‘No Country for Old Men’ stakes early claim in the Oscar race

NEW YORK – Powerful crime thriller ‘No Country for Old Men’ staked an early claim for possible Oscar success after scooping several prizes in the National Board of Review awards announced on Wednesday.

Joel and Ethan Coen’s acclaimed adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel about a drug deal that goes wrong and its bloody aftermath earned best picture as well as awards for best ensemble cast and best adapted screenplay. Oscar watchers have already tipped the film to be among the front-runners for next year’s 80th Academy Awards, which will be handed out at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on February 24.”‘No Country for Old Men’ is a brilliant convergence of extraordinary directing, a masterful screenplay, and incredible ensemble performances,” National Board of Review President Annie Schulhof said in a statement.The victory gives the Coen brothers’ film early momentum as Hollywood’s awards season cranks into gear, with nominations for January’s Golden Globe Awards due on December 13.Other notable winners in the National Board of Review awards included heart-throb George Clooney in the best actor category for his performance as a “fixer” at a prestigious law firm in ‘Michael Clayton’.Britain’s Julie Christie earned the best actress prize for ‘Away From Her’.The best director prize meanwhile went to offbeat filmmaker Tim Burton for his dark retelling of ‘Sweeney Todd’ starring Johnny Depp.Nampa-AFPOscar watchers have already tipped the film to be among the front-runners for next year’s 80th Academy Awards, which will be handed out at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on February 24.”‘No Country for Old Men’ is a brilliant convergence of extraordinary directing, a masterful screenplay, and incredible ensemble performances,” National Board of Review President Annie Schulhof said in a statement.The victory gives the Coen brothers’ film early momentum as Hollywood’s awards season cranks into gear, with nominations for January’s Golden Globe Awards due on December 13.Other notable winners in the National Board of Review awards included heart-throb George Clooney in the best actor category for his performance as a “fixer” at a prestigious law firm in ‘Michael Clayton’.Britain’s Julie Christie earned the best actress prize for ‘Away From Her’.The best director prize meanwhile went to offbeat filmmaker Tim Burton for his dark retelling of ‘Sweeney Todd’ starring Johnny Depp.Nampa-AFP