The 2013-2014 Film Awards Circuit

Posted by · 10:12 am · December 9th, 2013

Welcome to the 2013-2014 Film Awards Circuit. In Contention will be tracking all the ups and downs of the season right here, from critics awards to industry kudos and more.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'12 Years a Slave' leads with Houston film critics nominations

Posted by · 12:52 pm · December 8th, 2013

The Houston Film Critics Society has announced its list of nominees for 2013, and “12 Years a Slave” leads the way with eight nominations. The slate is full of the usual, though there were unique notices for “The Hunt” (Best Actor) and “Man of Steel” (Best Original Score).

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: 'Frozen' is a hit, but is it selling itself short?

Posted by · 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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'American Hustle' wins big with New York Film Critics Circle

Posted by · 10:51 am · December 3rd, 2013

David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” was crowned the best film of 2013 today by the New York Film Critics Circle, capping off a nearly five-hour vote and marking the first critics awards announcement of the year. The film also received wins for Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Best Screenplay.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: Space, music and the high seas clash in the race for Best Sound Mixing

Posted by · 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.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

The Long Shot: Independents' day

Posted by · 2:52 pm · November 27th, 2013

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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: Golden Globes won't be seduced by Johansson's voice in 'Her'

Posted by · 4:27 am · November 27th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Scarlett Johansson’s awards campaign for her voice work in ‘Her’ hits a bump as she’s ruled ineligible for the Golden Globes. Meanwhile, did you know about the uinmade ‘Mary Poppins’ sequel?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

This year's indie spirit at the cinema well-represented by today's nominations

Posted by · 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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: Could Alfonso Cuarón join James Cameron on an exclusive list of editors?

Posted by · 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?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Off the Carpet: The awards circuit comes to life ahead of AFI Fest

Posted by · 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?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: What films headline this year's race for Best Sound Editing?

Posted by · 10:08 pm · October 24th, 2013

In this week’s installment of Tech Support, Gerard Kennedy surveys the Best Sound Editing category. Films like “Gravity” and “All is Lost” figure heavily while others like “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “Man of Steel” try to find a foothold.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: 'Grace of Monaco' director takes on Harvey

Posted by · 6:03 am · October 21st, 2013

Also: ‘Intimate ordeals’ at the movies, and Cumberbatch’s ‘Fifth Estate’ setback

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tell us what you thought of 'All is Lost'

Posted by · 9:51 am · October 18th, 2013

J.C. Chandor’s one man show starring Robert Redford hits theaters this weekend.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: ScarJo on her 'abstract' awards chances for 'Her'

Posted by · 4:35 am · October 18th, 2013

Also: Pulling off ‘All is Lost,’ and banging the drum for Judi Dench.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Off the Carpet: How do this year's Oscar hopefuls reflect the zeitgeist?

Posted by · 7:55 am · October 14th, 2013

We’ve weighed the contenders and early declarations have been made. The whisper campaigns and casual takedowns have begun with no real (comfortable) frontrunner to emerge for a while yet. But as we look out over this year’s Oscar contending crop, what does it have to say about where and who we are?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: Can anything beat 'Gravity' for Best Cinematography?

Posted by · 10:33 am · October 10th, 2013

Gerard Kennedy surveys the category of Best Cinematography in this week’s installment of Tech Support. Will films like “Captain Phillips” and “12 Years a Slave” be able to match “Gravity?”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: Are the cinematography and visual effects Oscars getting too close?

Posted by · 5:41 am · October 10th, 2013

Also: Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch, and the complex effects of ‘Noah.’

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Oscar Talk: Venice/Telluride/Toronto wrap

Posted by · 8:12 am · September 20th, 2013

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the just-wrapped early fall fest circuit. What landed at Venice, Telluride and Toronto and shows promise in the season? Also, this year’s Honorary Oscar recipients have been revealed.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention