MOVIES

‘Gravity,’ ‘Her’ tie for best picture from L.A. film critics

Sandra Bullock, left, as Dr. Ryan Stone and George Clooney as Matt Kowalsky in ‘Gravity.’ The space odyssey and the futuristic romance ‘Her’ tied for best picture from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The L.A. critics announced their picks Sunday.

Best actress was shared by Cate Blanchett for her fallen socialite in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, and Adele Exarchopoulos for the lesbian coming-of-age tale Blue Is the Warmest Color. (The later film also won for best foreign language film.)

Best supporting actor was also a two-fer, with the group jointly honoring Jared Leto’s performance as an HIV-positive transsexual in Dallas Buyers Club and, more surprisingly, James Franco’s performance as the cornrowed gangster Alien in Spring Breakers.

Best actor went to Bruce Dern for his performance in Alexander Payne’s father-son road trip Nebraska.

Early movie awards can help sort out the Academy Awards race, but they’ve been particularly varied this year. Last week, the New York Film Critics Circle named David O. Russell’s Abscam fictionalization American Hustle best film.

The National Board of Review picked Her. The Gotham Awards elected the Coen brothers’ folk tale Inside Llewyn Davis best film.

On Sunday, both the New York Film Critics Online and the Boston Film Critics named the slavery epic 12 Years a Slave best picture.

The L.A. critics also voiced its strong support for the film, naming Lupita Nyong’o best supporting actress, and giving a “special citation” to the film’s creative team.

Hollywood’s awards season continues Wednesday with the Screen Actors Guild nominations, followed Thursday by the Golden Globe nominations.