I’m generally pleased with the Phoenix Film Critics Society results. I was pulling for a win by “The Dark Knight” of course but having my second-favorite take the top prize isn’t too bad:

Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire

Top Ten Films of 2008 (in alphabetical order)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
In Bruges
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
The Visitor
Wall-E
The Wrestler

Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role
Sean Penn, Milk

Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role
Meryl Streep, Doubt

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Best Acting Ensemble
The cast of Milk

Best screenplay written directly for the screen
In Bruges

Best screenplay adapted from another medium
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Live Action Family Film
High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Overlooked Film
In Bruges

Best Animated Film
Wall-E

Best Foreign Language Film
Let the Right One In

Best Documentary
Man on Wire

Best Original Song
“The Wrestler� from The Wrestler

Best Original Score
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Cinematography
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Film Editing
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Production Design
The Dark Knight

Best Costume Design
The Duchess

Best Visual Effects
The Dark Knight

Best Stunts
The Dark Knight

Breakout on Camera
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire

Breakout Behind the Camera
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges

Best Performance by a Youth – Male
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by a Youth – Female
Dakota Fanning, Secret Life of Bees

ABOUT PFCS:
The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) founded in 2000, is comprised of recognized Valley critics who review regularly for Phoenix area print and broadcast outlets. Current members include: David Ramsey, KMLE-FM, KPHO-TV, KNXV-TV, President; Roger Tennis, CLIPS TV Series, Vice President; Mike Massie, The College Affair Magazine, MoviePulse.net, Treasurer; Jamise Liddell, Foothill Focus, Glendale Daily Planet, Bella Online, Secretary; Stan Robinson, “Screen Scene� Movie Newsletter, AZ Weekly, Director; Gayle Bass, KTAR-FM, KTVK-TV, Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine; Henry Cabot Beck, True West Magazine; Colin Boyd, GetTheBigPicture.net; Michael Clawson, West Valley View; Randy Cordova, The Arizona Republic; Scott Craven, The Arizona Republic; Jim Ferguson, ABC KGUN-TV 9; Michael Dixon, KTAR-FM; Lisa Fuller-Magee, KTVK-TV; Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, Gannett News Service; Steven Gregory, Entertainment Correspondent, Clear Channel Radio; George Grorud, Java Magazine; Andy Hill, The Ahwatukee Foothills News; Gary Brandon Hill, The College Affair Magazine, MoviePilse.net; David Malsch, KPHX-AM, Tatum Sun Times; Kris (Strachan) Mason, Nearby News (Publisher of The View, The Groves Report, and The Val Vista Breeze); Joel Massie, The College Affair Magazine, MoviePulse.net; Randy Montgomery, AZ Weekly, Greensheet; M.V. Moorhead, Wrangler News, Sun Sounds of Arizona, Tribune Newspapers, Erie, PA Times-News; Mark Moorhead, Tempe/Chandler Wrangler News; Richard Nilsen, The Arizona Republic; Craig Outhier, The Tribune Newspapers, KTVK-TV; Frances Rimsza, Gear Chatter; Vique Rojas, KTVK-TV, AZfamily (mysweetconnection.com); Patrick Roland, Echo Magazine; Joseph Russo, The College Affair Magazine, MoviePulse.net; Aaron Tavena, College Times; Dawn Underwood, Movie Night Traffic Light, KWBA-TV, KWMT-FM; Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star; Josh Waterman, Access Tucson; Arne Williams, Arizona Informant