Critics Reward Soderbergh, Crowe, and Crowe

December 27, 2000 -- The awards season continued today as the Las Vegas Film Critics Society heaped praise on legal drama Erin Brockovich, which nabbed two of the group's top awards — best picture and best director — for Steven Soderbergh, while Gladiator grabbed a leading five prizes.

The best acting trophies were divided among four films, according to Variety. Geoffrey Rush was named as best actor for Quills, Ellen Burstyn was best actress for Requiem for a Dream, Kate Hudson received the best supporting actress nod for Almost Famous, and Benicio Del Toro took the best supporting actor prize for Traffic.

Meanwhile, over in San Diego, critics applauded their hometown son Cameron Crowe for his endearing '70s rock portrait, Almost Famous.

The San Diego Film Critics Society saluted the semi-autobiographical flick as best picture, while Crowe was cited for his original screenplay and his directing on the film. The film also earned a fourth honor: Frances McDormand was named as top supporting actress.

The voters in the beach community also largely agreed with their Sin City counterparts, giving Gladiator much fanfare. This time, the sword-and-sandal epic took three prizes: best actor (Russell Crowe), cinematography (John Matheison), and body of work (Joaquin Phoenix, for Quills, Gladiator, and The Yards).

San Diego also ushered Erin Brockovich's leading lady, Julia Roberts, into a tie for best actress with You Can Count on Me's Laura Linney. As did the Las Vegas critics, the California pundits voted Del Toro best supporting actor for Traffic.

Reuters contributed to this story.