“Boyhood” beats out “Birdman” for Critics’ Choice best-picture honors

“Boyhood” took home the bestpicture prize at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, although Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu’s “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” came out on top in seven other categories.

“Birdman,” a black comedy about an actor trying to resurrect his career, also missed out on the best comedy prize, which, as was the case at Sunday’s Golden Globes, went to Wes Anderson’s quirky “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

Iñarritu’s film, however, won the best original screenplay, best cinematography, best score, and best editing prizes at Thursday night’s gala at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

“Birdman” also fared very well in the acting categories, taking home the awards for best acting ensemble, best actor (Michael Keaton) and best actor in a comedy (Keaton).

“Boyhood,” which depicts the life of a family in Texas and was filmed intermittently over 12 years using the same actors, also won the prizes for best director (Richard Linklater), best supporting actress (Patricia Arquette) and best young actor/actress (Ellar Coltrane).

Linklater also won best director at the Golden Globes for “Boyhood,” which took top honors in the best motion picturedrama category at that awards gala.

“Budapest,” for its part, also was honored with Critics’ Choice awards for best art direction and best costume design.

The Critics’ Choice best actress and best supporting actor prizes went to Julianne Moore for her performance in “Still Alice” and J.K. Simmons for his role in “Whiplash.”

Jenny Slate, who starred in “Obvious Child,” was named best actress in a comedy.

The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards gala, organized annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, is the U.S. film industry’s thirdmost celebrated awards ceremony after the Golden Globes and the Oscars, which will take place on Feb. 22.