J.C. Chandor’s A Most Violent Year got a nice boost this afternoon from the National Board of Review. The organization named the movie about a violent time in New York City the best film of 2014.
The NBR made some really interesting choices, deviating from the Gotham Independent Film Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle in a number of categories. While The LEGO Movie is certainly a critical favorite, the NBR surprisingly gave the film Best Original Screenplay and How To Train Your Dragon 2 won Best Animated Feature.
Another big surprise is the lack of Boyhood, which didn’t win anything. However, Birdman picked up two acting awards. Boyhood and Birdman were also listed among the group’s favorite films.
Here’s the full list:
Best Film: A Most Violent Year
Best Director: Clint Eastwood, American Sniper
Best Actor (TIE): Oscar Isaac – A Most Violent Year; Michael Keaton – Birdman
Best Actress: Julianne Moore – Still Alice
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton – Birdman
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year
Best Original Screenplay: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The Lego Movie
Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – Inherent Vice
Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Breakthrough Performance: Jack O’Connell – Starred Up & Unbroken
Best Directorial Debut: Gillian Robespierre – Obvious Child
Best Foreign Language Film: Wild Tales
Best Documentary: Life Itself
William K. Everson Film History Award: Scott Eyman
Best Ensemble: Fury
Spotlight Award: Chris Rock for writing, directing, and starring in – Top Five
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Rosewater
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Selma
Top Films:
American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
Fury
Gone Girl
The Imitation Game
Inherent Vice
The Lego Movie
Nightcrawler
Unbroken
The NBR winners will be honored during a gala hosted by Lara Spencer at Cipriani in New York City on Jan. 6.
image courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com