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National Board Of Review Names “No Country For Old Men” Best Picture
This is going to be a very interesting awards season. There are a number of really quality films this year, and absolutely no clear cut favorite like we have in recent years. A number of really strong contenders this time out, and I think we’re probably going to see all the various awards bodies handing out the top honors to a lot of different films.
Starting us off this year is the National Board of Review which has decided to give this year’s “Best Picture” award to “No Country For Old Men“. This is certainly a film I’d put on the nominees list for the Oscars this year… although I wouldn’t personally give it the top prize (I found three irritating flaws with the film made it simply a “Great” movie to me, but not quite worthy of an “all time great” sort of status… I’ll talk about those flaws as we get closer to Oscar time). One thing is for certain… this film has one of the most riveting “bad guys” I’ve seen in a movie in a LONG LONG time. Watch for Javier Bardem to be nominated for either Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor… he was just amazing.
Some of the awards given out:
BEST PICTURE
No Country For Old Men
BEST DIRECTOR
Tim Burton – Sweeney Tood
BEST DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
Ben Affleck – Gone Baby Gone
BEST ACTOR
George Clooney – Michael Clayton
BEST ACTRESS
Julie Christie – Away From Her
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Casey Affleck – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Body of War
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Ratatouille
Breakthrough Performance by an Actor – Emile Hirsch, Into The Wild
Breakthrough Performance by an Actress – Ellen Page, Juno
Best Original Screenplay (tie): Diablo Cody, Juno and Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl.
I can testify that Casey Affleck was the best thing about Jesse James. As long as American Gangster and Atonement don’t win best picture, I’ll be happy.
Just wondering John, what were the “flaws”, you had with the film?
Hey Grundy,
As I mentioned in the post:
“I’ll talk about those flaws as we get closer to Oscar time”
Cheers!
It’s a nice balanced list. It’s good they found room for movies like Gone Baby Gone and Juno. One major complaint; Casey Affleck was not a supporting actor in TAOJJBTCRF. He was the star
… he clearly had the most screen time and it’s his story. It’s about a guy who pursues the legacy of Jesse James but inherits only the infamy.
John, I’m looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts on No Country For Old Men. I have a feeling that one of your problems is the ending.
Mark my words, history will vindicate the controversial ending.
What was controversial about the ending? I had no problem with the ending… but I certainly saw nothing controversial about it.
John,
I wouldn’t say that the ending is controversial but it is pissing a lot of casual moviegoers off. The problem that most moviegoers have with “No Country” is that the ending is so unconventional that it throws them off guard. I personally did not have a problem with the ending and it is almost verbatim to the novel. I’ve already seen “No Country” twice and I wouldn’t want it to end any other way.
yeah, I didn’t mean to suggest it was controversial in the same sense as abortion or the Iraq war. I meant it divides audiences. Many people feel that it does not work as a resolution.
Away from her is a very touching film, Julie Christie is awesome.
Why not give your review now? Its already out in theatres.. Ive been dying to see this movie but have knee deep in study.
Hey Ray,
I don’t review films that have already been in theaters for more than a week. The Movie Blog was in flux when the film came out, so we didn’t review it at the time.
John,
Why wait until Oscar season to start a discussion on this film? It’s the rare film that actually provokes debate. Plus, When did you stop talking about films that are in theaters?
About the ending, it controversial because of the execution, not the content.
Hey Ric,
I never said we stop TALKING about a movie once it’s in theaters (here we are talking about it now), I just don’t do full reviews of films that have already been in there for more than a week (unless it’s a retro review of some sorts)
John,
You’re talking about talking about the film, not actually talking about the film.(if that made sense)…. and what’s wrong with a retro review if the film is still relevant amongst filmgoers(I think it is, maybe I’m in the minority). I just think that it’s rare to get a film that’s even worth talking about.
That was an awesome rifle that Anton Chigurh uses in the movie. It was so powerful. I think the movie was more about the sheriff then it was about Anton. That’s how I walked away from the movie.
i am dying to know what the three “flaws” are john.
i really don’t think any of your readers are going to care that you put up a review a few weeks after it has been released…it is only in 900 theaters and has been on a rolling platform release.
this is a film that could (and should) seriously win best picture next year so i don’t think reviewing it now is that big of a deal is it? I just want to know how you enjoyed it.
for me the film is pretty much a perfect movie and not only is it by far the best film I have seen this year it is now firmly in my top twenty of all time list.
From beginning to end it is amazing…..and I am not a coen brothers devotee….I like their stuff…love a couple but I am not one of those folks who think they can do no wrong but all that aside this film is fucking amazing.
I am glad you don’t have a problem with the ending because
I keep reading people complaining about the end or saying it ruins the film but if you watch the film…and pay attention to what is happening and being said especially in tommy lee jones final scene the ending is fucking perfect.
I have a feeling that the way a certain character is taken out of the film will be one of the things you don’t like and if so then roll on award season so we can get into it
Gio, there’s a demand among the readership of this site. The people have spoken. Yes For Reviews For No Country For Old Men.
Yeah, I just saw No Country today, and it ROCKED. I’d love to see a review.
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