Tech Support: John Williams, Arcade Fire and Hans Zimmer (x2) duke it out for Best Original Score

Posted by · 9:32 pm · December 12th, 2013

Earlier today the list of eligible original score contenders was revealed by the Academy, so consider it great timing as we focus on the category today in our final craft category analysis of the season.

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Best and Worst of the 2014 Golden Globes nominations

Posted by · 11:03 am · December 12th, 2013

A rundown of some of the best and worst Golden Globes nominations by the HFPA this year. No. 1? Not the lack of nominations for “Homeland,” “Mad Men” or “August: Osage County” for best picture – comedy or musical. You just can’t snub Oprah.

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Golden Globes do the 'Hustle' and reward '12 Years A Slave' with key movie nominations

Posted by · 6:05 am · December 12th, 2013

The HFPA rewarded mostly spread the wealth with their 2014 Golden Globe nominations as “American Hustle,” “Her,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Gravity,” “Philomena,” “Captain Phillips” and “Rush” all came away with key nods.

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2014 Golden Globe Awards nominees – complete list

Posted by · 4:25 am · December 12th, 2013

“12 Years A Slave,” “American Hustle,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Breaking Bad,” “House of Cards” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” lead the 2014 Golden Globe nominations announced this morning by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in Beverly Hills, CA.

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'12 Years a Slave' leads yet another critics group's nominations, in San Diego

Posted by · 1:23 pm · December 10th, 2013

“12 Years a Slave” keeps on racking up the regional critics notices, today landing nine nominations with the San Diego Film Critics Society.

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'12 Years a Slave' dominates Phoenix Film Critics Society nominations

Posted by · 10:57 am · December 10th, 2013

Another day, another regional critics group that dives full force into the “12 Years a Slave” tank. The film dominated the Phoenix Film Critics Society nominations today with 13 mentions. “Saving Mr. Banks” was a distant second nailing down nine, while “Gravity” picked up eight.

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Roundup: Schoonmaker's NSFW moments in editing 'Wolf of Wall Street'

Posted by · 2:51 am · December 10th, 2013

In today’s roundup of online news and views, Thelma Schoonmaker discusses the fun, difficulty and occasional blush-inducing embarrassment of editing “The Wolf of Wall Street,” while a LAFCA critic gives an inside perspective on Sunday’s tie-heavy voting.

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AFI Awards selections include 'Fruitvale Station,' 'Saving Mr. Banks' and 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

Posted by · 11:26 am · December 9th, 2013

The American Film Institute has announced AFI Awards official selections for outstanding motion pictures and television programs this year. And on the film side — which, remember, is limited to American productions — the year is well-represented with top tier studio and indie productions highlighted.

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'American Hustle,' 'Short Term 12' lead Detroit critics nominations

Posted by · 11:14 am · December 9th, 2013

The Detroit Film Critics Society has announced nominations for 2013, and it’s not “12 Years a Slave” or “Her” or “Gravity” dominating the list, but indie “Short Term 12” and NYFCC winner “American Hustle,” with five nods apiece.

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Off the Carpet: The critics leave it wide open

Posted by · 10:21 am · December 9th, 2013

The chatter that has arisen in the wake of this initial precursor wave could have been predicted: it’s anyone’s game. New York, Los Angeles, Boston and other regional critics have had their say and there’s plenty of love being spread around so far.

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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.

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'12 Years a Slave,' 'Nebraska' and 'Her' lead the way with St. Louis critics nominations

Posted by · 9:34 am · December 9th, 2013

Steve McQueen’s slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” led another batch of nominees today with the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, but Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” and Spike Jonze’s “Her” scored large tallies, too. All three were nominated for Best Film along with “American Hustle” and “Gravity.”

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'12 Years a Slave' leads 2013 Online Film Critics Society nominees

Posted by · 9:29 am · December 9th, 2013

The Online Film Critics Society has announced 2013 nominees and once again, “12 Years a Slave” is a dominating force on the regional circuit. The film picked up a field-leading eight nominations. The Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis” and Spike Jonze’s “Her” were a few steps behind with six apiece. The line-up includes passion for Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises” and Johnnie To’s “Drug War.”

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Washington critics spring for '12 Years a Slave,' Cuarón, Blanchett

Posted by · 7:48 am · December 9th, 2013

The Washington D.C. Area Film Critics’ Association didn’t rock the boat too much with their awards, as “12 Years a Slave” took another Best Picture win.

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Contender Countdown: 'Gravity' and 'Her' rise in the race

Posted by · 7:13 pm · December 8th, 2013

Warner Bros.’ two best picture contenders “Gravity” and “Her” got an Oscar boost this past week while Searchlight may need to press the pedal on their awards work for “12 Years A Slave.”

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New York Film Critics Online award '12 Years a Slave,' Cuarón, Ejiofor

Posted by · 3:33 pm · December 8th, 2013

The New York Film Critics Online also jumped into the fun on a very busy day for the precursor circuit by handing “12 Years a Slave” its Best Picture award. “Gravity” helmer Alfonso Cuarón took Best Director while acting honors went to Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o: the consensus quartet at this stage, I think it’s safe to say. Check out the full list of winners below.

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'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).

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'Gravity' ties with 'Her' as LA critics' Best Picture winner

Posted by · 12:14 pm · December 8th, 2013

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association were in an indecisive mood today, as three categories ended in ties — most notably Best Picture, which was shared by two very different technological visions: “Gravity” and “Her.”

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