National Board of Review Awards Red Carpet: Relaxed, Easy Glamour (PHOTOS)

What's the best way to prepare for a big party? Have another party first -- albeit a smaller one.

As Hollywood's form of social pre-gaming, the week before Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony has been filled with pre-parties, film fests and smaller awards shows to get everyone in the mood. Last night the stars of this year's biggest films -- "The Help," "The Descendants," "Hugo," "J. Edgar" -- came out to fete their movies and selves at the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

The event was relaxed, as the award winners had been announced in advance. All the celebs had to do -- Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and Chloe Moretz included -- was show up and look great. And practice their red carpet walks, of course.

So who looked Golden Globes-ready? Notables included Viola Davis, who glowed in a slim-cut coral dress accented with a bold gold necklace, and Emma Stone, who looked chic in winter whites with a contrasting red lip.

Yet we couldn't stop staring at Chloe Moretz, who stole the show in bright red with matching Wizard of Oz-like ruby shoes. The large swaths of material covering the bodice aren't the most flattering, but we have to admire the young "Hugo" actress for picking something high-wattage yet totally age-appropriate. We are just dying to see what she dons at the Globes.

Check out the biggest stars below and tell us who had the best look of the night... and who are you excited to see walk the Golden Globes red carpet on Sunday?

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CORRECTION: Previously, we mistakenly identified the photo of Naomi Watts as Claire Danes. We regret the error.

Comments

[gemini68]

11:29 AM on 01/12/2012

Chloe Moretz ad Emma Stone looked beautiful. Totally random observation: Ahna O'Reilly is James Franco's ex girlfriend! They split last summer.

[dvcthr]

07:44 PM on 01/11/2012

Helen Mirren and Sophia Loren could teach the world a few things; look at the grace, composure and beauty of these two lovely ladies. Please team up, publish a "how to book", market it globally to enrich the world. Two class act ladies for sure.

[syds180turn]

07:07 PM on 01/11/2012

I hope that when I'm in my 60's I look as good as Helen Mirren. You don't have to be 19 to exude sex appeal. You either have it naturally or you don't. Being alluring and sexy is not exclusive to youth..this youth obsession is way out of hand. We will all age and that is something, no mater what you do, you can't outrun. I have always liked the way Helen Mirren lives her life and doesn't ask anyone's permission to do so. Way to go!

[ProRanger7777]

06:58 PM on 01/11/2012

Helen Mirren is one sexy woman. She just exudes raw sex appeal. She was beautiful when she was younger, and still is today. IMO, she has a killer body, a real womans body, that most younger women would be glad to have.

[TommyBoy07]

06:44 PM on 01/11/2012

The word "classie" fits her perfectly. But face it....she's in her 60's and looks it.

[syds180turn]

07:09 PM on 01/11/2012

Doesn't matter whether she looks it or not, she just exudes confidence and sex appeal and that's something that is sometimes lost on youth.

[Waldimore]

09:09 PM on 01/11/2012

Really great comment. And in truth, confidence is just as important when you're young. And not that haughty, vain confidence, but the sense that you are content with yourself as a person.

[TommyBoy07]

07:26 PM on 01/11/2012

I agree 100%. Just reading some of these postings you'd think she was still 21....

[oceanview136]

05:45 PM on 01/11/2012

Helen Mirren looks classier than anyone else there !! That dress is really beautiful !

[ww5022]

04:57 PM on 01/11/2012

Helen Mirren looks good for an old lady. Would I? No... Who wants to hit an old lady?

[lttim76]

05:10 PM on 01/11/2012

Bro! I would tear that sh#t up... you know... as long as EMS is on stand by and all... for me not her

[ww5022]

05:12 PM on 01/11/2012

More power to you brother.

[ae12wrangell]

05:11 PM on 01/11/2012

"Old Lady"? Be very creful. Dame Helen Mirren is in her 60's, but does not look old at all!

[TommyBoy07]

06:42 PM on 01/11/2012

Come on...open your eyes!!! All the make up, beautiful gowns etc. etc. help...but she's still an old Grandma....

[jneal11254]

04:53 PM on 01/11/2012

Goodness. There were a couple of beautiful dresses in that list, but for the most part they were a display of awful taste.

[ANUBIS7336]

04:46 PM on 01/11/2012

The only one who didn't look like a tired housewife was Helen Mirran. She really looks like a star who has it all together. Sexy grand ma.

[sjm337161753]

04:42 PM on 01/11/2012

Why is almost everyone in black or red? Also, @ Tilda Swinton, it's a chance to wear a long glamorous dress, why not take advantage of it? The wrinkly silk pants didn't flatter.

[belldn3]

04:28 PM on 01/11/2012

They look nice.

[georginaobryan]

03:52 PM on 01/11/2012

Helen Mirren looks fabulous. Also, the woman next to George Clooney looked nice but she looked like a beanpole next to Clooney and he just looked short because she was so talk compared to him.

[islandgirl15]

03:31 PM on 01/11/2012

Personally, I think George looked the best.

[basketpam]

03:24 PM on 01/11/2012

The best I can hope for is that in a few years when I reach the age of Helen Mirren I can look anywhere close to her tasteful, sophisticated, elegant and sexy look. The woman is the gold standard of how ALL women should dress. However, I wasn't overly impressed by many of the other ones shown here. First of all, WHEN are they going to start wearing hose again? If they're good enough for the Duchess of Cambridge they're good enough for a Hollywood starlet. I wish they understood how badly pale, white legs look when you get close without any hose on them.

[Mischief Managed]

03:22 PM on 01/11/2012

Emma Stone, Chloe Moretz & George's new squeeze looked beautiful. Helen Mirren though is in a class all of her own.