In Contention

After “Lincoln” led the way with nominations from the Houston Film Critics Society last month, it was “Argo” that took the prizes for Best Picture and Best Director. Steven Spielberg’s film did win Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Screenplay, while most other awards followed established canon. This is the seventh Best Film prize for “Argo” on the critics circuit so far, bringing it ever closer to the “Zero Dark Thirty” tally of eight.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Amour' wins top honors from National Society of Film Critics

Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:17 pm · January 5th, 2013

Michael Haneke’s film also takes Best Director and Actress.

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From 'Ai Weiwei' to 'Sugar Man,' handicapping this year's documentary feature race

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:15 am · January 5th, 2013

The field of documentary feature contenders this year is bursting at the seams with quality and the signs of a true golden age for the form. And this even with a number of the year’s best having failed to make the finalists cut. Issues tackled are wide-ranging, artistry is apparent in a number of entries and the stories that are being shared are as powerful as ever. How do you even begin to handicap this thing?

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'Perks,' 'Flight,' 'Master' make the list of WGA nominees

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:07 am · January 4th, 2013

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced its screen nominees for the year.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Oscar ceremony to include a 50th anniversary tribute to James Bond

Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:56 am · January 4th, 2013

One way or another, the franchise will be acknowledged on the night.

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 101 — Mulling over the tight races in the home stretch

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:50 am · January 4th, 2013

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne mull over Oscar’s tight races with nominations right around the corner.

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Tech Support: John Toll and Frank Griebe on shooting 'Cloud Atlas' across six stories

Posted by gerardkennedy · 6:51 am · January 4th, 2013

As usual, the Oscar race for Best Cinematography presents an embarrassment of riches this year. Contending directors of photography have offered exemplary work, whether highlighting fantasy or history, focusing on land or water, displaying composed and gorgeous widescreen shots or gripping action and dynamic camera movement. One film managed to do all of these things, and used two DPs to do it.

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Roundup: 'Visionary' Ang Lee rewarded by Visual Effects Society

Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:00 am · January 4th, 2013

Also: Reviewing the original song contenders, and ‘Disconnect’ to open SBIFF

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'Moonrise Kingdom' wins big with Central Ohio film critics

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:55 pm · January 3rd, 2013

Finally someone would like to shake things up a little bit again. The Central Ohio Film Critics Association has chosen Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” as the year’s best film, and not only that, but given it five awards, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Score and Best Ensemble. Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor for “Lincoln” while Jennifer Lawrence took Best Actress for “Silver Linings Playbook.”

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'Argo,' 'Lincoln,' 'Master,' 'Silver Linings' lead Denver film critics nominations

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:17 pm · January 3rd, 2013

Nominations have been announced by the Denver Film Critics Society. “Argo,” “Lincoln,” “The Master” and “Silver Linings Playbook” led the way with four nominations each, though “The Master” was edged out of the Best Picture category by “Django Unchained.” Winners will be announced on January 8.

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Roundup: The oblivious politics of 'The Impossible'

Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:53 am · January 3rd, 2013

Also: Dressing ‘Django Unchained,” and the sexism of ‘Les Mis’

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'Anna Karenina,' 'Cloud Atlas,' 'Skyfall' among Art Directors Guild nominees

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:56 pm · January 2nd, 2013

The Art Directors Guild has announced nominees for excellence in production design. A wide cross-section of work was selected, though high-profile exclusions include “The Master,” “Django Unchained” and “Moonrise Kingdom.”

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention