Independent Spirit Awards and Razzie Awards 2015

'Twas the night before the Oscars and, all through the land, awards were being handed out. One ceremony celebrated the best of cinema, the other the worst.

The Independent Spirit Awards reward the best in independent film making. The winners were:

Best Feature: Birdman
Best Male Lead: Michael Keaton, Birdman
Best Female Lead: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Best Director: Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Best Supporting Male: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Best Supporting Female: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Best First Feature: Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler
Best Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler
Best First Screenplay: Justin Simien, Dear White People

John Cassavetes Award (For best feature made under $500,000): Land Ho!
Robert Altman Award (For best director, casting director and ensemble cast): Inherent Vice
Special Distinction Award (For uniqueness of vision, honesty of direction and screenwriting, superb acting and overall filmmaking achievement): Foxcatcher

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman
Best Editing: Tom Cross, Whiplash
Best International Film: Ida
Best Documentary: CITIZENFOUR

The Razzie Awards, on the other hand, celebrate the worst in film making. The "winners" were:

Worst Picture: Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas
Worst Director: Michael Bay, Transformers 4: Age of Extinction

Worst Actor: Kirk Cameron, Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas
Worst Actress: Cameron Diaz, The Other Woman and Sex Tape
Worst Supporting Actor: Kelsey Grammer, Expendables 3, Legends of Oz, Think Like a Man Too, Transformers 4: Age of Extinction
Worst Supporting Actress: Megan Fox, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Worst Screenplay: Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas, written by Darren Doane and Cheston Hervey
Worst Remake, Sequel, or Rip-off: Annie
Worst Screen Combo: Kirk Cameron and his ego, Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas

Redeemer Award: Ben Affleck: From Razzie "Winner" for Gigli to Oscar darling for Argo and Gone Girl

ChrisB wishes everyone a very happy Oscars Night.