Oscar Isaac and Michael Keaton split acting award

Michael Keaton as Riggan in "Birdman." Credit: AP / Fox Searchlight Pictures

By RAFER GUZMANrafer.guzman@newsday.comDecember 2, 2014

Michael Keaton and Oscar Isaac will share this year's award for best actor from the National Board of Review, the organization announced Tuesday.

Keaton has been considered an Oscar front-runner for his role as a washed-up Hollywood actor in “Birdman.” Isaac, a Golden Globe nominee for last year's “Inside Llewyn Davis,” won the Board of Review's acting award as a struggling businessman in J.C. Chandor's crime-drama “A Most Violent Year,” which was named best film.

The award for best director went to Clint Eastwood for his Iraq war drama “American Sniper.”

Though the National Board of Review isn't widely considered a barometer of the Oscars, it holds a certain status as the first major awards organization to announce its winners each year. Jessica Chastain, also of “A Most Violent Year,” was named best supporting actress, while Edward Norton, of “Birdman,” was named best supporting actor. The best actress award went to Julianne Moore, who plays a woman with Alzheimer's in “Still Alice.”

Best ensemble went to “Fury,” a World War II drama starring Brad Pitt and Logan Lerman.

Here are the National Board of Review's list of top films for the year:

Top films

American Sniper

Birdman

Boyhood

Fury

Gone Girl

The Imitation Game

Inherent Vice

The Lego Movie

Nightcrawler