Mad Max: Fury Road was the best film of 2015, according to the National Board of Review

The yearly ballot also recognised The Martian, Inside Out, and The Hateful Eight.

Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road (Warner Bros)

The National Board of Review has named Mad Max: Fury Road their best film of 2015; thus agreeing to witness it as it rides into Valhalla etc., etc.

It's a small victory considering Fury Road's fate on the awards circuit is deeply uncertain. There has been a campaign launched by Warner Bros for the adrenaline pump-flick, surely the finest action film in years; with hope to land a Best Picture nod alongside recognition both for stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, as well as its visionary director George Miller.

But the Academy will never stop being the Academy, and there's always going to be the question as to whether such a prestigious institution will actually move itself to recognise a film in which a guy plays a flamethrower/guitar combo. At least the National Board of Review recognises the brilliance of The Doof Warrior. 
 

The stockpiling of medicine and food conjures up images of a Mad Max-style future (Rex)

The ballot also rewarded The Martian with Best Director (Ridley Scott), Best Adapted Screenplay (Drew Goddard), and Best Actor (Matt Damon); as well as Quentin Tarantino's hyped The Hateful Eight (which has received several US screenings) with both Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Jason Leight) and Best Original Screenplay (Tarantino). Brie Larson's heart-wrenching turn in Room, as a kidnapped woman imprisoned in a windowless room with her young son, was awarded with Best Actress; Sylvester Stallone nabbed Best Supporting Actor for Creed.

The National Board of Review comprises of 120 of NYC's most elite cinephiles, including filmmakers, academics, students, and plain enthusiasts. Its judgement likely reflects little of what the upcoming awards season race will look like, and that's its greatest strength; it's a refreshing step away from the hysteria of studio in-fighting and tactical campaigning which always mars any awards season. Last year, J.C. Chandor's A Most Violent Year was landed with the trio of Best Picture, Best Actor (Oscar Isaac), and Best Actress (Jessica Chastain); a film which sadly, and rather undeservedly, received zero look-in at the Oscars.  

The Martian has a fair chance of picking up some major nominations, but it's refreshing to see Larson in the spotlight here, since Room's likely too low-key to really make a scene within the glitz of the Oscars. That's not to say the ballot's incapable of predicting future winners; they named Still Alice's Julianne Moore as last year's Best Actress, before she went on to win the Academy Award for the same. So there's still some hope for you yet, Furiosa. 
 
Here's the full list:

Best Film: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Director: Ridley Scott, The Martian
Best Actor: Matt Damon, The Martian
Best Actress: Brie Larson, Room
Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight
Best Adapted Screenplay: Drew Goddard, The Martian
Best Animated Feature: Inside Out
Breakthrough Performance: Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation and Jacob Tremblay, Room
Best Directorial Debut: Jonas Carpignano, Mediterranea
Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul
Best Documentary: Amy
William K. Everson Film History Award: Cecilia De Mille Presley
Best Ensemble: The Big Short
Spotlight Award: Sicario for outstanding collaborative vision
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Beasts of No Nation and Mustang