“Up in the Air” was named best picture from the National Board of Review and won a total of four awards. Directed by Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Thank You for Smoking”), the film stars George Clooney as a perpetually traveling contractor who fires people for a living. The National Board of Review, which announced its awards Thursday, also chose Clooney as best actor, an honor he shares with Morgan Freeman who plays Nelson Mandela in “Invictus.” “Up in the Air” also won best supporting actress for Anna Kendrick and best adapted screenplay, penned by Reitman and Sheldon Turner working from Walter Kirn's book of the same name. Already an Oscar favorite, the win boosts the awards prospects of the movie. The last two NBR winners - “No Country for Old Men” and “Slumdog Millionaire” - have gone on to win best picture at the Academy Awards. Carey Mulligan was chosen best actress for her lead performance in “An Education,” and Woody Harrelson won best supporting actor for “The Messenger.” Best animated film went to Pixar's “Up” and “The Cove” won best documentary. while prison drama “A Prophet” won best foreign film. The awards will be handed out Jan. 12 in a New York gala hosted by Meredith Vieira.
