Dublin critics are over the moon for 'Gravity'

Posted by · 11:27 am · December 20th, 2013

“Gravity ” was the top choice of the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle, for whom “12 Years a Slave” was ineligible. An unusual range of runners-up, meanwhile, ranges from “What Maisie Knew” to Brady Corbet.

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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.

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Kristopher Tapley's top 10 films of 2013

Posted by · 10:30 am · December 16th, 2013

HitFix Editor-at-Large Kristopher Tapley runs down his top 10 films including “Out of the Furnace,” “Spring Breakers,” “The Place Beyond the Pines” and “Gravity.”

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'American Hustle' and '12 Years a Slave' lead Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations

Posted by · 7:47 am · December 16th, 2013

“American Hustle” and “12 Years a Slave” led the way with this year’s Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominations with 13 apiece. David O. Russell’s Abscam comedy had the added benefit of padding in the comedy categories, however, a luxury “12 Years a Slave” couldn’t boast.

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From 'All is Lost' to 'The Wolverine,' 114 films vying for the Best Original Score Oscar

Posted by · 3:49 pm · December 12th, 2013

The Academy today revealed the 114 films in contention for the Best Original Score Oscar. All the widely predicted contenders are present, but don’t look for “Frozen,” “Nebraska” or “The Lone Ranger.”

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The best ensembles of 2013

Posted by · 12:36 pm · December 11th, 2013

With the Screen Actors Guild having spoken on the year’s ensemble work, we’re reminded that 2013 was an exemplary year for great cast performances. HitFix’s Kristopher Tapley offers up his 11 best.

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Exclusive: 'Nebraska' score not submitted for Oscar consideration

Posted by · 6:32 pm · December 10th, 2013

Those who have seen Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” have likely taken plenty of pleasure in Mark Orton’s musical compositions in the film. But what you might not know is that the music is not original to the film.

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'12 Years a Slave' dominates Phoenix Film Critics Society nominations

Posted by · 10:57 am · December 10th, 2013

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.

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AFI Awards selections include 'Fruitvale Station,' 'Saving Mr. Banks' and 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

Posted by · 11:26 am · December 9th, 2013

The American Film Institute has announced AFI Awards official selections for outstanding motion pictures and television programs this year. And on the film side — which, remember, is limited to American productions — the year is well-represented with top tier studio and indie productions highlighted.

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Off the Carpet: The critics leave it wide open

Posted by · 10:21 am · December 9th, 2013

The chatter that has arisen in the wake of this initial precursor wave could have been predicted: it’s anyone’s game. New York, Los Angeles, Boston and other regional critics have had their say and there’s plenty of love being spread around so far.

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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.

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'12 Years a Slave,' 'Nebraska' and 'Her' lead the way with St. Louis critics nominations

Posted by · 9:34 am · December 9th, 2013

Steve McQueen’s slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” led another batch of nominees today with the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, but Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” and Spike Jonze’s “Her” scored large tallies, too. All three were nominated for Best Film along with “American Hustle” and “Gravity.”

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Santa Barbara fest taps seven break-out 2013 'Virtuosos'

Posted by · 5:34 pm · December 8th, 2013

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has as of late extended its role call of “Virtuosos” Award winners, an annual tip of the hat to a given year’s stand-out performers not honored elsewhere in its tribute program. And this year’s line-up is as exemplary as ever.

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'12 Years a Slave' leads with Houston film critics nominations

Posted by · 12:52 pm · December 8th, 2013

The Houston Film Critics Society has announced its list of nominees for 2013, and “12 Years a Slave” leads the way with eight nominations. The slate is full of the usual, though there were unique notices for “The Hunt” (Best Actor) and “Man of Steel” (Best Original Score).

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'Gravity' ties with 'Her' as LA critics' Best Picture winner

Posted by · 12:14 pm · December 8th, 2013

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association were in an indecisive mood today, as three categories ended in ties — most notably Best Picture, which was shared by two very different technological visions: “Gravity” and “Her.”

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'12 Years a Slave,' James Gandolfini win with Boston Society of Film Critics

Posted by · 11:58 am · December 8th, 2013

‘!2 Years a Slave’ was the big winner at today’s Boston Society of Film Critics vote, taking Best Picture, Director and Actor — while ‘Enough Said’ pulled two surprise wins.

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'Her' named best film of 2013 by National Board of Review

Posted by · 9:38 am · December 4th, 2013

Make it a second film in as many days that I had pretty much figured out of the Academy’s likely grasp that has been given a big boost on the precursor circuit. After the New York Film Critics Circle named David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” the year’s best film yesterday, the New York-based National Board of Review has chimed in today by naming Spiike Jonze’s “Her” the top film of 2013. The group also gave Jonze the Best Director prize.

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Off the Carpet: With the table set, the critics are ready to have their say

Posted by · 2:23 pm · December 2nd, 2013

“American Hustle” has screened. “The Wolf of Wall Street” has screened. All the cats are out of the bag, and just in time, too. Because the critics are about to have their say.

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