Yesterday’s Independent Spirit Award nominations featured a number of films firmly in the hunt for Oscar glory — a crossover that has become standard in recent years. In his weekly awards column, Guy Lodge wonders if other independent cinema is getting short-changed.
The Long Shot: Independents' day
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:52 pm · November 27th, 2013
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
From 'Best Man Holiday' to 'The Butler,' BFCA hails a banner year for black film
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:47 am · November 27th, 2013
It’s widely acknowledged that 2013 has been an exceptional year for black filmmakers and black-themed films, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association is acknowledging that with a “Celebration of Black Cinema” evening on January 7.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
This year's indie spirit at the cinema well-represented by today's nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:21 am · November 26th, 2013
HitFix’s Kristopher Tapley takes a deep dive into this year’s list of Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees. “12 Years a Slave” led the way with seven nominations but “Nebraska” wasn’t too far behind with six.
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Roundup: NYT's short film project, starring Oprah, Cate Blanchett and more
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:40 am · November 26th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper are among the stars participating in the New York Times’ short film series directed by Janusz Kaminski. Meanwhile, are animals really being harmed on movie sets?
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Oscar Talk: AFI Fest, 'Out of the Furnace,' 'Lone Survivor' and preparing for the critics awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:00 am · November 22nd, 2013
In the latest installment of the Oscar Talk podcast, Kris Tapley and Anne Thompson discuss AFI Fest, the bows of “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Out of the Furnace” and “Lone Survivor” and ponder what the critics awards could mean this season.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar race features 'Rush,' 'The Butler' and… 'Bad Grandpa?'
Posted by gerardkennedy · 4:31 pm · November 21st, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy surveys the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category, featuring contenders such as “Rush,” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “12 Years a Slave” and even a movie from the “Jackass” guys.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Cinematographers come down on 3D
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:44 am · November 20th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, five cinematographers from some of the season’s top contenders chat candidly about a range of topics — including 3D, to which they’re mostly opposed. Meanwhile, Steve McQueen defends “12 Years a Slave” from critics who think it’s too pretty.
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Roundup: Bullock joins McConaughey on Palm Springs honor roll
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:55 am · November 18th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Sandra Bullock receives a Desert Palm Achievement Award — usually presented to likely Oscar nominees — from the Palm Springs Film Festival. Also, what are 2013’s best undistributed films?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Fox Searchlight celebrates the holidays with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and '12 Years a Slave' stars
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 12:00 am · November 16th, 2013
Fox Searchlight celebrated the holiday season with stars from “12 Years A Slave” and “Enough Said” including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and more.
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Contender Countdown: Oscar likes to party all the time
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 2:43 pm · November 14th, 2013
It was a busy Wednesday night in Oscar-land with major events for “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Her,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” all scheduled concurrently.
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Tech Support: Could Alfonso Cuarón join James Cameron on an exclusive list of editors?
Posted by gerardkennedy · 1:47 pm · November 14th, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy plugs away on another installment of Tech Support, this week surveying the category of Best Film Editing. Is Alfonso Cuarón set to join some exclusive company?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
The Long Shot: Acting important and playing nice
Posted by Guy Lodge · 10:37 am · November 13th, 2013
In this week’s Oscar-focused column, Guy Lodge looks at the tricky balance Oscar contenders usually have to strike between being likeable and being laudable — will “12 Years a Slave,” “Gravity” or “Saving Mr. Banks” manage it? Also: this week’s updated Oscar predictions.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: January 31 is the new 'Labor Day'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:32 am · November 12th, 2013
In today’s roundup of online news and views, Jason Reitman’s “Labor Day” has moved to a late-January release date — though it’ll still qualify for the 2013 Oscar race. Meanwhile, “12 Years a Slave” is compared to its earlier TV-movie incarnation.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'12 Years a Slave,' 'Fruitvale Station' compete for Gotham audience award
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:40 am · November 8th, 2013
Festival favorites “12 Years a Slave” and “Fruitvale Station” were nominated for the public-voted Gotham Audience Award today, alongside three far lower-profile documentaries. Lest you think it’s an unfair fight, however, this award has an unpredictable history.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: A nightmare year for Naomi Watts
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:43 am · November 7th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, a look at how Naomi Watts’ 2013 went from the glory of an Oscar nomination to the embarrassment of “Adore” and “Diana.” Other writers address the shortage of prestige films about non-suffering black characters, and consider the growing cult of “The Counselor.”
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Roundup: Hans Zimmer on the Oscars and a life in movies
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:53 am · November 6th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, composer Hans Zimmer reflects on his storied, diverse career as he chases his second Oscar for “12 Years a Slave.” Meanwhile, Emma Thompson is the subject of a BAFTA tribute — and why are studios so reluctant to campaign two leads in a movie?
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Off the Carpet: The awards circuit comes to life ahead of AFI Fest
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:34 am · November 4th, 2013
With the 2013 AFI Fest on the horizon, studios are circling the wagons and gearing up their campaigns along the circuit. But there are still a few weeks left before all the puzzle pieces are revealed. What happens in the meantime?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Truth and fiction in 'Dallas Buyers Club'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:30 am · November 4th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, “Dallas Buyers Club” is the latest Oscar hopeful to get the fact-checking treatment. Meanwhile, Werner Herzog thinks highly of James Franco in “Spring Breakers,” and Netflix acquires potentially gets into the Oscar game with “The Square.”
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