The Long Shot: Fade away and radiate

Posted by · 1:50 pm · January 25th, 2012

This year’s Oscar nominations were not only kind to Hollywood’s old guard, but a number of films with their eye on the rear-view mirror.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Everything old is new again, and again

Posted by · 11:23 am · January 25th, 2012

Where is the line between manipulative and evocative, referential and derivative, or tributary and outright plagiaristic in the use of borrowed scores and imagery in cinema?

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Oscar Guide 2011: Best Art Direction

Posted by · 10:09 am · January 25th, 2012

The art directors ended up with a slate packed with Best Picture-contending films this year, the one outlier being the closing installment of a franchise that has been a perennial fixture of the category. Nostalgia rules the field, reflective of the thematic undercurrent at play throughout the season.

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Round-up: The incredible comeback of 'Extremely Loud'

Posted by · 8:11 am · January 25th, 2012

Also: R.I.P. Theo Angelopoulos, and Oscar nomination post-mortem

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In Contention's interviews with the nominees

Posted by · 3:04 pm · January 24th, 2012

Get to know this year’s contenders.

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Stuck in the middle with you: thoughts on the Oscar nominations

Posted by · 2:28 pm · January 24th, 2012

If it’s hard to settle on one emotional response to this year’s Academy Award nominations, that could be the result of the Academy’s own split instincts.

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Tech Support: 'The Artist,' 'Hugo,' 'Dragon Tattoo' and 'War Horse' feature heavily in Oscar's crafts categories

Posted by · 1:12 pm · January 24th, 2012

This morning, many crafts artists in Hollywood (and elsewhere in the world) found out that they are heading to the Kodak Theatre for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. The thrill they are experiencing must be difficult to describe.

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 79 — Special Edition! — Thoughts on the the 2011 Oscar nominations

Posted by · 12:14 pm · January 24th, 2012

In this week’s podcast Kris and Anne are joined by Guy Lodge to discuss this morning’s Oscar nominations and offer up predictions in each category.

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Paramount is bringing Oscar nominee ‘Rango’ back into theaters

Posted by · 9:49 am · January 24th, 2012

Paramount is giving audiences on more chance to saddle up and experience the little chameleon that could,
“Rango.”

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The Lists: Top 10 things we learned about the Academy today

Posted by · 9:13 am · January 24th, 2012

It’s been a busy morning. The nominees are out. About a thousand different variations of “it’s humbling and exciting” are coming through from the various contenders. And all eyes are fixing on February 26. But as we transition into phase two of the 2011-2012 film awards season, it’s worth it to pause and consider what we might have learned today.

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'Hugo' leads with 11 Oscar nominations, 'War Horse' in, 'Dragon Tattoo' out

Posted by · 4:15 am · January 24th, 2012

The nominees are in and the surprises are few and far between, in my opinion (though others seem to be picking their jaws up off the floor this morning). As indicated yesterday, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” caught fire with voters down the stretch and was very much on their lips. The film turned up in the nine-film Best Picture category today, despite being critically disassembled, and that was pretty much the only eyebrow-raiser of the major categories. The film only showed up in one other category: Best Supporting Actor for Max von Sydow.

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'A Separation' leads International Cinephile Society nods

Posted by · 5:02 pm · January 23rd, 2012

The International Conephile Society is made up of over 80 international journalists and film professionals, and that diversity is reflected in the nominations — “A Separation” tops the list with 10 nominations.

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Off the Carpet: Pencils down

Posted by · 10:31 am · January 23rd, 2012

Declaring final predictions in all categories.

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Does ‘Carnage’ confuse instinct with immaturity?

Posted by · 9:03 am · January 23rd, 2012

A recent interview highlights some of the flaws in “Carnage” and the stage play it is based on.

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Round-up: 'Twas the night before Oscar noms

Posted by · 8:51 am · January 23rd, 2012

Also: Spike Lee’s Sundance protest, and the craftwork of ‘Drive’

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My dream Oscar ballot: part two

Posted by · 12:55 pm · January 22nd, 2012

Guy Lodge’s wishlist for Tuesday’s Oscar nominations continues with a look at the major categories. Films mentioned range from “Weekend” to “Drive” to “Bridesmaids.”

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PGA voters ignore box office, reward 'The Artist' and 'Tintin'

Posted by · 1:57 am · January 22nd, 2012

Let’s just say that if you were expecting any film besides “The Artist” to triumph at the Producers’ Guild of America Awards, you clearly haven’t been paying attention. After dominating the critics’ awards and taking three Golden Globes, the French phenomenon had its first taste of Guild glory last night — solidly confirming its status […]

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My dream Oscar ballot: part one

Posted by · 1:00 pm · January 21st, 2012

With the Oscar nominations looming, I take a look at the films I’d most like to see recognized in crafts categories, ranging from “The Tree of Life” to “13 Assassins” to “Immortals.”

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