SBIFF raises the curtain on the 27th annual

Posted by · 8:44 pm · January 26th, 2012

The 27th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicked off tonight with the world premiere of Lawrence Kasdan’s “Darling Companion,” starring Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it down in time to catch it, but I’m here now and ready for a few days of awards season awareness.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Predicting Sunday's SAG Awards

Posted by · 5:29 pm · January 26th, 2012

We handicap the five film categories in the upcoming Screen Actors’ Guild Awards, which should in turn anticipate the Oscar race.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Iowa critics dig 'Descendants'

Posted by · 4:51 pm · January 19th, 2012

The Iowa Film Critics have joined and drowned in the on-going chorus of year-end kudos-dishers. Drowned-in because it’s all just a blur now. “The Descendants” came out on top, winning both Best Picture and Best Director. And there’s Melissa McCarthy, yet again.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist,' 'The Descendants' win big with Golden Globes (plus live blog)

Posted by · 12:27 pm · January 15th, 2012

Join us as we note the hits, misses and surprises of tonight’s Golden Globes ceremony.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Albert Nobbs,' 'Beginners' and 'Weekend' feature in Gay & Lesbian critics nominations

Posted by · 7:03 pm · January 10th, 2012

The Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association has announced its list of nominees this year, and out front with two mentions apiece were “Albert Nobbs,” “Beginners” and “Weekend.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Tree of Life,' Pitt, Streep win with Denver critics

Posted by · 1:23 pm · January 10th, 2012

“The Descendants” may have led the way with the Denver Film Critics Society’s nominations, but it was “The Tree of Life” that won the big prize. Still, Alexander Payne’s film won a field-leading three awards, for Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Ensemble.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist,' Malick come out on top with Vancouver film critics

Posted by · 8:55 am · January 10th, 2012

After leading with four nominations from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, Michel Hazanavicius’s “The Artist” has won Best Picture and Best Screenplay from the group. Meanwhile, David Cronenberg’s “A Dangerous Method” got some love in Canadian spotlight categories.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Alliance of Women Film Journalists go with 'The Artist,' Hazanavicius

Posted by · 8:37 am · January 10th, 2012

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists has revealed its list of winners in 30 (!) categories after announcing a slate of nominees recently. The big winner in the traditional categories was “The Artist,” which won Best PIcture and Best Director.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'War Horse,' Scorsese win with North Texas critics

Posted by · 3:33 pm · January 9th, 2012

The North Texas Film Critics Association (yep) has gotten together to announce this year’s list of winners. And it was “War Horse” that came out of top, with Martin Scorsese winning directing honors. No were to be found “The Artist.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Descendants,' Malick, Clooney and Dunst win with Kansas City critics

Posted by · 5:10 pm · January 8th, 2012

The Kansas City Film Critics Circle held its vote this evening and “The Descendants” was named the year’s best. I was somewhat confused that “Hugo” won an award designated for sci-fi/fantasy/horror films, though. How does that perception even happen?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Drive' wins with Central Ohio critics

Posted by · 7:33 am · January 6th, 2012

After “The Tree of Life” led the way with nominations from the Central Ohio Film Critics Association, it was “Drive” that took top honors, winning Best Picture and Best Director for Nicolas Winding Refn. Refn also won the Breakthrough Film Artist award.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Tree of Life,' Fassbender, Swinton win with Online critics

Posted by · 9:20 am · January 2nd, 2012

After releasing quite the agreeable slate of nominees last week, the Online Film Critics Society has awarded “The Tree of Life” its 2011 Best Picture prize. The film won five awards in total. Previously announced special awards go to Jessica Chastain and Martin Scorsese.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

First-Half FYC: Best Supporting Actor and Actress

Posted by · 3:32 pm · December 27th, 2011

With the Oscar race so skewed towards late-year releases, worthy contenders from films released between January and June often slip through the cracks. We highlight some standout supporting performances from 2011’s first half, including Christopher Plummer and two stars of “Bridesmaids.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Utah critics award 'Drive,' '50/50'

Posted by · 10:02 am · December 21st, 2011

The Utah Film Critics Association has chosen “Drive” as the Best Picture of the year. The film also won Best Supporting Actor for Albert Brooks and Best Cinematography. The group handed two awards to Jonathan Levine’s “50/50,” Best Actor for Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Best Original Screenplay.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Off the Carpet: Setting the field with the precursors so far

Posted by · 11:41 am · December 19th, 2011

In just three weeks we’ve gone from zero to a hundred on the circuit as the film awards landscape has been sculpted into a bit of a consensus in these waning moments of 2011. Let’s see what that consensus appears to be.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Southeastern film critics go for 'Descendants,' Scorsese, Clooney, Streep

Posted by · 8:47 am · December 19th, 2011

The Southeastern Film Critics Association has crowned “The Descendants” the year’s best film, but with no awards for “The Artist,” one wonders if the high on that film is subsiding.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Santa Barbara fest selects Christopher Plummer for Modern Master Award

Posted by · 9:47 am · December 16th, 2011

Christopher Plummer just received Best Supporting Actor nods from both the Golden Globes and SAG and has now added a third feather to his pre-Oscar cap. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced today that Plumber will receive the Modern Master Award at this years festival.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention