Nevada film critics name ‘Birdman’ best film

For many years, I was a voting member of the Las Vegas Film Critics Society. Since I no longer contribute to any media outlets in Nevada, I have stopped voting with the group, but I still feel a kinship with the members, many of whom are personal friends. Because of that — and because the Las Vegas Critics always make interesting picks — I think its important for me to report on their 2014 Sierra Award winners.

This year, “Birdman” was the big movie, taking the group’s best picture award and ranking No. 1 on its annual top 10.

Following is the full list of winners.

LAS VEGAS FILM CRITICS SOCIETY 2014 SIERRA AWARDS

Best Picture
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Actor
Michael Keaton, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Actress
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”

Best Supporting Actor
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”

Best Supporting Actress
Tilda Swinton, “Snowpiercer”

Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Screenplay
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Cinematography
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Film Editing
James Herbert and Laura Jennings, “Edge of Tomorrow”

Best Costume Design
Alexandra Byrne, “Guardians of the Galaxy”

Best Art Direction
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Best Visual Effects
“Interstellar”

Best Foreign Film
“Ida” (Poland)

Best Documentary
“Citzenfour”

Best Animated Film
“The Lego Movie”

Best Family Film
“The Lego Movie”

Best Horror/Sci-Fi Film
“Babadook”

Best Comedy Film
“Top 5”

Best Action Film
“Guardians of the Galaxy”

Best Ensemble
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Score
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Song
“I Love You All,” Stephen Rennicks – “Frank”

Youth in Film
Jaeden Lieberher, “St. Vincent”

Breakout Filmmaker of the Year
Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”

William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Murray

LVFCS TOP 10 FILMS OF 2014
1) “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
2) “Boyhood”
3) “Whiplash”
4) “Nightcrawler”
5) “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
6) “Wild”
7) “Selma”
8) “The Imitation Game”
9) “Snowpiercer”
10) “Under the Skin”