'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.

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At least Alex Gibney got ONE of his docs to the next phase of Academy voting

Posted by · 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.

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Exclusive: '12 Years,' 'Rush' and 'Mandela' among 2013 films not eligible for WGA Awards

Posted by · 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.

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Alexandre Desplat talks 'Philomena' and a busy decade full of Stateside success

Posted by · 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.

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Roger Deakins reflects on 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford'

Posted by · 6:00 am · December 3rd, 2013

With a big revival screening around the corner, HitFix’s Kristopher Tapley writes up an appreciation of the cinematography of “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” and reflects on the film and the work with DP Roger Deakins.

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Roundup: 'Gatsby' goes down well in Down Under Oscars

Posted by · 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,

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Carey Mulligan on finding her inner Mumford in 'Inside Llewyn Davis'

Posted by · 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.

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'Inside Llewyn Davis' wins Best Feature at the 2013 Gotham Independent Awards

Posted by · 6:19 pm · December 2nd, 2013

The 23rd annual Gotham Independent Awards were handed out tonight at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, and it was the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis.” However, “Fruitvale Station” walked out with a pair of awards in the breakthrough categories.

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Off the Carpet: With the table set, the critics are ready to have their say

Posted by · 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.

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IPA does not see 'Wolf of Wall Street,' nominates it for five Satellite Awards anyway

Posted by · 11:39 am · December 2nd, 2013

The annual (questionable if harmless) Satellite Award nominations stuck out today when “The Wolf of Wall Street” was mentioned throughout. The film landed five nominations. But has the IPA seen it? After all, it’s only screened for guilds and HFPA so far. Turns out, at least according to the studio, no, they haven’t.

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'Despicable Me 2' comes out strong with Annie Awards nominations

Posted by · 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.

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Emmanuel Lubezki talks artistic similarities between Alfonso Cuarón and Terrence Malick

Posted by · 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.

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Roundup: What Nebraskans make of 'Nebraska'

Posted by · 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?”

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Is 'The Wolf of Wall Street' just what the doctor ordered this Oscar season?

Posted by · 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.

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'The Act of Killing' and 'Gravity' top Sight & Sound's 2013 critics' poll

Posted by · 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.

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Contender Countdown: A December to remember for Oscar's Best Picture race?

Posted by · 8:38 pm · November 29th, 2013

With critics honors just around the corner, one last look at the current best picture field for the 86th Academy Awards.

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Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver sing 'Please Mr. Kennedy' for 'Inside Llewyn Davis'

Posted by · 1:04 pm · November 29th, 2013

Oscar Isaac, Justin Timberlake and “Girls” star Adam Driver have some folk song fun with “Please Mr. Kennedy” in this complete and very entertaining clip from “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

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Review: Idris Elba is a miscast Mandela in steady but stodgy 'Long Walk to Freedom'

Posted by · 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.

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