Let me preface this by saying that, with the exception of Documentary and seven of the Top Eleven, I was 100% wrong in all of my predictions re: National Board of Review.
Ok. Now let me point out that the NBR once again has proven itself to be just awesome. The Social Network cleaned up, although not in the one category I expected it to. Some surprises in the omission of Black Swan, 127 Hours, and -- more shocking because I actually saw and loved and predicted it -- The Kids Are All Right. But the reason why I like NBR is because they can be so unpredictable. Well, except for the Eastwood love. What's that about?
BEST PICTURE: The Social Network
BEST DIRECTOR: David Fincher, The Social Network
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
BEST ACTOR: Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
It's Best Actor that really catches me off-guard, in a good way. You know, of the last ten actors to be so honored by the NBR, eight of them went on to be nominated for the Oscar, and four of them won. But let's let the NBR stand on its own: still pretty cool.
BEST ACTRESS: Lesley Manville, Another Year
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christian Bale, The Fighter
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
BEST ENSEMBLE : The Town
The Town ensemble? Over The Social Network, The Kids Are All Right, Scott Pilgrim, Get Low? I guess it's time to stop doubting that film's power. Manville is definitely going lead, Weaver gets a nice push out of this. Oscar-wise: 60% of the previous NBR Supporting Actresses get a nom, and 100% for Actress and Supporting Actor.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Chris Sparling, Buried
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Of Gods and Men
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Waiting for Superman
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE: Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Toy Story 3
TOP TEN
Another Year
The Fighter
Hereafter
Inception
The King's Speech
Shutter Island
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone
Of these, I've seen five. Halfway through!
2 comments:
Walter, I admire your tenacity in predicting the winners of this critics award. For me, I just go along for the ride. I have seen 4 on the list. Remember, a great film that we love is still a great film, even if it wins nothing from any group. In other words, the kids are STILL all right! On to the British Independent Film Awards! (where The King's speech and Never Let Me Go have a shot at some love.)
Oh, I hope Never Let Me Go gets some more love. I hoep it will be recognized more...but as you say, it'll still be a great film, with or without those plaques/trophies!
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