Another day, another regional critics group that dives full force into the “12 Years a Slave” tank. The film dominated the Phoenix Film Critics Society nominations today with 13 mentions. “Saving Mr. Banks” was a distant second nailing down nine, while “Gravity” picked up eight.
'12 Years a Slave' dominates Phoenix Film Critics Society nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:57 am · December 10th, 2013
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
From 'Best Man Holiday' to 'The Butler,' BFCA hails a banner year for black film
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:47 am · November 27th, 2013
It’s widely acknowledged that 2013 has been an exceptional year for black filmmakers and black-themed films, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association is acknowledging that with a “Celebration of Black Cinema” evening on January 7.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar race features 'Rush,' 'The Butler' and… 'Bad Grandpa?'
Posted by gerardkennedy · 4:31 pm · November 21st, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy surveys the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category, featuring contenders such as “Rush,” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “12 Years a Slave” and even a movie from the “Jackass” guys.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Could Alfonso Cuarón join James Cameron on an exclusive list of editors?
Posted by gerardkennedy · 1:47 pm · November 14th, 2013
HitFix’s Gerard Kennedy plugs away on another installment of Tech Support, this week surveying the category of Best Film Editing. Is Alfonso Cuarón set to join some exclusive company?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oprah Winfrey to receive Santa Barbara fest's Montecito Award
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:10 am · November 12th, 2013
It almost seems too perfect for the Santa Barbara Film Festival to recognize “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” star Oprah Winfrey with the annual Montecito Award this year. Winfrey lives in Montecito and doesn’t offer up too many chances for film awards lately, so festival director Roger Durling and company have struck while the iron is hot.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: Best Original Song Oscar race heats up with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:01 pm · November 7th, 2013
We’re a little ways off yet from the Academy unveiling its long list of eligible contenders in the Best Original Song Oscar race. But in the meantime, and particularly since we finally started populating the category’s Contenders section with entrants in the last week or so, it doesn’t hurt to put a finger to the wind and see what’s what.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Tech Support: The production designers go it alone this year
Posted by gerardkennedy · 12:18 pm · October 31st, 2013
This year’s race for Best Production Design is a little different in that the costumers have split off and formed their own branch. How will that affect the race? From this vantage point, films like “12 Years a Slave,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Inside Llewyn Davis” seem formidable.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Forest Whitaker scores an early Oscar season honor
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:30 am · October 25th, 2013
Forest Whitaker, star of “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and a ubiquitous figure in this year’s movie awards season, has been tapped by the Santa Barbara Film Festival for the annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film. Previous recipients include Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, John Travolta
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: How do this year's Oscar hopefuls reflect the zeitgeist?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:55 am · October 14th, 2013
We’ve weighed the contenders and early declarations have been made. The whisper campaigns and casual takedowns have begun with no real (comfortable) frontrunner to emerge for a while yet. But as we look out over this year’s Oscar contending crop, what does it have to say about where and who we are?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Jane Fonda to receive AFI Life Achievement Award
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:50 am · October 4th, 2013
The two-time Oscar winner will receive the award in June 2014.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Contender Countdown: Turmoil in the Best Picture race?
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 12:52 am · October 3rd, 2013
The latest contender countdown looks at a dramatic week in Hollywood that saw films pushed, layoffs, a scary changeover for a legendary label and more.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Weinstein moves 'Grace of Monaco' with Nicole Kidman to 2014
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:22 pm · September 23rd, 2013
Well, Harvey Weinstein probably needed to thin things out a bit on this year’s slate and now, after being rumored for a little while now, “Grace of Monaco” has been moved to 2014.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar Talk: Venice/Telluride/Toronto wrap
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:12 am · September 20th, 2013
In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the just-wrapped early fall fest circuit. What landed at Venice, Telluride and Toronto and shows promise in the season? Also, this year’s Honorary Oscar recipients have been revealed.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Putting the brakes on '12 Years a Slave'
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:13 am · September 16th, 2013
Also: Is the film made to engender white guilt?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Contender Countdown: It's already hard out there for a best picture player
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 5:25 pm · September 12th, 2013
The sniping and backstabbing has already begun, but has it affected the best picture race at all? Plus: A brand new feature. Rank the top 10 contenders as you see them.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Lee Daniels' The Butler' takes less crowded original screenplay path under 'inspired by' classification
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:34 pm · September 11th, 2013
The WGA agrees, but will the Academy? Remember ‘Syriana?’
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Matthew McConaughey bursts into crowded Best Actor field with career-best 'Dallas Buyers Club' portrayal
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:42 am · September 10th, 2013
Matthew McConaughey gives his best performance to date in “Dallas Buyers Club,” but he enters a Best Actor conversation that is already in full swing and stuffed with strong contenders. Where’s the wiggle room?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Contender Countdown: 'Gravity' and '12 Years A Slave' storm out of the gate
Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 9:55 pm · September 4th, 2013
Awards season is on and “Gravity” and “12 Years A Slave” lead the Best Picture race – right now – in this week’s contender countdown.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Archives