In Contention

While films like “Hugo” and “Lincoln” may have received their first looks at the annual New York Film Festival via “secret screenings” in recent years, attendees can probably stop holding their breath for another surprise at the on-going 51st annual.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Stop comparing 'Gravity' to 'Avatar' when it comes to Oscar

Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 3:48 pm · October 7th, 2013

A look at why the “Gravity’s” best picture chances aren’t as similar to “Avatar’s” as some would like you to believe.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Watch: Judi Dench searches for her long-lost son in tearjerking 'Philomena' trailer

Posted by chris-eggertsen · 3:40 pm · October 7th, 2013

Judi Dench searches for her long-lost son – and breaks down “Big Momma’s House” – in the new trailer for the forthcoming tearjerker “Philomena.”

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Firsts and disqualifications as a record 76 countries enter foreign Oscar race

Posted by Guy Lodge · 11:45 am · October 7th, 2013

Chad enters, but Agnieszka Holland won’t compete for the Czech Republic.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Off the Carpet: Fox enters the Oscar season with 'The Book Thief' and 'Walter Mitty'

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:25 am · October 7th, 2013

This weekend, 20th Century Fox arrived to the 2013 film awards season with a pair of hopefuls that couldn’t be more different from the outside. Nevertheless, Brian Percival’s “The Book Thief” and Ben Stiller’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” both of which will be viewed as cloying in some circles, are made with an honesty that could stave off some of the cynicism and register. At the end of the day, though, neither is the slam dunk contender the studio may have hoped for a year after “Life of Pi.”

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

How Steven Soderbergh helped edit Spike Jonze's 'Her'

Posted by Guy Lodge · 9:50 am · October 7th, 2013

…and how Chris Cooper got the chop.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Adrien Brody and Tim Robbins prop up China’s Oscar hopes in ‘Back to 1942’

Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:40 am · October 7th, 2013

Will the Hollywood connection pay off this time?

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: A moderate start for 'Mitty'

Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:05 am · October 7th, 2013

Also: Mark Harris meets Spike Jonze, and Tarantino’s best of 2013.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

3 on 3: Can 'Gravity' win Best Picture?

Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:59 pm · October 5th, 2013

The In Contention team look at whether “Gravity” can win best picture, did Universal make a mistake passing on the film and answer what should Sandra Bullock do next?

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention