Make it a second film in as many days that I had pretty much figured out of the Academy’s likely grasp that has been given a big boost on the precursor circuit. After the New York Film Critics Circle named David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” the year’s best film yesterday, the New York-based National Board of Review has chimed in today by naming Spiike Jonze’s “Her” the top film of 2013. The group also gave Jonze the Best Director prize.
'Her' named best film of 2013 by National Board of Review
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:38 am · December 4th, 2013
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: 'Frozen' is a hit, but is it selling itself short?
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:00 am · December 4th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, a critic wonders if Disney is betraying the message of “Frozen” with its deceptive marketing campaign. Meanwhile, the studio’s other holiday hopeful has opened softly in the UK.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Diane Keaton to be Woody Allen's Golden Globes proxy
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:55 pm · December 3rd, 2013
There was never any doubt that Woody Allen would not be present to accept his Cecil B. DeMille Award at next year’s Golden Globes. But the HFPA isn’t missing a starry opportunity: Allen’s former partner Diane Keaton will accept the award for him.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Breaking Bad,' 'Game of Thrones' receive PGA nods, as 'Mad Men' misses
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:05 pm · December 3rd, 2013
“Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones” and last year’s winners “Homeland” and “Modern Family” were among the TV series nominated today by the Producers’ Guild of America, while “Mad Men” missed the cut for the first time.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
At least Alex Gibney got ONE of his docs to the next phase of Academy voting
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:47 am · December 3rd, 2013
The Academy has narrowed the field of 147 documentary feature contenders to 15, and the key omissions appear to be Alex Gibney’s “We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks,” Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s “After Tiller” and and Errol Morris’ “The Unknown Known,” among others.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Exclusive: '12 Years,' 'Rush' and 'Mandela' among 2013 films not eligible for WGA Awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:19 am · December 3rd, 2013
John Ridley’s adaptation of the trials and tribulations of former slave Solomon Northup, Peter Morgan’s account of James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s Formula One racing rivalry and Ryan Coogler’s testament to the tragically short life of Bay Area father Oscar Grant are just a handful of screenplays that won’t be eligible for nominations from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) this year, HitFix has learned.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Alexandre Desplat talks 'Philomena' and a busy decade full of Stateside success
Posted by gerardkennedy · 6:48 am · December 3rd, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy reflects on a very busy, and very successful, decade of film music contributions with “Philomena” composer and five-time Oscar nominee Alexandre Desplat.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: 'Gatsby' goes down well in Down Under Oscars
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:38 am · December 3rd, 2013
In today’s roundup of online news and views, “The Great Gatsby” may be headed only for technical attention at the Oscars, but its fans can revel in its dominance at the Australian Academy Awards, where it scored a leading 14 nominations. Meanwhile, Variety picks 10 Directors to Watch,
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Carey Mulligan on finding her inner Mumford in 'Inside Llewyn Davis'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:35 pm · December 2nd, 2013
Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan talks to us about her uncharacteristically abrasive role in the Coen Brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis,” as well as the directors that she’ll follow anywhere.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: With the table set, the critics are ready to have their say
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:23 pm · December 2nd, 2013
“American Hustle” has screened. “The Wolf of Wall Street” has screened. All the cats are out of the bag, and just in time, too. Because the critics are about to have their say.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Despicable Me 2' comes out strong with Annie Awards nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:32 am · December 2nd, 2013
It was Universal’s “Despicable Me 2” leading the way today with 11 nominations for the 41st annual Annie Awards. But Disney’s “Frozen” — not far behind with 10 mentions — was the only film to receive nominations for Best Animated Feature, Best Direction and Best Writing.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Emmanuel Lubezki talks artistic similarities between Alfonso Cuarón and Terrence Malick
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:21 am · December 2nd, 2013
“Gravity” cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki discusses the artistic similarities between two auteurs with whom he frequently collaborates: Alfonso Cuarón and Terrence Malick.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: What Nebraskans make of 'Nebraska'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:46 am · December 2nd, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, small-town Nebraskans are as divided as critics as to whether “Nebraska” is affectionate or condescending. Meanwhile, are Oscar voters getting in-flight exposure to “The Place Beyond the Pines?”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Is 'The Wolf of Wall Street' just what the doctor ordered this Oscar season?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:20 am · December 1st, 2013
It almost feels like what the 2013 film awards season needs is a nice prestige-level dose of the outrageous, something bonkers, something to take the edge off. Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” is here to answer the call.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Act of Killing' and 'Gravity' top Sight & Sound's 2013 critics' poll
Posted by Guy Lodge · 10:06 am · November 30th, 2013
The annual Sight & Sound poll is one of the more comprehensive year-end critics’ surveys, and this year’s winner was a bit of a curveball: Joshua Oppenheimer’s unusual documentary “The Act of Killing.” “Gravity” was close behind, but “12 Years a Slave” missed the Top 10.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Review: Idris Elba is a miscast Mandela in steady but stodgy 'Long Walk to Freedom'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:25 pm · November 29th, 2013
Extraordinary lives rarely make for extraordinary movies, and Justin Chadwick’s “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” — a hefty biopic of South Africa’s first democratically elected president — is no exception. Guy Lodge discusses why.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Ken Loach to be honored at Berlinale
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:27 am · November 29th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, veteran British social-realist filmmaker Ken Loach will receive the Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at next year’s Berlin Film Festival. Elsewhere, a critic wonders if Disney is at war with its own image.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Space, music and the high seas clash in the race for Best Sound Mixing
Posted by gerardkennedy · 7:36 pm · November 28th, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy surveys the field of Best Sound Mixing, from “Gravity” to “Pacific Rim” to maybe even Disney’s animated musical “Frozen.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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