Karger predicts the National Board of Review selections
EW‘s Dave Karger lists his predictions for the National Board of Review’s Best Film and Top 10, to be announced sometime tomorrow:
Best Picture
- Up in the Air
Top 10
- An Education
- The Hurt Locker
- Invictus
- It’s Complicated
- The Lovely Bones
- The Messenger
- Nine
- A Serious Man
- A Single Man
- Precious
Interesting mix. Which AD reader’s guesses will be better?









Beau says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:42pm
Best Pic will be Bones, I think.
Throw in Julie and Julia for the top ten as well.
Jeff says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:45pm
No “Up”? Surely it will make their list . . . right?
Ashley says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:45pm
I have a question. Can a movie that is nominated for best film also be in the best independent film category?
the_movie_guy says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:48pm
BEST PICTURE
- The Hurt Locker
Up in the Air
Precious
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Nine
The Messenger
Up
Brothers
Retlaw Kciuq says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:48pm
Am I the only one who finds it fishy that Universal and The Weinsteins are re-releasing Inglourious Basterds for one weekend the day after the NBR selections?
Ryan Adams says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:49pm
Bonus points for anyone who can tell us what time the NBR will announce. Their website seems to frozen on my laptop.
the_movie_guy says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:50pm
Oh yea 500 Days of Summer has a good chance as well..
Olin says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:50pm
An Education
Invictus*
The Hurt Locker
Up in the Air
Nine
Precious
The Lovely Bones
It’s Complicated
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man
Flapp says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:51pm
Did you forget “Brothers”?
I´m not alone anymore.
Letterman is by my side!
the_movie_guy says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:53pm
The Hurt Locker is the best movie I’ve seen all year. Hands down. Incredible filmmaking.
Followed by Inglorious Basterds, 500 Days of Summer, Up in the Air, District 9 and Precious.
qwiggles says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:11pm
I’m going to go strange and call An Education for the win. Seems like their kind of winner.
rodrigo junqueira perticarari says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:27pm
I am sure they will include SHERLOCK HOLMES in their top 10, and the winner will br invictus.
-SHERLOCK HOLMES
-UP IN THE AIR
-THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX
-THE WHITE RIBBON
-AN EDUCATION
-THE HURT LOCKER
-INVICTUS
-A Single Man
-A Serious Man
-Nine
JR says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:29pm
PS: Karger also believes the top acting prizes will go to Colin Firth and Meryl Streep.
I too think they will reward Meryl Streep for both her films. I know I should watch out for Colin Firth, but I’ll say they go with Morgan Freeman instead.
Can’t decide for the top prize. I believe it will go to either The Hurt Locker (simply because it’s great), Invictus (NBR loves them some Eastwood), Nine (Marshall did score Chicago into the top ten in 2002; at least we know they appreciate him) or Up in the Air (guess it’s the feel good movie of the year).
Brad says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:44pm
My predictions (again)
Top Ten
The Blind Side
Crazy Heart
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Invictus
Nine
A Single Man
Up
Up in the Air
Best Picture – Precious (alt: The Hurt Locker)
Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker (alt: John Lee Hancock, The Blind Side)
Best Actor – Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart (alt: Colin Firth, A Single Man)
Best Actress – Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side (Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia)
Best S. Actor – Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones and Julie & Julia (alt: Woody Harleson, The Messenger)
Best S. Actress – Mo’Nique, Precious (alt: Marion Cottilard, Nine)
Best Cast – A Serious Man (alt: The Last Station)
Best O. Screenplay – Bright Star (alt: 500 Days of Summer)
BEst A. Screenplay – Up in the Air (alt: An Education)
Ryan B says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:47pm
Up in the Air
Precious
Inglourious Basterds
Brothers
Up
Invictus
Nine
A Single Man
A Serious Man
Star Trek
Felipe says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:58pm
Up in the air
Precious
Hurt Locker
Up
A Single man
Nine
An Education
A Serious Man
500 days of summer
Invictus
Marble_Plum says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:06pm
Up In The Air
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Up
A Serious Man
Invictus
Nine
The Messenger
Bright Star
Precious
Winner: The Hurt Locker or Up In The Air
Mike says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:11pm
I’ll go for A SINGLE MAN for their Best Picture.
Patrick C. says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:13pm
I had Invictus winning Best Picture just because of their so called fasination with Clint. But it would not surprise me to see Precious as their top choice.
Invictus
Precious
Up in the Air
The Blind Side
Up
The Hurt Locker
A Serious Man
The Road
Nine
An Education
(I am hoping I am wrong on An Education and Paranormal Activity gets some love…but I doubt it)
alliewayz says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:14pm
Again, I haven’t seen all the films that are contenders, but I must say Where the Wild Things Are left me with an incredible and strange feeling, but it felt good. So far, the best I’ve seen. Here’s hoping it makes NBR Top Ten of 2009. (but probably won’t)
Laura says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:34pm
I’m going with Invictus for Best Picture. It’s got everything the NBRs love: historical significance, cultural diversity, and Clint Eastwood. I also think that they will put Up in the Top 10 list, and snub Avatar.
Mike says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:44pm
I dont think they will have seen AVATAR
Chris says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:03pm
I think at least 1 of these 4 will be in the Top 10:
Up
Julie and Julia
It’s Complicated
Star Trek
Amanda says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:10pm
I feel Invictus will be left out of the top 10.
Jon R says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:17pm
I might as well throw my predicitions out:
Picture: The Hurt Locker
Director: Rob Marshall – Nine
Actor: Colin Firth – A Single Man
Actress: Carey Mulligan – An Education
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz – Inglorious Basterds
Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick – Up in the Air
Original Screenplay: The Hurt Locker
Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
Animated Film: UP
Documentary: The Cove
Foreign Language Film: Un Prophete
Ensemble: Nine
Top Ten:
Bright Star
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Invictus
The Lovely Bones
Nine
Precious
A Single Man
Up in the Air
OscarMovieBuff84 says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:22pm
Winner – The Hurt Locker
Rest of the Top 10
Crazy Heart
An Education
Precious
Nine
Inglourious Basterds
The Lovely Bones
Invictus
Up in the Air
White Ribbon
Clayton says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:37pm
I think Up will definitely be on there, maybe replacing The Messenger or It’s Complicated. Hopefully (500) Days of Summer will make it in, too.
Also, if Up in the Air is counted, there are 11 movies listed. Or is the top pick kept separate from the list? I can’t remember.
Dark Lord says:
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:46pm
Predictions.
10:
A Serious Man (winner – “Why so serious?”)
The Hurt Locker
Precious
Invictus
Crazy Heart
Nine
(500) Days of Summer
Brothers
Bright Star
A Single Man
Director – Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker);
Actor – Hal Holbrook (That Evening Sun);
Actress – Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia);
Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer (The Last Station);
Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique (Precious);
Original Screenplay – Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker);
Adapted Screenplay – Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious);
Animated Film – Coraline;
Documentary – Food, Inc.
Foreign Language Film – Un Prophete;
Ensemble – Nine.
dannyboy555 says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 12:45am
I am just hoping Up in the Air does not get Best Pic and would love it to be shut out!
mileshigh says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 12:54am
Bold Prediction:
I think one of the ten movies could be “The Hangover.”
Expect a “Quills” type upset for top film.
Dan McGrath says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:08am
Here’s my predicted 10 ( not neccessarily my personal picks )
Winner
The Hurt Locker
the rest
An Education
Crazy Heart
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Nine
The Messenger
Up
A Single Man
Precious
qwiggles says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:16am
“ebertchicago
Those eager Top Ten beavers were WAY too early. Revisions may be necessary. 7 minutes ago from web”
Which has Ebert seen — Sherlock or Avatar?
ladylurks says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:25am
Ryan – Last year’s NBR announcement in Variety was datelined 10:24 am Pacific Time, if that’s any help.
Manuel says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 2:13am
Best Picture: A Single Man
Top Ten
The Hurt Locker
Precious
The Lovely Bones
Nine
A Serious Man
In the Loop
Inglourious Basterds
Up in the Air
The Last Station
Invictius
DBibby says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 2:26am
Great to see A Single Man love (after the ‘gurus’ have snubbed it). I certainly hope you’re right, Mike!
Joe W says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 3:34am
I’m gonna go out on a limb and call “District 9″ for Best Picture.
Hunter says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7:04am
Tne NBR skews very Jewish, so I would expect to see A Serious Man and Inglourious Basterds in their top 10. It’s the reason Defiance got in last year. As for Sherlock Holmes, did Raiders of the Lost Ark make their list? That’s the movie Holmes most closely resembles.
richard crawford says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 9:40am
Bones is a bloody mess.
I hope AN EDUCATION wins.
have not seen up in the air
Bernard says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 10:48am
Winner: Invictus
Top 10:
The Road
Up
Up in the Air
An Education
A Single Man
Crazy Heart
Moon
Precious
District 9
Brian says:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11:02am
Dave Karger’s column is called Oscar Watch? I seem to remember a web site called Oscar Watch once upon a time. I wonder why he gets away with it and not you.