As Oscar’s phase one drew to a close and the nominations were set to be unveiled, the film press corps was getting its first look at one movie that dodged all of that commotion last year: George Clooney’s “The Monuments Men.” It’s set for release next week and with its arrival, one can only ask: was Sony smart to move it out of the season?
George Clooney's 'Monuments Men' was smart to dodge the Oscar season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:00 am · January 29th, 2014
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'12 Years a Slave' tops North Carolina critics' nominations
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:28 pm · January 5th, 2014
’12 Years a Slave’ leads the nominations for the North Carolina Film Critics’ Association Awards, followed by ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ with five.
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Roundup: Why an Oscar for James Franco is no laughing matter
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:45 am · December 16th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, James Franco speaks in defence of his and A24’s playful awards campaign for “Spring Breakers,” which is bearing fruit with the critics. Meanwhile, who has the best ‘do in “American Hustle?”
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Exclusive: John Goodman opines on the rules of suicide in a clip from 'Inside Llewyn Davis'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:05 am · November 26th, 2013
John Goodman could land some awards recognition for his work in the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis.” HitFix has an exclusive glimpse of his work in the film as a grouchy, enigmatic jazz man.
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'Monuments Men' trailer finds George Clooney and Matt Damon on the hunt for stolen art
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:36 am · August 8th, 2013
How is George Clooney’s “The Monuments Men” going to shape up this season? Frankly, this “movie” movie is starting to looking like another “Argo,” potentially, a middle-ground choice that entertains with a slice of history but has a populist edge to it that will draw in audiences, not just the industry.
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The Coens' 'Inside Llewyn Davis' gets a release date in the thick of awards season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:04 pm · May 3rd, 2013
How will ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ figure into the awards scheme later this year? We’ll know in due time, but for the distributor’s part, eyes are clearly on the circuit as it has just been announced the film will receive a December 6 limited release with plans to expand wider on December 20. That puts it right in the thick of it.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Cannes Check 2013: Joel and Ethan Coen's 'Inside Llewyn Davis'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:31 pm · April 24th, 2013
Continuing our cheat sheet for the Cannes Competition.
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Ben Affleck and Chris Terrio on 'Argo,' the Middle East and the root of all drama
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:05 pm · December 19th, 2012
When he made his way into the director’s chair for a new phase in his career, Ben Affleck always assumed that if he came across an existing script, he would likely just take over and re-write it. And of course, he has the credentials: an Oscar for co-writing “Good Will Hunting” with Matt Damon goes a long way toward legitimizing his talent as a writer. But when “Argo” was fired across his bow by Smoke House honchos Grant Heslov and George Clooney, that wasn’t the case.
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George Clooney's 'Monuments Men' fills out with Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett and Jean Dujardin
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:15 am · October 29th, 2012
The World War II drama announces a major cast
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Roundup: 'Skyfall' slays global box office
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:30 am · October 29th, 2012
Also: ‘Argo’ rises to the top, and why Melissa Leo owes Bill Murray
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Interview: John Goodman on 'Argo,' 'Flight,' Eastwood and awards season wagging the dog
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:14 am · October 24th, 2012
It’s not like John Goodman hasn’t been working consistently enough for a couple of decades, but the last two years have shown a stunning proliferation by anyone’s measure.
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Zemeckis's 'Flight' features Denzel Washington at his best in a powerful character study
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:00 am · October 14th, 2012
“Flight” may have elements of action filmmaking and courtroom drama, but it is, ultimately, a character study about the sickness of addiction. It captures the embarrassment, the denial, the rage and, crucially, the chronic fallibility that comes with it.
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Oscar Talk: Ep. 91 — 'Not Fade Away' drops on NYFF and surveying Best Supporting Actor
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:00 am · October 12th, 2012
In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the New York Film Festival Centerpiece selection, “Not Fade Away,” take a look at small films looking to get a foothold this season and survey the Best Supporting Actor field.
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Interview: Alan Arkin on teaming with Ben Affleck and John Goodman in 'Argo'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:36 am · October 9th, 2012
Five years ago Alan Arkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Little Miss Sunshine,” an award many thought would end up going to “Dreamgirls” star Eddie Murphy. He’s back knocking on the door of another tip of the Academy’s hat with his work as a cranky, seen-it-all film producer in Ben Affleck’s “Argo.” But he probably couldn’t care less.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews
Off the Carpet: Three to start the season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:05 am · September 17th, 2012
Ben Affleck’s “Argo,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master”and David O.Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook.” With Venice, Telluride and Toronto in the rear view, those are the three films with the early stranglehold on the 2012-2013 Oscar season.
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Does WB have an Oscar thoroughbred on its hands with Ben Affleck's 'Argo?'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:57 pm · September 1st, 2012
“Argo” is another step up for Ben Affleck, who continues to grow as a filmmaker and surprise not just formally but with his adeptness at handling ensembles as well. And that’s what “Argo” is: an organic, finely tuned ensemble where no one really stands out from the pack. And that’s not a bad thing, particularly for a film that is very much about the efforts of the many.
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'Trouble with the Curve' trailer adds Clint Eastwood to the Best Actor race
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:43 pm · August 7th, 2012
So it turns out Clint Eastwood was just kidding when he indicated that “Gran Torino” would be his final on-screen work. A solid Best Actor push from Warner Bros. that year didn’t yield pay dirt, but it got the conversation chugging that the studio is sure to use again this year: He may have four Oscars, but he’s never won for acting.
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