L.A. critics go with the flow

The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. rewarded some popular, mainstream films in its 2008 awards on Tuesday afternoon, handing the best picture prize to Disney/Pixar’s lovable robot “Wall-E” and giving the supporting actor nod to the late Heath Ledger for his riveting performance as the Joker in this summer’s smash “The Dark Knight.”

Danny Boyle won best director for the sleeper hit “Slumdog Millionaire,” his drama about a young man who grew up orphaned on the streets of Mumbai.

Elsewhere, Sean Penn took lead actor honors for his embodiment of Harvey Milk, the slain gay San Francisco supervisor in Gus Van Sant’s “Milk.” Sally Hawkins, who plays the eternally optimistic Poppy in Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky,” won the lead actress prize, and Leigh won for the film’s screenplay.

Penelope Cruz won the supporting actress award for both her films this year, with roles as Javier Bardem’s excitable ex-wife in Woody Allen’s comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and as the love interest of Ben Kingsley in the drama “Elegy.” Jia Zhangke’s “Still Life” from China was named best foreign-language film; “Waltz With Bashir” picked up the top prize in animation. Documentary honors went to “Man on Wire.”

In the crafts awards, the LAFCA selected Yu Lik Wai best cinematographer for “Still Life,” Mark Friedberg won for his production design on “Synecdoche, New York,” and the music/score award went to A.R. Rahman for “Slumdog Millionaire.”

The last time the eclectic LAFCA and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences agreed on a best film was 1993’s “Schindler’s List.” However, the critics group choices for actor and actress last year -- Daniel Day-Lewis for “There Will Be Blood” and Marion Cotillard for “La Vie en Rose” -- both went on to win the Academy Award.

The LAFCA will hold its 34th annual achievement award ceremony Jan. 12 at the InterContinental Los Angeles.

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susan.king@latimes.com