'Bridesmaids,' 'The Help' among films cited for AFI's 2011 top 10 list

Posted by · 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.

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'The Artist,' Scorsese, Pitt and Williams win top honors from Boston critics

Posted by · 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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Oscar Talk: Ep. 73 — Our top 10 films of 2011!

Posted by · 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.

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'The Artist' and George Clooney come out on top with D.C. critics

Posted by · 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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'The Artist' leads the way with 8 D.C. critics nods

Posted by · 5:09 pm · December 3rd, 2011

We’re in the midst of film awards madness as the second critics group of the year has designated its nominees for superlatives this season.

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'Artist,' 'Tinker,' 'Shame' and 'Marilyn' among contenders not eligible for WGA

Posted by · 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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'Hugo' leaps into the Best Picture race with National Board of Review win

Posted by · 11:17 am · December 1st, 2011

Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” has been tapped as the best film of the year by the National Board of Review. George Clooney took Best Actor honors for “The Descendants” and Tilda Swinton walked away with Best Actress for “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”

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Are you there, Fox? It's me, 'Margaret'

Posted by · 3:38 pm · November 30th, 2011

Kenneth Lonergan’s long-delayed sophomore “Margaret” has emerged from nightmarish post-production difficulties to emerge as one of the year’s very best films, but distributor Fox Searchlight isn’t even sending out awards screeners for the little-seen title. A critic-led online petition is hoping to change that.

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Film Independent spotlights the right stuff in Independent Spirit Award nominations

Posted by · 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.

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Off the Carpet: Critical condition

Posted by · 12:29 pm · November 28th, 2011

The Gotham Awards this evening and the NYFCC vote tomorrow signal the start of the precursor awards season. What needs a boost?

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Oscarweb Round-up: Predicting NYFCC

Posted by · 7:04 am · November 24th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Tom O’Neil surveys pundits for their NYFCC picks, Michael Phillips bravely calls “Raiders of the Lost Ark” overrated and Walter the Muppet talks his dream gig opposite hero Kermit the Frog.

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The Long Shot: Down on 'Descendants'

Posted by · 6:17 pm · November 23rd, 2011

Showered with critical praise, Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” is currently regarded as one of the frontrunners for Oscar glory — but is its obliviously compromised humanism what might really appeal to the Academy?

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Off the Carpet: Deep breath before the critics have their say

Posted by · 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.

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Oscarweb Round-up: HFPA don't need no stinkin' stars

Posted by · 7:10 am · November 21st, 2011

In today’s round-up, the HFPA assures it isn’t full of star-f***ers, Jason Reitman presides over a live reading of “The Apartment” and Warner Bros. takes a stab at bringin “Contagion” into the Best Original Screenplay conversation.

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Tell us what you thought of 'The Descendants'

Posted by · 8:42 am · November 18th, 2011

The film hits theaters this week.

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 70 — 'Tintin,' Governors Awards, 'Iron Lady' and Gervais back for more

Posted by · 7:59 am · November 18th, 2011

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin,” which closed AFI Fest last week, last weekend’s Governors Awards ceremony, Meryl Streep and “The Iron Lady,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” and much more.

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Oscarweb Round-up: THR and sexism

Posted by · 7:08 am · November 18th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Melissa Silverstein goes off on The Hollywood Reporter vis a vis sexism, Olivia Colman gets a nice profile and Cameron Crowe’s “We Bought a Zoo” will sneak early.

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The Lists: Top 10 George Clooney performances

Posted by · 6:36 pm · November 15th, 2011

With “The Ides of March” in theaters and “The Descendants” on the way, we take a look at George Clooney’s best work to date. Performances that made the cut include roles in “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Three Kings” and “Michael Clayton.”

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