FILE - This undated publicity film image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Bryan Cranston, left, as Jack O'Donnell and Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez in "Argo," a rescue thriller about the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. A best-picture win at the upcoming Oscars could be viewed as righting a wrong after Affleck inexplicably missed out on a best-director nomination. (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Claire Folger, File)
February 02, 2013 - 8:12 AM
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Hollywood's strange awards season continues this weekend with another ceremony that could firm up a big Oscar win for Ben Affleck's "Argo."
The Directors Guild of America hands out prizes Saturday night in Los Angeles in what typically is a final blessing for the film that goes on to win best-picture and director at the Academy Awards.
But here's the rub: Affleck is up for best direction of a feature film at the Directors Guild awards, and "Argo" is looking like the best-picture favourite at the Oscars on Feb. 24. But the director's branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences overlooked Affleck and several other key filmmakers for an Oscar directing slot.
The guild and Oscar directing lineups usually match up closely, but they have little in common this season.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013