With the year winding to a close, it’s time to showcase the 10 best films of 2011. If you heard Friday’s podcast, you know. If you didn’t, dig in.
Bottled up: the best films of 2011
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:28 am · December 12th, 2011
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Bridesmaids,' 'The Help' among films cited for AFI's 2011 top 10 list
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:41 am · December 11th, 2011
The AFI has issued its top 10 list for 2011, and the usual raft of ineligibilities paved the way for dubious films to make the cut. As always.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Interview: Michael Barker talks 'Midnight in Paris,' 'Take Shelter' and 20 years of Sony Classics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:28 am · December 6th, 2011
Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker has seen a lot in his 20 years at that post. This year his company has a typically heavy slate of awards hopefuls, two of them — “Midnight in Paris” and “Take Shelter” — beginning to light up the awards circuit. He recently discussed as much with In Contention.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews
Off the Carpet: Contenders hope to stand out against big spending and buzz-heavy pics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:09 am · December 5th, 2011
As campaigns heat up this season, the “Moneyball” way seems to translate. Modest hopefuls need to stand out to be seen, and being seen is perhaps more than half the battle this time of 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
Oscar Talk: Ep. 72 — Gothams, Indie Spirits, NYFCC, NBR and 'We Bought a Zoo'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:39 am · December 2nd, 2011
In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss a busy week for the awards circuit, from the Gotham Awards to the Indie Spirit award nominees to the New York film critics vote to the National Board of Review announcement. And somehow they find time to talk Cameron Crowe’s “We Bought a Zoo,” too.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Satellite Award nominations topped by 'War Horse'… and 'Drive'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:25 am · December 2nd, 2011
The Satellite Awards don’t get much respect on the precursor beat, but it’s hard not to be a little tickled by a nominee list that is jointly led, with seven nods apiece, by two films at such opposite ends of the bait spectrum.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Corey Stoll to read Hemingway's letters, primed for a Best Supporting Actor surge
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:13 pm · November 30th, 2011
“Midnight in Paris” star Corey Stoll has always been a lurking possibility for Best Supporting Actor recognition this year. But as of late, things seem to be heating up for him. After nailing down an Indie Spirit nomination Monday, it has been announced that he’ll be reading from Ernest Hemingway’s letters at a Kennedy Library event in Boston.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Film Independent spotlights the right stuff in Independent Spirit Award nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:57 am · November 29th, 2011
The Independent Spirit Award nominations were announced this morning, and they showcased some of the absolute best in cinema this year.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: Deep breath before the critics have their say
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:09 pm · November 21st, 2011
It’s getting to be crunch time for many studios looking to bring their product back around for awards voting bodies. Generally most critics groups and the like have just about everything, save for the really late-breaking films, by Thanksgiving. But the NYFCC changed that course a bit this year.
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
Off the Carpet: The ultimate Rorschach season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:38 am · November 7th, 2011
This year’s slate of Oscar-contending films is particularly wide-ranging with something for everyone. The question becomes, what is the season about for you?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscarweb Round-up: Lasseter gets his star
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:11 am · November 2nd, 2011
In today’s round-up, John Lasseter gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Art Directors Guild pays tribute to the “Harry Potter” franchise and Disney takes to the heartland to build “War Horse” steam.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: Building the perfect strategy
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:06 am · October 31st, 2011
It takes all kinds. Finding the right strategy to navigate an awards season is a tricky thing and it varies, naturally, from film to film. Whether it’s “Young Adult” of “The Artist” or “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” there is no mold, no skeleton key, no single solution.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscarweb Round-up: Protesting 'Anonymous'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:45 am · October 25th, 2011
In today’s round-up, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is protesting “Anonymous” in a curious fashion, Steve Jobs is on a list of potential writers of a Steve Jobs biopic and “The Artist” takes yet another audience award.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Harry Potter,' George Clooney, Michelle Williams honored with Hollywood Film Awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:02 pm · October 24th, 2011
The Hollywood Film awards were held tonight, marking the first awards ceremony of the season. All honorees were previously announced. George Clooney and Michelle Williams won top acting honors while the public-voted Hollywood Movie Award went to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Redgrave and the ladies of 'The Help' lead the conversation on Best Supporting Actress
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:51 am · October 17th, 2011
Rounding out four weeks of performance analysis this week, we turn to Best Adapted Screenplay. Contenders include Vanessa Redgrave, Octavia Spencer, the ubiquitous Jessica Chastain and Shailene Woodley, among others.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: Wide open supporting actor race could be headlined by vets
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:39 am · October 3rd, 2011
The Best Supporting Actor race is beginning to slowly take shape as a wide array of veteran actors, from Christopher Plummer to Nick Nolte, are leading the conversation. Nevertheless, it’s still a wide open race with a lot of room for movement.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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