Henrick Vartanian
By: Benjamin Scuglia —
“The Social Network“ jump-started Hollywood’s awards season with today’s unveiling of 2010’s best films and performances as determined by the National Board of Review. They are typically the first organization announce their selections each year. The hit movie about Facebook‘s contentious origins won kudos for Jesse Eisenberg (Best Actor), David Fincher (Best Director) and Aaron Sorkin (Best Adapted Screenplay).
Best Supporting Actor honors went to Christian Bale for “The Fighter.” Lesley Manville won Best Actress for her boozy turn in “Another Year” while Jacki Weaver was named Best Supporting Actress for her role as a menacing mom in “Animal Kingdom.” Manville, a native Brit, and the Australian Weaver are mostly unknown to U.S. moviegoers, but their NBR wins will undoubtedly help to raise their profile. Eisenberg could use the boost, too. Young male actors almost never win the top Oscar prize, great reviews be damned. (Voters apparently prefer their best-actor winners to be more seasoned.) The NBR named an additional ten films as their best of the year, ranging from animated tearjerkers to big-budget blockbusters and teeny-tiny indie dramas. Listed alphabetically, they are:
“Another Year”
“The Fighter”
“Hereafter”
“Inception”
“The King’s Speech”
“Shutter Island”
“The Town”
“Toy Story 3”
“True Grit”
“Winter’s Bone”
CLICK HERE for a complete list of NPR nominees. 