National Board of Review Named 'Manchester by the Sea' Best Film of the Year

"Manchester by the Sea", a drama about a janitor, was named Best Film of the year by the National Board of Review. The announcement was made last Tuesday, which also allowed Casey Affleck to bagged the Best Actors honors. Overall, the film won four awards, including Breakthrough Actor for Lucas Hedges and Best Original Screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan.  

The film became a comeback for Lonergan. It should be remembered that his last film "Margaret" became a subject of several lawsuits. 

"Manchester by the Sea" has earned some of the year's best reviews and is expected to dominate year-end awards. However, the group has a spotty track record as a predictor of future Oscar glory. Last year, for instance, it named "Mad Max: Fury Road" as the year's best film, but "Spotlight" took the top prize on Oscar night. In 2014, it gave its highest honor to "A Most Violent Year," a film that was shut out completely by Oscar voters. Other previous best film winners include "Zero Dark Thirty," "Her," and "The Social Network."

On  the other hand, the movie "Moonlight" also won Best Supporting Actress for Naomie Harris and Best Director for Barry Jenkins. The movie is about a black man's endeavors with his sexuality. Along with Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight also enjoyed high praises. In fact, both became the top nominees for Independent Spirit Awards, which is given to low-budget yet artistically made films. 

The Board of Review will be giving out the awards at a ceremony next year, 4th of January in New York. They are a 100-year old organization, prestigious for being comprised of filmmakers, academics, professionals, students, etc.  The National Board of Review award is prestigious since most of the films they choose are also able to make it to Oscars.