Stars let it (almost) all hang out at NBR gala

NEW YORK — The key to having A-listers let loose and throw caution to the proverbial snowy winds blanketing Manhattan?

Knowing you're a winner ahead of time, and thus, having a speech prepared. And having wine flow all night. Such was the case at Tuesday's National Board of Review gala, held at Cipriani.

Having Chris Rock riff on everything including the Sony hack helps. Producer Scott Rudin, busted for sending racially offensive e-mails, "is not a racist — Scott Rudin hates everyone," opined Rock, explaining that was why Rudin was absent from the dinner.

As for the National Board of Review, Rock said he thought he was at the "National Black Review."

The directors of The Lego Movie were the night's first winners and their speech was, well, not short.

"I am bored out of my (expletive) mind. Why did the animated people talk so long? The average age in here is 65. None of these people saw your movie! Their kids are 50 years old!" Rock said.

Others were more emotional. "I probably want to thank everyone I've ever met," said best actor co-winner Michael Keaton (Birdman).

Best actress Julianne Moore (Still Alice) went one further: "This is so much better than the last time I was here presenting and Tommy Lee Jones asked me if I was pregnant. It was just my big puffy dress."

As you might have guessed, Spotlight Award recipient Rock brought down the house. He recalled a dinner with Warren Beatty (because "that's how I roll") that wound up bankrolling his comedy Top Five.

Clint Eastwood (yes, that Clint Eastwood) photo-bombed director Paul Thomas Anderson.

Jon Stewart was appreciative that director J.J. Abrams was there to present him with the Freedom of Expression Award, for Rosewater.

"J.J. was kind enough to fly here. I would not do that for him," said Stewart. "I don't know, to be quite honest, if this was any further uptown if I would do it."

The organization continued its love affair with Eastwood, bestowing upon him best director honors for American Sniper.

Selma's awards buzz continued, as the film picked up another of the NBR's Freedom of Expression awards.

On the red carpet, Jessica Chastain was sporting a sick ring. "Are you looking at it?" she said. "Are you noticing it? Your eyes are like ..."

Her key to staying sane? Staying busy.

"I've been working. I have no idea what I'm wearing to (Sunday's Golden) Globes. I am flying to L.A. and going to a fitting and hopefully something will work," she said.

Abrams, meanwhile, was asked about — you guessed it — Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

"We can't keep everything secret. All we're trying to do is protect the film experience," said Abrams.

This year's top winners:

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 ensemble: Fury