Los Angeles Film Critics Association Hail ""The Insider""

In a year that saw no clear-cut favorites going into the voting, Michael Mannís tobacco business expose ""The Insider"" emerged as the big winner with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, taking four awards, including Best Picture.In the final year of the century of cinema, the Buena Vista release also snared awards for Russell Crowe for actor, Christopher Plummer for supporting actor and Dante Spinotti for cinematography.DreamWorksí ""American Beauty,"" a close contender in numerous categories, managed one award, for director Sam Mendes, while Fox Searchlightís low-budgeter ""Boys Donít Cry"" took home the two female acting prizes: Hilary Swank for actress and Chloe Sevigny for supporting actress.USA Filmsí ""Being John Malkovich,"" another prominent title in the voting, was honored for Charlie Kaufmanís screenplay. Rick Heinrichs snared the production design award for París ""Sleepy Hollow,"" while same studio triumphed in the music category for Trey Parker and Marc Shaimanís work on ""South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.""Pedro Almodovarís ""All About My Mother,"" from Sony Classics, was declared Best Foreign Language Film of the year; Artisanís ""The Buena Vista Social Club"" was voted Best Documentary, with director Wim Wenders and producer-musician Ry Cooder both cited for their work.""Iron Giant,"" directed by Brad Bird and produced by Allison Abbate and Des McAnuff for Warner Bros., was named in the animation category.Director Alexander Payne and his writing partner Jim Taylor received the New Generation Award for their initial efforts, ""Citizen Ruth"" and ""Election."" Film editor Dede Allenís career achievement award was previously announced. The Douglas Edwards Independent/Experimental Film/Video Award was given to vet short filmmaker Owen Land.A special citation was created for Rick Schmidlin, Roger Mayer and Turner Classic Movies for ""their meticulous reconstruction and promotion of Erich von Stroheimís ëGreed.í ""The 25th LAFCA awards ceremony will be held January 19 at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood.""The Insider,"" which will need continued nominations and awards notice if it is to receive a box office boost in the coming weeks, pulled away as the major winner at the voting Saturday despite a great diversity in selections during the initial rounds and the fact that voting in several categories couldnít have been closer.

Source: Daily Variety