'Precious' Nabs Five Independent Spirit Nominations

You might think The Hurt Locker got overlooked by the fine folks at the Independent Spirit Awards, and you're right. But it actually got overlooked last year, when only Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie were nominated for the film. But it wasn't eligible this year, so there's that. Instead, the front-runner is probably Precious, although a sentimental case could easily be made for (500) Days of Summer, another of the year's five nominees for Best Feature. Precious received five nominations, in the categories you'd most likely expect (Feature, Director, Actress, Supporting Actress, and First Screenplay). I'm not entirely certain which awards it will win, but Mo'Nique seems like a stone cold lock in the Supporting category. In fact, in a wide open year, she's probably the best bet for any major award. The Last Station, powered by Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer, also picked up five nominations, while A Single Man landed four. A full list of the winners can be found at IndieWire, but here are the ones with reserved parking spaces: Best Feature
(500) Days of Summer
Amreeka
Precious
Sin Nombre
The Last Station Best Director
Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
Lee Daniels, Precious
Cary Fukanaga, Sin Nombre
James Grey, Two Lovers
Michael Hoffman, The Last Station Best First Feature
A Single Man
Crazy Heart
Easier With Practice
The Messenger
Paranormal Activity Best Female Lead
Maria Bello, Downloading Nancy
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Gwyneth Paltrow, Two Lovers
Gabby Sidibe, Precious
Nisreen Faour, Amreeka Best Male Lead
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Joseph Gordon Levitt, (500) Days of Summer
Souleymane Sy Savane, Goodbye Solo
Adam Scott, The Vicious Kind Best Supporting Female
Mo’Nique, Precious
Samantha Morton, The Messenger
Natahlie Press, Fifty Dead Men Walking
Mia Wasikowska, That Evening Sun
Dina Korzun, Cold Souls Best Supporting Male
Jemaine Clement, Gentlemen Broncos
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Cristian McKay, Me and Orson Welles
Ramon McKinnon, That Evening Sun
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station Best Foreign Film
A Prophet
An Education
Everlasting Moments
Mother
The Maid