I haven’t gotten the chance to report much on the critics awards coming out, allowing our readers to get tired of others whining about the lack of Dark Knight love from different organizations. Well, you’ll find no different tune from me. I still think The Dark Knight is a brilliant picture, worthy of major recognition, and I’m not alone in that. In fact, the London Critics’ Circle is giving several opportunities for the movie to be honored this year, depending on how members vote.

The nominees for the various awards presented by the London Critics’ Circle have been announced via press release. Most of the nominees are what we’ve been seeing from other organizations. Lots of love for Slumdog Millionaire, Frost/Nixon, Benjamin Button, and the like. I think it’s good to see Wall-E among the “Film of the Year” contenders, although the chances of it winning against other, more popular (and more British) movies is unlikely.

The London Critics’ Circle awards are kind of interesting, in that they recognize British players in their own categories, as well as the regular, expected categories which extend to include non-British films. I never know how to take that. Is Danny Boyle the best possible director, because he’s nominated in both “Director of the Year” and “British Director of the Year,” or is Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight nomination only because they needed one more Brit for the “British Director of the Year” nominees.

Among the previous awards is a new category recognizing young British Performers. Too bad for die-hard fans that this came out in a non-Harry Potter year. I think it’s great to see both of the youths from Son of Rambow recognized in the category though.

Also of note, Dame Judi Dench will receive a special recognition for her outstanding contributions to film. Can you think of someone more worthy? Neither can I.

Here’s the full list of nominees for the 29th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, which will be presented on February 4th, 2009.

Nominees for the 29th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards
FILM OF THE YEAR
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Wall-E
The Wrestler

THE ATTENBOROUGH AWARD: BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR
Happy-Go-Lucky
Hunger
In Bruges
Man on Wire
Slumdog Millionaire

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Gomorrah
I’ve Loved You So Long
The Orphanage
Persepolis
Waltz With Bashir

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Darren Aronofsky - The Wrestler
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gus Van Sant - Milk

BRITISH DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Terence Davies - Of Time and the City
Mike Leigh - Happy-Go-Lucky
Steve McQueen - Hunger
Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight

ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Josh Brolin - W.
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Sean Penn - Milk
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader and Revolutionary Road

BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Michael Fassbender - Hunger
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Ben Kingsley - Elegy
Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire
Michael Sheen - Frost/Nixon

BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Kristin Scott Thomas - I’ve Loved You So Long
Tilda Swinton - Julia
Kate Winslet - The Reader and Revolutionary Road

BRITISH ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Liam Cunningham - Hunger
Toby Jones - Frost/Nixon and W.
Eddie Marsan - Happy-Go-Lucky
Peter O'Toole - Dean Spanley
Mark Strong - Body of Lies

BRITISH ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Hayley Atwell - The Duchess
Kristin Scott Thomas - Easy Virtue
Tilda Swinton - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Emma Thompson - Brideshead Revisited
Alexis Zegerman - Happy-Go-Lucky

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare - The Reader
Martin McDonagh - In Bruges
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

THE NSPCC AWARD: YOUNG BRITISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Asa Butterfield - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Georgia Groome - Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Bill Milner - Son of Rambow
Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire
Will Poulter - Son of Rambow
Thomas Turgoose - Somers Town and Eden Lake

BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILM-MAKER
Joanna Hogg - writer-director: Unrelated
Martin McDonagh - writer-director: In Bruges
Steve McQueen - writer-director: Hunger
James Watkins - writer-director: Eden Lake
Rupert Wyatt - director: The Escapist

DILYS POWELL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA
Dame Judi Dench