The NSFC is the last of the four "major" critics groups, along with New York, LA and the NBR, but they tend to want to go really idiosyncratic with their choices, like last year, when they picked not a single contender that was on anyone's radar, barely even critics themselves. But this time they were much more mainstream, going for critical darlings Spotlight, Charlotte Rampling, Mark Rylance, Amy, and Todd Haynes. The biggest out of left field pick was Michael B. Jordan for Creed, which is very cool. I wonder if he has an outside chance to land a Best Actor nomination, since that field isn't exactly packed this year. Also, Kristen Stewart is still a major long shot for a nomination, since there were no screeners sent out for that film, so despite her remarkable run with major critics this year, I'd still be shocked if that happened. Now, with only a couple of stragglers left for the critics groups, it's time to move on to the guilds, starting with the ACE Eddie nominees tomorrow, followed by the all important PGA noms the day after, and a major guild every day this week, ending with the BAFTA nominations on Friday. This is where the real hints come in.
- Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan, Creed
- Best Actress: Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
- Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
- Best Supporting Actress: Kristen Stewart, Clouds of Sils Maria
- Best Screenplay: Spotlight
- Best Cinematography: Carol
- Best Documentary: Amy
- Best Foreign Language Film: Timbuktu
- Best Director: Todd Haynes, Carol
- Best Picture: Spotlight
