New York Film Critics Online chooses 'The Artist' Best Pic

The digital film organization that I am a member of, the NYFCO (New York Film Critics Online), voted today for the best of the best in film for 2011.

There were some surprises for me, in particular, the animated category. I voted for Rango as the best, but the rest of my collegues felt strongly for Spielberg's Tintin. I agree that on a visual, Tintin is extraordinary, but as a whole movie, the film dragged to point of boredom. Rango was intellectual, funny, unique, and had very adult themes.

Also interesting was Michael Shannon for 'Take Shelter' in the Best Actor category. He wasn't  a favorite, but nevertheless, I'm happy he took the award as opposed to undeserved Clooney. Shannon is one hell of an actor. He was excellent in Revolutionary Road and was the best part of The Runaways. He should've been nominated for Best Supporting actor at the Oscars in 2010.

So many more deserved and surprising moments such as Melissa McCarthy for 'Bridesmaids' over Octavia Spencer from 'The Help' in the Supporting Actress category. Read on and enjoy the beauty that is film criticism during award season.

BEST FILM
"The Artist"

TOP PICTURES OF 2011 (alphabetical)
"The Artist" (The Weinstein Company)
"The Descendants" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
"Drive" (Film District)
"The Help" (Walt Disney Pictures)
"Hugo" (Paramount Pictures)
"Melancholia" (Magnolia Pictures)
"Midnight in Paris" (Sony Pictures Classics)
"Take Shelter" (Sony Pictures Classics)
"The Tree of Life" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
"War Horse" (Dreamworks Pictures)
 
DIRECTOR
Michael Hazanavicius for "The Artist"
 
ACTOR
Michael Shannon for "Take Shelter"
 
ACTRESS
Meryl Streep for "The Iron Lady"
 
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Albert Brooks for "Drive"
 
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids"
 
CINEMATOGRAPHY
"The Tree of Life" - Emmanuel Lubezki
 
SCREENPLAY
"The Descendants" - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
 
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE
"A Separation"
 
DOCUMENTARY
"Cave of Forgotten Dreams"
 
ANIMATED FEATURE
"The Adventures of Tin Tin"
 
USE OF MUSIC
"The Artist" - Ludovic Bource
 
BREAKOUT PERFORMER
Jessica Chastain for "The Tree of Life, "The Help,"The Debt," "Take Shelter"
 
DEBUT AS DIRECTOR
Joe Cornish for "Attack the Block"
 
ENSEMBLE CAST
"Bridesmaids"