Round-up: Oscar's doc rule change favors theatrical visibility

Posted by · 7:50 am · January 9th, 2012

Also: ‘The Iron Lady”s composer switch and the craftsmen of ‘War Horse’

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'Melancholia,' Dunst and Pitt among National Society of Film Critics winners

Posted by · 3:30 pm · January 7th, 2012

The National Society of Film Critics can usually be relied upon to go their own way on the precursor trail, and they did so in emphatic fashion today, naming Lars von Trier’s “Melancholia” the year’s best, and star Kirsten Dunst their Best Actress.

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Round-up: Anticipating Oscar voters' passion play

Posted by · 6:59 am · January 6th, 2012

Also: Defending ‘The Artist’ and delaying ‘Wettest County’

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'Marilyn' and 'Tinker, Tailor' top embarrassing BAFTA longlists

Posted by · 5:28 am · January 6th, 2012

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and “My Week With Marilyn” lead the BAFTA longlists with 16 mentions apiece, setting both films up for multiple nominations on January 17. But the list of omissions is egregious.

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'Beginners' nominated for Cinema Eye Heterodox Award

Posted by · 3:20 pm · January 5th, 2012

The Cinema Eye Honors may chiefly be a celebration of the documentary form, but their Heterodox Award has been created to recognize documentary influences in fiction filmmaking. Mike Mills’s autobiographical indie “Beginners” is one of this year’s nominees.

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Round-up: Davis and Clooney are EW's Oscar cover stars

Posted by · 7:53 am · January 5th, 2012

Also: Farewell to Hoberman, and Hollywood’s fear of gay sex

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The Long Shot: Backlash to the future

Posted by · 6:10 pm · January 4th, 2012

If you believe certain Oscar-watchers, nominal Best Picture favorite “The Artist” is currently facing a “backlash” in certain quarters, but what does that mean — and does it even exist? Plus, this week’s revised nominee predictions.

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10 films shortlisted for visual effects Oscar

Posted by · 1:10 pm · January 4th, 2012

After 15 titles were longlisted for the Best Visual Effects Oscar last month, that number was cut to 10 today: ‘The Tree of Life,’ ‘Hugo’ and ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ are still in the running for a nomination.

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Martin Scorsese to receive BAFTA Fellowship

Posted by · 10:01 am · January 4th, 2012

The news that Martin Scorsese is to receive BAFTA’s highest honor, the Fellowship, at the British Academy’s awards ceremony next month is neither unexpected nor unwelcome — but why in a year when he’ll likely be in the regular BAFTA race for “Hugo?”

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Round-up: What the movies wore in 2011

Posted by · 7:32 am · January 4th, 2012

Also: The darkening of Keira Knightley and Kingsley’s under-acting

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First-Half FYC: Best Original and Adapted Screenplay

Posted by · 3:15 pm · January 3rd, 2012

From ‘Rango’ to ‘Jane Eyre,’ several films from the first six months of the 2011 release calendar deserve more buzz in the screenplay categories than they’re getting. We pick out 10 for your consideration.

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Round-up: Looking to break Hollywood's stranglehold

Posted by · 6:00 am · January 3rd, 2012

Also: See the Best Picture ballot, and Mazursky on Streep

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Berlin Film Festival to honor Meryl Streep

Posted by · 12:02 pm · January 2nd, 2012

On the heels of an elaborate tribute to the actress at the Kennedy Center Honors comes news of a similar award on the other side of the ocean: Streep will be presented with an Honorary Golden Bear at next month’s Berlin International Film Festival.

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Round-up: Raising a glass to 'Tintin'

Posted by · 7:45 am · December 30th, 2011

Also: the invisibility of Tate Taylor, and the dark horses in the Oscar race

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Round-up: Did cinematography turn a corner in 2011?

Posted by · 7:45 am · December 29th, 2011

Also: A potential Oscar double for ‘Pina,’ and Hollywood’s sequel binge

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Watch Meryl Streep get the Kennedy Center treatment

Posted by · 3:02 pm · December 28th, 2011

Forget the Oscar race for a minute — Meryl Streep was recently feted at the Kennedy Center Honors, with tributes from friends and colleagues include Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline and Anne Hathaway.

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Round-up: 'Shame' and 'Martha Marcy' going for a song

Posted by · 10:18 am · December 28th, 2011

Also: Reznor on working with Fincher, and ‘War Horse’ the one to beat?

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First-Half FYC: Best Supporting Actor and Actress

Posted by · 3:32 pm · December 27th, 2011

With the Oscar race so skewed towards late-year releases, worthy contenders from films released between January and June often slip through the cracks. We highlight some standout supporting performances from 2011’s first half, including Christopher Plummer and two stars of “Bridesmaids.”

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