'12 Years,' 'Her' lead Central Ohio critics nominations

Posted by · 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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Nevada critics award '12 Years,' McConaughey, Streep

Posted by · 10:21 am · December 20th, 2013

The Nevada Film Critics Society has hopped on the “12 Years a Slave” bandwagon, awarding the film Best Film honors (though nothing else). Meanwhile, Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” picked up three prizes, including Best Director, while Meryl Streep landed her first prize of the year for her performance in “August: Osage County.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'12 Years a Slave' named best film of the year by Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Posted by · 1:32 pm · December 19th, 2013

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists has crowned “12 Years a Slave” the years Best Film and given Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor” a shellacking. The latter film “won” three awards: the AWFJ Hall Of Shame Award, the Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent award (Cameron Diaz) and the Movie You Wanted To Love But Just Couldn’t Award.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'12 Years a Slave,' McConaughey, Thompson get lucky with Las Vegas critics

Posted by · 11:30 am · December 18th, 2013

“12 Years a Slave” was the top choice of the Las Vegas Film Critics’ Society, taking five awards, including Best Picture and Director. “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Gravity” each took multiple wins.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Phoenix critics award '12 Years a Slave,' 'Gravity,' 'Frozen'

Posted by · 11:12 am · December 17th, 2013

After a some taste-testing elsewhere by some more regional critics, it’s back to the grind with another Best Picture win for “12 Years a Slave,” this time from the Phoenix Film Critics Society. The film won three awards, as did Disney’s “Frozen,” but Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” was a more dominant figure winning four, including Best Director.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'12 Years a Slave,' 'Gravity' tops with Dallas-Fort Worth critics

Posted by · 8:33 am · December 16th, 2013

“12 Years a Slave” and “Gravity” came out on top in the voting for the Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics Association Awards — though “Dallas Buyers Club,” obviously enough, got some love too.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'One year from now,' will we be talking about 'Interstellar' in the Oscar race?

Posted by · 10:17 am · December 14th, 2013

The teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan’s first foray into filmmaking with the “Dark Knight” trilogy firmly in his rear view mirror landed today, and it’s certainly a tease. But it also has something heavy on its mind. Will we be talking about it in Oscar terms this time next year?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Her' crowned best film of the year by San Diego Film Critics Society

Posted by · 11:09 am · December 11th, 2013

The San Diego Film Critics Society has just announced “Her” as the year’s best film. Spike Jonze’s latest picked up three awards total, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Score. “12 Years a Slave” led the way with Tuesday’s nominations announcement, but was ultimately shut out of the winning pool entirely. Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis”)and Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) won top acting honors, while Matthew McConaughey received a special prize for his body of work in 2013.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'American Hustle,' 'Short Term 12' lead Detroit critics nominations

Posted by · 11:14 am · December 9th, 2013

The Detroit Film Critics Society has announced nominations for 2013, and it’s not “12 Years a Slave” or “Her” or “Gravity” dominating the list, but indie “Short Term 12” and NYFCC winner “American Hustle,” with five nods apiece.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

The 2013-2014 Film Awards Circuit

Posted by · 10:12 am · December 9th, 2013

Welcome to the 2013-2014 Film Awards Circuit. In Contention will be tracking all the ups and downs of the season right here, from critics awards to industry kudos and more.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Is 'The Wolf of Wall Street' just what the doctor ordered this Oscar season?

Posted by · 1:20 am · December 1st, 2013

It almost feels like what the 2013 film awards season needs is a nice prestige-level dose of the outrageous, something bonkers, something to take the edge off. Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” is here to answer the call.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

The Long Shot: Independents' day

Posted by · 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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

McConaughey and Johansson win in Rome, as 'Her' campaign gathers pace

Posted by · 7:02 am · November 18th, 2013

The actress looks to become the first-ever Oscar nominee for a voice performance.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Jared Leto hopes the Focus legacy will live on with new regime after 'Dallas Buyers Club'

Posted by · 5:27 pm · November 17th, 2013

With “Dallas Buyers Club” registering as a final hurrah for the Focus Features we’ve known and loved for a decade, stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto reflected on the legacy’s

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: Why Ben Affleck loves 'Enough Said,' and more peer appreciation

Posted by · 4:01 am · November 14th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Variety gets a number of notable filmmakers to discuss work from their peers that they loved this year, including Ben Affleck on Nicole Holofcener’s “Enough Said.” Meanwhile, the NYFCC sets its voting date, and is Alexander Payne the king of the male weepie?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Matthew McConaughey's campaign keeps rolling with Palm Springs honor

Posted by · 2:45 pm · November 8th, 2013

Matthew McConaughey has been named one of the Desert Palm Award winners at next year’s Palm Springs Film Festival. It’s an honor that has a habit of going to actors on the verge of an Oscar nomination, as McConaughey is for “Dallas Buyers Club.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tell us what you thought of 'Dallas Buyers Club'

Posted by · 10:20 am · November 1st, 2013

Matthew McConaughey’s awards play hits theaters today.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Roundup: Bond producers honored by PGA

Posted by · 3:21 am · October 31st, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, James Bond franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson receive an honorary Producers’ Guild Award. Meanwhile, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto take their seats at the Hollywood Reporter’s actors’ roundtable, and ‘The Wire’ writer David Simon reflects on ’12 Years a Slave.’

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention