NYFCC Winners

It's always interesting to see how the awards season takes shape, and the New York Film Critics' Circle officially kicks off the critics awards that are given out every year from critics of many different regions across the country. This year "American Hustle" wins big with Best Film, Screenplay, and Supporting actress. Cate Blanchett continues to get recognition from her work in Blue Jasmine, Rob Redford win in All Is Lost (which is surprising, to say the least), and Steve McQueen wins best director.

One thing's for sure: while it's a sign of things to come awards-wise, the Academy Awards could wind up looking very different. After all, "Wolf of Wall Street" had been screened just yesterday for the New York Film Critics. And while a late screening worked in Zero Dark Thirty's favor, in a year this strong, it's tough to weigh out which film is better in less than 24 hours.

Needless to say, like anytime awards are given out, take this with a very big grain of salt. Hopefully "Gravity" doesn't continue to get shut out by other critics and such. I'll kinda be pulling for 12 Years a Slave since it's the more important film, but there are about 5-6 other films that could win and I'd have no problem with. Either way, this will be a very fun, occasionally frustrating, sometimes bewildering awards season and I can't wait to witness the insanity.

The 2013 New York Film Critics’ Circle Award Winners:
Best Film:
"American Hustle"
Best Director:
Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave"
Best Screenplay:
Eric Singer & David O. Russell, "American Hustle"

Best Actress:
Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine"
Best Actor:
Robert Redford, "All Is Lost"
Best Supporting Actress:
Jennifer Lawrence, "American Hustle"
Best Supporting Actor:
Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club"
Best Cinematography:
Bruno Delbonnel, "Inside Llewyn Davis"
Best Non-fiction Film:
"Stories We Tell," directed by Sarah Polley
Best Foreign Language Film:
"Blue is the Warmest Color," directed by Abdellatif Kechiche
Best Animated Feature:
"The Wind Rises," directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Best First Feature:
"Fruitvale Station," directed by Ryan Coogler