NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and THERE WILL BE BLOOD are emerging as the front-runners to take top honours at the 2008 Academy Awards after both pictures led various critics' polls over the weekend (08/09Dec07).

The Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association and the Boston Society Of Film Critics both voted No Country For Old Men as their best film of 2007.

The movie also netted brothers Joel and Ethan Coen a Best Director win from the Washington critics, while the Boston experts voted its star Javier Bardem as Best Supporting Actor.

Meanwhile, There Will Be Blood tied with The Diving Bell And The Butterfly as the New York Film Critics Online's Best Film.

The New York movie buffs also named There Will Be Blood's Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis as Best Director and Best Actor respectively.

As previously reported, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association awarded There Will Be Blood its Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor honours.

The annual critics awards are a solid indicator of Oscar glory.