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Las Vegas Film Critics Society 2007 Awards

"Old Men" proves to be alive and kicking as the Las Vegas Film Critics Society™ announces its winners for it's 11th Annual 'Sierra Awards.'

(December, 20, 2007 - Las Vegas) The latest cinematic tour de force from directing duo Joel and Ethan Coen takes top honors during this, the Sierra Awards' eleventh anniversary. The members of the Las Vegas Film Critics Society have selected "No Country for Old Men" as the best motion picture released in 2007. The Coen Brothers' twisted tale of a Texas hunter who himself becomes a marked man received three awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Best Supporting Actor went to "No Country's" Javier Bardem for his unsettling performance as the brutal, enigmatic killer Anton Chigurh. Also receiving three Sierra Awards is Paul Thomas Anderson's sprawling saga of oil and amorality "There Will Be Blood," including a Best Actor Sierra for Daniel Day-Lewis. Since the inception of the LVFCS in 1997, it's members have bestowed upon a single individual the William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, character actor James Hong was selected to receive the accolade, in tribute to his more than fifty years as a performer.

William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award

The William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award is named for the brilliant Academy Award(R)-winning actor. After appearing in several films and serving in the Armed Forces during World War II, Holden finally became a 'star'. It was 1950 and the movie was "Sunset Boulevard." The film won Holden an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. Although he did not win the Oscar(R) for that performance, Holden did receive the coveted trophy for his role in the 1953 film "Stalag 17." William Holden does have a Las Vegas connection. Holden married Brenda Marshall in 1941 inside a Congregationalist Church in Las Vegas.

The LVFCS is proud to bestow upon actor James Hong this award bearing his name. We would like to thank the estate of actor William Holden (1918-1981) for their generosity in allowing the LVFCS to honor Mr. Holden's contribution to motion pictures in this modest way.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the Great Depression, Hong began life as a stranger in a strange land. As one of the few Chinese families in the area, assimilation was difficult. Even after Hong discovered his passion for performing, he realized that roles for Asian-Americans were, to say the least, sparse. He continued undaunted, until he was cast in three Hollywood films virtually simultaneously. Ironically, one of those films was "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" that starred none other than William Holden. Since then, Hong has never looked back, having been featured in over four hundred and fifty films and television programs. Behind the scenes, Hong has been fighting for better roles for Asian-American actors and against those that perpetuate negative ethnic stereotypes. As part of giving back to the performing community, Hong has been conducting acting classes, sharing his decades of knowledge and experiences with a new generation.

For his accomplishments as an actor, teacher and advocate for minority rights within the performing community, the Las Vegas Film Critics Society is proud to honor James Hong with this year's William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Las Vegas Film Critics Society, founded in 1997, is currently comprised of 10 members of the journalistic community in the Las Vegas, NV and Reno, NV areas. The members represent various radio, television, print and online outlets.