134 Comments

1. 1
   

   bambi says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:20pm

   ANNA KENDRICK!!!

   STAR TREK!!!!!!!!

   IB!!!!!!!!!

   500 DAYS OF SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!

   And the Precious backlash begins.

   Too much Invictus love.

   They haven`t seen Holmes and Avatar yet, obviously.
2. 2
   

   Clayton says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:20pm

   Brilliant list. I haven’t seen Invictus or The Messenger, but all the others are very deserving. Especially glad to see (500) Days of Summer and Where the Wild Things Are.
3. 3
   

   Jason says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:22pm

   not precious?! what?! nine and a single man also shut out!
   very fascinating.
   they do love them some clint though, don’t they? mystic river best pic? best actor last year?
   and yay anna kendrick and up in the air!
   i guess woody harrelson is becoming quite the serious contender…maybe even 500 days of summer? (my fingers are mad crossed for this)
4. 4
   

   bambi says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:24pm

   Of course, NBR doesn`t mean much yet but I`m wondering if Kendrick can upset Mo`nique? Looks like some wispers about Precious backlash brewing may not be off base after all.

   As for Harrleson, he`s star is rising by a day. he, Tucci and Waltz should be locked and loaded and one of them will take the prize.
5. 5
   

   Slim says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:25pm

   Still in love with Eastwood I see.

   I actually expected the Precious snub.
6. 6
   

   JR says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:25pm

   I love that lineup, but NO PRECIOUS! (and Hunter flies threw the roof). Guess the shut out wasn’t that far-fetched.

   Inglorious Basterds!!!!!!!!

   Star Trek!!!!!!!!!

   Knew they were gonna honor Clint somewhere. It’s official, NBR is still having sex with him.

   …and no Nine. That’s shocking for it not to be in the top ten at least.
7. 7
   

   Bill W. says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:25pm

   Yay on no Avatar or District 9!

   I’m kind of disappointed that the Best Actress choice isn’t someone a little more extravagant; I was really hoping for Tilda Swinton.
8. 8
   

   Bob Burns says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:27pm

   lots to like here. helps In the Air a couple of ways, but mostly by not naming some of the stronger competition.

   things might be all over the place this year, like this list seems to be.

   sasha was right about TLB
9. 9
   

   Jason says:
   Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:27pm

   I am surprised at the absence of Precious, A Single Man, and Nine, though I doubt that it means much of anything. Award potential is still very much alive for those three. However, I am beyond excited about the Up and Where the Wild Things Are love.
10. 10
    

    DCIJB says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:28pm

    “Yay on no Avatar or District 9!”

    They haven’t even seen Avatar. Once Avatar is released, the race will change COMPLETELY.
11. 11
    

    Horton says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:29pm

    RUN UP RUN!
12. 12
    

    daveylow says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:29pm

    I know someone who votes for NBR awards who is big Eastwood supporter.

    There are a lot of worthy mentions here. But the snubs of Bright Star and A Single Man are highly suspicious.
    I mean, best ensemble: It’s Complicated?
13. 13
    

    Ross says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:30pm

    This list reminds me of the list from last year. I think UP IN THE AIR is way in front in the best picture race. Clint gets the usual love, but could probably fail to get into the Oscar line-up.

    Carey Mulligan – is she Anne Hathaway or will it to be the whole way to the Kodak? I think more of an Anne Hathaway, because come on, we all know that the Academy will give the Oscar to Meryl (same as with Kate last year).

    Anna Kendrick won’t beat Mo’nique. If somebody does, it will be Julianne Moore.

    I think anyway that Up in the Air is probably the front-runner for adapted screenplay.
14. 14
    

    bambi says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:30pm

    #7

    Avatar hasn`t been seen yet and District 9 is on the best indie list.

    #8 “helps In the Air a couple of ways, but mostly by not naming some of the stronger competition.”

    Stronger competition such as? I don`t care for UITA outside of Anna Kendrick win so I`m curious what stronger competition is left out.
15. 15
    

    Fivus Viener says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:30pm

    Woody Harrelson! Awesome.

    I heard “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” on the radio this morning. I agree and it has nothing to do with Christmas.
16. 16
    

    Dan says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:31pm

    Well, that’s fairly easy to take, with the exception of the silly Eastwood gesture.

