Actresses and shows about women win big at Critics' Choice Awards - Action News
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Entertainment

Actresses and shows about women win big at Critics' Choice Awards

It was a good night for women at the Critics' Choice Award, which honoured women-centred stories like Big Little Lies, The Handmaid's Tale and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Big Little Lies, The Shape of Water each take home 4 awards

Gal Gadot, center, Patty Jenkins and the crew of Wonder Woman accept the award for best action movie at the 23rd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Thursday in Santa Monica, Calif. (Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)

It was a good night for women at the Critics' Choice Award, which honoured women-centred stories like Big Little Lies,The Handmaid's Taleand The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.Wonder Womanwas named best action movie and star Gal Gadot accepted a special award for challenging gender stereotypes.

Yet the industry's ongoing sexual misconduct crisis remained an element of the ceremony as James Franco won an acting award early in the evening, hours after a report detailed new misconduct allegations against The Disaster Artiststar and director. Franco did not attend Thursday's presentation at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., and his award was presented during a pre-telecast section broadcast only online.

James Franco, seen in this Jan. 6 file photo, won best actor in a comedy film for his starring turn in The Disaster Artist. Earlier in the day new sexual misconduct allegations were made against the actor. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/The Associated Press)

Franco won a similar award at the Golden Globes earlier in the week, where most women dressed in black to protest sexual harassment. More women dressed in colour on Thursday, but their determination to end gender discrimination remained just as fierce.

"I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right, standing for those who can't stand or speak for themselves," Gadot said as she accepted the second annual #SeeHer award. "My promise to you is: I will never be silenced. We will continue to band together to make strides, uniting for equality."

The Shape of Water wins 4

Guillermo del Toro's fantasy romance, The Shape of Water,was the top film winner with four awards. Del Toro, who was also named best director, closed the show Thursday night by shouting that he's always believed in the equality of women.

"Let me tell you one thing, if you don't do that, you don't know what you're missing," he said.

Guillermo del Toro and the cast and crew of The Shape of Water accept the award for best picture. (Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)

The Shape of Water,which led all nominees with 14 bids, also claimed the best picture prize, along with score and production design honours.

Olivia Munn hosted the dinner ceremony, which was broadcast live on the CW network. The actress, who has spoken publicly about her own experiences with sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, led the audience in a toast. Joined by actress Niecey Nash, they raised a glass "to all the good guys in Hollywood," who held meetings in conference rooms rather than hotel rooms.

"Congratulations for doing what you're supposed to do!" Nash said.

'I love being an actor'

Big Little Liesreceived four awards: best limited series, as well as acting honours for Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern.

Laura Dern accepts the award for best supporting actress in a movie made for TV or limited series for Big Little Lies. (Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)

Kidman thanked the entertainment community "who show up to make really fantastic films and TV and let us do what we love."

"I love being an actor," said the 50-year-old Oscar winner. "Thank you for letting me do it all the way through to this age and beyond."

Stories about women also won in comedy categories. The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselwas named best comedy series, and star Rachel Brosnahan won best actress in a comedy.

'Let's not lose focus'

As she accepted her award, Brosnahan noted that even though women aren't wearing black like most did at the Golden Globe Awards earlier in the week, she said the fight to eradicate sexual harassment continues.

"Let's not lose focus," she said, urging viewers to support the Time's Up initiative. "Let's keep this going."

Rachel Brosnahan accepts Best Actress in a Comedy Series for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Presenter Chris Hemsworth noted that women have had a stellar year at the box office.

"The three biggest movies of 2017 in North America were Star Wars: The Last Jedi,Beauty and the Beastand Wonder Woman,"which all feature female protagonists, he said. "The biggest comedy was a female ensemble, Girls Trip,and the biggest independent movie was written and directed by Greta Gerwig."

I, Tonya takes 2 acting awards

Hemsworth presented the best actress award to an absent Frances McDormand for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.The film also won for acting ensemble and supporting actor for Sam Rockwell.

Double winners Thursday included I, Tonya,Darkest Hour,Get Outand Coco.

Chris Hemsworth presents the award for best actress. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

I, Tonyabrought acting accolades for star Margot Robbie and supporting actress Allison Janney. Darkest Hourwon awards for makeup and lead actor for Gary Oldman. Get Outwas named best sci-fi or horror film, and writer-director Jordan Peele claimed original screenplay honours. Cocowon animated feature and original song for Remember Me.

Many Critics' Choice Awards winners also took home Golden Globes, including McDormand, Rockwell, Oldman, Brosnahan and the stars of Big Little Lies.Hollywood's awards season continues through March 4, when the Academy Awards are presented.

Margot Robbie accepts the award for best actress in a comedy for I, Tonya. (Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)