(Wonderful work getting these winners out extra quick from the folks at TheScreenGrab.com.)

Best Picture
"United 93"
(Runners-Up: "The Queen," "The Departed")

Well, this is further help that "United 93" needs to really push into the Best Picture race after being in a lull. We all knew critical love was coming its way. Mentions from BFCA and HFPA will really sell the point, however. And hey, at least "The Departed" made the runners-up list here. It seemed that, ultimately, the NY Best Picture win was going to be one of these three films.

Best Director
Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"
(Runners-Up: Stephen Frears, "The Queen," Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima")

Martin Scorsese makes another valiant push toward that poptential Oscar win with kudos here today. It's interesting that Paul Greengrass didn't even make the runners-up list, however, and we can tell the group favorite must have been "The Queen," which was probably in some sort of deadlock for Best Picture with "The Departed," leaving the group settling on a favorable, easily agreed upon "United 93" for the top prize. This is the only mention of the morning for Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima."

Best Actor
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
(Runners-Up: Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson," Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat")

It's beginning to look like a steam-roller for Forest Whitaker. As will be noted in the updated Oscar charts later this afternoon, he's pretty much the frontrunner at this point. Talk about coming back strong after the buzz seemed to peak so early. Ryan Gosling showing up in the runners-up isn't a surprise as it is their kind of performance, and another mention for Sacha Baron Cohen will likely get everyone up in a tizzy. But I still can't see this performance getting an Oscar nomination.

Best Actress
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
(Runners-Up: Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal," Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada")

A long, slow, inevitable march to an Academy Award looks to be in store for Helen Mirren, who has been way out in front of the pack since "The Queen" began screening back in August. It's strange, regardless, to see the lead acting awards being so concentrated so far. It isn't rare for one of these categories to be centralized during the awards season, but for both, it's kind of unsettling. It's odd that Penelope Cruz mised out in the runners-up here, but some love finally comes Judi Dench's way, to my mind the best leading lady performance of the year. This trio is pretty locked a loaded now, I think it's safe to say.

Best Supporting Actor
Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"
(Runners-Up: Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls," Steve Carrell, "Little Miss Sunshine")

This is predictably the award Haley had coming, but will it translate to an Oscar mention? Probably not, as "Little Children" is falling into the highest of the highbrow categories lately, missing the gallant critics awards showing thus far that many thought it would achieve. First signs of love for Eddie Murphy emerge here, and ditto Steve Carrell. Fingers crossed the latter can pick up momentum for some really wonderful work. Oh, and interestingly enough, I can't find a single picture of Jackie Earle Haley on the net. There's not one image of him in the trailer. And the only thing I found is a shot that barely has the back of his head visible. New Line sure made some weird decisions handling this film.

Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
(Runners-Up: Shareeka Epps, "Half Nelson," Catherine O'Hara, "For Your Consideration")

After winning with the D.C. critics and taking down runner-up spots and breakthrough performer mentions, it looks like Hudson is well on her way to that Oscar nomination and potential win. But it's strange this is the only place the critics, who gushed over this film both verbally and, some, in print, have decided to recognize the film thus far. Shareeka Epps showing up here isn't a surprise, and I guess Catherine O'Hara shouldn't be either, given the Eugene Levy win for "A Mighty Wind."

Best Screenplay
"The Queen"
(Runners-up: "The Departed," "Little Miss Sunshine")

This is an added boost for Stephen Frears's film, which was bound to get a leg up from the critics following an odd snubbing on the NBR's top ten list. Peter Morgan's screenplay is a tight and precisely tuned effort that deserves this recognition, and is an example of quality craftsmanship on a modest level. The accomplishment is even more impressive when weighed against Morgan's completely different work with Jeremy Brock on "The Last King of Scotland." The runner-ups seem perfectly expected, but I still recall my giant WTF at seeing "The Lives of Dentists" pop up here in 2004.

Best Cinematography
"Pan's Labyrinth"
(Runners-Up: "Curse of the Golden Flower," "Children of Men")

This is an interesting get for Guillermo del Toro's beautiful work, and it keeps the film on the radar. It is encouraging to see "Pan's Labyrinth" continue to show up in various categories (the production design and the brilliant portrayal of supporting actor Sergi Lopez received shout outs from the LAFCA yesterday). At this point it has to be seen as the most apparent foreign film in the precursor awards. It's too bad "Children of Men" missed the win here, and I actually had "Curse" pegged for the win. The former is likely heading for an Oscar nomination, while the latter might make a play in the coming days.

Best Foreign Language Film
"Army of Shadows"
(Runners-Up: "Volver," "The Death of Mr. Lazarescu")

With word coming down the pike in the last few days that the NYFCC had gone ga-ga over the previously unreleased "Army of Shadows," it's no shock they decided to throw some love that film's way in the Best Foreign Film category. "Volver," meanwhile, stays on the scene.

Best Animated Film
"Happy Feet"
(Runners-Up: "A Scanner Darkly," "Cars")

I bet the NY critics went this way begrudgingly. After all, nothing terribly eclectic or obscure was in the mix. Then again, George Miller's derivative film has been seen as quite unique in a number of circles. I'm surprised they didn't go with "A Scanner Darkly" for the win just to go against the grain.

Best Non-Fiction Film
"The Deliver Us from Evil"
(Runners-Up: "49 Up," "Borat," "An Inconvenient Truth")

This was totally expected, and frankly I'm surprised it's taken so long for the film to pop up on the critics' awards radar, what with "An Inconvenient Truth" winning most awards and merely a tie (with the Bean Town crew) to show for itself. But what the heck is up with sticking "Borat" in here?

Best First Film
"Half Nelson"
(Runners-Up: "Little Miss Sunshine," "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints")

Nothing approaching surprise on this one, and a nice feather in the cap of Ryan Fleck. It makes sense that the New York-centric "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" would pop up here. "Half Nelson" as well for that matter. And I'd say "Little Miss Sunshine" has maintained enough love through the early precursor season to remain in a safe spot for the fifth Best Picture nominee at the Oscars.