The award season is officially underway with the Independent Spirit Awards nominations released, and now the New York Film Critics Circle announcing their winners. In what may be seen as somewhat of a surprise, they named David O. Russell’s American Hustle Best Picture. Many had thought that 12 Years a Slave would take top honors, but that film has the honor of winning a Best Director trophy for Steve McQueen.

American Hustle also took home Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Lawrence (is she on a roll or what?).

In what should be a preview of an Oscar victory (in our humble opinion), Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for Blue Jasmine while Best Actor went to Robert Redford for All Is Lost. Many are saying that Redford is a lock for the Oscar too, but we’re not too sure. That may be the most difficult category to predict this year.

Best Supporting Actor went to Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club, who should easily win the Oscar in the same category.

The New York Film Critics Award Winners:

Best Picture: 
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 Foreign Language Film:
Blue is the Warmest Color

Best Cinematography:
Bruno Delbonnel, Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Nonfiction Film:
Stories We Tell

Best First Film:
Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale Station

Best Animated Film:
The Wind Rises

Special Award:
Frederick Wiseman