Scorsese's 'Hugo' named Best Picture at National Board of Review

'Hugo', the first 3D film by director Martin Scorsese, has been named 2011's Best Picture by the National Board of Review. Also picking up Best Director, the family film set in a railway station in 1930s Paris is a move away from Scorsese's typical modern crime genre.

Meanwhile, awards favourite George Clooney was named Best Actor for his work in Alexander Payne's dramedy 'The Descendants'. George Clooney's own work as a director, 'The Ides of March' also featured in the NBR's list of top 10 films of the year.

Best Actress was netted by Tilda Swinton for 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', while supporting honours went to Christopher Plummer for 'Beginners' and newcoming Shailene Woodly for 'The Descendants'.

Michael Fassbender was given a special award for a quartet of awards-worthy performances across a range of genres for 'A Dangerous Method', 'Jane Eyre', 'Shame' and 'X-Men: First Class'. He took home the Spotlight Award.

Another special award was given to the 'Harry Potter' franchise, citing "a distinguished translation from book to film".

The National Board of Review was established in 1909. It's board is made up of film professionals, historians, teachers and students. The early show in the awards season is usually a strong indicator of how other acolade galas, particularly the Oscars, will play out.

However, the last two year's have proven to be the exception to the rule. Their 2009 pick for Best Picture ('Up in the Air') was handed instead to 'Slumdog Millionaire' at the Oscars, while last year they crowned 'The Social Network' with the top honour before the Oscars voted on 'The King's Speech' instead.

Catch the trailer for 'Hugpo' right here at Cinemas Online

The complete list of 2011 National Board of Review winners is as follows:

Best Film: Hugo

Best Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Actor: George Clooney, The Descendants

Best Actress: Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best Supporting Actress: Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

Best Original Screenplay: Will Reiser, 50/50

Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, The Descendants

Best Animated Feature: Rango

Breakthrough Performance: Felicity Jones, Like Crazy

Breakthrough Performance: Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Debut Director: J.C. Chandor, Margin Call

Best Ensemble: The Help

Spotlight Award: Michael Fassbender (A Dangerous Method, Jane Eyre, Shame, X-Men: First Class)

NBR Freedom of Expression: Crime After Crime

NBR Freedom of Expression: Pariah

Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation

Best Documentary: Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

Special Achievement in Filmmaking: The Harry Potter Franchise - A Distinguished Translation from Book to Film

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