    Also, I can now confess, Kendrick was the highlight of Twilight, all two minutes of her. I now officially want to see Up in the Air, even if Clooney is playing the same guy he’s played since Solaris.
17. 17
    

    JR says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:32pm

    I’m also suspecting Carey Mulligan to be this year’s Anne Hathaway. Critic darling, but NO OSCAR.
18. 18
    

    Matt says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:32pm

    Their obsession with Clint Eastwood continues, but I like the list overall great mix of films. bravo to Star Trek. Curious why Nine isn’t there, but maybe Rob Marshall wasn’t able to pull it off. Tough material. But the fact that Up, Star Trek, Inglorious Bastards, and Where the Wild things are is pretty cool. Nice job NBR. Now i have to get out and see Up in the air and figure out what all the fuss is about.
19. 19
    

    Matt says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:32pm

    Although the NBR does love Clint’s movies, this is his first win for Best Director. He didn’t win for Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby (he did get a special achievement award for that one), Mystic River, Letters from Iwo Jima or Gran Torino (he did get Best Actor for that one).
20. 20
    

    bambi says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:34pm

    #17

    I cna easily see SAG switching Mulligan for Ronan as they like to nominate very young performers. Also, Ronan and Tucci are getting the best reviews out of everyone involved in LB in any way(director, actors,etc) and Tucci seems to be a lock so that cna pull Ronan with him.
21. 21
    

    daveylow says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:35pm

    I’m thinking we’ll see more Nine and A Single Man at the Golden Globes.
22. 22
    

    Zak says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:36pm

    Where’s Streep?? glad to see she got ensemble cast, and I think Mulligan will be this years Anne Hathaway. The Oscar goes to Streep.
23. 23
    

    Jon R says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:36pm

    I can’t believe that I was the only one from a previous thread who called it on Anna Kendrick for Best Supporting Actress.
24. 24
    

    Jim says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:36pm

    I very much enjoyed four of the five movies on the top 10 list that I saw. But if Nine and A Single Man aren’t better than some of them, I’m going to be very disappointed. and I do think Precious is better than any of the others I saw (just barrrrrrely beating Up and Inglourious Basterds in my book).
25. 25
    

    Amanda says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:36pm

    Doubt won best ensemble last year, apparently they only like Meryl in a group. And if Clooney wins a second acting award I will shoot someone. He’s a good actor but 2 oscars is just nuts.
26. 26
    

    Michael says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:37pm

    Nice for (500) DAYS OF SUMMER. Disappointed A SINGLE MAN didn’t get in.

    JULIA sucked, but HUMPDAY is one of the year’s best. I wish it had caught on more. It was very funny, touching, and insightful. Highly recommended.
27. 27
    

    phantom says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:37pm

    Clooney-Freeman are now officially the frontrunners.

    Mulligan WOW ! Definitely – AT LEAST – this year’s Anne Hathaway now !

    Yay for Anna Kendrick ! The critics awards will probably support het, too, so she could easily steal Monique’s early frontrunner status!

    Welcome Woody Harrelson ! I guess NBR just gave you a slot in the Academy’s best supporting actor category ! In the last 10 years this category’s winner went on to score an Oscar nomination, as well! (sorry, 9 out of 10 years)

    I guess those ‘It’s complicated could get a bp nod’ kind of rumors are finished now. They saw the film, they gave it an award yet didn’t put it in their top11.

    The Precious snub is extremely shocking for me. Will it be snubbed all the way ? Because without a bp nod, Sidibe isn’t such a sure thing for the nod, either.
28. 28
    

    Other Ryan says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:38pm

    Glad to see District 9, Goodbye Solo, In the Loop, Julia, and Moon in their Top Ten Independent Films.

    Very happy to see Up, 500 Days of Summer, and Star Trek make it into the Top 10 List.
29. 29
    

    AD says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:42pm

    No Precious, No Single Man!:( Yeah for Anna K, and Carey M.! Enough with Clint Eastwood!
30. 30
    

    Squasher says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:43pm

    Where is Nine?!? I would think it should have at least won best ensemble cast! I think this is a significant blow to Precious winning for Best Picture, I think it will be nominated but it’s not going to win.
31. 31
    

    bambi says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:46pm

    I knew Precious wouldn`t win BP ever since seeing the movie. Good job actors but the rest = meh.

    Not buying Freeman as a BP winner for a second nor anything to do with Invictus chances. This is just a temporary recovery.

    However, more than this award, what bodes so well for UITA is that report on UITA SAG screening where all industry people in attendance have already seen it and wanted to do so again. Now that speaks volumes on the love for the movie by those who actually vote.
32. 32
    

    A. J. Roscoe says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:46pm

    Nine completely shut out but seriously best ensemble cast – It’s Complicated??
33. 33
    

    Ryan Adams says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:47pm

    I can’t believe that I was the only one from a previous thread who called it on Anna Kendrick for Best Supporting Actress.

    congrats, Jon R
    the rest of us are all soooo sleeeeepy
34. 34
    

    Ross says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:48pm

    @ phantom,

    Precious will get a best picture nomination from the Academy. They probably didn’t like it. But these guys snubbed The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in the year it won 11 Oscars. If it could get into the final FIVE with the Academy and win the record 11 Oscars, then it’s no problem for another film to get into the final 10 for best picture if it gets snubbed here.

