Tuesday, December 2, 2014

National Board of Review Honors 'A Most Violent Year,' Shakes Up Oscars Race?



The National Board of Review has announced its 2014 honorees, and its selection for the best film of the year could shake up the Oscars race.



"A Most Violent Year" took home the top prize, winning the Best Film award, as well as picking up prizes for its lead actor, Oscar Isaac, and supporting actress, Jessica Chastain. Other notable honorees include Clint Eastwood, who won Best Director ("American Sniper"); Michael Keaton ("Birdman"), who tied with Isaac for the Best Actor award; Julianne Moore ("Still Alice"), who claimed Best Actress; and Edward Norton ("Birdman"), who snagged the Best Supporting Actor prize.



In an interview with Variety, National Board of Review president Annie Schulhof explained why the organization decided to hail "A Most Violent Year," a film that so far has earned critical raves, but hasn't made much noise in awards season prognostications.



"We're quirky and we have a different take," Schulhof told Variety. " ... This is what the group felt is the best movie. I think it's a terrific film. [Director] J.C. Chandor several years ago was our directorial debut [award winner] for 'Margin Call.' It's a period crime drama. It's got a compelling story. It's got an elegant cinematic style."



And while Schulhof stopped short of saying that NBR's selection could change the Academy Awards race, she did note that because the organization announces its awards earlier than others, it may have a hand in steering the conversation.



"I see us as giving rise to other films and performance that may not be in the mix right now," she told Variety.



The full list of 2014 National Board of Review honorees:



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



Top 5 Foreign Language Films:

Force Majeure

Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem

Leviathan

Two Days, One Night

We Are the Best!



Top 5 Documentaries:

Art and Craft

Jodorowsky's Dune

Keep On Keepin' On

The Kill Team

Last Days in Vietnam



Top 10 Independent Films:

Blue Ruin

Locke

A Most Wanted Man

Mr. Turner

Obvious Child

The Skeleton Twins

Snowpiercer

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors

Starred Up

Still Alice



[via: National Board of Review, Variety]







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