National Board of Review Winners

50/50 again?  It seems to be making a wave, doesn't it?

The National Board of Review, an exclusive New York-based group of film historians, filmmakers and film students, released their annual list of award winners today.  On the surface, one might wonder what sort of influence a group like this could have, but it's long and storied history provides it with the credibility to be noticed by critics, studios, and ultimately, Oscar voters. 

What I can say about this group is that they're never afraid to think outside the box when voting for their "best in film."  Often, their endorsement of a candidate helps that candidate gain traction with other critics awards.  The list is below.  Hugo being honored as Best Picture and it's director, Martin Scorsese, getting the win for Best Director should help Hugo tremendously.  As well, Tilda Swinton getting Best Actress for We Need to Talk About Kevin (which I haven't seen but have heard fantastic things about), should give her candidacy some great energy as we move through the next few months.  What do you think?  Have you seen any of these yet?

Best Film: Hugo
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Best Actor: George Clooney, The Descendants
Best Actress: Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Supporting Actress: Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Best Original Screenplay: Will Reiser, 50/50
Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, The Descendants
Best Animated Feature: Rango
Breakthrough Performance: Felicity Jones, Like Crazy
Breakthrough Performance: Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Debut Director: J.C. Chandor, Margin Call
Best Ensemble: The Help
Spotlight Award: Michael Fassbender (A Dangerous Method, Jane Eyre, Shame, X-Men: First Class)
NBR Freedom of Expression: Crime After Crime
NBR Freedom of Expression: Pariah
Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation
Best Documentary: Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Special Achievement in Filmmaking: The Harry Potter Franchise - A Distinguished Translation from Book to Film
 
Top Films
(in alphabetical order)
The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Ides of March
J. Edgar
The Tree of Life
War Horse
 
Top 5 Foreign Language Films
(In Alphabetical Order)
13 Assassins
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
Footnote
Le Havre
Point Blank

Top 5 Documentaries
(In Alphabetical Order)
Born to be Wild
Buck
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Project Nim
Senna
 
Top 10 Independent Films
(In Alphabetical Order)
50/50
Another Earth
Beginners
A Better Life
Cedar Rapids
Margin Call
Shame
Take Shelter
We Need To Talk About Kevin
Win Win