CLINT EASTWOOD NAMED 'BEST FILM'

'LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA'

Clint Eastwood's 'Letters from Iwo Jima' was named Best Film by the National Board of Review - paving the way for Oscar success.The NBRs are the first major ceremony in the movie awards season and are widely considered to be a good indication as to what films will achieve Oscar glory.The unreleased World War II film, which is told from a Japanese viewpoint,won the accolade the other day. 'Dreamgirls' - the pundits pick to claim an Academy Award for Best Picture -failed to even make the NBRs top 10 films. The NBR - made up of historians, students and educators - also snubbed 'Dreamgirls' stars Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Jennifer Hudson, an 'American Idol' finalist, was the movie's only winner. She won the Breakthrough Actress award and is now considered a serious contender for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Martin Scorsese - who is yet to win an Oscar despite receiving five nominations - was named Best Director for 'The Departed'. 'American Beauty' was the last film to be named Best Film by both the NBRs and Academy Awards. Last year, all five Best Picture Oscar nominees were featured on NBRs top 10 list. This year's top 10 films included 'The Departed', 'The Devil Wears Prada'and 'Babel'. Penelope Cruz's 'Volver' was named Best Foreign Film, while 'Cars' took Best Animated Feature. The awards will be presented on January 9 in New York.