Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" Makes a Killing in New York Film Critics Circle Awards

Yesterday, the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) announced its winners via Twitter. Kathryn Bigelow's dramatic film "Zero Dark Thirty" about the search for Osama took home three of the most coveted awards. The NYFCC named it the best film of 2012, and awarded the Oscar-winning director the prize for best director. Bigelow's director of photography Greig Fraser also won the best cinematography award. These accolades will strengthen the film's running in the Oscars this coming February.

"Zero Dark Thirty" follows the decade-long search and killing of the late al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. It stars Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Jason Clarke and Frank Grillo.

Spielberg's "Lincoln" also won big at the event, taking home three awards. Daniel Day Lewis won for best actor for his portrayal of the 16th American president, Abraham Lincoln. Sally Fields, who plays Mr. Lincoln's wife, also won best supporting actress. The last award went to Tony Kushner, the critically acclaimed American playwright, who penned the script.

Rachel Weisz won best actress for "The Deep Blue Sea." Matthew McConaughey won best supporting actor for his sensual (and oily) performance in "Magic Mike." Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" won for best animated film.

The award for best foreign film went to Michael Haneke's "Amour."

Director David France won best first film for his documentary "How to Survive a Plague." Lastly, "The Central Park Five," which was directed by Ken Burns and his daughter Sarah, won for best documentary.