National Board of Review Award Winners 2015

Mad Max: Fury Road

The first critics group has officially started the awards season madness. The NBR just announced their winners of 2015 after intense waiting. George Miller's action cinema extraordinaire, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD was awarded with best picture. I had hoped this to happen but instead coyly expected Miller to win director instead. Should have known NBR always defy expectations in exciting ways. The big winner however happened to be Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN winning best director for him, actor for Matt Damon and adapted screenplay for Drew Goddard.

The yet to be largely seen cabin fever (?) western by Quentin Tarantino THE HATEFUL EIGHT won awards for original screenplay and supporting actress for Jennifer Jason Leigh. There has been significant buzz for Sylvester Stallone for his turn in CREED and well, he won best supporting actor. Yes. Brie Larson of ROOM won lead actress while her co-star Jacob Tremblay jointly won breakthrough performer with Abraham Attah of BEASTS OF NO NATION. CAROL on the other hand missed put on winning or making their lists. Well... there you have it. Check out the complete list of winners below:

Best Film:
Mad Max: Fury Road


Best Director:
Ridley Scott – The Martian

Best Actor:
Matt Damon – The Martian

Best Actress:
Brie Larson – Room

Best Supporting Actor:
Sylvester Stallone – Creed

Best Supporting Actress:
Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight

Best Original Screenplay:
Quentin Tarantino – The Hateful Eight

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Drew Goddard – The Martian

Best Foreign Language Film:
Son of Saul

Best Animated Feature:
Inside Out

Best Documentary:
Amy

Best Directorial Debut:
Jonas Carpignano – Mediterranea

Breakthrough Performance:
Abraham Attah – Beasts of No Nation & Jacob Tremblay – Room

Best Ensemble:
The Big Short

Spotlight Award:
Sicario, for Outstanding Collaborative Vision

NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Beasts of No Nation & Mustang

William K. Everson Film History Award:
Cecilia De Mille Presley

Top Films:
Bridge of Spies
Creed
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Spotlight
The Martian
Room
Sicario
Straight Outta Compton

Top 5 Foreign Language Films:
Goodnight Mommy
Mediterranea
Phoenix
The Second Mother
The Tribe

Top 5 Documentaries:
Best of Enemies
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
The Diplomat
Listen to Me Marlon
The Look of Silence

Top 10 Independent Films:
’71
45 Years
Cop Car
Ex Machina
Grandma
It Follows
James White
Mississippi Grind
Welcome to Me
While We’re Young