    So PRECIOUS remains very much in the race.
35. 35
    

    Chris says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:48pm

    I am thrilled that Moon finally got a little recognition. I think at this point the only thing that can upset Up in the Air is Avatar and that’s only because it hasn’t screened yet (hence no mentions on the list). Highly doubtful though. I think the list probably helped Eastwood lock up the final Director slot.
36. 36
    

    Candice Frederick says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:49pm

    I’m happy for MOrgan Freeman. Maybe he can FINALLy win that best lead actor oscar that he’s been so deserving of for so many years!
37. 37
    

    Pablo (Col) says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:49pm

    I really doubt Up In the Air is going to win best picture. Is one of the frontrunners, no doubt, but it doesnt have what is needed to win, not yet.

    Kendrick is locked as well as Renner, Freeman, Mulligan and Sidibe. Mo’Nique, no matter what the NBR says, is still the frontrunner in supporting actress. Precious is going to get hurt but the nomination for best pic is a lock.

    Very cool that Harrelson got noiced as well as Star Trek (which could be in instead of Avatar come Oscar time), 500 Days of summer (great movie, maybe the comedy choice for Oscar?) and Basterds.

    Eastwood… Got snubbed last year for a fine performance and nice directing. Could happen twice in a row. I like him but the Academy maybe tired of honoring him.

    So the season begins. Whats the awards schedule then ?
38. 38
    

    Erik Beck says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:49pm

    By my point system, Up in the Air ties for the 6th most points ever from NBR. Of the other 6, three won Best Picture (Bridge on the River Kwai, A Man for All Seasons and Terms of Endearment) and the other three were all nominees that had a strong chance of winning (A Passage to India, Mississippi Burning, Cabaret).
39. 39
    

    Andrew R. says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:50pm

    Boo Eastwood. I’m sick of the hard-on they have for him.
40. 40
    

    mileshigh says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:50pm

    Its a pretty good list. Excited for Up and Wild Things, but where is Precious?

    And this is the organization that choose Josh Brolin in Milk over Heath Ledger in Dark Knight, so wait and see, people.
41. 41
    

    bambi says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:51pm

    This soldifies UITA as the frontrunner (before Holmes and Avatar change the game) but doesn`t say much about other movies. As already pointed out on this board, we`ll see lot more Nine at the Golden Globes.
42. 42
    

    Alper says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:52pm

    Best Actress:Carey Mulligan An Education ……is it a good performance ?
43. 43
    

    bambi says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:55pm

    very happy for Star Trek, though. It deserves Top 10 appearance. Also hoping that IB will get the upper hand over Nine in the House Weinstein.

    I expect Globes to be quite different exept for UITA noms. But we should se emore big name-driven vehicles such as Nine, LB, Holmes and Avatar (if screened on time).
44. 44
    

    ar says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:56pm

    These are some fun choices.

    And count me as one of those who is GLAD to see Precious snubbed. Performances aside, I could have just hit myself in the head with a hammer for two hours to get the same effect.
45. 45
    

    Googooboo says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:57pm

    @36 Absolutely love the Freeman love too! Though Freeman should’ve won back in 1994 for Shawshank over Hanks, if there was a role in his long career that’d give him the best shot of nabbing the a lead acting Oscar, this would be it!
46. 46
    

    David says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1:59pm

    Precious – great acting, not a great film. More to come.

    Its Complicated? You have got to be kidding me with all the powerhouse ensembles out there.

    The National Board of Clint Eastwood. Yuk.

    Love the MOON love.
47. 47
    

    Other Ryan says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 2:00pm

    BTW, Meryl Streep gets back-to-back Best Ensemble win with the NBR giving it to “Doubt” last year. Talk about the power of Meryl.
48. 48
    

    WalterNeff says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 2:02pm

    Nothing gets ‘snubbed’ – that notion needs to die.
49. 49
    

    Ryan Adams says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 2:07pm

    By my point system, Up in the Air ties for the 6th most points ever from NBR

    Can you explain your point system in layman’s terms that won’t give me more of a headache than I’ve already got, Erik?
50. 50
    

    john says:
    Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 2:07pm

    STAR TREK! STAR TREK! WHO CARES WHAT ELSE THEY PICKED! STAR TREK!!!!!!!