MOVIES - March 12, 1996

Their Kinda Town: With the Academy Awards only two weeks away, “Apollo 13” added to its pile of awards Monday, taking the Chicago Film Critics accolade as best picture of the year. “The Postman (Il Postino)” was named best foreign language film, while the top acting awards went to “Leaving Las Vegas” co-stars Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue. In a departure from several other recent awards, the Windy City critics picked Oliver Stone for best director for “Nixon.” Illinois native Joan Allen was given the best supporting actress award for her role in the same film, while Chicago Flame crystal trophies went to Kevin Spacey for best supporting actor and Christopher McQuarrie for best screenplay for “The Usual Suspects.”