Round-up: The Super Bowl's crystal ball

Posted by · 6:45 am · February 6th, 2012

Also: R.I.P. Ben Gazzara, and Iranian backlash to ‘A Separation’

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Round-up: Paying tribute to Damien Bona

Posted by · 8:30 am · February 2nd, 2012

Also: Farewell to paper Oscar ballots, and rechristening the Kodak

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Breaking Oscar's biopic addiction

Posted by · 4:15 pm · January 31st, 2012

If the results of Sunday’s SAG Awards are repeated at the Oscars, it’ll be the first time since 1997 that all four acting awards go to actors playing fictitious characters. Are voters slowly getting more resistant to biopics?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Round-up: Madge's vote for Malick

Posted by · 6:30 am · January 31st, 2012

Also: In praise of Viola Davis, and J.Lo and Uggie added to Oscar bill

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Round-up: Sundance tames the 'Beasts'

Posted by · 8:20 am · January 30th, 2012

Also: Jean Dujardin sings, and the ‘post-macho world’ of ‘The Descendants’

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Help' wins big at the SAG Awards

Posted by · 6:01 pm · January 29th, 2012

The 18th annual Screen Actors Guild went down tonight and added, well, nothing to the conversation.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Watch Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo and Uggie foul up in a blooper reel from 'The Artist'

Posted by · 12:43 pm · January 28th, 2012

A behind the scenes look at ‘The Artist’ serves as a reminder of the film’s charms, as well as the perplexing critical response.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

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

My dream Oscar ballot: part two

Posted by · 12:55 pm · January 22nd, 2012

Guy Lodge’s wishlist for Tuesday’s Oscar nominations continues with a look at the major categories. Films mentioned range from “Weekend” to “Drive” to “Bridesmaids.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

A night at the London Critics' Circle Awards

Posted by · 6:08 am · January 20th, 2012

“The Artist” was top dog at the London critics’ swanky black-tie bash last night, but there was plenty of love for “A Separation” and assorted British indies too.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist,' 'A Separation' and Anna Paquin/Meryl Streep win big with London film critics

Posted by · 12:36 pm · January 19th, 2012

The London Film Critics Circle (of which I’m a member) handed out its year-end kudos this evening, and “The Artist” was the big winner, taking awards for Film of the Year, Director of the Year and Actor of the Year.

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

Globe predictions: Plain sailing for 'The Artist,' but what about the dramas?

Posted by · 4:15 am · January 15th, 2012

“The Artist” is a lock to win at least two major awards in the musical/comedy categories at the Golden Globes tonight, but the drama race is a little murkier. We offer our thoughts on who will win, and who should.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michelle Williams and more turn out for Palm Springs awards gala

Posted by · 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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist' triumphs with Phoenix critics

Posted by · 8:22 pm · December 27th, 2011

After recently releasing a slate of nominees, the Phoenix Film Critics Society has named “The Artist” the best picture of the year, but I have to say, I was stopped dead in my tracks by this line of boast at the organization’s official site…

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

Women critics like 'The Help,' 'The Iron Lady' and 'The Whistleblower'

Posted by · 5:31 pm · December 20th, 2011

The Women Film Critic Circle has come out in strong favor of “The Help,” “The Iron Lady” and “The Whistleblower.” The association has made selections that feel generally in line with the films and performances one would imagine ought to be be highlighted in this year’s landscape. Though I will confess their choices are seasoned with one or two surprises.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention