The annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon is a chance to get all of the year’s Academy Award nominees in a room for food and spirits, yes, but it’s also a huge press opportunity, where contenders can subtly communicate their final pitches in hopes that a stray Academy member will read it or hear about it on TV.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett share their joy at Oscars luncheon
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 3:11 pm · February 10th, 2014
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Phedon Papamichael on shooting Alexander Payne's black and white vision for 'Nebraska'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:36 am · January 20th, 2014
“Nebraska” DP Phedon Papamichael talks to HitFix about making allowances for color on what always existed in his and director Alexander Payne’s mind as a black and white movie.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews
Exclusive: 'Nebraska' score not submitted for Oscar consideration
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:32 pm · December 10th, 2013
Those who have seen Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” have likely taken plenty of pleasure in Mark Orton’s musical compositions in the film. But what you might not know is that the music is not original to the film.
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
Roundup: Why Ben Affleck loves 'Enough Said,' and more peer appreciation
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:01 am · November 14th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Variety gets a number of notable filmmakers to discuss work from their peers that they loved this year, including Ben Affleck on Nicole Holofcener’s “Enough Said.” Meanwhile, the NYFCC sets its voting date, and is Alexander Payne the king of the male weepie?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Quentin Tarantino and AFI Fest pay tribute to 'Nebraska' star Bruce Dern
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:31 am · November 12th, 2013
“Nebraska” enjoyed a Tribute Gala premiere last night in Hollywood as Quentin Tarantino and Leonard Maltin toasted the actor’s career.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Paramount plays up 'Nebraska's' old-fashioned charms with 'Paper Moon' double bill
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:05 am · November 4th, 2013
Every once in a while a studio capitalizes on parallels between one of its awards hopefuls and a classic of the medium that also did pretty well on the circuit by booking a double bill. Fox Searchlight did it with “The Wrestler” and “On the Waterfront,” for instance. This year, Paramount is going that route with Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” and Peter Bogdanovich’s “Paper Moon.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Bond producers honored by PGA
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:21 am · October 31st, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, James Bond franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson receive an honorary Producers’ Guild Award. Meanwhile, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto take their seats at the Hollywood Reporter’s actors’ roundtable, and ‘The Wire’ writer David Simon reflects on ’12 Years a Slave.’
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Let the whisper campaigns begin
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:16 am · October 9th, 2013
Also: Bullock rules Hollywood, and ‘Croods’ wins the animated screener race.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Bruce Dern stares into the abyss in new 'Nebraska' trailer
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:46 am · September 17th, 2013
Can the veteran make good on his Cannes win in Alexander Payne’s latest?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Telluride: Bruce Dern shines as, yes, a leading man in Alexander Payne's 'Nebraska'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:37 am · August 29th, 2013
Nearly half a century ago Marilyn Monroe confided in a young Bruce Dern an opinion of the actor passed to her by Actors Studio founder Elia Kazan, or “Gadge” as they all knew him. “He’s not going to be a leading man,” the famed director said, “because he’ll be into his 60s before anyone knows what he’s capable of.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Cannes Review: Alexander Payne goes home, but doesn't hit home, in 'Nebraska'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:32 am · May 23rd, 2013
Amusing moments outweighed by sour notes in minor-key family drama.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Cannes Check 2013: Alexander Payne's 'Nebraska'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:20 am · May 13th, 2013
Continuing our cheat sheet for the Cannes Competition.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
US and France dominate a big-name Cannes Film Festival lineup
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:15 am · April 18th, 2013
One woman makes this year’s Competition – but not the one we were expecting.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Cannes jurors range from Ewan McGregor to Jean-Paul Gaultier
Posted by Guy Lodge · 1:15 pm · April 25th, 2012
Cannes unveils a diverse Competition jury, while the Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week selections complete the lineup of films.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Safety first: putting a lid on the 2011 Oscars
Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:15 pm · February 27th, 2012
With its surfeit of repeat winners, familiar names and backward-glancing films, last night’s Academy Awards found the Academy sticking with what they know.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar Guide 2011: Best Director
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:45 am · February 22nd, 2012
As was the case last year, this year’s Best Director race pits one foreign first-time nominee against a quartet of more established American auteurs — will the outsider emerge victorious again? We examine who will win, and who should.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Round-up: A dry, old, white guy season
Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:26 am · February 20th, 2012
Also: The costumes of ‘W.E.,’ and making excuses for ‘Cars 2’
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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