Timely 'Milk' wins over NY critics

In a post-Prop 8 world, the tragic but uplifting biopic "Milk" couldn't be better timed.

Not sure it's enough to carry it to an Oscar win -- a nomination, for sure -- but the New York film critics sure loved it. They named it best picture, and its star, Sean Penn, best actor, who's becoming the Oscar frontrunner, Academy voter nostalgia for Clint Eastwood aside.

Josh Brolin, whom we think deserves some recognition for "W," was picked for his best supporting role as the murderous, possibly closeted city supervisor in "Milk."

Then the group went for the other end of the indie upbeat spectrum with honors for "Happy-Go-Lucky" director Mike Leigh and star Sally Hawkins, who bested Melissa Leo and likely Oscar contenders Kate Winslet and Anne Hathaway.

Also predictive of Oscar, Penelope Cruz was best supporting actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," and "Man on Wire" was named best documentary.

Awards are handed out Jan. 5. More here, and for a blow-by-blow on how the New York Film Critics Circle arrived at its winners, go here.