New York Film Critics honor 'Brokeback'

NEW YORK, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- "Brokeback Mountain" swept the New York Film Critics Circle honors Monday taking awards for best picture, best director and best actor.

Ang Lee was named top director and the best actor award went to Heath Ledger for the gay-themed cowboy film, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Reese Witherspoon was named best actress for her role of June Carter Cash in "Walk The Line" while "A History of Violence" took best supporting actor and actress honors for William Hurt and Maria Bello.

The awards for cinematography and best foreign film went to Wong Kar Wai's "2046" and Werner Herzog was honored for his documentaries "Grizzly Man" and "White Diamond."

"Capote" director Bennett Miller was named top newcomer, Hayao Miyazaki's "Howl's Moving Castle" won the best animated film award and Noah Baumbach's "The Squid and the Whale" was named best screenplay.

The 71st annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards will be presented Jan. 8 in New York.