With the pace of events this week and next, you would think the Oscars are right around the corner and not in f-cking MARCH. Last night was yet another event, the National Board of Review Gala in New York. All the Oscar girlies came to play, plus a few people the NBR recognized that the Academy almost certainly won’t. Let’s start with Teyana Taylor, because she makes her appearances COUNT.
Taylor is honored for her breakthrough performance in A Thousand and One, which was also on NBR’s list of Top 10 Independent films for 2023 (you can see the list of NBR honorees here). This dress on Teyana is STUPENDOUS. It’s not just the design and the fit, both of which are good, it’s the color coordinating with her red hair and gold earrings.
The whole look is bright and bold, which stands out especially on a night when so many people chose to wear black.
Jessica Chastain also opted for color, and while I like the dress as a design, that fuchsia color will never not remind me of a prom dress. Sunrise Coigney, Mark Ruffalo’s wife, also opted for color with a classic red dress. Also, shout out to Justine Triet for another sensible suit!
Among the black wearers, the standouts are Anne Hathaway, because she refuses to look anything less than sexy and elegant at the same time; Celine Song in a double-breasted suit dress; Laura Linney with big shoulders; and A Thousand and One director A.V. Rockwell in sparkly black with a split in the side clean up to her hips (name that song). Da’Vine Joy Randolph, the Best Supporting Actress honoree, meanwhile, kept things pretty basic.
Killers of the Flower Moon was honored as the Best Film, along with honors for Martin Scorsese, Lily Gladstone, and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto—who was also cited for Barbie, what a year he had. We’ll talk more about Lily later, but Scorsese was there with his daughters, Cathy and Francesca. Talee Red Corn, Yancey Red Corn, and William Belleau were also on hand.
Ironically, Team Killers had a better turnout than Team Iron Claw, which was honored as the Best Ensemble of 2023. Only Maura Tierney and Zac Efron and his new jaw showed up for Iron Claw. (We’re supposed to believe Efron’s new jaw is purely the result of facial exercises done, or not done, to correct a previous injury. I’m sure the fact he substantially bulked up for The Iron Claw around the same time his jaw noticeably changed shape is a coincidence.)
As for the dudes, Andrew Scott was present, as were honorees Mark Ruffalo and Paul Giamatti, and the sweatiest campaigner, Bradley Cooper complete with damp hedgehog hair. Coop, my guy, please relax. Awards season can be fun, if you just relax. The best spot to be is nominated with no hope of winning. Let yourself enjoy it!
