Mickey Rourke and “The Wrestler” have won top honors at the Spirit Awards, the annual eve-of-Oscars salute to the best of independent cinema. Rourke, a nominee at Sunday’s Academy Awards, won the best actor for his performance as a washed-up prizefighter in director Darren Aronofsky’s moving drama, which later scooped the ceremony’s best picture prize. Rourke’s award was the latest in a series of honors that have gone to the 56-year-old, who has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after his career suffered a prolonged slump through the 1990s. In a typically profanity-laced acceptance speech, Rourke dedicated the win to “Wrestler” director Aronofsky — and his pet chihuahua, who died last week. “I’ve just gotten thousands of letters from strangers and people that know me about my dog that died six days ago, Loki. This is for you baby,” he said. “Thank you Darren Aronofsky for believing in me. Directors like Darren come around every 25 years,” added Rourke. Aronofksy said he had been drawn to the “The Wrestler” because of its subject matter. “Wrestling was a world no one had tackled in a serious way, and the more we looked into that world, the more complex it seemed,” he said. In other awards Saturday, Oscar nominee Melissa Leo won the best actress award for her performance in the human-trafficking drama “Frozen River.” Tom McCarthy meanwhile took best director honors for “The Visitor,” which is notable for helping journeyman Richard Jenkins earn a best actor nomination at Sunday’s Oscars. In the supporting actor and actress categories, Spanish siren Penelope Cruz won for her performance in Woody Allen’s steamy comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Cruz will be seeking to emulate the success at the Oscars, where she is nominated in the best supporting actress category. “I didn’t expect this,” Cruz said. “I go to all awards like this, not expecting anything, so it’s always a surprise when I win.” Meanwhile James Franco picked up the best supporting actor award for his portrayal of gay politician Harvey Milk’s long-time lover Scott Smith in the Gus Van Sant biopic “Milk,” which also earned best first screenplay for writer Dustin Lance Black. Black later paid tribute to Sean Penn’s portrayal of Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official. “Sean’s performance really captured Harvey,” Black said. “That’s why this film has such a connection beyond gay and lesbian audiences. We need to continue building the coalitions that Harvey was so good at.” In other notable awards Saturday, France’s “The Class (Entre Les Murs)” won the best foreign film, while the best documentary went to “Man on Wire,” director James Marsh’s exhilarating account of Frenchman Philippe Petit’s tight-rope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. “What Philippe did was to stop time, it was a little miracle,” Marsh told reporters.

Altho the Film Indepedent’s Spirit Awards are only 25 years old, I love that there is a place for Indie films to get their due when, overwhelmingly, the Motion Picture Academy tends to overlook many amazing performances due to, well, their indieness. True, some Independent Films and actors get honored at the Academy Awards but, for the most part, name recognition plays a huge part in the voting process. I’m sure many of you have never even heard of the film Frozen River and yet, it was one of the year’s strongest films. After the jump, check out a couple photos from the show itself and some pics of a few winners posing with their Indie trophies in the press room afterward …

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that James Franco took home the award for Best Supporting Male. He turned in such an amazing performance in Milk, I’m thrilled for his win. I’m also happy that Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler took home the top prize. I have been a HUGE Aronofsky fan since his movies Pi and Requiem for a Dream changed the way I viewed movies (ie. as an art form and not merely as entertainment). If you have not seen either of those films GO SEE THEM NOW! They are amazing. While I don’t think that The Wrestler will win Best Picture at the Oscars tonight, my money is on Rourke to win the Best Actor trophy tonight. In any event, much congrats goes out to the winners at this year’s Film Indepedent’s Spirit Awards.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

As you may recall, big name celebs like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Jude Law are rockin’ the porn’stache these days and it looks like Emile wants to be one of the boys. Unfortch, tho, I don’t think the look really works on the lad. Honestly, I think the ’stache needs to grow in a bit fuller to look really hawt … mebbe once he finishes with puberty? When you’ve got a hot ’stache like Jude Law’s Jude’stache, well, it’s hard to compete. As much as I’m a fan of the porn’stache craze that’s going on these days … I think mebbe Emile needs to try a different look. What do y’all think? Does the facial hair work on him?

