NY Online Critics Speak Up: 'The Artist' wins Best Picture, 'Bridesmaids' a Favorite

The East Coast, through the New York Film Critics Online, has just spoken, and they're placing their bets on "The Artist" and "Bridesmaids."

The Best Picture accolade was a no-brainer: It went to the silent black-and-white feature, "The Artist." Naturally, its director, Frenchman Michel Hazanavicius, was given the Best Director award for his one-of-a-kind vision.

What's surprising, though, is the love they gave for the summer comedy "Bridesmaids." Melissa McCarthy bested Carey Mulligan for the Best Supporting Actress pick for her role as the outrageous Megan, with the entire cast taking home the Best Ensemble trophy.

Other surprises came through the wins of Michael Shannon, who bagged a much-deserved Best Actor nod for "Take Shelter," and Joe Cornish, for the British flick "Attack the Block." They aren't the usual picks, as far as this season's predictions are concerned, so it is refreshing for them to be getting the accolades.

For the subsequent nods, however, their picks follow what the others also chose.

As expected, 2011's breakout actress Jessica Chastain took home the Breakthrough Performer win, acknowledging all her performances this year - "The Tree of Life," "The Help," "The Debt," "Take Shelter," "Texas Killing Fields" and "Coriolanus."

A more veteran actress, Meryl Streep, got the Best Actress win for her amazing portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," tallying with Albert Brooks' three wins as Best Supporting Actor for his career-turning performance in "Drive."

When it came to the technical accolades, expected the expected. George Clooney's critically acclaimed comedy "The Descendants" took Best Screenplay, while "The Tree of Life" and "The Artist" (yes, again) got away with the Best Cinematography and Best Use of Music wins, respectively.

In what is slowly becoming a shoo-in for an Oscar, Iranian-produced "A Separation" took yet another Best Foreign Language Film trophy.

Here is a complete list of all the winners:

Best Picture - 'The Artist'

Best Director - Michel Hazanavicius, 'The Artist'

Best Actor - Michael Shannon, 'Take Shelter'

Best Actress - Meryl Streep, 'The Iron Lady'

Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks, 'Drive'

Best Supporting Actress - Melissa McCarthy, 'Bridesmaids'

Best Screenplay - Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, 'The Descendants'

Best Foreign-Language Film - 'A Separation'

Best Documentary - 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'

Best Animated Feature - 'The Adventures of Tintin'