The New York City Critics Circle didn't defend its reasoning for selecting Waking Life over Shrek and Monsters, Inc. Here's what it does say, however:

"The Circle's awards are often viewed as harbingers of the Oscar nominations, which are announced each February. The Circle's awards are also viewed -- perhaps more accurately -- as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures."

The group named Mulholland Drive as "Best Picture".