Ballot Mishap Delays Start Of Hollywood’s Self-Congratulation Season

“The group that traditionally presents the first big awards of the Oscar season said Wednesday it had delayed announcing its winners after questions were raised about its voting process. A spokesman for the National Board of Review downplayed the flap, explaining that voters had mistakenly been sent a memo that was mislabeled as an ‘eligibility list’ and did not include all the 2005 films that qualified… The delay lends new clout to the Los Angeles Film Critics’ Assn., which will be the first out of the gate this awards season with their picks for 2005 when they announce their choices on Saturday.”