Morning Links, 12-07-06

• There are two possible ways to react to the announcement of the National Board of Review awards: you can either issue a grand proclamation stating your intent to ignore them, or, you can admit that, however silly the group and their choices often seem, their lists sometimes have to power to start (or reveal) conversations about films that we would otherwise not be having. The Carpetbagger takes the latter tactic; he thinks the NBR might give Blood Diamond the push it needs to overcome the prevailing opinion that its nothin' but a liberal lecture: "[It] gets mixed reviews among the mentionocracy, but the Academy members that the Bagger talks to — he actually knows a few, but addresses them as Sir and Madam — love this film. It’s got Message, Stars, and now all its needs is some hallowed Box Office to hop on Big Mo’s train."
• Orson Welles drinks and shills. See video above.
• At least she has a sense of humor about it: Britney has issued a statement winking at her refusal to wear panties. Via TMZ.