It was a bittersweet morning for Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker. One one hand his company’s films “Before Midnight,” “Blue Jasmine” and “The Invisible Woman” combined for a total of five nominations, including a somewhat surprising bid for “Blue” supporting actress Sally Hawkins. On the other, it was a rare occasion where the indie distributor had no nominees in either the Best Documentary Feature or Best Foreign Language Film categories, and neither “Blue” nor “Midnight” was able to push into the Best Picture field.
Michael Barker on 'bittersweet' nominations and watching Richard Linklater's career bloom
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:04 am · January 16th, 2014
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
The Academy once again goes its own way with a singular list of Oscar nominees
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:37 am · January 16th, 2014
As it always does, the Academy had a few things of its own to say this morning as the 86th annual Oscar nominations announcement was full of intrigue. Never too closely resembling the buzz we’re all going on as ballots are turned in, the organization went its own way in a few key areas, putting smiles on some faces, slapping frowns on others.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Watch the 2014 Oscar nominations announcement
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:28 am · January 16th, 2014
We’re just about 15 minutes away from the big announcement. At 5:40am PT (good GOD), Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Chris Hemsworth will announce this year’s Oscar nominees. If you’re tuning in online and steering clear of the horrors of E! and whatnot, you can watch the announcement via the livestream below (and knock out any first-blush reactions instantly as we prepare our initial reactionary coverage). See you soon.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Four films stand atop the industry precursor awards circuit
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:40 pm · January 15th, 2014
With the announcement of the Motion Picture Sound Editors’ Golden Reel Awards nominees this afternoon, all of the various industry guilds and societies have had their say on the season. And it’s just under the wire, too, as we’re all preparing for the Oscar nominations announcement tomorrow morning. So how did the various contenders fare?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
86th Oscars to be a celebration of movie heroes
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:30 am · January 14th, 2014
The Academy has announced that the 86th annual Academy Awards will focus on a celebration of movie heroes. The show will honor big-screen real-life heroes, super heroes, popular heroes and animated heroes, both past and present.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Final 2014 Oscar nominee predictions
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:30 pm · January 13th, 2014
Alright, it’s time to just take the dive. Ballots have long been in and nothing as of late can influence the Academy’s nominations, so what will be on Thursday, in so many words, will be. What is Team HitFix thinking in the way of final predictions?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Final predictions for Best Cinematography, Makeup, Score, Song and Visual Effects
Posted by gerardkennedy · 12:16 pm · January 9th, 2014
Here we go again. A week from today, the nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards will be announced. Here at Tech Support, we’ve analyzed each of the 10 crafts categories, and interviewed several of the contenders. It’s now a waiting game with final calls to be made. Today, we take a final look at the fields of cinematography, music, makeup and hairstyling and visual effects.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Academy unveils official poster for 2014 Oscars
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:56 am · January 8th, 2014
The Academy has unveiled the official poster for the upcoming 86th annual Academy Awards. Front and center is Oscars host Ellen DeGeneres, who will be tackling emcee duties for the second time on March 2.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
SPC looks to keep 'Before Midnight's' awards hopes alive with New York and Santa Barbara trilogy showcases
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:00 am · December 23rd, 2013
Sony Pictures Classics is putting together a nice push in the lead-up to Oscar nominations on behalf of “Before Midnight” by spotlighting the film’s place in a trilogy of films that mark a true landmark progression for the medium.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Ellen DeGeneres says 'Here we go!' with euphoric new 2014 Oscars trailer
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 6:09 pm · December 19th, 2013
The Academy released its first official promo for the 86th Academy Awards directed by Paul Feig and featuring Ellen DeGeneres a ton of Hollywood’s best dancers
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Academy unveils new logo for the first time ever
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:18 pm · December 17th, 2013
For the first time in its history, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has created a visual identity for the organization with a logo.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Kristopher Tapley's top 10 films of 2013
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:30 am · December 16th, 2013
HitFix Editor-at-Large Kristopher Tapley runs down his top 10 films including “Out of the Furnace,” “Spring Breakers,” “The Place Beyond the Pines” and “Gravity.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
At least Alex Gibney got ONE of his docs to the next phase of Academy voting
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:47 am · December 3rd, 2013
The Academy has narrowed the field of 147 documentary feature contenders to 15, and the key omissions appear to be Alex Gibney’s “We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks,” Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s “After Tiller” and and Errol Morris’ “The Unknown Known,” among others.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: The Oscar season has never been so stuffed
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:07 pm · November 18th, 2013
Tons of events and a lot of great movies make this one to remember. I honestly didn’t know my iCal application could hold this many events.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Three for three: Directors who have dominated the Best Picture race
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:34 pm · November 14th, 2013
If “American Hustle,” “Inside Llewyn Davis” and “Nebraska” end up with Oscar nominations for Best Picture in January, then that means David O. Russell, the Coen brothers and Alexander Payne will enter the exclusive company of 11 other filmmakers who have directed three Best Picture nominees in a row.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Academy's animated shorts list includes Mickey Mouse, ninja lovers and… George Takei?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:10 pm · November 7th, 2013
The Academy has announced this year’s short list of Best Animated Short contenders, and as always, it’s a varied crop of tone, form and style.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
2014 Adapted and Original Screenplay Oscar Contenders: Most competitive year ever?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:49 am · November 5th, 2013
HitFix’s awards editorial team surveys this year’s list of adapted and original screenplay Oscar contenders. Indie hopefuls mingle with front-running juggernauts. Which writers will end up with nominations?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
19 animated features submitted for 2013 Oscar race
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:17 am · November 5th, 2013
The Academy has announced that 19 films have been submitted for consideration in this year’s Best Animated Feature Film race.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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