The reviews haven’t been filed yet, but American Hustle is already shaping up to be one of 2013’s best films. But who didn’t see that coming? David O Russell working with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams and Christian Bale once again – the only thing ready to take this film down was it’s own pressure.

Christian Bale and Bradley CooperChristian Bale and Bradley Cooper in American Hustle

By now, the size of the Oscars gang has all but taken shape; Gravity, Captain Phillips, Blue Jasmine, 12 Years a Slave, Saving Mr. Banks and The Wolf of Wall Street are all in line for nominations, and following American Hustle’s win in the New York Film Critics Circle, its addition to the list is inevitable.

Check out these American Hustle clips

The suave crime thriller picked up Best Picture, while Lawrence grabbed Best Supporting Actress. Co-writers Eric Singer and O Russell took another trip to the stage to pick up Best Screenplay, too. As one of the first major award ceremonies of the season, the NYFCC is often thought of as a bellwether for the Academy Awards, but is there really any correlation between the two? Let’s find out.

Next page: past winners and their Oscar fate