The London Film Critics’ Circle shares their US counterparts’ enthusiasm for “12 Years a Slave,” but almost mixed things up a bit, with the likes of “Frances Ha” and “The Great Beauty” up for the top prize. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman will receive the group’s annual Dilys Powell Award for contribution to cinema.
'12 Years a Slave' leads London critics' nods, Gary Oldman receives career honor
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:59 am · December 17th, 2013
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Indies miss out as Academy reveals 289 Oscar-eligible titles
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:51 am · December 17th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, 289 films are eligible for general-category consideration at the Oscars, but the submissions process means many of the year’s best indies are missing. Meanwhile, McDowell remembers Peter O’Toole.
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Jay Z, Coldplay and U2 make the Oscar eligibility cut for Best Original Song
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:04 pm · December 16th, 2013
On the heels of our piece detailing the unfortunate ineligibility of “Please Mr. Kennedy” from “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the Academy has announced 75 original songs in competition for the Best Original Song Oscar at the 86th annual Academy Awards.
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Tom Hanks joins Palm Springs fest's starry list of honorees
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:00 pm · December 16th, 2013
Tom Hanks will receive the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs festival for his work in “Captain Phillips” and “Saving Mr. Banks,” making him the latest A-lister to join the fest’s awards gala. Others include Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey.
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90s nostalgia as Weinsteins and Miramax reunite for 'Shakespeare in Love' sequel
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:15 pm · December 16th, 2013
A new 20-year deal between The Weinstein Company and Miramax gives the Weinsteins access to the creative library they left behind at their old company — meaning sequels to “Shakespeare in Love” and “Rounders” are in the works.
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How 'Please Mr. Kennedy' was born and why it's not eligible for Oscar consideration
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:04 pm · December 16th, 2013
With nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Broadcast Film Critics Association in the span of a week, not to mention being a stand-out track on the year’s prestige “musical,” produced by recent Academy Award winner T Bone Burnett with pop superstar Justin Timberlake on the mic, you would think “Please Mr. Kennedy” from the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis” was on a collision course with Oscar. But due to stricter AMPAS rules, the tune will not be on the list of songs eligible to compete in the Best Original Song category at this year’s Academy Awards. That’s no skin off Burnett’s back.
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'12 Years a Slave' rules Online critics awards, nabs three acting wins
Posted by Guy Lodge · 9:00 am · December 16th, 2013
The Online Film Critics Society showed a lot of love to “12 Years a Slave” in their voting, as the film claimed Best Picture and three acting awards. “Gravity,” however, once more pipped it to Best Director.
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'12 Years a Slave,' 'Gravity' tops with Dallas-Fort Worth critics
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:33 am · December 16th, 2013
“12 Years a Slave” and “Gravity” came out on top in the voting for the Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics Association Awards — though “Dallas Buyers Club,” obviously enough, got some love too.
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'American Hustle' and '12 Years a Slave' lead Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:47 am · December 16th, 2013
“American Hustle” and “12 Years a Slave” led the way with this year’s Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominations with 13 apiece. David O. Russell’s Abscam comedy had the added benefit of padding in the comedy categories, however, a luxury “12 Years a Slave” couldn’t boast.
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Roundup: Why an Oscar for James Franco is no laughing matter
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:45 am · December 16th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, James Franco speaks in defence of his and A24’s playful awards campaign for “Spring Breakers,” which is bearing fruit with the critics. Meanwhile, who has the best ‘do in “American Hustle?”
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On the curious nobility of Peter O'Toole's unlucky Oscar history
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:27 pm · December 15th, 2013
With eight Best Actor nods, the late Peter O’Toole holds the record among actors for most Oscar nominations without winning. Looking over his nominated performances, from “Lawrence of Arabia” to “Venus,” we reflect on the dignity of that unlucky statistic.
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'American Hustle,' 'Bad Grandpa' and 'The Lone Ranger' among Oscar makeup and hairstyling finalists
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:08 pm · December 14th, 2013
The Academy has announced this year’s bake-off finalists for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar, and the big omissions appear to be Ron Howard’s “Rush” and Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” But the Jackass boys have cause for celebration!
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'One year from now,' will we be talking about 'Interstellar' in the Oscar race?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:17 am · December 14th, 2013
The teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan’s first foray into filmmaking with the “Dark Knight” trilogy firmly in his rear view mirror landed today, and it’s certainly a tease. But it also has something heavy on its mind. Will we be talking about it in Oscar terms this time next year?
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'12 Years a Slave' leads San Francisco Film Critics Circle nods
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:18 pm · December 13th, 2013
“12 Years a Slave” leads the San Francisco critics’ nominations with nine mentions, in a list mostly filled with the usual suspects — and some good news for the “Wolf of Wall Street” contingent.
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Detroit critics name 'Her' the year's best, hand Brie Larson two awards
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:42 pm · December 13th, 2013
The Detroit Film Critics Society were big fans of Spike Jonze’s “Her,” handing it Best Picture, Screenplay and Supporting Actress for Scarlett Johansson’s voice-only performance.
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'12 Years a Slave' and 'The Butler' impress African-American Film Critics Association
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:20 pm · December 13th, 2013
“12 Years a Slave” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” were the clear favorites as the African American Film Critics’ Association named their winners, while Sandra Bullock and Oprah Winfrey took their first acting wins of the season.
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Oscar Talk: 'Hustle,' 'Wall Street,' precursors and the 10 best films of 2013
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:00 am · December 13th, 2013
In the latest installment of Oscar Talk, Kris and Anne discuss the final films to screen of the season, the end-of-year precursor circuit that includes critics groups, the HFPA and SAG and their own kudos list: the top 10 films of 2013.
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Tell us what you thought of 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 9:43 am · December 13th, 2013
The second part of Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth hits screens today, and we want your thoughts. Does it match or exceed the bar set by “An Unexpected Journey” last year? Share your views and vote in our poll.
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