National Board of Review 2014 Awards Gala

And the National Board of Review Awards go to...

From the LifeMinute Team

January 21, 2015

What do Clint Eastwood, Chris Rock, Bruce Willis and Common have in...well, common?

They were among the many stars shining at The National Board of Review 2014 Awards Gala at New York City's Cipriani. The annual event honors diverse members of the film community and also acts as a fundraiser for student grant philanthropy.

The Board viewed over 272 films this year before selecting the winners, including Jessica Chastain, Best Supporting Actress winner for her role in the Board's pick for Best Film A Most Violent Year. "It's a very special night for me," said Chastain, "It's beyond my wildest expectations. It's wonderful."

Also enjoying a wonderful evening was Michael Keaton, who took home the Best Actor award for the summer sleeper hit Birdman. "Birdman is just a great movie...extraordinary movie, extraordinary cast," said Keaton, "And I remember thinking, 'Why wasn't I paying more attention to how much fun we were having?'"

The National Board of Review is comprised of a select group of knowledgeable film enthusiasts and professionals, as well as academics, young filmmakers and students. And, taking the pressure off at the annual celebration, the Board announces its honorees in advance of the gala so that the winners walk in knowing they've already won, as Julianne Moore, Best Actress winner for Still Alice, explains, "Tonight I'm just thinking about tonight. ... I'm being given an award so I know I'm giving a speech, so I did think about what I was going to say."

Taking home one of two National Board of Review Freedom of Expression Awards was the movie Selma, a film that one of its stars, Common, was proud to come out and support, "I'm really happy for [director] Ava Duvernay and the movie Selma. This movie is charging me to be here to speak about humanity and life and us growing together and us coming together."

For more info and the complete list of winners, visit the Board's official website at NationalBoardOfReview.org.

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