It may not be as well known as the other award shows, but The National Board of Review has been around almost as long as the Oscars and draws big names every year.
Since 1930, a group of 110 individuals comprised of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, students and academies in the New York area, honor movies of merit as well as actors, directors and writers for their on and off screen talent.
The top winners of the night were The Descendants (Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay), The Help (Best Ensemble) and Hugo (Best Film and Best Director).
The annual gala is held in early January and last night, George Clooney was there to express his excitement for the recognition by the NBR. He won for Best Actor in the Fox Searchlight film The Descendants and he told ComingSoon.net, “It’s nice because when people say nice things it’s often rare.”
Alexander Payne, who directed him in the film and who also presented Clooney with the award told us, “I appreciate the interest in my work. It helps keep me in business.”
The event, which was held at the Cipriani 42nd Street in NYC, also brought out Michael Fassbender who received The Spotlight Award for his work in A Dangerous Method, Jane Eyre, Shame and X-Men: First Class. “I’m very humbled and flattered. It’s crazy,” he said.
His “Method” co-star Keira Knightley gave him the award and jokingly told the crowd of Hollywood A-listers, “Michael, if I had to be spanked by anybody, I’m glad it was you!”
Funnyman Set Rogen openly admitted he isn’t used to his films getting the buzz that 50/50 has and said, “It feels great [to be here]. Our movies don’t normally get honored for sh*t so it’s nice when they do. It’s totally unexpected and it’s just nice.”
And Asa Butterfield, the young star of the Martin Scorsese movie Hugo, talked about giving the Oscar winner his award for Best Director. “It means everything. For me to be able to present an able with [co-star] Chloe (Grace Moretz) to Marty means so much. I’m honored to be able to do this. It’s going to mean so much to Marty. He’s given his trust to me and Chloe it means more than you can imagine. It’s very nerve-wracking, but once you get up on stage and start talking it’s good.”
For a full list of winners, go to NBRMP.org/Awards.
(Photo Credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)
