In the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s unfortunate and untimely passing, many in the industry have offered words of disbelief and sadness. Among them, Hoffman’s “Almost Famous” collaborator, Cameron Crowe, has penned a wonderful, albeit brief, remembrance of how the actor transformed a pivotal scene in the film into the soul of the movie.
Cameron Crowe on Philip Seymour Hoffman and the 'soul' of 'Almost Famous'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:33 pm · February 3rd, 2014
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
TCM's 'And the Oscar Goes To' documentary skips a stone across the Academy's 85 years
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:04 pm · February 2nd, 2014
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a peek behind the veil of the Academy Awards quite like Turner Classic Movies’ “And the Oscar Goes To” documentary, which premiered Saturday night and aired again this evening directly after the Super Bowl.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead in New York
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:42 am · February 2nd, 2014
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment Sunday afternoon, The Wall Street Journal reports. He was 46.
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Academy issues a statement about Best Original Song executive decision
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:46 am · February 1st, 2014
The Academy has released a statement concerning the decision to rescind the Best Original Song Oscar nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone.”
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11-time Oscar nominee Roger Deakins talks 'Prisoners' and the upcoming 'Unbroken'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:16 pm · January 31st, 2014
“Prisoners” cinematographer Roger Deakins picked up his eleventh Oscar nomination to date for the film. He talks to HitFix about the overall approach to that movie’s look and what we can expect of the upcoming “Unbroken.”
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'Gravity' sound team could make noise at the Oscars
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:58 am · January 31st, 2014
Oscar nominees Skip Lievsay (Best Sound Mixing), Glenn Freemantle (Best Sound Editing) and Steven Price (Best Original Score) talk to HitFix about sculpting a realistic soundtrack for Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity.”
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Oscar-nominated 'Llewyn Davis' cinematographer was scared to fill the shoes of a legend
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:11 pm · January 30th, 2014
Oscar- and ASC-nominated “Inside Lewyn Davis” cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel talks to HitFix about his philosophy of carrying a single idea through a film with his work, personal inspirations in the world of modern art and his fear of stepping into the shoes of Coen brothers regular Roger Deakins.
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The Academy turns a fishy situation into an embarrassing moment for all
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:42 pm · January 29th, 2014
By rescinding the Best Original Song Oscar nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone” due to questionable campaigning, the Academy has levied an over-the-top response to something that is basically status quo. Where does the witch hunt go from here?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
George Clooney's 'Monuments Men' was smart to dodge the Oscar season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:00 am · January 29th, 2014
As Oscar’s phase one drew to a close and the nominations were set to be unveiled, the film press corps was getting its first look at one movie that dodged all of that commotion last year: George Clooney’s “The Monuments Men.” It’s set for release next week and with its arrival, one can only ask: was Sony smart to move it out of the season?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
HitFix's downloadable Oscar ballot
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:07 pm · January 28th, 2014
The Oscars are on the way and with it, a slew of viewing parties and office pools in need of downloadable Oscar ballots. Well, look no further, because HitFix has you covered. Print a bunch of these out and pass them around at your Oscar night gathering, and get a leg up on your friends by studying the race with us here each and every day in the lead-up to the Academy Awards.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar-nominated live action shorts aim for the gut, the heart and the funnybone
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:51 am · January 28th, 2014
This year’s live action short film nominees make for a stacked a race in keeping with the overall trend throughout the Oscars this year: thick competition.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Emma Thompson bows out of Santa Barbara film festival honor
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:30 am · January 28th, 2014
Santa Barbara Film Festival Modern Master Award recipient Emma Thompson has bowed out of receiving the honor this year on the heels of missing out on an Oscar nomination for her work in “Saving Mr. Banks.” “Nebraska” star Bruce Dern has been announced as the new honoree.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: How the BAFTA Awards could actually matter this year
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:21 pm · January 27th, 2014
After the industry events of the last few weeks, “Gravity” has to be considered the de facto frontrunner in this year’s Best Picture race. With a PGA award (albeit half of one) and a DGA honor in tow, it tends to be a done deal this time of year. But this isn’t a typical year by any stretch, and the BAFTA Awards could actually matter for a change.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Stories of survival, forgiveness and artistry highlight Oscar's documentary short subject race
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:20 am · January 27th, 2014
This year’s documentary short subject Oscar race is a varied blend of profiles with a harrowing eye-witness account added for good measure. They tell stories of Holocaust survivors and earthworks artists, forgiveness, compassion and solidarity. It’s a pretty strong assortment for voters to choose from with no clear winner from afar.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Jeremy Renner, 'Skyfall,' David Fincher: Hollywood's 2014 Grammys presence
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:59 pm · January 26th, 2014
Adele, Pharrell Williams and David Fincher were among the list of current and former Oscar nominees to win Grammys Sunday night.
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Alfonso Cuarón wins DGA prize for 'Gravity,' is Oscar next?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:57 pm · January 25th, 2014
Surely coming as a surprise to precious few, “Gravity” director Alfonso Cuarón has just won the Directors Guild of America (DGA) prize for theatrical motion pictures. He beat out fellow Oscar nominees Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”), Martin Scorsese (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) and David O. Russell (“American Hustle”), as well as “Captain Phillips” helmer Paul Greengrass to land his first such honor from the guild.
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Oscar Talk: Nominations postmortem (finally) and Sundance chatter
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:45 pm · January 24th, 2014
On this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne finally get around to assessing the 2014 Oscar nominations. There is also the 30th annual Sundance Film Festival to consider, players from which we might be discussing this time next year.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Mickey Mouse and Disney square off with independents in animated shorts Oscar race
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:36 pm · January 24th, 2014
HitFix’s Kristopher Tapley analyzes this year’s crop of Best Animated Short Film nominees. From hand-drawn independent productions to high-gloss corporate-backed endeavors, there is a lot to consider, but the charm of one unassuming entry might make it the one to beat.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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