The not-so-great Oscar debate got a bit hotter today with America’s poles battling over best film. Well, not so much battle, they just prefer something different. For those keeping it real on the West Sii-ieede, the now Oscar favourite Letters from Iwo Jima took the grand prize of best film for the LA Film Critics Association. But for those who prefer the flavas of the East Side, the New York Film Critics Circle (Circle?!? For such an ‘intense’ city you wouldn’t think they’d define themselves with the same word old knitting granny groups do) picked United 93 as their film of the year.

This year could lead to a pretty predictable award season. Already Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) have scored acting awards, with little contest (Borat did tie for best actor in LA, though). The New Yorkers stuck with thier homey Marty Scorsese for the director award, with Paul Greengrass (United 93) taking the West Side director award. The only other contender would be Clint, but aren’t we a bit tired of him walking away with little statues? Maybe not, and I won’t bother listing the previous omissions to illustrate the ridiculously conservative (not politically, but culturally) actions of the voters, meaning they’re probably too used to ticking Clint on the voting form. My fingers are crossed for United 93, one of the most visceral films in years, and a much more fitting tribute to the victims of 9/11 than Oliver Stone’s propaganda.

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