Well, awards season has officially begun -- while film critics nationwide have been trying to cram in screenings of movies before their respective critic's awards nominations close (BFCA members, for example, have to file their nominations before Midnight Friday), one group has already made it's choices. The National Board of Review has named Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima as the best film of the year. Other surprises can be found on the full list of winners, including Martin Scorsese winning Best Director for The Departed, and Forrest Whittaker winning Best Actor for The Last King of Scotland; at the same time, The National Board of Review is easily one of the most mysterious of all critic's groups who hand out gongs at the end of the year -- as David Poland concisely points out at his blog, The Hot Button, the New York-based NBR isn't exactly the most accurate Oscar predictor. Add in the fact that the NBR is notoriously troubled by accusations of corruption and incompetence, and Iwo Jima's win may seem more like a blessing than a curse for Warner Bros, who moved Iwo Jima up to be released and eligible for awards consideration in 2006 after the critical and box-office disappointment of Flags of Our Fathers, Eastwood's first World War II epic of the year. ...Does hearing about this award spark your cuiosity about Letters from Iwo Jima? Or leave you wondering more about who the heck the National Board of Review actually are?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-06-2006 @ 9:31PM
Erik Davis said...
I just hate the fact that folks can claim a film is the best of 2006, and yet it hasn't been released and practically no one has seen it. When this happens, I feel as if someone is in someone else's pockets -- but hey, perfect way to market a new release, right?
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12-07-2006 @ 2:06AM
Jake said...
the people who voted did see the film, hopefully anyways.
Here's my hope for the oscars for Best Picture:
Little Miss Sunshine
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Casino Royale
Babel
Yes, I think the Casino Royale must be considered == not only a great action picture but a great picture period -- 94 percent of all critics agree. Little Miss Sunshine should sweep them all.
Best actress -- Annette Bening for Running with Scissors.
Best Actor -- Leonardo Dicaprio for giving two great performances and Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson
Best Supporting Actor -- Steve Carell/Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine
Best Supporting Actress -- Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine and Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls.
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12-07-2006 @ 2:52AM
Kate said...
It seems that Martin Scorcese can't catch a break -- he lost to a musical (chicago) one year and to clint Eastwood (million dollar baby) in another year -- Now he faces both musical Dreamgirls and Clint's Letters. Leonardo Dicaprio must win this year -- two vastly different films and he was wronged for not winning for the aviator. I LOVED casino royale as well and agree that it should be considered. the academy doesn't always have to go for the obscure.
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12-07-2006 @ 11:08AM
RC of strangeculture said...
I just think it's cool that Djimon got recognized for the Blood Diamond...it makes me hopeful for the film.
--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com
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