Michael Barker on 'bittersweet' nominations and watching Richard Linklater's career bloom

Posted by · 7:04 am · January 16th, 2014

It was a bittersweet morning for Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker. One one hand his company’s films “Before Midnight,” “Blue Jasmine” and “The Invisible Woman” combined for a total of five nominations, including a somewhat surprising bid for “Blue” supporting actress Sally Hawkins. On the other, it was a rare occasion where the indie distributor had no nominees in either the Best Documentary Feature or Best Foreign Language Film categories, and neither “Blue” nor “Midnight” was able to push into the Best Picture field.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Celebrities and colleagues turn out to honor film critic Roger Ebert at Chicago tribute

Posted by · 6:45 pm · April 11th, 2013

Hollywood and independent filmmakers, philanthropists and industry magnates, fellow critics and, yes, movie stars came together this evening in Chicago to pay tribute to the life of legendary film critic Roger Ebert, who passed away April 4 at the age of 70.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Interview: Michael Barker talks 'Midnight in Paris,' 'Take Shelter' and 20 years of Sony Classics

Posted by · 11:28 am · December 6th, 2011

Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker has seen a lot in his 20 years at that post. This year his company has a typically heavy slate of awards hopefuls, two of them — “Midnight in Paris” and “Take Shelter” — beginning to light up the awards circuit. He recently discussed as much with In Contention.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews