The nominees are in and the surprises are few and far between, in my opinion (though others seem to be picking their jaws up off the floor this morning). As indicated yesterday, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” caught fire with voters down the stretch and was very much on their lips. The film turned up in the nine-film Best Picture category today, despite being critically disassembled, and that was pretty much the only eyebrow-raiser of the major categories. The film only showed up in one other category: Best Supporting Actor for Max von Sydow.
'Hugo' leads with 11 Oscar nominations, 'War Horse' in, 'Dragon Tattoo' out
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:15 am · January 24th, 2012
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Still in the dark: final Oscar nominee predictions
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:04 pm · January 22nd, 2012
Guy Lodge reveals his final predictions for Tuesday’s Oscar nominations, and addresses some of his key uncertainties across the categories.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Rhapsody in tweed: on the costumes of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 11:20 am · January 17th, 2012
BAFTA voters overruled their own costume branch by handing a Best Costume Design nomination to the soberly colored men’s suits of “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” — and they were right to do so.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Round-up: The underperforming Sundance class of 2011
Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:24 am · January 17th, 2012
Also: Luhrmann on ‘Gatsby’ in 3D, and Elton vs. Madonna
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: As the music stops, fringe hopefuls cross their fingers
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:33 am · January 16th, 2012
As of Friday, phase one of this year’s Oscar season has drawn to a close. Ballots were due by 5pm and it’s pencils down, the music has stopped, whatever metaphor you want to apply. And the period of December 27 – January 13 was crucial for films looking to grab a last-minute foothold and those hoping to maintain dominance alike.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michelle Williams and more turn out for Palm Springs awards gala
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:05 am · January 8th, 2012
I’ve never attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. It’s a key stop along the Oscar trail his time of year, very competitive with the Santa Barbara Film Festival. The two duke it out for honorees, one reticent to honor talent that the other has chalked up for an award. Which is obviously silly. But it seemed time to give it a go.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Gary Oldman to receive career retrospective at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood
Posted by Roth Cornet · 4:19 pm · December 27th, 2011
The Arclight Hollywood announced today that it will host a six-film retrospective of of character portraits featuring “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” star Gary Oldman.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Gary Oldman: Unsung hero or international star?
Posted by Roth Cornet · 1:21 pm · December 16th, 2011
In a bit of comforting news for both Gary Oldman and his frustrated supporters, the Palm Springs International Film Festival will present the actor with the International Star Award.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Tree of Life' leads Chicago film critics nods
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:56 am · December 16th, 2011
The Chicago Film Critics Association has announced its list of nominees this year, and it’s full of the usual. But most interesting is that “The Tree of Life” star Hunter McCracken has finally received some attention.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tell us what you thought of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:27 am · December 11th, 2011
The film hits theaters this weekend.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Interview: Gary Oldman on easing into his solo in 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:38 am · December 7th, 2011
Gary Oldman is well-known for being a part of ensembles, and often standing out amid them. This year, however, he finds himself fronting one, and with a subdued, internalized performance, at that. He talks about his work on “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” which could bring him his first-ever Oscar nomination.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews
The Lists: Top 10 Gary Oldman performances
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:51 am · December 6th, 2011
Gary Oldman has settled into pimps and dwarfs, rednecks and clergymen, kingpins and gangster pawns, punk rockers and classical musicians, crooked cops and noble detectives, political villains and Gothic monsters with equal aplomb. The performances are varied and lived-in. With “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” heading to theaters, we use it as an excuse to count down the best of them.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscarweb Round-up: Scorsese to be honored with BFCA's music in film award
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:35 am · December 6th, 2011
In today’ round-up, Martin Scorsese has been tapped by the BFCA to receive the Music+Film Award, Wim Wenders talks “Pina” and “The Muppets” gets accused of brainwashing.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Gary Oldman on investigating, and becoming, Lee Harvey Oswald in Oliver Stone's 'JFK'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:27 pm · December 5th, 2011
Fifteen minutes really isn’t enough time with a guy like Gary Oldman. I’m sorry, not for me. Only a douche bag would complain about ANY time with Gary Oldman, of course. I’m aware of the navel-gazing. But someone that good, that many times out, and in that many different ways just kind of demands a laundry list of queries per film.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Focus Features has a big night at the Gothams
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:16 pm · November 28th, 2011
The Gotham Awards were held this evening in New York and… it’s a tie for Best Feature!
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
OSCAR TALK: Ep. 68 — 'J. Edgar' and 'Young Adult' finally come out to play
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:03 am · November 4th, 2011
In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the AFI Fest premiere of Clint Eastwood’s “J. Edgar,” the pop-up screening strategy of “Young Adult” and “War Horse” and the British Independent Film Award nominations, among other things.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
The Long Shot: Let England shake
Posted by Guy Lodge · 11:38 am · November 2nd, 2011
In this week’s Oscar-themed column, I discuss the tricky outlook for Britain’s hard-edged Oscar hopefuls, and update my nomination predictions.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Shame,' 'Tinker, Tailor' and 'Tyrannosaur' lead BIFA nods
Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:36 am · October 31st, 2011
Oscar hopefuls ‘Shame’ and ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” — as well as the less starry indie “Tyrannosaur” — lead the British Independent Film Award nominations with seven nods apiece. “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and “Kill List,” each with six, are close behind.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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