With the Oscar race so skewed towards late-year releases, worthy contenders from films released between January and June often slip through the cracks. We highlight some standout supporting performances from 2011’s first half, including Christopher Plummer and two stars of “Bridesmaids.”
First-Half FYC: Best Supporting Actor and Actress
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:32 pm · December 27th, 2011
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Finders keepers: Guy's top 20 films of 2011
Posted by Guy Lodge · 1:48 pm · December 26th, 2011
From “Drive” to “Melancholia,” Guy Lodge counts down the 20 titles that made 2011, for him, a great year at the movies.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Drive,' 'A Better Life' and 'Attack the Block' among scores not eligible for Oscar this year
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:03 pm · December 22nd, 2011
The Academy has announced a list of 97 film scores eligible for consideration in the Best Original Score category this year. Typically, it’s this announcement that brings the bad news of this or that score either not being submitted or being ruled ineligible for whatever reason.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Round-up: 2011's composers score the body electric
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:00 am · December 19th, 2011
Also: Jolie talks politics on ‘Blood and Honey’ and the year in dogs
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Descendants,' Terrence Malick win with LA film critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:13 pm · December 11th, 2011
The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has tapped Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” for its Best Picture prize, a bit of an anti-climactic conclusion to what had until then been a fresh and exciting vote.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar Talk: Ep. 73 — Our top 10 films of 2011!
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:58 am · December 9th, 2011
In today’s podcast, Kris and Anne take a break from the usual order of things to count down, separately, their picks for the best films of the year.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Artist,' 'Tinker,' 'Shame' and 'Marilyn' among contenders not eligible for WGA
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:52 pm · December 2nd, 2011
As happens every year, a list of potential Oscar nominees is ineligible for WGA consideration due to a number of issues (signatory concerns, paperwork avoidance, etc.). This year, though, the list seems particularly long.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: John Williams charges back to lead the field of Best Original Score hopefuls
Posted by gerardkennedy · 8:07 am · November 24th, 2011
In this week’s installment of Tech Support, we turn our gaze toward Best Original Score. Those in the hunt include John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, Howard Shore and Alberto Iglesias.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: 'Hugo' and 'Harry Potter' set the scene for Best Art Direction
Posted by gerardkennedy · 1:24 pm · November 17th, 2011
In this week’s installment of Tech Support, we transition over to Best Art Direction. Films in the thick of it include the period design of “Hugo,” “War Horse,” “J. Edgar” and “The Artist,” as well as the fantasy elements of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” “Thor” and “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscarweb Round-up: Murphygate
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:08 am · November 10th, 2011
In today’s round-up, well, there is plenty of discussion regarding Eddie Murphy’s bowing out as Oscar host, George Clooney says he’ll be “shocked” if “The Descendants” isn’t nominated for Oscar and Mia Wasikowska hits the circuit to talk “Jane Eyre” and “Albert Nobbs.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Period pieces from 'Hugo' to 'W.E.' stand out for Best Costume Design
Posted by gerardkennedy · 8:03 am · October 20th, 2011
In Tech Support this week we tackle the category of Best Costume Design. Strong contenders include Madonna’s “W.E.,” Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” and Steven Spielberg’s “The Help,” among others.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscarweb Round-up: Might the CLING and CLANG of 'Steel' register for sound?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:04 am · October 10th, 2011
In today’s round-up, the SoundWorks Collection profiles the sound of “Real Steel,” some more of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” pops up online and some think Clint Eastwood is intent on outing J. Edgar Hoover.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: A new year of crafts coverage
Posted by gerardkennedy · 11:37 am · September 22nd, 2011
Welcome back. Today marks the beginning of the sixth year of Tech Support here at In Contention. I am delighted about the new collaboration with HitFix, which will doubtless result in even more comprehensive awards coverage. Over the next 10 weeks, we will analyze each of the “technical” category races in this space: Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup, Original Score, Original Song, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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