LOS ANGELES – The final installment of the "Lord of the Rings" (search) trilogy claimed best picture and best director honors Saturday at the Critics' Choice Awards (search), while "Mystic River" star Sean Penn was named best actor and Charlize Theron took the best actress honor as a serial killer in "Monster."
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" beat out nine other films to take the top honor, one of a leading four awards claimed by the film. It also won for best acting ensemble. Peter Jackson was honored as best director.
The awards are given by the Broadcast Film Critics Association to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. Winners are selected by written ballots in a weeklong voting period in mid-December.
The full list of awards:
Best Picture: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
Best Actor: Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
Best Actress: Charlize Theron, "Monster."
Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River."
Best Supporting Actress: Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
Best Acting Ensemble: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
Best Director: Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
Best Writer: Jim Sheridan, Kirsten Sheridan, Naomi Sheridan, "In America."
Best Young Actor/Actress: Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider."
Best Animated Feature: "Finding Nemo."
Best Family Film (live action): "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."
Best Picture Made for Television: "Angels in America."
Best Documentary: "Capturing the Friedmans."
Best Foreign Language Film: "The Barbarian Invasions."
Best Song: "A Mighty Wind," Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Eugene Levy.
Best Composer: Howard Shore, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
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