Roundup: What Nebraskans make of 'Nebraska'

Posted by · 5:46 am · December 2nd, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, small-town Nebraskans are as divided as critics as to whether “Nebraska” is affectionate or condescending. Meanwhile, are Oscar voters getting in-flight exposure to “The Place Beyond the Pines?”

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Roundup: Ken Loach to be honored at Berlinale

Posted by · 4:27 am · November 29th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, veteran British social-realist filmmaker Ken Loach will receive the Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at next year’s Berlin Film Festival. Elsewhere, a critic wonders if Disney is at war with its own image.

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As Palm Springs honors Julia Roberts, why she's the MVP in 'August: Osage County'

Posted by · 11:30 am · November 22nd, 2013

The Palm Springs Film Festival is honouring “August: Osage County” star Julia Roberts with their Spotlight Award, traditionally presented to supporting standouts — but here’s why she’s not just a co-lead in the film, but its standout player.

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Roundup: Cinematographers come down on 3D

Posted by · 2:44 am · November 20th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, five cinematographers from some of the season’s top contenders chat candidly about a range of topics — including 3D, to which they’re mostly opposed. Meanwhile, Steve McQueen defends “12 Years a Slave” from critics who think it’s too pretty.

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George Clooney fills in for Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep at AFI gala

Posted by · 1:25 pm · November 9th, 2013

George Clooney fills in for Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep at the AFI gala for “August: Osage County” as we stop to reconsider the film’s Oscar prospects.

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Tech Support: Best Original Song Oscar race heats up with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé

Posted by · 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.

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Tech Support: The production designers go it alone this year

Posted by · 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.

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Oscar Talk: NYFF, Gotham nominations, awards contenders head for 2014

Posted by · 8:00 am · October 25th, 2013

In the latest edition of the Oscar Talk podcast, Kris Tapley and Anne Thompson look back at what the New York Film Festival added to the pile, consider the indie slate with the Gotham Awards nominees and ponder the exit of a few key titles to 2014.

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3 on 3: Who wins and who loses with the 'Monuments Men' move to 2014?

Posted by · 9:40 am · October 23rd, 2013

The Oscar race just got a bit less crowded, but what’s in it for the movie?

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Peter Berg's 'Lone Survivor' to premiere at AFI Fest

Posted by · 9:47 am · October 17th, 2013

AFI Fest has rounded out its 2013 slate with a list of special screenings, centerpiece gala additions and another world premiere.

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Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep get dysfunctional in new 'August: Osage County' poster

Posted by · 9:29 pm · October 15th, 2013

Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep have a dysfunctional moment in the new poster for “August: Osage County.”

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The Long Shot: Out but not down

Posted by · 7:00 pm · October 2nd, 2013

Plus: my first predictions of the season.

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Off the Carpet: Shapeshift

Posted by · 10:35 am · September 30th, 2013

What a difference a week makes…

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Roundup: Seeing red over 'Blue'

Posted by · 3:41 am · September 25th, 2013

Also: That wide-open Best Actor race, and the trouble with IMAX.

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Weinstein moves 'Grace of Monaco' with Nicole Kidman to 2014

Posted by · 4:22 pm · September 23rd, 2013

Well, Harvey Weinstein probably needed to thin things out a bit on this year’s slate and now, after being rumored for a little while now, “Grace of Monaco” has been moved to 2014.

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Oscar Talk: Venice/Telluride/Toronto wrap

Posted by · 8:12 am · September 20th, 2013

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the just-wrapped early fall fest circuit. What landed at Venice, Telluride and Toronto and shows promise in the season? Also, this year’s Honorary Oscar recipients have been revealed.

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Roundup: 2014's animation slate will be Pixar-free

Posted by · 3:46 am · September 19th, 2013

Also: The fear in ‘Blue Jasmine,’ and WikiLeaks takes on ‘The Fifth Estate’

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Contender Countdown: It's already hard out there for a best picture player

Posted by · 5:25 pm · September 12th, 2013

The sniping and backstabbing has already begun, but has it affected the best picture race at all? Plus: A brand new feature. Rank the top 10 contenders as you see them.

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