Accomplished actors, movie-industry luminaries, and silver-screen legends packed Tavern on the Green for the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Awards Ceremony, hosted by Paul Reiser. Founded in 1909, the Board defends the freedom of artistic expression and is a champion against the censorship of films. Hollywood veteran Jane Fonda (equipped with a walking cane due to recent hip-replacement surgery and accompanied by her daughter, Vanessa), was awarded for her standout talent. The Oscar-winning actress (Klute and Coming Home), now 67, returned to the silver screen for Monster-in-Law (2005), after a long hiatus from the biz. Fonda graciously accepted her Career Achievement Award, presented by New Line Cinema's Bob Shaye. "It's awesome to be a part of this crowd," said Fonda. "This award makes me feel like I'm part of the industry again."

Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman (who zipped in via private jet from the L.A. set-to fly right back after the show!) earned Best Actress for her challenging role as a pre-operative transsexual man in Transamerica. She quipped to the audience, "I used to look at these fancy parties at Tavern on the Green and wonder what they were like. I'm happy to say I'm finally here."

Philip Seymour Hoffman received Best Actor for Capote. Ang Lee received Best Director for the acclaimed film Brokeback Mountain. And Terrence Howard was granted the Breakthrough Performance Actor award for his roles in Crash, Get Rich or Die Tryin', and Hustle & Flow.

George Clooney was presented with the Best Film award for his second directorial project, Good Night, and Good Luck. , which he also co-wrote, produced, and co-starred in. The three-time Academy Award-nominated actor joked about the lengthiness of the evening's ceremony: "Welcome to Survivor: Tavern on the Green. When this night started, I was an ingénue."

Celeb sightings: Halle Berry, Ellen Barkin (pre-Perelman bombshell divorce), Diahann Carroll, Queen Latifah, William H. Macy, Colin Hanks, Martin Scorsese, Sigourney Weaver, Susan Sarandon, Charlie Rose, Amanda Peet, Eric Bogosian, and Gretchen Mol.

The organization, still the first to announce their winners, awards the best of the best!