That’s the National Board of Review for those of you unfamiliar with the abbreviation.  Click the link above for EW’s coverage and a full run down of NBR’s 2009 choices for best films of the year and NBR’s top acting, directing, and writing honors.

I have to say I love the NBR’s choices for the Top 10 films of the Year.  I’ve seen 7 of the 10 thus far and I am greatly looking forward to seeing the rest soon.  The big glaring surprise to me in the top 10 is the omission of “Precious” and the inclusion of “Where the Wild Things Are”.  I’m happy for Spike Jonze and the rest of the “Wild Things” crew, but I don’t think the “Precious” team has to worry about the NBR omission hurting its Oscar chances.  In fact, I’m not sure if Vegas is taking bets yet on what the 10 Academy Award nominations for Best Picture will be, but if they are I would advise you to take all the money you have available and bet them on a trifecta including “Precious”, “The Hurt Locker” and “Up In The Air”.  Oh but for the record I do not endorse gambling.  But I very much endorse seeing every movie on NBR’s top 10 list!  Great choices all around!