Awards Watch: The National Board of Review

The National Board of Review, the second-oldest movie award-givers still going (after the Oscars), proved they were all for No Country for Old Men, naming it their film of the year. The Coen brothers' crime drama also claimed their ensemble and screenplay honors in the sometimes controversial group's 78th annual film awards, announced today. Their top choice is a change of pace for the NBR (they often go for more obviously highbrow fare), which, although they are not a professional critics group (The Envelope's Tom O'Neil best describes them as an "Enlightened People's Choice Award"), are still a reliable bellwether for things to come.

Other winners include actors George Clooney, Julie Christie, Casey Affleck, Amy Ryan, Emile Hirsch and Ellen Page, directors Tim Burton and Ben Affleck and, in their respective categories, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Body of War and Ratatouille. Honorary awards were also bestowed upon actor/producer Michael Douglas, film historian Robert Osborne (of Turner Classic Movies fame), cinematographer Roger Deakins and the films The Great Debaters and Persepolis.

Being the first real precursor to actual name names as opposed to just nominations, here's what today's results could mean in the overall race:

• Heating up: Obviously, No Country is red hot, but Michael Clayton is gaining steam as a quiet frontrunner, and Burton's win bodes well for the futures of Sweeney Todd.
• Percolating along: Atonement, Juno, The Kite Runner, at least five of the six acting winners.
• Warming trends: I have a feeling The Diving Bell will prove to be a big factor in the coming weeks.
• Surprises in the mix: Unexpected love for The Bourne Ultimatum, The Bucket List and Lars and the Real Girl.
• Cooling down: Conspicuous in their absence: American Gangster, Charlie Wilson's War, I'm Not There and There Will Be Blood.

The NBR will hand out their trophies in New York on January 15. See the comments section below for a quick look at the full list of winners.

Links via NBRmp.org, Variety.com and LATimes.com.