We’re in the home stretch with votes being tallied and the line-up of nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards being readied. We’ll know what’s what on Thursday, bright and early, as will those who find themselves in this very competitive race.
Off the Carpet: Final thoughts on Oscar season's competitive first phase
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:26 am · January 13th, 2014
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Butler' leads film nominees at NAACP Image Awards
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:19 am · January 10th, 2014
In a banner year for black-themed cinema, the NAACP Image Awards had more prestige films than usual to choose from this year, with “The Butler,” “12 Years a Slave” and “Fruitvale Station” all up for gold.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: Will Harvey have his first Oscar off-year since 2007?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:08 pm · January 6th, 2014
Harvey Weinstein has had a heck of a Best Picture run since getting the Weinstein Company’s engine revved in 2008 with “The Reader.” But does all of that look to come to an end with 2013’s slate?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Forest Whitaker reflects on an amazing year at Santa Barbara Kirk Douglas Award fete
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:44 pm · January 5th, 2014
As Forest Whitaker transitioned into 2014 last week, there was certainly plenty for the actor to reflect upon. He stretched himself considerably in 2013 and was a perfect choice for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 8th annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence, which was presented at a fundraising dinner in advance of the fest Sunday night.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'12 Years,' 'Her' lead Central Ohio critics nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:40 am · December 29th, 2013
As the year ticks to a close, the Central Ohio Film Critics Association has collectively spoken up with its list of nominees, and “12 Years a Slave” led the way with nine mentions. “Her” was a few steps behind with seven. Actors recognized for superlative bodies of work in 2013 include Amy Adams, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jennifer Lawrence.
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The best performances of 2013
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:15 pm · December 27th, 2013
HitFix’s Kristopher Tapley takes a deep dive into the year’s best performances, from Oscar Isaac to Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson to Leonardo DiCaprio.
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'12 Years a Slave' tops with San Francisco critics, but 'Gravity' wins four
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:12 pm · December 15th, 2013
Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” was a big favorite with the San Francisco Film Critics Circle this year, picking up four awards from the group including Best Director. But it was “12 Years a Slave” that the group named Best Picture of the year. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cate Blanchet took top acting honors, while James Franco nabbed his second prize of the critics circuit. “American Hustle” won two awards, for Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Best Original Screenplay.
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'Fruitvale Station' to receive PGA's Stanley Kramer Award
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:29 am · December 13th, 2013
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced that Ryan Coogler’s Sundance sensation “Fruitvale Station” will be the recipients of this year’s Stanley Kramer Award.
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AFI Awards selections include 'Fruitvale Station,' 'Saving Mr. Banks' and 'The Wolf of Wall Street'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:26 am · December 9th, 2013
The American Film Institute has announced AFI Awards official selections for outstanding motion pictures and television programs this year. And on the film side — which, remember, is limited to American productions — the year is well-represented with top tier studio and indie productions highlighted.
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'12 Years a Slave,' 'Nebraska' and 'Her' lead the way with St. Louis critics nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:34 am · December 9th, 2013
Steve McQueen’s slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” led another batch of nominees today with the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, but Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” and Spike Jonze’s “Her” scored large tallies, too. All three were nominated for Best Film along with “American Hustle” and “Gravity.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Women Film Critics Circle falls for 'Augustine,' 'Enough Said' and 'Winnie Mandela'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:26 am · December 9th, 2013
The Women Film Critics Circle has spoken up and, as ever, offered some interesting color in a precursor circuit that seems to be all about a few particular names. This is certainly an opinionated and thorough list of contenders. “Augustine,” “Enough Said” and “Winnie Mandela” led the way with mentions, though “Mother of George,” “Philomena” and “Hannah Arendt” were favorites as well.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Santa Barbara fest taps seven break-out 2013 'Virtuosos'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:34 pm · December 8th, 2013
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has as of late extended its role call of “Virtuosos” Award winners, an annual tip of the hat to a given year’s stand-out performers not honored elsewhere in its tribute program. And this year’s line-up is as exemplary as ever.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
New York Film Critics Online award '12 Years a Slave,' Cuarón, Ejiofor
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:33 pm · December 8th, 2013
The New York Film Critics Online also jumped into the fun on a very busy day for the precursor circuit by handing “12 Years a Slave” its Best Picture award. “Gravity” helmer Alfonso Cuarón took Best Director while acting honors went to Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o: the consensus quartet at this stage, I think it’s safe to say. Check out the full list of winners below.
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'12 Years a Slave' leads with Houston film critics nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:52 pm · December 8th, 2013
The Houston Film Critics Society has announced its list of nominees for 2013, and “12 Years a Slave” leads the way with eight nominations. The slate is full of the usual, though there were unique notices for “The Hunt” (Best Actor) and “Man of Steel” (Best Original Score).
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Her' named best film of 2013 by National Board of Review
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:38 am · December 4th, 2013
Make it a second film in as many days that I had pretty much figured out of the Academy’s likely grasp that has been given a big boost on the precursor circuit. After the New York Film Critics Circle named David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” the year’s best film yesterday, the New York-based National Board of Review has chimed in today by naming Spiike Jonze’s “Her” the top film of 2013. The group also gave Jonze the Best Director prize.
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'American Hustle' wins big with New York Film Critics Circle
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:51 am · December 3rd, 2013
David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” was crowned the best film of 2013 today by the New York Film Critics Circle, capping off a nearly five-hour vote and marking the first critics awards announcement of the year. The film also received wins for Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Best Screenplay.
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Exclusive: '12 Years,' 'Rush' and 'Mandela' among 2013 films not eligible for WGA Awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:19 am · December 3rd, 2013
John Ridley’s adaptation of the trials and tribulations of former slave Solomon Northup, Peter Morgan’s account of James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s Formula One racing rivalry and Ryan Coogler’s testament to the tragically short life of Bay Area father Oscar Grant are just a handful of screenplays that won’t be eligible for nominations from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) this year, HitFix has learned.
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The Long Shot: Independents' day
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:52 pm · November 27th, 2013
Yesterday’s Independent Spirit Award nominations featured a number of films firmly in the hunt for Oscar glory — a crossover that has become standard in recent years. In his weekly awards column, Guy Lodge wonders if other independent cinema is getting short-changed.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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