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Predict the National Board of Review

Posted by Susan Thea Posnock On November - 28 - 2008

We’re trying something new here at Awards Daily that we’ve never done.  We’re starting the contests early and you can have bragging rights for knowing best how the NBR will go.  They announce on Thursday, so enter now . I’ve added the animated feature category as well because it isn’t a guarantee it will be Wall-E – it might be Waltz with Bashir.

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90 Responses for "Predict the National Board of Review"

  1. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm 1

    Australia will be in the Top Ten of NBR . Count on that.

  2. ladylurks November 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm 2

    Top Ten:
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Frost/Nixon
    Gran Torino
    Milk
    Rachel Getting Married
    Revolutionary Road
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Wrestler

    Best Picture: The Reader
    Director: Jonathan Demme
    Actor: Richard Jenkins
    Actress: Kristin Scott Thomas
    S. Actor: Heath Ledger
    S. Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
    O. Screenplay: Milk
    A. Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire

  3. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pm 3

    So Wrong . Australia made the Top Ten and received word from the horse’s mouth. Thank you.

  4. AJ November 28th, 2008 at 1:46 pm 4

    when is it this year? and do we know if there will be a winner separate from the top 10 again?

  5. Alex November 28th, 2008 at 2:08 pm 5

    National Board of Review will choose Benjamin Button or Slumdog Millionaire as #1 film of the year. Australia might make it…because after all, isn’t this the group that put The Bucket List on their list?

    Actress: Streep or Thomas

    Actor: Penn or Langella

    S. Actress: Henson or Tomei

    S. Actor: Ledger

    Breakout Actor: Shannon

    Breakout Actress: DeWitt

    Director: Boyle or Fincher

  6. Ivan November 28th, 2008 at 2:24 pm 6

    Best Acting By An Ensemble
    Milk

    Breakthrough Performance – Male
    Dev Patel/Slumdog Millionaire

    Breakthrough Performance – Female
    Sally Hawkins/Happy-Go-Lucky

    Best Director
    Jonathan Demme/Rachel Getting Married

    Best Directorial Debut
    Courtney Hunt/Frozen River

    Best Adapted Screenplay
    Revolutionary Road

    Best Original Screenplay
    The Visitor

    Best Animated Feature
    Wall-E

    Foreign Film
    I´ve Loved you So Long

  7. Aaron November 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pm 7

    Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
    Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
    Actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
    Actress: Kristin Scott-Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long
    Supporting Actor: Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road
    Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, Doubt
    Orig Screenplay: Rachel Getting Married
    Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire
    Breakout Actor: Robert Pattinson, Twilight
    Breakout Actress: Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married

    Finishing the Top 10:
    Changeling
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Frost/Nixon
    Milk
    Rachel Getting Married
    Revolutionary Road
    The Wrestler

  8. Aaron November 28th, 2008 at 2:26 pm 8

    Ivan, you’re right I forgot about Sally Hawkins. She’ll probably take the breakout actress award

  9. ladylurks November 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm 9

    @ Alex – The Bucket List was Warner. Australia is Fox. They might conceivably put Australia on their list, but not at the expense of any of the WB contenders. They know where their bread is buttered.

  10. Stephen Holt November 28th, 2008 at 2:44 pm 10

    Well, the NBR is New York Based, lest we forget. So stage actor’s Michael Shannon and Rosemarie DeWitt might have the extra edge here for Breakout Actor and Actress.

    This bunch is very hard to predict because very few of them are real critics and most of them are well-heeled. The yearly fee the dues that they have to pay every year are now over $600.

    They play their cards close to their vests. SO close I couldn’t really choose a BP. But not having seen BB, I think they might go with that, seeing as how they are all older…

    For Best Actor and Actress I would say that it’s Sean Penn and Kate Winslet for both of her pictures. Neither of which I have seen yet, but the NBR is set up so they can name multiple films in the same year.

    Yes, I guess Heath is Supporting, though they may give him a special award. Why? Because they can. They have that flexibility and they do make things up as they go along.

    And Penelope Cruz would be most likely in Supporting for BOTH “Elegy” and “VCB.”

    Everybody loves having Penelope there at their ceremonies. So I think that’s what they’ll do.

    Ensemble would either be “Milk” or “Rachel Getting Married.”

    And Best Orignal Screenplay would for sure be “Rachel”s Jenny Lumet.

    I can not even IMAGINE what their top ten would be. Which is why I’m just making SUGGESTIONS to ADers instead of filing a voting ballot.

  11. Alex November 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm 11

    Stephen…”Everybody loves having Penelope there at their ceremonies.”

    Why?

  12. Kraisky November 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm 12

    If the LOTR – Return of the King did not manage to be in the Top 10 I doubt the Dark Nigth will.

  13. Jordan Cronk November 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pm 13

    This group so hard to predict that even the most out-of-the-box choices don’t suprise me anymore. They seem to have a thing for Ed Zwick though (god know why…), so I’d bet on Defiance making their Top 10 if nothing else.

  14. red_wine November 28th, 2008 at 4:11 pm 14

    They are very difficult to predict because they tend to spread the wealth and many a times split director and picture.
    Top 10

    The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
    Synecdoche, New York
    Milk
    Wall-E
    The Dark Knight
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Wrestler/Frost Nixon/Doubt
    The Reader/Revolutionary Road
    Changeling/Gran Torino
    Che/Rachel Getting Married/Happy-Go-Lucky

    (but Che might be ineligible because they have a separate Top 5 list for Foreign Language Films I believe, yet they had Letters From Iwo Jima 2 years ago probably because it was an American film)

    PS: “Stephen…”Everybody loves having Penelope there at their ceremonies.”

    Why?”
    Try looking at her and hearing her accent.

  15. Gentle Benj November 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm 15

    Here’s what I’m thinking:

    Best Film: MILK

    This has been really easy to call in past years; somehow, certain films just have that NBR feel. The Hours, Mystic River, and Good Night and Good Luck were all that way.

    The problem this year is that several films have that “feel.” Milk, Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, and even Australia feel like viable NBR winners to me. But I’m going with MILK because I foresee them pouncing on the Prop-8 zeitgeist.

    The Top Ten:
    MILK
    AUSTRALIA
    THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
    FROST/NIXON
    GRAN TORINO
    RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
    THE READER
    REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
    SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

  16. Bernardo S November 28th, 2008 at 4:25 pm 16

    The Dark Knight won’t be n the Top 10. None of the LOTR films were :)

  17. Gentle Benj November 28th, 2008 at 4:43 pm 17

    Sorry, hit the button too soon. Would delete the above if I could. Mea culpa!

    Here’s what I’m thinking:

    Best Film: MILK

    This has been really easy to call in past years; somehow, certain films just have that NBR feel. The Hours, Mystic River, and Good Night and Good Luck were all that way.

    The problem this year is that several films have that “feel.” Milk, Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, and even Australia feel like viable NBR winners to me. But I’m going with MILK because I foresee them pouncing on the Prop-8 zeitgeist.

    The Top Ten:
    MILK
    AUSTRALIA
    THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
    FROST/NIXON
    GRAN TORINO
    RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
    THE READER
    REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
    SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
    THE WRESTLER

    While I think AMPAS is ready to embrace The Dark Knight, the NBR seems more traditional in its thinking re: what is and isn’t an awards film. Based on its exclusion from their list, awards watchers will predict doom for TDK, and be wrong.

    Best Director: Baz Luhrmann

    They seem to like showy visual direction, and this award has often been a kiss of death for Oscar hopefuls. A Luhrmann win fits nicely.

    Best Actor: Sean Penn

    Their Best Films tend not to win acting awards, actually, but I think we’ll see an exception here.

    Best Actress: Melissa Leo

    The NBR likes their actresses venerable; just look at the last five or so winners. It’s amazing. Could be Streep or KST, but go with Leo.

    Best Supporting Actress: Debra Winger

    The like older actresses in this category too, and their “surprise” winner often appears here.

    Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger

    4 t3h w1n, all season long.

    Best Animated Film: WALL-E

    Duh. I don’t think they are quite artsy-tartsy enough to pass over Wall-E for Waltz with Bashir. Look for that at the NSFC.

    Best Original Screenplay: RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

    They like above-the-title type writers if they can get them, but there aren’t a lot of those in the mix this year. COULD be Synecdoche, but I doubt it. Rachel Getting Married fits the mold of their winners, somehow.

    Best Adapted Screenplay: REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

    Lots of very real possibilities here, as in Best Film. Revolutionary Road and Benjamin Button both have prestigious source material and apparently impressive results. I’m going with RR just cos.

    Other categories for fun:

    Best Foreign Film: WALTZ WITH BASHIR

    Now HERE I could see it winning. No idea what the rest of the top five will look like.

    Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE

    For real. New Yorkers, man!

    Top Ten Independent Films: I won’t make a whole list, but we can expect to see Ballast, Frozen River and Happy-Go-Lucky there. Maybe Slumdog, the Wrestler or Rachel Getting Married will be there instead of the big list?

    Best Ensemble Cast: DOUBT

    Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: Michael Shannon

    What Stephen Holt said.

    Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: Sally Hawkins

    Best Directorial Debut: Courtney Hunt for FROZEN RIVER

    Or maybe Lance Hammer for Ballast.

  18. Gentle Benj November 28th, 2008 at 4:45 pm 18

    Waaait, I notice now that last year they awarded a “Best Film” and then a Top Ten on top of that, for a total of eleven. So in our contest entries, should our pick for Best Film not be in the top ten?

    ETA: Just saw AJ asked this near the top. No more internet for me today.

  19. Xavi Rodriguez November 28th, 2008 at 4:48 pm 19

    The Top Ten:
    *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Alternative)
    *The Dark Knight -Yes they didn’t nominate TLOTR, but they nominated The Bucket List and The Bourne Ultimatum last year
    *Doubt
    *Frost/Nixon
    *Mamma Mia! -YES, The Bucket List’s effect + Box office sucess + Plus: Meryl Streep’s body of work
    *Milk (WINNER)
    *Rachel Getting Married
    *The Reader
    *Slumdog Millionaire
    *the Wrestler
    Runner-up for Nominations:
    *Australia
    *Changeling
    *Gran Torino
    *Happy-Go-Lucky
    *Revolutionary Road (I only put here for the release date. But the film has strong possibilities for being in the top ten)

    Directing: Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
    Alt: David Fincher, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button

    Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
    Alt: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

    Actress: Meryl Streep, Doubt & Mamma Mia! (Usually they awarded an actor for the body of work)
    Alt: Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long

    Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight (If he doesn’t win here, this will be a huge surprise)
    Alt: Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road (Maybe a la Casey Affleck. He’s a Broadway actor)

    Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
    Alt: Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

    Original Screenplay: Milk
    Alt: Rachel Getting Married

    Adapted Screenplay: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Alt: Slumdog Millionaire

    Breakout Actor: Michael Fassbenger, Hunger – I really hope so!
    Alt: Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire

    Breakout Actress: Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
    Alt: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

    Ensemble: Milk
    Alt: The Dark Knight

  20. kate November 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm 20

    Top ten:

    MILK
    WALL-E
    THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
    THE WRESTLER
    THE DARK KNIGHT
    GRAN TORINO
    THE READER
    REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
    SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
    RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

  21. Gentle Benj November 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm 21

    I know I said no more internet for me but just a quick interjection I SWEAR.

    The NBR actually seems to have stopped awarding actors for multiple roles. I think the last time they did was 2003.

  22. Alex November 28th, 2008 at 5:07 pm 22

    I don’t know if this makes a difference, but I remember the New York Critics not liking The Dark Knight. With the NBR being New York based, does that impact Ledger’s chances?

    red_wine…Yes, I know that Penelope Cruz is hot! But, so are lots of actresses. You’ll never hear me say “that dog Kate Winslet…”. Therefore, my question about Stephen’s comment still remains unanswered…

  23. Benny November 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pm 23

    The best picture will be:
    FROST/NIXON

  24. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 5:59 pm 24

    I have seen the list and the biggest surprise will shock your crickey off.

  25. Dr. Strangelove November 28th, 2008 at 6:08 pm 25

    Alex–TDK still had supporters like Dargis in NYC, and if you average out the MC NY critics it still sits at 76. I actually have Ledger losing to Shannon, but that’s the only major award circle that’ll snub Ledger, I think. I have Nolan winning Director just because it seems to fit their liking of bombastic films in this area, and Collateral won BD.

  26. Alex November 28th, 2008 at 6:23 pm 26

    I think Best Film will be Australia since the winner is always slightly left field, counter-intuitive ie. Letters from Iwo Jima. It won’t get much further though.

  27. Osborne Cox November 28th, 2008 at 6:27 pm 27

    Drew, if you tell us Benjamin Button is not on the list I’ll slit my wrists.

  28. Joao Mattos November 28th, 2008 at 6:32 pm 28

    “The Wrestler” for Picture and Actor, “Milk” for Original Screenplay and Director.

    Why no one is predicting Meryl Streep as Best Actress for both “Mamma” and “Doubt”?

    No “Frost/Nixon” in teh Top Ten.

    “Gomorra” will begin the route for the Academy Award with the NBR choice.

  29. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 6:36 pm 29

    Oh BB is there.

  30. Osborne Cox November 28th, 2008 at 6:40 pm 30

    Thank God! I had my knife at the ready.

  31. AJ November 28th, 2008 at 6:42 pm 31

    I think Australia will undoubtedly make the list — whether it deserves it or not.

  32. Tim L. November 28th, 2008 at 6:44 pm 32

    Top 10

    Australia
    Changeling
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (winner)
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Mamma Mia!
    Milk
    Rachael Getting Married
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Wrestler

    Director: Danny Boyle- Slumdog Millionaire

    Actor: Sean Penn- Milk

    Actress: Meryl Streep- Doubt and Mamma Mia!

    Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger- The Dark Knight

    Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz- Vicky Christina Barcelona and Elegy

  33. Sean November 28th, 2008 at 6:50 pm 33

    Picture:Doubt (NY based movie will get points)
    Director: Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Actor: Sean Penn
    Actress: Streep (Doubt and Mamma Mia and Dark Matter, plus she will be entertaining as hell at the ceremony)
    Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger
    Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (NY stage actres)
    Screenplay: Slumdog Millionare

  34. Kyle November 28th, 2008 at 7:58 pm 34

    Spill it, Drew.

  35. John November 28th, 2008 at 8:06 pm 35

    Please tell me TDK is there Drew haha I can’t wait! or is the big surprise something like in bruges, just a thought

  36. Sofía November 28th, 2008 at 8:33 pm 36

    I understand that the performance of Blanchett according to what we have seen is very sweet on Benjamin Button, but the center is the protagonist Brad Pitt as Benjamin, I say this because justice must be done with the real protagonists female, as it never had in other years, example of real actors Kristin Scott Thomas, Sally Hawkins, who are the heart and bear the entire movie.
    In particular I would like to put a new face on oscar and other prizes by merit.
    I know that Cate Blanchett is a good actress and is loved by the academy but I want justice every year the same names have already exhausted this year to elect female great performances.

  37. Xavi Rodriguez November 28th, 2008 at 8:37 pm 37

    “The NBR actually seems to have stopped awarding actors for multiple roles. I think the last time they did was 2003.”

    The last one was Terrence Howard in 2005, when he won for Best Breakout actor for Three films: Hustle & Flow, Crash and Get Rich or Die Trying

  38. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm 38

    Oh , well the list is predicable with a few surprises. Not many, most releases of November and next month.

  39. Fidel November 28th, 2008 at 9:23 pm 39

    AUSTRALIA
    THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
    DOUBT
    MILK
    RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
    THE READER
    REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
    SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
    WALL-E
    THE WRESTLER

  40. Paul Outlaw November 28th, 2008 at 10:31 pm 40

    The 10:
    The Wrestler
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Frost/Nixon
    Milk
    Revolutionary Road
    Rachel Getting Married
    Appaloosa
    Slumdog Millionaire
    Doubt

    Best Film: Milk
    Best Director: Fincher
    Best Actor: Sean Penn
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep
    Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger
    Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz
    Best Original Screenplay: Jenny Lumet (RGM)
    Best Adapted Screenplay: Eric Roth (TCCOBB)
    Best Animated Feature: WALL-E

  41. Jerry Stone November 28th, 2008 at 10:49 pm 41

    “Nothing but the Truth” – isn’t this a group big into the first ammendment?

  42. Nasir November 28th, 2008 at 11:19 pm 42

    Doubt isn’t on that list for the contest, maybe something’s wrong with my computer.

    But just wanna give a shout out to stephen holt, i love your youtube videos!

  43. Gentle Benj November 28th, 2008 at 11:33 pm 43

    Don’t feed the troll, guys. Whether Drew knows something or he doesn’t, it matters not. He’s just begging for attention either way.

    I mean, even more than the rest of us are…

  44. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 11:46 pm 44

    Yes just begging for attention Gentle Benj. Not that the NBR is a big secret now. If it satisfies your curiosity then you will be glad to know that Milk is the #1 Spot and Penn is actor and well… just can’t go on.

  45. Drew November 28th, 2008 at 11:49 pm 45

    But the little Aussie film made it somehow. Next the Globes

  46. Gentle Benj November 29th, 2008 at 12:20 am 46

    See?

  47. Sam November 29th, 2008 at 12:25 am 47

    NBR could very well give the breakout award to Ann Hathaway. If you think I’m crazy…look back at Charlize Theron in 2003.

    I don’t think Robert Pattinson should get breakout male either. What about…
    Dev Patel? Michael Shannon?

    Debra Winger is not getting Supporting! Her role is small, and, I think the weakest in the film.

    The Wrestler better be on that list.

  48. Matthew Lucas November 29th, 2008 at 12:41 am 48

    I think it will go to either THE READER or REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. I wouldn’t rule out FROST/NIXON either.

  49. Ryan Adams November 29th, 2008 at 12:51 am 49

    Any other surprises on the list besides the dozen or so titles we keep shuffling around, Drew? You don’t have to name it. Just let us know if NBR chose a movie that’s not among the 13 below. (because these might be my picks.)

    (*) The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
    Australia
    The Dark Knight
    Frozen River
    Milk
    Rachel Getting Married
    Revolutionary Road
    The Reader
    Slumdog Millionaire
    Synecdoche, New York
    The Wrestler
    (alt) Frost/Nixon
    (& The Bucket List slot) Valkyrie

    (why does my list look the Indie Board of Review?
    ah well, no guts no glory, right?)

  50. AJ November 29th, 2008 at 1:02 am 50

    In such a close year, I think they’ll try to get something they like in to the final five. I’m betting on Rachel Getting Married.

  51. Charles Miller November 29th, 2008 at 1:06 am 51

    Here’s your surprise ladies and gentleman…NO slumdog millionaire…u heard it here first (i could be wrong though).

    The Ten:
    -The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    -Australia
    -Milk
    -The Dark Knight
    -Frost/Nixon
    -Defiance
    -Revolutionary Road
    -Gran Torino
    -Doubt
    -The Reader

    *In no way do these predictions reflect my personal feelings on these films

  52. Ryan Adams November 29th, 2008 at 1:38 am 52

    Don’t aim too mainstream, guys. This isn’t the Broadcast Film Critics. It’s highfalutin NBR. In recent years, their Top 10s have included Notes On A Scandal, The Painted Veil, Syriana, Match Point, Kinsey, Vera Drake, The Station Agent, 21 Grams, Frida, Adaptation.

    I’m trying to justify Frozen River and Synecdoche, New York on my list. I think NBR likes to have a couple of brainy art-house movies on their lists. We probably should be thinking about Vicki Cristina Barcelona too.

  53. kezza November 29th, 2008 at 1:53 am 53

    I saw Australia today and I can’t believe all the hate for it – the audience stood and applauded when the movie finished and for one LOVED it!

    So this would be in my top 10 as well as
    Dark Knight
    and I haven’t seen anything else so will watch with interest.

    I hope Revolutionary Road as that is the one movie I am really looking forward to. Hang my head -Twilight but that is just my fantasy movie.

  54. Blake November 29th, 2008 at 3:25 am 54

    Drew, you’re full of shit.

    The NBR does not make up their list until the night prior to their announcement. This is the way it’s been done. A couple of years ago, they pushed back their announcement date a week the night before they were supposed to announce. I think the reason was that they had difficulty coming to a conclusion, but I’m not certain of it.

    If you still think you’ve got a reason to argue against this, spill the whole list so everyone can judge when the list gets officially released.

  55. Drew November 29th, 2008 at 3:33 am 55

    Blake, you ARE CLUELESS

  56. Blake November 29th, 2008 at 4:16 am 56

    OK then.

    So according to what you’ve already posted, you’ve seen the NBR list, and Milk won Best Picture and Best Actor, and Benjamin Button and Australia made the top 10. Is this correct?

    Good luck, Drew. Either you’re right and I’ll be stunned, or you’re a fool that takes joy in confusing the hell out of people. Either way, I’ll be laughing when I see the list, because you just made this way more entertaining than it should be.

  57. Paddy M November 29th, 2008 at 5:08 am 57

    Last year they had a winner for Best Picture and then 10 runners-up as theire ‘Top Ten’, stupidly, so here I go…

    Picture
    THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
    - Australia
    - Defiance
    - Doubt
    - Frost/Nixon
    - Milk
    - Rachel Getting Married
    - The Reader
    - Revolutionary Road
    - Slumdog Millionaire
    - The Wrestler

    Director
    DANNY BOYLE (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE)

    Actor
    SEAN PENN (MILK)

    Actress
    ANNE HATHAWAY (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED)

    Supporting Actor
    HEATH LEDGER (THE DARK KNIGHT)

    Supporting Actress
    VIOLA DAVIS (DOUBT)

    Original Screenplay
    JENNY LUMET (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED)

    Adapted Screenplay
    ERIC ROTH (THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON)

    Ensemble Cast
    THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

    Animated Feature
    WALL-E

    Documentary
    TROUBLE THE WATER

    Foreign Language Film
    WALTZ WITH BASHIR

    Directorial Debut
    LANCE HAMMER (BALLAST)

    Breakthrough Actor
    MICHAEL FASSBENDER (HUNGER)

    Breakthrough Actress
    SALLY HAWKINS (HAPPY-GO-LUCKY)

  58. Dominik November 29th, 2008 at 5:30 am 58

    I predict “The Reader” to win best picture, and Mickey Rourke for best actor. Kate Winslet should win for both “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road”.
    We shall see…

  59. Balesupporter November 29th, 2008 at 6:48 am 59

    PICTURE
    MILK
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Wrestler
    The Dark Knight
    Slumdog Millionaire
    Frost/ Nixon
    The Reader
    The Visitor
    Rachel Getting Married
    Australia

    DIRECTOR
    Gus Vant Sant. Alt: David Fincher

    ACTOR
    Sean Penn. Alt: Richard Jenkins

    ACTRESS
    Kristin Scott Thomas. Alt: Kate Winslet

    SUPPORTING ACTOR
    Heath Ledger. Alt: Robert Downey Jr

    SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    Debra Winger. Alt: Marisa Tomei

    ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    Slumdog Millionaire. Alt. Milk

    ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Alt: Revolutionary Road

    Ensemble Cast
    Milk. Alt: The Curiuos Case of Benjamin Button

    ANIMATED FEATURE
    WALL- E

    DOCUMENTARY
    Trouble the Water

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
    Gomorra

    DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
    Courtney Hunt ( Frozen River )

    BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
    Michael Fassbender ( Hunger )

    BREAKTHROUGH ACTRESS
    Sally Hawkins ( Happy-Go-Lucky )

  60. Markku November 29th, 2008 at 8:45 am 60

    PICTURE
    Gran Torino

    Runners-Up
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Milk
    Doubt
    The Wrestler
    The Dark Knight
    Slumdog Millionaire
    Frost/ Nixon
    The Reader
    The Visitor
    Rachel Getting Married

    DIRECTOR
    John Patrick Shanley – Doubt

    ACTOR
    Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon

    ACTRESS
    Meryl Streep – Doubt & Mamma Mia!

    SUPPORTING ACTOR
    Liev Schreiber – Defiance (Hey, it’s an Ed Zwick Movie, NBR loves those)

    SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    Viola Davis – Doubt

    ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    Gran Torino

    ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    Doubt

    ENSEMBLE CAST
    Milk

    ANIMATED FEATURE
    WALL- E

    DOCUMENTARY
    Standard Operating Procedure

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
    Everlasting Moments – Sweden

    DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
    Courtney Hunt – Frozen River

    BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
    That Kid From Australia

    BREAKTHROUGHT ACTRESS
    Sally Hawkins – Happy Go-Lucky

  61. red_wine November 29th, 2008 at 8:48 am 61

    I think Milk winning NBR is making a lot of sense right now. Slumdog has smallness/masala quality, Benjamin Button has frigidity, Milk seems just about right. And Milk is undoubtedly the most important picture this year.

    And in the past, NBR has not cared about reviews much, so I think Australia and Changeling might get in(provided that Gran Torino is not already on the list).

  62. Ryan Adams November 29th, 2008 at 9:01 am 62

    um, yeah, what Balesupporter said.
    That looks good in the individual categories, except I’d flip Fincher and Van Sant as Best Director and Alternate.

    Also, I still think wer’e all focusing on too many “major” titles, and forgetting how NBR always gives a nod to movies that most people between the coasts never get a chance to see until they’re on DVD. (see my comment #52) We need to be thinking what movie is this year’s Kinsey or Vera Drake for the NBR.

    Balesupporter, since your choices look so good, I’d hate for you to lose out on a technicality. What Paddy M says is true. Last year there was a Best Picture and a Top 10 that did not include their overall Best. You’re owed one more movie in your top 10, I think.

    I’ll ride along with those choices, except for the Director switch, and stick with my Top 10 above.

    (Not really fair for me and Drew to participate since we’ve seen the future in our dreams
    8-)
    but seriously Drew, if you really want to blow everybody away, give us one more surprise that nobody expects. Michelle Williams, Best Actress. Something like that.)

  63. Paul Outlaw November 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am 63

    Ryan, I only picked ten on my contest entry (see comment #40) because the NBR seems to change its mind from year to year about having ten or eleven films:

    “The 10:
    The Wrestler
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Frost/Nixon
    Milk
    Revolutionary Road
    Rachel Getting Married
    Appaloosa
    Slumdog Millionaire
    Doubt

    Best Film: Milk

    If I get to name one more, then it would have to be The Duchess. No, The Reader. NO, THE VISITOR. Final answer: The Visitor.

    BTW: The surprise that no one is expecting is Appaloosa, according to my crystal ball.

  64. Ryan Adams November 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am 64

    I had Appaloosa on my longer list of 15, Paul. Nicely crafted film, but I was looking for more of the emotional punch that NBR seems to like in smaller movies. I keep going back to their choices in recent years, and still feel like they tend to go for a couple of more esoteric choices. They usually have a solid British film too, so The Reader or Happy-Go-Lucky feel like good bets.

    I’d be happy with just about any list suggested in this discussion. And I’ll bet that the NBR’s chooses at least one movie that makes their Top 10 look blemished compared to what you guys predict. (I’m still not over The Bucket List.)

  65. Paul Outlaw November 29th, 2008 at 11:46 am 65

    Appaloosa is definitely a no guts no glory choice. If Allie French had been played by Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Kristin Scott Thomas, Michelle Williams, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Halle Berry–hell, anyone except The Zellweger–the movie would probably be an Oscar contender and would pack the emotional punch that you find lacking.
    At this point, though, it is an esoteric choice, given the rest of the field. And I’m thinking Slumdog Millionaire works as a solid British and an international pick.

  66. Jilda November 29th, 2008 at 1:13 pm 66

    Drew, tell me the Dark knight makes the list?

  67. Holden November 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pm 67

    Best Picture
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Frost/Nixon
    Gran Torino
    Milk
    Rachel Getting Married
    Revolutionary Road
    Slumdog Millionaire
    WALL-E

    Best Director
    Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
    Clint Eastwood for Gran Torino
    David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Sam Mendes for Revolutionary Road
    Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight
    Gus Van Sant for Milk

    Best Actor in a Leading Role
    Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road
    Clint Eastwood for Gran Torino
    Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
    Sean Penn for Milk
    Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

    Best Actress in a Leading Role
    Cate Blanchett for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
    Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
    Meryl Streep for Doubt
    Kristin Scott Thomas for I’ve Loved You So Long
    Kate Winslett for Revolutionary Road

    Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    Josh Brolin for Milk
    James Franco for Milk
    Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt
    Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
    Dev Patel for Slumdog Millionaire
    Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road

    Best Actress in a Supporting Role
    Amy Adams for Doubt
    Penelope Cruz for Vicky Christina Barcelona
    Viola Davis for Doubt
    Rosemarie Dewitt for Rachel Getting Married
    Taraj P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Kate Winslett for The Reader

    Best Original Screenplay
    Burn After Reading
    Milk
    Rachel Getting Married
    Synecdoche, New York
    WALL-E
    The Wrestler

    Best Adapted Screenplay
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Frost/Nixon
    Revolutionary Road
    Slumdog Millionaire

  68. HUGO November 29th, 2008 at 1:26 pm 68

    For the oscar and all other awards:

    Actor: Sean Penn
    Actress: Category severe strain in concepts but Sally Hawkins is in addition to Breakthrougth Actress, Best Actress, for best performance of 2008.
    Another possibility Kristin Scott Thomas, these actresses are taking a great performance and the weight of their movies.

    PICTURE
    Milk

    SUPPORTING ACTOR
    Heath Ledger

    SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    Viola Davis – Doubt

    ORIGINAL Screenplay
    Rachel get married

    Screenplay ADAPTER
    Milk

    ENSEMBLE CAST
    Milk

    ANIMATED FEATURE
    WALL-E

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
    Everlasting Moments – Sweden

  69. Rose marie November 29th, 2008 at 1:37 pm 69

    According to Hugo, when it comes to major actor and best actress.

    But best film Slumdog millionaire

  70. Sasha Stone November 29th, 2008 at 1:44 pm 70

    Ryan’s right about the high falootin’ part of the NBR. But this much we do know, there is a really good chance that whatever film it is will be nominated for Best Pic. I’ll be doing a more lengthy piece about the NBR in the next day or so.

  71. BilltheKidd November 29th, 2008 at 2:28 pm 71

    FILM: Revolutionary Road

    Milk
    TCCOBB
    WALL-E
    Nothing But The Truth
    In Bruges
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Visitor
    Doubt
    Rachel Getting Married

    DIRECTOR: Van Sant

    ACTOR: Jenkins

    ACTRESS: Hathaway

    SUPP ACTOR: Shannon

    SUPP ACTRESS: Davis

  72. Elba November 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pm 72

    Cate Blanchett, but good performance as always overvalued, compared with the other contenders.
    I stay with the five contenders and finally were all movies
    already premiered.

    * Kristin Scott Thomas
    * Sally Hawkins
    * Anne Hathaway
    * Meryl Streep
    * Kate Winsl

    - If this list is the dispute is among the top three.

  73. mileshigh November 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm 73

    National Board Top Ten (they are my favorite and best top ten list)

    Best movie of the year? No one knows!

    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Slumdog Millionaire
    Frost/Nixon
    Revolutionary Road
    The Visitor
    Milk
    The Dark Knight
    Wall-E
    The Wrestler
    Yes, Man (since Bucket List was on there last year, why not)

    Honestly, tenth will be a Clint Eastwood film (‘Changling’ or ‘Gran’)

    No matter who wins the best of the year from this group, Sasha will put it on top of his most-likely-to-be-nominated-for-Best-Picture-list, but I have one word for him;

    “Quills.”

  74. Melodie November 29th, 2008 at 5:38 pm 74

    Jerry is right. “Nothing but the Truth” may be the best journalism film since “All the President’s Men” and the NBR even has a special award for Freedom of Expression. I saw it watching the screener of an Academy friend who is voting for it in all the appropriate categories.

  75. Jilda November 29th, 2008 at 6:53 pm 75

    There hasn’t been a film to miss out on Best Picture that won the NBR since Quills. And Sasha is a woman.

  76. chrisw November 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pm 76

    Revolutionary Road
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Milk
    Frost/Nixon
    Doubt
    Gran Torino
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Wrestler
    Rachel Getting Married
    Burn After Reading

    If the NBR leaves off Wall-E and TDK

  77. Will November 30th, 2008 at 12:24 am 77

    To all those who forgot to put Wall E on the top ten; haha!

  78. Will November 30th, 2008 at 12:51 am 78

    The Actress categories seem to be ballbustingly hard this year.

    My picks? Sally Hawkins for Happy Go Lucky and Viola Davis for Doubt. Obscure shot in the darks, I know.

  79. Jilda November 30th, 2008 at 1:46 am 79

    Are animated films allowed to make the Top Ten? There is an animated film category.

  80. Giorgio November 30th, 2008 at 10:16 am 80

    Best film: Milk

    Top 10 :
    Milk
    Australia
    The Wrestler
    Slumdog Millionare
    The dark knight
    Frost Nixon
    Racher Getting married
    Gomorra
    Gran Torino
    Revolutionary road

  81. daveylow November 30th, 2008 at 8:01 pm 81

    I know one of the voters who actually knows a lot about film and she hated The Dark Knight, which shocked me.

  82. supoch November 30th, 2008 at 8:45 pm 82

    Best Picture
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Frost/Nixon
    Gran Torino
    Milk
    The Wrestler
    Revolutionary Road
    Slumdog Millionaire
    WALL-E

    Best Director
    Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight

    Best Actor in a Leading Role
    Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road

    Best Actress in a Leading Role
    Meryl Streep for Doubt

    Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

    Best Actress in a Supporting Role
    Kate Winslett for The Reader

    Best Original Screenplay
    Milk

    Best Adapted Screenplay
    Slumdog Millionaire

  83. You won’t find NBR predictions in this space | In Contention December 1st, 2008 at 2:47 pm 83

    [...] Dark Knight” — WB knows how to woo the NBR), while Sasha Stone has provided a space for your own predictions and a rundown of NBR stats and how they compare with Oscar through the [...]

  84. Patrick G December 1st, 2008 at 8:28 pm 84

    Some brave NBR picks: Miranda Richardson and Rosemary Harris for “Tom and Viv.” Geraldine Page in “Trilogy.”
    At least they haven’t given an acting award to Pia Zadora.

  85. Zachary December 1st, 2008 at 10:32 pm 85

    My predicted NBR Top 10:

    Che (My NGNG pick)
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Gran Torino
    Milk
    Revolutionary Road
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Visitor
    Wall-E

    Best Picture: Revolutionary Road
    Best Director: David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Best Actor: Sean Penn for Milk
    Best Actress: Cate Blanchett for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
    Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet for The Reader
    Best Ensemble Cast: Milk
    Best Adapted Screenplay: Justin Haythe for Revolutionary Road
    Best Original Screenplay: Andrew Stanton for Wall-E
    Best Animated Feature: Wall-E

  86. Justin Noble December 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 pm 86

    This week’s nominations for the Spirit Awards and Satellite Awards might have gotten the ball rolling on the 2009 film award season, but Thursday morning’s announcement of the National Board of Review Awards is the first major precursor for this year’s Oscar race. Below are my predictions for this year’s awards, and their historical, statistical connection to the Oscars.

    Best Picture

    Predicition: Milk

    Significance: For 8 of the past 10 years – and more specifically all 8 of the last 8 years – the winner of the NBR Best Picture has gone on to be nominated for the big prize at the Oscars. So, good sign. However, only 2 of the last 10 NBR winners has gone on to win Best Picture, those being American Beauty and last year’s No Country For Old Men.

    Top Ten Films of 2008

    Predicition:

    Australia
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    The Dark Knight
    Doubt
    Frost/Nixon
    Frozen River
    Rachel Getting Married
    Revolutionary Road
    Slumdog Millionaire
    The Wrestler

    But Where Is Milk?: Some years the Top 10 list is in addition to the Best Picture winner (totalling 11 films), and others it the 10 film list includes the winner. As last year named 10 films in addition the winner, that’s how I will format my prediction.

    Significance: Of the 50 films nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in the past decade, 36 of them were on the NBR Top 10 list. If we only look at the last five years, 25 films have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, and 22 of them were on NBR Top 10 list. That’s all but three – There Will Be Blood, The Queen, LOTR: The Return of the King. Using the last five years as a guideline, if a film is left off the NBR Top 10 list, it would only have a 12% statistical chance at an Oscar nomination.

    Notes: I think Frost/Nixon and Slumdog Millionaire are locks. To a lesser extent, Revolutionary Road is likely in that category. The Dark Knight should make the list, but the NBR isn’t the most superhero-film friendly of the precursor awards – last year they included The Bucket List. Ugh. Frozen River and Rachel Getting Married stand a great chance because they are the well-crafted indie-toned films that the NBR celebrates year and year. This same reason should help The Wrestler’s odds. Information about Benjamin Button is hard to come across, and it’s possible that the small number of screenings already completed won’t be enough to get it into the list tomorrow morning, perhaps suffering the same fate as last year’s late release There Will Be Blood. On paper, Doubt should be a masterpiece – an amazing story in the hands of acting legends – but advanced reviews have run the whole spectrum. After that, it gets quite tricky with a lot of films in contention. I think it comes down to The Reader vs. Australia, and while Australia got panned by some critics, I thought it was great.

    Alternates and Possible Surprises:

    The Reader: A legitimate possibility. In fact, it’s probably likely.
    Changeling: The NBR loves Eastwood, but…
    Gran Torino: This is probably the better of the Eastwood films this year, but it likely falls in the There Will Be Blood late-release category.
    Tropic Thunder: Stranger things have happened.
    Iron Man: Deserves it, but two superhero movies in one year is too much for the NBR to chew.
    Wendy & Lucy: They LOVE indie movies.
    Ballast: And they love drawing attention to less talked about fims.
    In Bruges: Or reminding us what was good from earlier in the year.

    Best Director

    Predicition: Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon

    Significance: For 8 of the past 10 years, the DIrector who wins the NBR goes on to be nominated for the Oscar. The two NBR winners not nominated for Oscar were Todd Haynes for Far From Heaven and Mike Leigh for Topsy Turvy. Of these 8 NBR winners who went on to be nominated for Oscar, half of them won Academy gold.

    Notes: My first instinct is to go for Gus Van Sant for Milk because of the amazing performances he got out of such unlikely casting choices, but the NBR usually separates Picture and Director, and Howard is getting a lot of praise for his work.

    MORE at my blog, PopCultureDeathmatch.net

  87. Smeacleme May 27th, 2009 at 7:49 pm 87

    I watch this guy for year, yea he do a lot of crazy stuff, but I know he is a really good and nice person. My boyfriend got his all best fights and we probably going to pray today and watch his in ring – so sad love you Mike.

  88. honoIdoveme July 6th, 2009 at 1:18 pm 88

    Do you guy’s believe in Michael Jackson dead? I honestly not. His is a legend for me and I fan of his lyrics for a years . Even my kind’s love it, there is a big loss for us. I still didn’t believe in that, so sad.

  89. piskodrocho July 9th, 2009 at 12:13 pm 89

    I want to listen good music!

  90. Ziseageaday August 14th, 2009 at 7:19 pm 90

    cuddle chemical viagra post boosts viagra edinburgh find search free harmful side effects from viagra search viagra edinburgh find pages best online viagra viagra viagra naturally enlarge penis army cutworm South Dakota la health care federal credit union american river health pro federal credit union female health lancashire mental prisoner uk cook county bureau of health services care content health health information portal


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  • 82nd Oscar Ceremony

    Hosts: Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin
    Producers: Adam Shankman, Bill Mechanic
    Director: Hamish Hamilton
    Music: Marc Shaiman

    Quentin Tarantino
    Pedro Almodovar

    Ampas Breakdown

    Actors-1,205
    Producers-462
    Executives-436
    Sound-405
    Writers-382
    Art Directors-373
    Directors-375
    Public Relations-370
    Members at Large-254
    Shorts/Feature Ani-335
    Visual Effects-272
    Music-233
    Editors-227
    Cinematographers-201
    Original Score-234
    Documentary-145
    Makeup-115
    Total Voting Members -approx 5,777


  • 82nd Oscar Ceremony

    Hosts: Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin
    Producers: Adam Shankman, Bill Mechanic
    Director: Hamish Hamilton
    Music: Marc Shaiman

    Quentin Tarantino
    Pedro Almodovar

  • Tuesday, December 1, 2009: Official Screen Credits forms due

    Monday, December 28, 2009: Nominations ballots mailed

    Saturday, January 23, 2010: Nominations polls close 5 p.m. PT

    Tuesday, February 2, 2010: Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Samuel Goldwyn Theater

    Wednesday, February 10, 2010: Final ballots mailed

    Monday, February 15, 2010: Nominees Luncheon

    Saturday, February 20, 2010: Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards presentation

    Tuesday, March 2, 2010: Final polls close 5 p.m. PT

    Sunday, March 7, 2010: 82nd Annual Academy Awards presentation



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  • Words

    “The Academy is composed of mostly older members making this movie a dark horse. The acting is top notch, the dialogue is intelligent, and the subject matter is timely. The weighted ballot system may just push this deserving movie to the top of the heap.

    Reitman’s picture is the most consistent of the nominated films I have seen, with each scene adding to the whole. Reviews have stated that some of the firing scenes were unnecessary and detracted from the film. In an odd way, they provided relief from all the tense personal relationships in the film, so I believe that the many interviews were valid.

    Up in the Air’s kind of ending, somber, isn’t what is keeping it from being a mainstream hit at this point. The content that deals with job loss is the biggest detractor above all else, even though the subject matter is handled with expertise. Movies with somber endings are dominating the award season. Up in the Air, Precious, Avatar, and The Hurt Locker have far from rosy endings.

    I agree that it appeals to older adults because of its subject matter. Job loss, lack of commitment, and the feminist bent of the film add up to something many forum posters will not champion because it doesn’t appeal to their young sensibilities. However, youth does not rule the Academy.”
    by Mac
  • Recent Comments

  • Contender Tracker

    Awards So Far

    NBR Winner+
    /top ten*
    LAFCA Winner+
    BFCA Critics Choice Win+/Nominee*
    NYFCC Winner +/*
    SEFCA Winners+/*
    Golden Globes Nominee+/*
    SAG Winner+/Nominee*
    National Society of Film Critics winners+
    Producers Guild Winner+/Nominees*
    Directors Guild Winners+/Nominees*
    Art Directors Guild Nominees*
    Writers Guild Nominees*
    American Cinematographers Society*
    American Cinema Editors*
    Cinema Audio Society*
    BAFTA Nominations*


    Best Picture
    The Hurt Locker*+++**+++******
    Avatar*+********
    Inglourious Basterds***+****
    Up in the Air+*+*******
    Precious******
    District 9*****
    A Serious Man*****
    An Education*****
    Up****
    The Blind Side

    Best Actor
    Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart++++*
    George Clooney, Up in the Air+*++***
    Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker**+*
    Colin Firth, A Single Man****
    Morgan Freeman, Invictus+***

    Best Actress
    Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side+++
    Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia++++**
    Carey Mulligan, An Education+****
    Gabby Sidibe, Precious****
    Helen Mirren, The Last Station**

    Best Supporting Actor
    Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds+++++++*
    Woody Harrelson,The Messenger+***
    Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones****
    Matt Damon, Invictus***
    Christopher Plummer, The Last Station*

    Best Supporting Actress
    Mo'Nique, Precious+*+++++*
    Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air+****
    Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air****
    Penelope Cruz, Nine**
    Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart

    Best Director
    Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker++++*++*
    Jim Cameron, Avatar*+**
    Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds****
    Jason Reitman, Up in the Air***
    Lee Daniels, Precious**

    Best Original Screenplay
    Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds+*
    Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man+*+*
    Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker***
    Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Up*
    Oren Moverman, Alessandro Camo The Messenger

    Best Adapted Screenplay
    Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air+++++*
    Armando Iannucci, In the Loop+
    Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious**
    Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell, District 9**
    Nick Hornby, An Education*

    Best Editing

    Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua, James Cameron, Avatar+**
    Chris Innis, Bob Murawski, The Hurt Locker***
    Julian Clarke, District 9**
    Joe Klotz, Precious
    Sally Menke, Inglourious Basterds**

    Best Cinematography
    Mauro Fiore, Avatar+**
    Christian Berger, White Ribbon+++*
    Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker***
    Robert Richardson, Inglourious Basterds***
    Bruno Delbonnel, Harry Potter

    Best Art Direction

    Avatar+**
    Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus*
    Nine*
    Sherlock Holmes
    The Young Victoria

    Best Sound Mixing

    Avatar+**
    The Hurt Locker***
    Star Trek* **
    Inglourious Basterds
    Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen*

    Best Sound Editing

    Avatar
    The Hurt Locker
    Up
    Star Trek
    Inglourious Basterds

    Best Costume Design
    Sandy Powell, The Young Victoria +*
    Catherine Leterrier,Coco Avant Chanel*
    Janet Patterson, Bright Star**
    Colleen Atwood, Nine*
    Monique Prudhomme, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

    Best Original Score
    Michael Giacchino, Up+*
    Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, The Hurt Locker!
    James Horner, Avatar*
    Alexandre Desplat, The Fantastic Mr. Fox
    Hans Zimmer, Sherlock Holmes*

    Best Foreign Language Film (submissions)

    A Prophet, France+*
    The White Ribbon, Germany**
    El Secreto de Sus Ojos, Argentina
    Ajami, Israel
    The Milk of Sorrow, Pru


    Best Documentary Feature

    The Cove++**+
    Food, Inc.**
    The Beaches of Agnes++*
    Burma VJ*
    The Most Dangerous Man in America
    Which Way Home


    Best Animated Feature
    Up+++**
    The Fantastic Mr. Fox+*+***
    Coraline****
    The Princess and the Frog***
    The Secret of Kells

    Best Visual Effects

    Avatar+*
    District 9* *
    Star Trek**

    Best Makeup

    The Young Victoria**
    Star Trek*

    Il Divo*


    Best Song
    The Weary Kind – T Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham, Crazy Heart ++
    Down in New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog
    Almost There – Randy Newman, The Princess And The Frog***
    Loin de Paname, Paris 36

    Best Live Action Short
    The Door
    Instead of Abracadabra
    Kavi
    Miracle Fish
    The New Tenants


    Best Animated Short
    French Roast
    Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty
    The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)
    Logorama
    A Matter of Loaf and Death


    Best Documentary Short

    China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
    The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
    The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
    Music by Prudence
    Rabbit a la Berlin