Utah critics honor Cohen, Cuaron

Kikuchi, Sheen named in supporting categories

By ERIN MAXWELL

Utah critics joined New York and Utah scribes in naming "United 93" as the pic of the year at the Utah Film Critics Association Awards. The critics also continued Helen Mirren's winning ways with another win for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in "The Queen."

However, Utah critics broke away from the usual favorites by unanimously naming Sacha Baron Cohen in the best actor category and giving helmer Alfonso Cuaron the top prize for best director for his sci-fier "Children of Men."

The critics went off the track in the supporting categories as well. Rinko Kikuchi won for "Babel" and Michael Sheen took top honors for "The Queen."

In the screenplay category, Rian Johnson beat out Paul Greengrass for "Brick."

The Utah Film Critics Association Awards were announced on Dec. 28 and consists of 11 members from print, television, and other media outlets.

Winners of the 2006 Utah Film Critics Association Awards:

Best Film: "United 93" directed by Paul Greengrass
Runner-up: "The Departed directed" by Martin Scorsese

Best Foreign-Language Film: "Letters from Iwo Jima" directed by Clint Eastwood
Runner-up: "El Laberinto del fauno" ("Pan's Labyrinth") directed by Guillermo del Toro

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, "Children of Men"
Runner-up: Paul Greengrass, "United 93"

Best Actor: Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"
Runner-up: None*

Best Actress: Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Runner-up: Shareeka Epps, "Half Nelson"

Best Supporting Actor: Michael Sheen, "The Queen"
Runner-up: Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed"

Best Supporting Actress: Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"
Runner-up: Maggie Gyllenhaal, "World Trade Center" and "Stranger Than Fiction"

Best Screenplay: Rian Johnson, "Brick"
Runner-up: Paul Greengrass, "United 93"

Best Documentary: "An Inconvenient Truth," directed by Davis Guggenheim
Runner-up: "So Much So Fast," directed by Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan