Always a bit of a unique take on the year, the International Film Music Critics Association’s annual assessment of the year in movie and TV scores has brought with it, well, something different. And looking across the nominees, it’s two genre films — “Evil Dead” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” — that led the field with three specific nominations each. Though you could make it four for the former as composer Roque Baños was also nominated for Film Composer of the Year, alongside “Gravity” composer Steven Price, in fact, which would bring its total up to three as well.
'Evil Dead,' 'Gravity' and 'The Hobbit' lead film music critics nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:53 am · February 11th, 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
'Gravity' and '12 Years a Slave' lead MPSE Golden Reel Awards nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:29 am · January 15th, 2014
Nominations have been announced for the Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) 61st annual Golden Reel Awards, and it was “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave” that led the way with three nominations each.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Gravity' (what else?) leads the way with eight Visual Effects Society nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:11 am · January 14th, 2014
“Gravity” led the Visual Effects Society nominations announcement today with eight. “Pacific Rim” was a few steps behind with six while “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and “Iron Man 3” picked up five apiece.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Final predictions for Best Costume Design, Film Editing, Production Design and Sound
Posted by gerardkennedy · 3:54 pm · January 10th, 2014
We’re within a week of the big moment. Oscar nominations will be announced on Thursday next week and we’ll find out which films are the dominant forces throughout the Academy’s various craft categories. Yesterday HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy began final Tech Support analysis of the field with the categories of Best Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Original Song and Visual Effects. Today we round out the field with the rest.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: BAFTA voter slams his fellow 'sheep'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:43 am · January 10th, 2014
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, a BAFTA voter anonymously admonishes the group (himself included) for voting for frontrunners they haven’t seen. Also: Steve McQueen’s new TV project, and “American Hustle’s” J.Law problem.
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
Nevada critics award '12 Years,' McConaughey, Streep
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:21 am · December 20th, 2013
The Nevada Film Critics Society has hopped on the “12 Years a Slave” bandwagon, awarding the film Best Film honors (though nothing else). Meanwhile, Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” picked up three prizes, including Best Director, while Meryl Streep landed her first prize of the year for her performance in “August: Osage County.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'American Hustle' and '12 Years a Slave' lead Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:47 am · December 16th, 2013
“American Hustle” and “12 Years a Slave” led the way with this year’s Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominations with 13 apiece. David O. Russell’s Abscam comedy had the added benefit of padding in the comedy categories, however, a luxury “12 Years a Slave” couldn’t boast.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'American Hustle,' 'Bad Grandpa' and 'The Lone Ranger' among Oscar makeup and hairstyling finalists
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:08 pm · December 14th, 2013
The Academy has announced this year’s bake-off finalists for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar, and the big omissions appear to be Ron Howard’s “Rush” and Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” But the Jackass boys have cause for celebration!
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tell us what you thought of 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 9:43 am · December 13th, 2013
The second part of Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth hits screens today, and we want your thoughts. Does it match or exceed the bar set by “An Unexpected Journey” last year? Share your views and vote in our poll.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: 'American Hustle' ensemble gets Palm Springs honor
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:19 am · December 9th, 2013
In today’s roundup of online news and views, the evenly weighted ensemble of “American Hustle” will be honored at the Palm Spring Film Festival, while two Oscar winners were celebrated at last night’s Kennedy Center Honors.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Man of Steel' grounded by Best Visual Effects Oscar bake-off list
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:32 pm · December 5th, 2013
Sorry, it’s a little ridiculous that “Man of Steel” — I don’t care WHAT you think of the film otherwise — was left off the Academy’s list of seven bake-off finalists for Best Visual Effects. But these things are often about politics, and I imagine there was plenty of that at play here.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Space, music and the high seas clash in the race for Best Sound Mixing
Posted by gerardkennedy · 7:36 pm · November 28th, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy surveys the field of Best Sound Mixing, from “Gravity” to “Pacific Rim” to maybe even Disney’s animated musical “Frozen.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar race features 'Rush,' 'The Butler' and… 'Bad Grandpa?'
Posted by gerardkennedy · 4:31 pm · November 21st, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy surveys the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category, featuring contenders such as “Rush,” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “12 Years a Slave” and even a movie from the “Jackass” guys.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Peter Jackson honored by Producers' Guild for visual effects work
Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:58 pm · November 11th, 2013
Peter Jackson and his fellow director at Weta Digital, pioneering visual effects artist Joe Letteri, are being honored by the Producers’ Guild of America for their technological achievements. They will receive the anguard Award, previous presented to the likes of George Lucas and James Cameron.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Best Original Song Oscar race heats up with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:01 pm · November 7th, 2013
We’re a little ways off yet from the Academy unveiling its long list of eligible contenders in the Best Original Song Oscar race. But in the meantime, and particularly since we finally started populating the category’s Contenders section with entrants in the last week or so, it doesn’t hurt to put a finger to the wind and see what’s what.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: The production designers go it alone this year
Posted by gerardkennedy · 12:18 pm · October 31st, 2013
This year’s race for Best Production Design is a little different in that the costumers have split off and formed their own branch. How will that affect the race? From this vantage point, films like “12 Years a Slave,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Inside Llewyn Davis” seem formidable.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Archives