New York Film Critics crown 'The Artist'

In a rather attention-grabbing move, the New York Film Critics Circle had decided some time back to preempt the National Board of Review this year and be the first major critics group out of the gate with their year-end awards. Although you can hardly call them "year-end", seeings as they're coming to us a full month before the year ends, and well before most audiences have even had a chance to see their pick for Best Picture and Director; Michael Hazanavicius' silent film homage The Artist. I have no comment. How could I? I haven't even seen it yet!

I'll only briefly comment on how silly I think it is for them to do this so soon. What's the rush? Seriously.

I do dig the support for Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, which won awards for Brad Pitt's & Jessica Chastain's performances (coupled with their performances in Moneyball & The Help/Take Shelter respectively) and for Emmanual Lubezki's cinematography.

All winners after the cut.

Best Picture: The Artist
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Best Actor: Brad Pitt, Moneyball & The Tree of Life
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks, Drive
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain, The Help & Take Shelter & The Tree of Life
Best Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, Moneyball
Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation
Best Non-Fiction Film: Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life
Best First Feature: Margin Call
Special Award: Raoul Ruiz (posthumous)