N.Y. Critics Like "Milk"

Getting a good review from a New York critic packs a lot of punch.

That's according to recipients of the 2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards who were interviewed after the awards ceremony on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at Strata in New York

"It means a lot. These people love movies and they care enough to really hold your feet to the fire," said "Frozen River" director Courtney Hunt, who won the award for Best First Film.

"New York critics are the thing," said screenwriter Jenny Lumet. "This is a movie --- this is a town that knows its movies. Toronto is a town that knows its movies, too, and they're amazing. It means the bar is a little bit different here. This is not to denigrate anybody else but this is New York City. The bar is different and acknowledgement here is pretty exciting."

Lumet won the Best Screenplay Award for "Rachel Getting Married."

At this year's presentation, "Milk" continued to rack up accolades, including Best Film. Its star, Sean Penn, was presented the Best Actor award by director Gus Van Sant.

Actor Josh Brolin was also recognized; he picked up the Best Supporting Actor award for "Milk."

Brolin says he would like not to pay attention to what critics think, but he does: "I would like to say no but I do. I do. I actually go and I look at these blogs and, you know, I like to know what people are saying."

Sally Hawkins received the Best Actress nod for her role in Mike Leigh's drama "Happy-Go-Lucky." Leigh won the Best Director award for that movie.

Penelope Cruz's performance in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" was rewarded with a Best Supporting Actress win. She said she planned to dedicate her award to the movie's director, Woody Allen, who "doesn't go out as much to these things."

Anthony Dod Mantle took home the Best Cinematographer prize for his work on "Slumdog Millionaire."

"WALL-E" was named Best Animated Film and "Man on a Wire" won the Best Non-Fiction Film award. Best Foreign Film title went to "4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days."