their positions, and others losing their edge in surprise losses.

The romantic war epic Atonement was named Best Film, beating solid favourite No Country for Old Men. It is the second major prize the film has collected this awards season, the other being Best Motion Picture – Drama, at the Golden Globes.

Daniel Day-Lewis cemented his position at the podium after winning yet another Best Actor award for his portrayal of an oil tycoon in There Will Be Blood.

Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose) walked away with the Best Actress trophy, beating British fave Julie Christie (Away From Her), as well as the Dark Horse (and my current crush) Ellen Page (Juno).

Javier Bardem, who along with Day-Lewis, is probably the only sure-thing in this Oscar race. He was named Best Supporting Actor for playing Anton Chigurh, the terrifying killer with the darling hair-cut in No Country for Old Men.

Cate Blanchett‘s portrayal of Bob Dylan in I’m Not There was left unrewarded, with the Best Supporting Actress award going to Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton.

Over at the WGA awards, Diablo Cody picked up one more prize for writing the original screenplay for Juno, while The Coen Brothers won for adapting the Cormac McCarthy novel into their brilliant No Country for Old Men.

With only the Independent Spirit Awards left to be handed out, it won’t be long before the winners are revealed in one of the tightest Oscar races in history.

While No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood have dominated the Critic’s Group Awards, Atonement has taken out some of the more major prizes. Juno is probably the audience favourite, and has been awarded consistently throughout the season, as has the actor’s film, Michael Clayton. The spreading out of awards is evidence of the exceptional quality of all the nominees.

But who will eventually collect the tiny golden man? In my opinion, No Country is probably the best film of the last few years. But Juno is pretty damn loveable! Maybe my feelings for Ellen Page have got me confused…

– Simon