The floodgates for the movie awards season are officially open -- and "Mystic River" is the first one to rumble through with a best film honor.

The Clint Eastwood-directed drama was named the top film of the year Wednesday by the National Board of Review. Sean Penn, who plays a father suffering from the loss of his daughter and the ghosts of a childhood trauma involving two other friends, was named Best Actor.

The award also honors Penn for his work in the drama "21 Grams." Diane Keaton was named Best Actress for the romantic comedy "Something's Gotta Give."

In the supporting categories, Alec Baldwin won for "The Cooler" while Patricia Clarkson was cited for both "The Station Agent" and "Pieces of April."

The organization -- which is made up of teachers, writers, actors and other movie industry personnel -- also released the list of their 10 best films. Behind "Mystic River," in order, were "The Last Samurai," "The Station Agent," "21 Grams," "House of Sand and Fog," "Lost in Translation," "Cold Mountain," "In America," "Seabiscuit" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."

Winners will receive their awards at ceremony in New York in January.