(Scroll over any film title to read the full Black Sheep review.)
The National Board of Review doesn't waste any time with irksome distractions, like nominations. No, they get right to it and what they got right to this year is David Fincher's THE SOCIAL NETWORK. Not only did the film itself take top honours as Best Film but Fincher earned an award for his direction and screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, earned one for his screenplay. The support for THE SOCIAL NETWORK also elevated star, Jesse Eisenberg, as an official Oscar contender for his portrayal of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, with his win here as Best Actor.
Other unexpected wins went to Lesley Manville as Best Actress in Mike Leigh's ANOTHER YEAR, a film that made the NBR Top 10, and Jacki Weaver as Best Supporting Actress in ANIMAL KINGDOM, a film that made the NBR Independent Top 10. The last acting award went to Christian Bale, as Best Supporting Actor, in David O. Russell's THE FIGHTER, another NBR Top 10 film of 2010. Notable absences in the film lists include BLACK SWAN, 127 HOURS and THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. Meanwhile, the Debra Granik hopeful, WINTER'S BONE, has somehow graduated from independent to major player with its inclusion in the Top 10 and star, Jennifer Lawrence's win for Breakthrough Performance is another graceful step toward an Oscar nomination.
Here are the National Board of Review winners in the major categories:
BEST FILM
TOP 10 FILMS
ANOTHER YEAR
THE FIGHTER
TRUE GRIT
TOP INDEPENDENT FILMS
ANIMAL KINGDON
FISH TANK
THE GHOST WRITER
MONSTERS
PLEASE GIVE
SOMEWHERE
YOUTH IN REVOLT
BEST ACTOR
Jesse Eisenberg, THE SOCIAL NETWORK
BEST ACTRESS
Lesley Manville, ANOTHER YEAR
BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher, THE SOCIAL NETWORK
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Aaron Sorkin, THE SOCIAL NETWORK
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Chris Sparling, BURIED
For a full list of winners, visit The National Board of Review website at www.nbrmp.org
