Tis the Season: The National Board of Review

The National Board of Review, which from what I can gather on their website, is a board of film enthusiasts, a term I thought I had coined but hey, who collectively support the art known as film in any way they see fit. At this time of year, they see fit by stringing together a Top 10 list for the year as well as singling out particular films and performances. This year, their favorite film is American filmmaker, Jason Reitman's third picture, UP IN THE AIR, starring George Clooney, whom they also deemed gave the best male performance this year, tied with Morgan Freeman for INVICTIS. The board also distinguishes between what they consider to be independent pictures and mainstream, creating two Top 10 lists. PRECIOUS is on neither. Other notable absences, hopefuls, THE ROAD, PUBLIC ENEMIES and NINE. Meanwhile, the Coen Brothers are on a strong start toward a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for A SERIOUS MAN, having been honoured both here and at the Independent Spirit Awards. And potential Best Picture nominees, UP and STAR TREK throw their hats in the race as both are featured in the Top 10.

Here are the National Board of Review honourees ...

BEST FILM

UP IN THE AIR

TOP 10 FILMS

AN EDUCATION
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
INVICTUS
THE MESSENGER
A SERIOUS MAN
STAR TREK
UP
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

TOP INDEPENDENT FILMS

AMREEKA
DISTRICT 9
GOODBYE SOLO
HUMPDAY
IN THE LOOP
JULIA
ME AND ORSON WELLES
MOON
SUGAR
TWO LOVERS

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney, UP IN THE AIR
Morgan Freeman, INVICTUS

BEST ACTRESS

Carey Mulligan, AN EDUCATION

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Woody Harrelson, THE MESSENGER

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Anna Kendrick, UP IN THE AIR

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST

IT'S COMPLICATED

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR

Jeremy Renner, THE HURT LOCKER

BREAKHTROUGH PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS

Gabourey Sidibe, PRECIOUS

BEST DIRECTOR

Clint Eastwood, INVICTUS

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

UP IN THE AIR

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

A SERIOUS MAN

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

UP

Please feel free to click on any of the links to read past Black Sheep Reviews for these honoured films. The review for BROTHERS is coming soon.