As the winter fast approaches, so too does awards season. The most wonderful time of the year… to argue!
So here comes the National Board of Review with their selections for tops of ’09. Their pick for Best Picture? UP IN THE AIR, which also won Best Actor for George Clooney (tied with Morgan Freeman for INVICTUS), Best Supporting Actress for Anna Kendrick, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner.
Is UP IN THE AIR good? Yes. Is it the best of 2009? In this lowly news reporter’s opinion, HELL NAW. But alas…
Film:
UP IN THE AIR
Director:
Clint Eastwood, INVICTUS
Actor:
George Clooney, UP IN THE AIR
Morgan Freeman, INVICTUS
Actress:
Carey Mulligan, AN EDUCATION
Supporting Actor:
Woody Harrelson, THE MESSENGER
Supporting Actress:
Anna Kendrick, UP IN THE AIR
Foreign Language Film:
A PROPHET
Documentary:
THE COVE
Animated Feature:
UP
Ensemble Cast:
IT’S COMPLICATED
Breakthrough Performance by an Actor:
Jeremy Renner, THE HURT LOCKER
Breakthrough Performance by an Actress:
Gabourey Sidibe, PRECIOUS
Spotlight Award for Best Directorial Debut:
Duncan Jones, MOON
Oren Moverman, THE MESSENGER
Marc Webb, (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Original Screenplay:
Joel and Ethan Coen, A SERIOUS MAN
Adapted Screenplay:
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, UP IN THE AIR
Special Filmmaking Achievement Award:
Wes Anderson, THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX
William K. Everson Film History Award:
Jean Picker Firstenberg
NBR Freedom Of Expression:
BURMAN VJ: REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY
INVICTUS
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSEBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS
Ten Best Films (in alphabetical order):
AN EDUCATION
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
INVICTUS
THE MESSENGER
A SERIOUS MAN
STAR TREK
UP
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Five Best Foreign-Language Films (in alphabetical order):
THE MAID
REVANCHE
SONG OF SPARROWS
THREE MONKEYS
THE WHITE RIBBON
Five Best Documentaries (in alphabetical order):
BURMA VJ: REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY
CRUDE
FOOD, INC.
GOOD HAIR
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS
Top Ten Independent Films (in alphabetical order):
AMREEKA
DISTRICT 9
GOODBYE SOLO
HUMPDAY
IN THE LOOP
JULIA
ME AND ORSON WELLES
MOON
SUGAR
TWO LOVERS
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