'Marilyn' and 'Tinker, Tailor' top embarrassing BAFTA longlists

Posted by · 5:28 am · January 6th, 2012

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and “My Week With Marilyn” lead the BAFTA longlists with 16 mentions apiece, setting both films up for multiple nominations on January 17. But the list of omissions is egregious.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Oklahoma critics march in step, spring for 'The Artist,' Clooney and Williams

Posted by · 3:11 pm · December 23rd, 2011

The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle has spoken up and added nothing to the precursor conversation, going with a slate of typical winners. Most annoying, they totally got their “Obviously Worst Film” and “Not-So-Obviously-Worst-Film” awards mixed, but whatever.

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

Interview: Kenneth Branagh on his 'dangerously obvious' casting in 'My Week with Marilyn'

Posted by · 10:43 pm · December 19th, 2011

Kenneth Branagh embraced what he describes as potentially “dangerously obvious” casting with his portrayal of Sir Laurence Olivier in “My Week with Marilyn.” Now with Golden Globe, SAG and BFCA nominations under his belt it would be somehow poetic if the actor/director were to take home the Best Supporting Actor statue for his depiction of the man who paved the road for much of the trajectory of his own career.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Off the Carpet: Setting the field with the precursors so far

Posted by · 11:41 am · December 19th, 2011

In just three weeks we’ve gone from zero to a hundred on the circuit as the film awards landscape has been sculpted into a bit of a consensus in these waning moments of 2011. Let’s see what that consensus appears to be.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Florida critics spring for 'Descendants,' Scorsese

Posted by · 9:11 am · December 19th, 2011

The Florida Film Critics Circle has tossed its hat into the over-stuffed precursor ring this year by picking “The Descendants” as the year’s best film. Martin Scorsese picked up the Best Director prize for “Hugo” while Michelle Williams continued a dominating streak by nabbing Best Actress.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Tree of Life' wins four awards from Chicago critics, including Best Picture

Posted by · 8:03 am · December 19th, 2011

After Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” led with seven nominations from the Chicago Film Critics Association, it seemed obvious the film was likely to win the group’s Best Picture award. But the film ended up walking away with four big wins in total.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Tree of Life' leads Chicago film critics nods

Posted by · 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.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Detroit critics go with 'The Artist,' Fassbender

Posted by · 7:47 am · December 16th, 2011

The Detroit Film Critics Society has joined the chorus of superlatives for “The Artist,” giving the film Best Picture and Best Director after it racked up five nominations from the group. “Take Shelter,” which led the nominees, only won as part of Jessica Chastain’s Breakthrough Artist award.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Toronto critics tap 'Tree of Life,' Terrence Malick

Posted by · 9:22 pm · December 13th, 2011

One more before you shut out the lights. The Toronto Film Critics Association has named “The Tree of Life” the best film of the year. The film’s director, Terrence Malick, was also awarded.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist' and 'Drive' lead with St. Louis critics

Posted by · 9:32 am · December 12th, 2011

The St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association has declared nominations this season, spreading the wealth from heavies like “The Artist” and “Drive” to obvious favorites like “Hanna” and “The Muppets.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist,' Scorsese, Pitt and Williams win top honors from Boston critics

Posted by · 11:29 am · December 11th, 2011

“The Artist” has won Best Picture from the Boston Society of Film Critics. “Hugo” and “Margaret” were close runners-up, and indeed, both looked like favorites throughout the vote until the last prize was handed out.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Octavia Spencer to receive Breakthrough Award at Palm Springs

Posted by · 9:09 am · December 8th, 2011

It’s never too late to be recognized as a “breakthrough performer”: 15 years after making her screen debut, “The Help” supporting star Octavia Spencer has been honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Springs festival.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

The Long Shot: Vehicle trouble

Posted by · 5:11 pm · December 7th, 2011

Many Oscar-watchers are describing this year’s Best Actress race as “weak,” a pejorative that has less to do with the fine performances in play than the iffy films many of them happen to find themselves in. But does it have to be that way?

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'The Artist' and George Clooney come out on top with D.C. critics

Posted by · 7:14 am · December 5th, 2011

The Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association has given its Best Picture prize to “The Artist,” after the film nailed down eight nominations from the organization over the weekend.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'Artist,' 'Tinker,' 'Shame' and 'Marilyn' among contenders not eligible for WGA

Posted by · 3:52 pm · December 2nd, 2011

As happens every year, a list of potential Oscar nominees is ineligible for WGA consideration due to a number of issues (signatory concerns, paperwork avoidance, etc.). This year, though, the list seems particularly long.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

The Lists: Top 10 films about the movie business

Posted by · 8:39 am · November 30th, 2011

With “The Artist,” “Hugo” and “My Week With Marilyn” all released this month, nostalgia for the old-fashioned nuts and bolts of moviemaking would appear to be one of the season’s dominant themes. We join in with 10 of the best films about the business, including the likes of “A Star is Born,” “Mulholland Drive” and “8½.”

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Michelle Williams, George Clooney, Michel Hazanavicius set for Palm Springs awards

Posted by · 10:04 pm · November 24th, 2011

Michelle Williams, George Clooney, “The Artist” director Michel Hazanavicius and more are set for Palm Springs honors, just another stop on the way to Oscar.

Continue reading »

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention