Year-End Film Critics Awards

[soxxy]

First up, National Board of Review. The Social Network led the way:

Best Film: The Social Network

Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network

Best Actor: Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Best Actress: Lesley Manville, Another Year

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Best Foreign Language Film: Of Gods and Men

Best Documentary: Waiting for “Superman”

Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3

Breakthrough Performance: Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone

Ten Best Films
(in alphabetical order)
Another Year
The Fighter
Hereafter
Inception
The King’s Speech
Shutter Island
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

http://www.nbrmp.org/

[Allen]

Ten Best Films
(in alphabetical order)
Another Year
The Fighter
Hereafter
Inception
The King’s Speech
Shutter Island
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

http://www.nbrmp.org/

Interesting top 10 list. The Social Network is probably the best film of the year with Winter's Bone just slightly behind. I would have had Let Me In on the list for sure. I was also expecting to see Black Swan on the list. I am excited about The Fighter and Another Year. I wasn't expecting Shutter Island to be in the top 10. I'm really excited for Jennifer Lawrence getting the breakthrough award, her turn in Winter's Bone was absolutely stunning.

[Wyliefan]

Hereafter? Color me surprised. I thought the story was really weak.

[Allen]

Hereafter? Color me surprised. I thought the story was really weak.

I didn't see it, but I don't remember it getting particularly great reviews. I didn't find this year to be particularly strong in movies, but maybe it was weaker than I thought.

[AliasJohnDoe]

I can't wait to see the remake of "True Grit". Not sure if anyone can live up to John Wayne though.

I'd love to see a remake of "Jeremiah Johnson" also.

[Allen]

I can't wait to see the remake of "True Grit". Not sure if anyone can live up to John Wayne though.

I'd love to see a remake of "Jeremiah Johnson" also.

I'm in love with the idea that the Coen brothers remade True Grit. I'm just not usually a big fan of westerns, so I'm not sure if I'll actually love the movie as much as I do in my head.

[KatieC]

I wonder why anyone would want to remake True Grit. What's the matter with the original? Then again, I think remakes of anything are annoying. Except possibly A Star is Born, which to me was really just three different movies, twenty years apart.

[BigB08822]

I'm sorry but has anyone actually seen Winter's Bone? It is an AWFUL movie. The acting saves it from being on the "worst" list for me. The writing actually had myself and my BF laughing out loud because it was just awful. You could practically see writers in the background as this stuff came out of the actor's mouths.

[Allen]

I'm sorry but has anyone actually seen Winter's Bone? It is an AWFUL movie. The acting saves it from being on the "worst" list for me. The writing actually had myself and my BF laughing out loud because it was just awful. You could practically see writers in the background as this stuff came out of the actor's mouths.

I hate to disagree, well...actually I don't, I think Winter's Bone was really amazing. The acting is great and while the writing may not be up to the acting 100 percent, I don't find it laughable like you seemed to find it.

[soxxy]

I thought Winter's Bone very worthwhile, with Jennifer Lawrence acting award well deserved. I suppose one's mileage may vary regarding the story....it's very similar to Frozen River and to Tilda Swinton's Julia, somewhat.

[Indra486]

It can't nearly be as funny as Black Swan.

[soxxy]

It can't nearly be as funny as Black Swan.

Do tell. It won't be in my area for a while. I love Portman's Swan makeup!

[Seerek]

But that is quintessential Aronofsky - most of his films are structured that way (some to a greater degree than others). Some have argued that the Wrestler bordered on overtly melodramatic tones (nearing the end of the movie).

[Indra486]

Do tell. It won't be in my area for a while. I love Portman's Swan makeup!

I found myself laughing at how over the top it was. It almost seemed like a "serious" parody of the ballet world.

Spoiler

Particularly, in one scene Vincent Cassel tells Portman that she MUST masturbate in order to discover her Black Swan. It just sounded like do or die.

Then it was wild times with Tom and Jerry. Yes, those are the names.

Portman also steals the door knob after, IIRC, she locks her mother in.

[soxxy]

I found myself laughing at how over the top it was. It almost seemed like a "serious" parody of the ballet world.

Spoiler

Particularly, in one scene Vincent Cassel tells Portman that she MUST masturbate in order to discover her Black Swan. It just sounded like do or die.

Then it was wild times with Tom and Jerry. Yes, those are the names.

Portman also steals the door knob after, IIRC, she locks her mother in.

Yikes. I've only seen Aronofsky's The Wrestler, which I liked, and Requiem For a Dream, which I didn't, except I've grown to like the score.

[Ozzisk8tr]

Jacki Weaver is generating a fair bit of Buzz here in Oz. She's been around for ever here and is very respected (she was great in Cosi, which is about a production of Cosi fan Tutte being staged in a mental asylum... yes, very Australian and quirky). In Animal Kingdom she plays the matriarch of a crime family. There is even Oscar buzz surrounding her role which is fantastic for her.

[Allen]

Yikes. I've only seen Aronofsky's The Wrestler, which I liked, and Requiem For a Dream, which I didn't, except I've grown to like the score.

I've seen all of his movies except Black Swan, which I plan on seeing as soon as possible. I absolutely love The Wrestler, but I can see where people detect melodrama toward the end. I can't say I like Requiem for Dream, but I think it's a virtuoso effort with incredible acting. Pi is worth checking out as well.

[MacMadame]

Except possibly A Star is Born, which to me was really just three different movies, twenty years apart.

I'm pretty sure that's the way it will be with The Coehn Brother's True Grit. I doubt they will refer much to the original movie but go back to the original source material and put their own unique spin on it.

[Wyliefan]

I don't plan to see Black Swan because psychological horror leaves me unhinged and totally unable to sleep. But I went to The Movie Spoiler to read about it (why yes, I always read all about movies I don't plan to see, doesn't everybody?) and was left thinking, "Um . . . what?"

[BigB08822]

I am unsure if I will see Black Swan when it finally comes to my area but I have to be honest and say that the trailer did NOT convince me like it has so many people. Everyone is just raving over this movie and can not wait to see it. I don't get it. The trailer didn't turn me off but it in no way stood out as a "must see" for me. It did look very over the top and melodramatic but I thought maybe it was just the trailer and editing. Guess not.