Greengrass, Eastwood Receiving High Praise for their Hard Work.

Last week we reported that the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures had named Clint Eastwood’s Letters From Iwo Jima as their choice for Best Picture of 2006. The film is the bookend to Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers, detailing the conflict from the Japanese perspective.

Although the film had previously received little publicity, a very strong buzz is starting to build. Over the weekend, Iwo Jima was named Best Picture of 2006 by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The American Film Institute also placed the film on their list of Most Outstanding Releases of the Year.

Also on that list was the highly praised United 93, which is itself receiving a nice share of awards season accolades. Director Paul Greengrass took directing honors from the Los Angeles Film Critics and also received the Best Picture Honors from the New York Film Critics.

Heading towards Oscar Season, United 93 and Letters From Iwo Jima appear to be front runners in the race for gold naked men. The 79th Annual Academy Awards air February 25, 2007.