The Post Named Best Film of 2017 By National Board of Review

[MindHunter]

Steven Spielberg’s historical drama The Post has been named the best film of the year by the National Board of Review, starting what could be a fruitful run for the movie on the awards circuit. For those not in the know, The Post is based on the true story of the Washington Post‘s fight to publish the Pentagon Papers, exposing years of government secrets in regards to the Vietnam War. Its cast and crew is a who’s who of Academy darlings, as multi Oscar-winners Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep star in lead roles. Early reactions to The Post have garnered much praise for the film, cementing its status as a legitimate contender.


Spielberg’s latest is just the newest entry on the growing list of quality 2017 productions, ranging from indie festival darlings (Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird) to larger studio fare (Dunkirk, Logan). All of those films and more are among the 10 honorees to be recognized by the Board of Review, signaling the Oscar race is about to seriously heat up.


The National Board of Review posted the full list of their 2017 award winners on their website, with The Post taking home the top prize as Best Film. Hanks and Streep also received Best Actor and Actress for their work in the film, setting them up for more notices along the way.


You can check out the organization’s top 10 movies of 2017 below:

Baby Driver

Call Me By Your Name

The Disaster Artist

Downsizing

Dunkirk

The Florida Project

Get Out

Lady Bird

Logan

Phantom Thread


Lady Bird is another big winner, as Greta Gerwig was named Best Director and Laurie Metcalf received Best Supporting Actress. Gerwig’s acclaimed coming-of-age dramedy has earned unanimous raves across the board and is considered by many to be one of the year’s top Oscars players. Jordan Peele’s Get Out was also a favorite, winning Best Directorial Debut and Best Ensemble. Though the film was an early release in 2017 (coming in theaters before Moonlight topped La La Land), it has remained a part of the zeitgeist due to its smart handling of timely subject matter and seems poised for an Oscar run of its own. Also of note is The Disaster Artist, James Franco’s loving ode to The Room, snagging Best Adapted Screenplay. Much of the buzz for that film has been for Franco’s turn as Tommy Wiseau, but the script being recognized means it could emerge as an Academy Awards dark horse later on.


If there are any surprises, it’s arguably Alexander Payne’s Downsizing (getting in over something like Three Billboards), which received lukewarm reviews over the fall when it played on the festival circuit. Initially pegged as perhaps one of the ones to beat given its pedigree, the film has stumbled a bit, but it obviously has support in some circles. It will be interesting if it picks up any other accolades along the way. Regardless, this is a nice collection of films the Board of Review has recognized, as even box office hits Baby Driver and Logan got some love.