Hanks, Portman bag honors as awards season kicks off

LOS ANGELES - Tom Hanks and Natalie Portman took top acting honors on Sunday at the Hollywood Film Awards, billed as the official start of the film industry’s annual prize-giving season. The “Hollywood Blockbuster Award” went to Disney’s “The Jungle Book” while there was a comedy prize for two-time Oscar-winner Robert De Niro for his role in the upcoming “The Comedian.” Hanks, also a double Oscar winner, was honored for “Sully,” Clint Eastwood’s drama about real-life hero Chelsey Sullenberger’s 2009 emergency landing of a passenger jet on the Hudson River. Portman was recognized for her starring role in “Jackie,” a portrait of First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy during the days immediately following her husband’s assassination. Best supporting actor went to Hugh Grant for comedy biopic “Florence Foster Jenkins,” while Nicole Kidman was recognized for her support role in “Lion.” The ceremony, which has trademarked its description of itself as “The Official Launch of the Awards Season,” is in its 20th year. Mel Gibson, who is making a comeback after his career collapsed following an anti-Semitic tirade caught on tape, was accepted back into the fold with an award for directing. His World War II drama “Hacksaw Ridge” came out on Friday to widespread acclaim, ten years after his last directing project, “Apocalypto.” Hosted by British actor and comedian James Corden, the plush Beverly Hills ceremony has been criticized in the past, chiefly because it is not known who actually votes for the winners. The website says selections are made by an “advisory team” of “Hollywood insiders,” prompting trade journal “Variety” to describe the evening as “more mystery than suspense.” Critics have also questioned the wisdom of some of the decisions; this year the two actress prizes and De Niro’s honor were awarded for films which aren’t out yet. Organizers point out however that more than 100 honorees have gone on to garner Oscar nominations or wins. - AFP