'The Book Thief' tries to escape its Oscar bait trappings

Posted by · 4:06 pm · November 8th, 2013

Geoffrey Rush, Sophie Nelisse, Brian Percival and Markus Zusak discuss the new WWII drama “The Book Thief.” A well intentioned movie that can’t escape its Oscar bait trappings.

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Fox's potential awards sleeper 'The Book Thief' gets a trailer

Posted by · 9:20 am · August 21st, 2013

Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush and young Sophie NĂ©lisse star in the WWII drama.

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Fox quietly positions 'The Book Thief' from 'Downton Abbey' director in the middle of awards season

Posted by · 7:07 am · August 10th, 2013

The Holocaust drama starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and 12-year-old lead actress has been quietly positioned in the midst of the Oscar fray and could be another player for the studio.

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Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse' gallops into the Oscar season

Posted by · 10:40 am · November 25th, 2011

Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse” has finally started screening in earnest, so having had a look, it’s time to gauge its Oscar potential.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Altair and Ezio find a home at Sony

Posted by · 7:07 am · October 21st, 2011

In today’s round-up, the film rights for “Assassin’s Creed” land at Sony, the “Martha Marcy May Marlene” crew makes the press rounds and Jude Law sticks up for investigative journalists — despite playing the worst of their kind in “Contagion.”

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The Lists: Top 10 debut performances of all time

Posted by · 11:14 am · October 18th, 2011

Hunter McCracken and Elizabeth Olsen give amazing performances in “The Tree of Life” and “Martha Marcy May Marlene” respectively this year. And in each case, it was their first at-bat. We use the occasion to look at the best debut performances, including work from Tatum O’Neal, Edward Norton and Natalie Portman.

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Redgrave and the ladies of 'The Help' lead the conversation on Best Supporting Actress

Posted by · 9:51 am · October 17th, 2011

Rounding out four weeks of performance analysis this week, we turn to Best Adapted Screenplay. Contenders include Vanessa Redgrave, Octavia Spencer, the ubiquitous Jessica Chastain and Shailene Woodley, among others.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Will Czech entry 'Alois Nebel' qualify as animated and boost the field?

Posted by · 7:08 am · October 13th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Czech foreign film entry “Alois Nebel” declares intentions to submit for animated feature consideration, “Martha Marcy May Marlene” star Elizabeth Olsen is ready for her close-up and Alexander Payne sets out to cast the HELL out of his latest film, “Nebraska.”

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Off the Carpet: Streep and Davis head up a tight but lacking pack of Best Actress contenders

Posted by · 12:09 pm · October 10th, 2011

Moving on to the lead actress contenders today, we dig in on who’s looking good, who’s lacking and who could spoil.

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Emily Watson returns to the spotlight in 'Oranges and Sunshine'

Posted by · 2:21 am · September 29th, 2011

After something of a career lull in recent years, Emily Watson is enjoying a strong 2011. With an appearance in Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse” on the horizon, a lead role in British heart-tugger “Oranges and Sunshine” could land the actress her third Oscar nod.

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