“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and “My Week With Marilyn” lead the BAFTA longlists with 16 mentions apiece, setting both films up for multiple nominations on January 17. But the list of omissions is egregious.
'Marilyn' and 'Tinker, Tailor' top embarrassing BAFTA longlists
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:28 am · January 6th, 2012
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oklahoma critics march in step, spring for 'The Artist,' Clooney and Williams
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:11 pm · December 23rd, 2011
The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle has spoken up and added nothing to the precursor conversation, going with a slate of typical winners. Most annoying, they totally got their “Obviously Worst Film” and “Not-So-Obviously-Worst-Film” awards mixed, but whatever.
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Utah critics award 'Drive,' '50/50'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:02 am · December 21st, 2011
The Utah Film Critics Association has chosen “Drive” as the Best Picture of the year. The film also won Best Supporting Actor for Albert Brooks and Best Cinematography. The group handed two awards to Jonathan Levine’s “50/50,” Best Actor for Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Best Original Screenplay.
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Interview: Kenneth Branagh on his 'dangerously obvious' casting in 'My Week with Marilyn'
Posted by Roth Cornet · 10:43 pm · December 19th, 2011
Kenneth Branagh embraced what he describes as potentially “dangerously obvious” casting with his portrayal of Sir Laurence Olivier in “My Week with Marilyn.” Now with Golden Globe, SAG and BFCA nominations under his belt it would be somehow poetic if the actor/director were to take home the Best Supporting Actor statue for his depiction of the man who paved the road for much of the trajectory of his own career.
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Off the Carpet: Setting the field with the precursors so far
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:41 am · December 19th, 2011
In just three weeks we’ve gone from zero to a hundred on the circuit as the film awards landscape has been sculpted into a bit of a consensus in these waning moments of 2011. Let’s see what that consensus appears to be.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Florida critics spring for 'Descendants,' Scorsese
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:11 am · December 19th, 2011
The Florida Film Critics Circle has tossed its hat into the over-stuffed precursor ring this year by picking “The Descendants” as the year’s best film. Martin Scorsese picked up the Best Director prize for “Hugo” while Michelle Williams continued a dominating streak by nabbing Best Actress.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Tree of Life' wins four awards from Chicago critics, including Best Picture
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:03 am · December 19th, 2011
After Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” led with seven nominations from the Chicago Film Critics Association, it seemed obvious the film was likely to win the group’s Best Picture award. But the film ended up walking away with four big wins in total.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Tree of Life' leads Chicago film critics nods
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:56 am · December 16th, 2011
The Chicago Film Critics Association has announced its list of nominees this year, and it’s full of the usual. But most interesting is that “The Tree of Life” star Hunter McCracken has finally received some attention.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Detroit critics go with 'The Artist,' Fassbender
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:47 am · December 16th, 2011
The Detroit Film Critics Society has joined the chorus of superlatives for “The Artist,” giving the film Best Picture and Best Director after it racked up five nominations from the group. “Take Shelter,” which led the nominees, only won as part of Jessica Chastain’s Breakthrough Artist award.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Toronto critics tap 'Tree of Life,' Terrence Malick
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:22 pm · December 13th, 2011
One more before you shut out the lights. The Toronto Film Critics Association has named “The Tree of Life” the best film of the year. The film’s director, Terrence Malick, was also awarded.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Artist' and 'Drive' lead with St. Louis critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:32 am · December 12th, 2011
The St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association has declared nominations this season, spreading the wealth from heavies like “The Artist” and “Drive” to obvious favorites like “Hanna” and “The Muppets.”
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'The Artist,' Scorsese, Pitt and Williams win top honors from Boston critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:29 am · December 11th, 2011
“The Artist” has won Best Picture from the Boston Society of Film Critics. “Hugo” and “Margaret” were close runners-up, and indeed, both looked like favorites throughout the vote until the last prize was handed out.
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Octavia Spencer to receive Breakthrough Award at Palm Springs
Posted by Guy Lodge · 9:09 am · December 8th, 2011
It’s never too late to be recognized as a “breakthrough performer”: 15 years after making her screen debut, “The Help” supporting star Octavia Spencer has been honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Springs festival.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
The Long Shot: Vehicle trouble
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:11 pm · December 7th, 2011
Many Oscar-watchers are describing this year’s Best Actress race as “weak,” a pejorative that has less to do with the fine performances in play than the iffy films many of them happen to find themselves in. But does it have to be that way?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Artist' and George Clooney come out on top with D.C. critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:14 am · December 5th, 2011
The Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association has given its Best Picture prize to “The Artist,” after the film nailed down eight nominations from the organization over the weekend.
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'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.
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The Lists: Top 10 films about the movie business
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:39 am · November 30th, 2011
With “The Artist,” “Hugo” and “My Week With Marilyn” all released this month, nostalgia for the old-fashioned nuts and bolts of moviemaking would appear to be one of the season’s dominant themes. We join in with 10 of the best films about the business, including the likes of “A Star is Born,” “Mulholland Drive” and “8½.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Michelle Williams, George Clooney, Michel Hazanavicius set for Palm Springs awards
Posted by Roth Cornet · 10:04 pm · November 24th, 2011
Michelle Williams, George Clooney, “The Artist” director Michel Hazanavicius and more are set for Palm Springs honors, just another stop on the way to Oscar.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention