The King's Speech | featured news

"The King's Speech" was crowned best picture Sunday at an Academy Awards ceremony as precise as a state coronation, the monarchy drama leading as expected with four Oscars and predictable favorites claiming acting honors. Colin Firth as stammering British ruler George VI in "The King's Speech" earned the best-actor prize, while Natalie Portman won best actress as a delusional ballerina in "Black Swan."

The British monarchy saga The King s Speech leads the Academy Awards with 12 nominations, including best picture and acting honors for Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush.

Paramount's Natalie Portman/Ashton Kutcher R-rated romantic comedy No Strings Attached topped the weekend box office with a solid $20.3 million start, while The King's Speech neared a dazzling domestic cume of $60 million for a victorious Weinstein Co.

Oscar prospects brightened for "The King's Speech," as the film's producers - Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin - won the top award for makers of a theatrical motion picture from the Producers Guild of America on Saturday night.

The Facebook tale "The Social Network" won top honors Sunday at the Golden Globes with four prizes, including best drama and director, solidifying its prospects as an Academy Awards favorite.

Black Swan, The Fighter, The Kids Are All Right, The King's Speech and The Social Network will vie for Outstanding Cast.

The King's Speech, the acclaimed historical drama about King George VI's triumph over a speech disorder at the brink of World War II, received the most nominations — seven — for the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards announced this morning.