[Photo credit: X17]

Sean Penn was almost 20 minutes late for the Beverly Hills screening of his new movie, Milk. Living up to his reputation for not being a huge fan of the press, the Hollywood star arrived at the screening at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences at the last possible minute, ignoring TV crews. Sean’s young co-star Emile Hirsch seemed to be following in his footsteps – the Speed Racer star spoke to just a handful of reporters before disappearing inside. However, their co-stars Josh Brolin and James Franco were more willing to chat about the movie, which is based on the true life story of Harvey Milk (played by Sean), San Francisco’s first openly gay leader, who was slain 30 years ago. James said making the film had been a thrill. “It was incredible to be able to shoot in the exact places where this history was taking place, it was inspiring just as an actor and a special thing, a unique experience,” he said. The film is generating plenty of Oscar buzz, but director Gus Van Sant was reluctant to talk of possible Academy Award nominations. “I hope there’s such a thing,” was all he’d say. Stars who attended the LA premiere included Winona Ryder, Vanessa Redgrave and Elizabeth Banks. Relatives of Harvey Milk were also at the screening and Sean’s wife Robin Wright Penn was there to support her Oscar-winning hubby.

I’m very bummed at the timing of last night’s premiere. I was invited to attend but was unable to make it because of my flight home to Detroit. In any event, I deffo plan to see this film as soon as I can. Harvey Milk was a pioneer who paved the way for gays and lesbians to be represented in political office. To think that all these years after his death we are still fighting for equal rights for the GLBT community isn’t surprising, it’s just a shame that he can’t be here to join the struggle.

While reminds me, DON’T FORGET that tomorrow is the National Day of Protest Against Marriage Discrimination in all 50 States:

Head over to Join the Impact and find out where YOUR protest rally is being held in your State and find out what YOU can do to Stand Up for Marriage Equality.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

There were lots of jubilant smiles and happy faces … it’s nice that the stars of The Dark Knight can celebrate their new movie (reportedly a tour de force for Heath Ledger) without having to cast any mournful sadness on the event over the loss of Heath Ledger. After the jump, check out more pics from the black carpet arrivals at the movie premiere and a few photos of some of the attendees at the movie’s afterparty at the Mandarin Oriental …

Here are a few more guests walking the black carpet at last night’s movie premiere:

It looks like any celeb who was in the NYC vicinity was able to make their way to the movie’s premiere … and who could blame them? The Dark Knight promises to be the summer’s biggest blockbuster and will, most likely generate massive buzz for the rest of the year. Considering there is Oscar talk already, well, there’s no telling how huge TDK may turn out to be. I, for one, am counting down the seconds until I am able to see the movie this Thursday night at midnight.

Here are a few pics of some of the guests who attended the premiere afterparty at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, including Kim and Kate Ledger (Heath’s father and sister respectively) and various hotties:

I understand that Heath’s mother, Sally Bell, was also at last night’s premiere and/or afterparty but no members of the Ledger family gave any interviews to the press. Heath’s father was asked what he thought about the movie and he reportedly gave a thumbs up. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the family to watch this movie … but, again, I understand that Heath gave a phenomenal performance … one that will prolly live on as his legacy.

I believe there will be another premiere event for The Dark Knight here in LA this week … and then the movie will open for the rest of us to see. I am so excited!!!

[Photo credit: Splash News, Bauer-Griffin, Wireimage]

Now, I’m not sure if Emile is trying to “get into character” or if he’s just a really misguided dresser but this is not a good look for him. To tell the truth, I don’t even think Oscar Wilde could pull it off properly. Thank Gawd Emile opted out of wearing the matching satin cape cuz then, well, he would have to be killed. I suppose he deserves snaps for taking such a bold fashion risk. I think he missed the mark completely but good on him for giving it a go.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]