Tech Support: Final predictions for Best Cinematography, Makeup, Score, Song and Visual Effects

Posted by · 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.

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'The Spectacular Now,' 'What Maisie Knew' join Oscar heavyweights in USC Scripter nods

Posted by · 8:30 am · January 9th, 2014

The USC Scripter Awards, which recognize both the screenwriters and original authors behind films adapted from published material, nominated Oscar favorites “12 Years a Slave,” “Captain Phillips” and “Philomena,” but also had a surprise up their sleeve.

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American Society of Cinematographers nominate 'The Grandmaster,' 'Gravity'

Posted by · 8:24 am · January 8th, 2014

A three-way tie makes for seven nominees for this year’s ASC Awards, including “Gravity,” “12 Years a Slave” and “The Grandmaster.”

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Is the newly British 'Gravity' the film to beat at the BAFTAs?

Posted by · 1:02 am · January 8th, 2014

With hefty nomination hauls for “American Hustle,” “12 Years a Slave” and “Gravity” — nominated as a British film — the UK’s top film awards again reflect the Oscar race, with a few key exceptions.

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'Gravity' leads BAFTA nods, '12 Years a Slave' and 'American Hustle' close behind

Posted by · 10:47 pm · January 7th, 2014

The BAFTA nominations, as expected, delivered plenty of good news for “Gravity,” “12 Years a Slave” and “American Hustle,” but “Dallas Buyers Club” was passed over.

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Predicting tomorrow's BAFTA nominations

Posted by · 12:30 pm · January 7th, 2014

Guy Lodge offers his predictions for tomorrow’s BAFTA nominations. ’12 Years a Slave’ will dominate, but should we be looking out for ‘Philomena?’

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Hanks, McConaughey and more take stock of a great year for movies at Palm Springs awards gala

Posted by · 11:54 pm · January 4th, 2014

The 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala was held Saturday night and a wide array of stars came out to fete and be feted. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Jane Fonda, Matthew McConaughey, Gary Oldman, U2’s Bono, Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep were just a few on hand as the Oscar season dived headlong into the new year.

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'Dallas Buyers Club,' 'Lone Survivor,' 'Wolf of Wall Street' land WGA nominations

Posted by · 9:09 am · January 3rd, 2014

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced this year’s list of narrative and documentary feature screenplay nominees, and given the wave of ineligibilities, which included such Oscar players as “12 Years a Slave,” “Philomena” and “Fruitvale Station,” it was a much smaller crop for the guild to choose from.

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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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'American Hustle,' 'Gravity' and '12 Years a Slave' earn PGA nods

Posted by · 9:03 am · January 2nd, 2014

The Producers Guild of America announced the 10 nominees for theatrical picture and animated picture today for the upcoming 25th PGA Awards and familiar names such as “American Hustle,” “Gravity,” “12 Years A Slave,” “The Croods” and “Frozen” made the cut.

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'12 Years a Slave' leads London critics' nods, Gary Oldman receives career honor

Posted by · 2:59 am · December 17th, 2013

The London Film Critics’ Circle shares their US counterparts’ enthusiasm for “12 Years a Slave,” but almost mixed things up a bit, with the likes of “Frances Ha” and “The Great Beauty” up for the top prize. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman will receive the group’s annual Dilys Powell Award for contribution to cinema.

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Tom Hanks joins Palm Springs fest's starry list of honorees

Posted by · 3:00 pm · December 16th, 2013

Tom Hanks will receive the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs festival for his work in “Captain Phillips” and “Saving Mr. Banks,” making him the latest A-lister to join the fest’s awards gala. Others include Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey.

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Indiana film critics board the '12 Years' bandwagon

Posted by · 8:33 am · December 16th, 2013

The Indiana Film Journalists Association has hopped onto the runaway “12 Years a Slave” train, ticking the film off for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Musical Score awards today. But they provided a little more intrigue in other acting categories, giving prizes to Adèle Exarchopoulos and Barkhad Abdi, and a runner-up tip of the cap to “American Hustle” star Jeremy Renner (his first mention of the season).

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'American Hustle' and '12 Years a Slave' lead Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations

Posted by · 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.

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Roundup: Why an Oscar for James Franco is no laughing matter

Posted by · 3:45 am · December 16th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, James Franco speaks in defence of his and A24’s playful awards campaign for “Spring Breakers,” which is bearing fruit with the critics. Meanwhile, who has the best ‘do in “American Hustle?”

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Tech Support: John Williams, Arcade Fire and Hans Zimmer (x2) duke it out for Best Original Score

Posted by · 9:32 pm · December 12th, 2013

Earlier today the list of eligible original score contenders was revealed by the Academy, so consider it great timing as we focus on the category today in our final craft category analysis of the season.

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'Philomena' and 'Rush' spark with Globe nominations, but no room for Oprah

Posted by · 7:02 am · December 12th, 2013

Coming into today’s Golden Globes nominations announcement, we knew “Philomena” and “Rush” had gone over well with the HFPA. We knew “August: Osage County” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” had not. Their fates were sealed, but it’s “American Hustle” that surprised with a near field-leading showing.

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The best ensembles of 2013

Posted by · 12:36 pm · December 11th, 2013

With the Screen Actors Guild having spoken on the year’s ensemble work, we’re reminded that 2013 was an exemplary year for great cast performances. HitFix’s Kristopher Tapley offers up his 11 best.

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