If there were any doubt, the first few days of Hollywood’s year-end awards has already made it abundantly clear

The oldest film critics organization in the U.S., NYFCC is a strong bellwether for Academy nominations and picks the eventual winner about half the time.

The marathon to the Oscars officially begins next week, when five influential organizations unveil their selections — setting the early tone for a season that promises heavyweight contenders, late-breaking surprises and no shortage of pundit hand-wringing.