For Awards geeks like me, this week was the sound of the starter’s gun. We got the Independent Spirit Awards just the other day – which gives a glimmer as to which smaller films will make the leap to broader appeal.

Today comes the awards from The National Board of Review. The NBR is an interesting collection since it’s the first awards body to give a year end ‘best in show’ shortlist. This year’s list is an interesting one…

Another Year
The Fighter
Hereafter
Inception
The King’s Speech
Shutter Island
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

…and their pick for best film:

The Social Network

The most interesting thing at a glance? This is a mainstream list. Half of it are big studio productions, and three of the five “indie” choices still have a lot of starpower behind them. A sign of things to come? Not likely.

For starters, the NBR are usually just the clouds gathering before the storm…not the wailing siren that comes when the guilds chime in around the new year. Further, the NBR are known for at least one oddball runt of the litter. This year’s winner of THE BUCKET LIST spot has to either be HEREAFTER or THE TOWN (the former if I had to put money down).

THE SOCIAL NETWORK’s prize is a good sign for the film that many are thinking could be the big contender, but it’s just one very small step in what is a very long walk. The film also took best actor and director, but I for one don’t put any credence in the individual segment of the NBR’s Awards.

One last bit of oddity? THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is nowhere to be found. Again, not to read too far into it, but that’s an odd turn for what looked to easily be this year’s indie darling.

Full awards list:

Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network

Best Actor: Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Best Actress: Lesley Manville, Another Year

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Best Foreign Film: Of Gods and Men

Best Documentary: Waiting For “Superman”

Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3