The Return of the King has thus far been awarded/named the most Best Picture awards. Four film critic associations have given this honor-- the New York Film Critics, Southeastern Film Critics, Online Film Critics and Broadcast Film Critics Association. Peter Jackson, however, has been awarded/named Best Director by five associations-- Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Toronto Film Critics Association, San Francisco Film Critics Circle, Online Film Critics, and Broadcast Film Critics.
The more telling award shows are yet to be awarded, including the Golden Globe Awards which will air on the 25th of this month. If Return of the King can be King at the Golden Globe, that might greatly influence the nominations which are released days later. (Remember, this year's Academy Awards show marks the first year the show will appear in February rather than March. One less month to see all the movies you need to see.)
Other films awarded Best Picture thus far include: Lost In Translation (Toronto Film Critics Association and San Francisco Film Critics Circle), Mystic River (Boston Society of Film Critics and National Board of Review), and American Splendor (LA Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics).
Other directors awarded Best Director thus far include: Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation (Boston Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics), Clint Eastwood for Mystic River (National Society of Film Critics), and Edward Zwick for The Last Samarai (National Board of Review).
The following is a list of award shows yet to air:
Golden Globe Awards (1/25)
Chicago Film Critics (January)
Director’s Guild (2/7)
British Academy Awards (2/15)
Writer’s Guild (2/21)
Screen Actor’s Guild (2/22)
Independent Spirit Awards (2/28)
Academy Awards (2/29)
