Spike Jonze’s futuristic romance “Her” has been named best film by the National Board of Review. The board also named Jonze best director, giving “Her” an early awards season boost. The Warner Bros. film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson is to be released later in December.
Alexander Payne’s father-son road trip “Nebraska” took two acting awards. Bruce Dern won for best actor, and his co-star Will Forte won for best supporting actor.
Emma Thompson was awarded best actress for the “Mary Poppins” story “Saving Mr. Banks.” Best supporting actress went to Octavia Spencer for “Fruitvale Station.”
The National Board of Review is a group of film academics, students and professionals founded in 1909.
“Spike Jonze is one of the most talented and visionary filmmakers working today,” said Annie Schulhof, National Board of Review president. “In 'Her,' he explores the age-old themes of love and human connection in a completely fresh and innovative way. It is an outstanding achievement that is sure to become a new classic.”
Joel and Ethan Coen won best original screenplay honors for “Inside Llewyn Davis” while Terence Winter scored best adapted screenplay for "The Wolf of Wall Street."
Ryan Coogler earned best directorial debut for “Fruitvale Station,” with the film’s Michael B. Jordan taking breakthrough performance honors. Adele Exarchooulos also garnered a breakthrough performance kudo for “Blue Is the Warmest Color.”
And the Creative Innovation in Filmmaking Award went to “Gravity.”
The National Board also released its lists of top films in 2013:
Top Films
(in alphabetical order)
"12 Years a Slave"
"Fruitvale Station"
"Gravity"
"Inside Llewyn Davis"
"Lone Survivor"
"Nebraska"
"Prisoners"
"Saving Mr. Banks"
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"
"The Wolf of Wall Street"
Top 5 Foreign Language Films
(In Alphabetical Order)
"Beyond the Hills"
"Gloria"
"The Grandmaster"
"A Hijacking"
"The Hunt"
Top 5 Documentaries
(In Alphabetical Order)
"20 Feet from Stardom"
"The Act of Killing"
"After Tiller"
"Casting By"
"The Square"
Top 10 Independent Films
(In Alphabetical Order)
"Ain’t Them Bodies Saints"
"Dallas Buyers Club"
"In a World…"
"Mother of George"
"Much Ado About Nothing"
"Mud"
"The Place Beyond the Pines"
"Short Term 12"
"Sightseers"
"The Spectacular Now"
The National Board of Review honors diverse members of the film community at its annual Awards Gala, which also acts as a fundraiser for student grant philanthropy. Hosted by Lara Spencer, this year’s gala will take place on January 7, 2014 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
