Top Honors From New York Film Critics Circle: Milk, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin

This is the second major prize for Milk this week and first of what I predict will be many for Sean Penn.

"Milk," Gus Van Sant's movie about gay rights leader Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn, has been named best film by the New York Film Critics Circle. Penn was also chosen as best actor by the critics, who announced their picks Wednesday. "Happy-Go-Lucky" also fared well, winning best director for Mike Leigh and best actress for Sally Hawkins. The critics circle, which last year chose "No Country for Old Men" as best film, is a group of 33 New York-based critics. Its awards will be handed out Jan. 5 in New York.

It's not mentioned in the story above, but Josh Brolin won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dan White. The rest of the awards are here.