Previewing the 2014 WGA nominations

Posted by · 4:49 pm · January 2nd, 2014

Tomorrow brings the WGA nominations, with the unusual selection of ineligibilities that distinguish them from other Guild honors. So which films will benefit? We offer our predictions.

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Roundup: The screenplay Oscar conundrum

Posted by · 4:47 am · November 15th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Mark Harris considers the confusing categorizations in the Oscars’ screenplay races, and wonders if a third category is necessary. Also: Alfonso Cuaron regrets making “Great Expectations,” and a look at the value of a Cinemascore F.

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Oscar Guide 2013: Best Writing – Original Screenplay

Posted by · 6:30 am · February 16th, 2013

‘Amour,’ ‘Django Unchained,’ ‘Flight,’ ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ and ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ square off.

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Exclusive: 'Les Mis,' 'Django,' 'Beasts,' 'Amour' among 2012 scripts not eligible for WGA

Posted by · 5:05 pm · December 15th, 2012

Every year it’s worth noting that a number of the original and adapted screenplays in the hunt for Oscar consideration won’t get the extra bump of a nomination from the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Reasons for failing to qualify include the writer of the script not being a guild member or not retroactively handling the requisite process, among other things.

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2013 Best Screenplay Contenders: From 'Anna Karenina' to 'Zero Dark Thirty'

Posted by · 3:36 am · November 21st, 2012

Surveying the varied contenders across both the original and adapted races.

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Calling all original screenplay contenders

Posted by · 9:31 am · July 27th, 2012

As prestige adaptations crowd the fall slate, originals are thin on the ground, particularly when it comes to Oscar hopefuls.

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My favorite Oscar win: Pedro Almodóvar for 'Talk to Her'

Posted by · 4:18 pm · February 23rd, 2012

When Pedro Almodovar won Best Original Screenplay for his dark tale of misguided love, “Talk to Her,” it was the first foreign-language film to take the award in nearly 40 years — and among the strangest in any tongue. What came over the Academy?

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Oscar Guide 2011: Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

Posted by · 12:02 pm · February 2nd, 2012

Best Picture nominees “The Artist” and “Midnight in Paris” seem to be vying for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, but the other other nominees make for a pleasingly diverse and international field. We examine the field, saying who deserves to win, and who probably will.

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Predicting the 2011 WGA nominees

Posted by · 9:48 am · January 4th, 2012

Tomorrow the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announces its narrative feature and documentary nominees. Something to remember is that a number of this year’s Oscar-contending screenplays are ineligible for the award due to membership or signatory issues, meaning this is just an opportunity for other films that wouldn’t normally have much room to get into the awards conversation.

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Does Sony have bigger Oscar plans for 'A Separation' and 'In Darkness'?

Posted by · 2:28 pm · October 3rd, 2011

Best Foreign Language Film contenders are frequently content to wait until after the nominations to open in US theaters; however, Sony Pictures Classics has scheduled heavyweight contenders ‘A Separation’ and ‘In Darkness’ for December openings, suggesting they may have other Oscar categories in mind.

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