LAIKA, the Portland-based animation studio behind Oscar-nominated films like “Coraline,” “ParaNorman” and “The Boxtrolls,” has opened its archives for the first time ever for a limited auction of over 250 puppets, models, props and art.
LAIKA to auction 'Coraline,' 'ParaNorman' and 'Boxtrolls' puppets and more
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:21 pm · February 11th, 2015
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: What's the best worst Oscar moment?
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:20 am · February 14th, 2013
Also: Oscar-nominated screenwriters get political, and a look at two VFX hopefuls.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Roundup: Richard Linklater honored with surprise award at Berlinale
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:20 am · February 12th, 2013
Also: The Academy’s quirky Best Picture gallery, and R.I.P. Gerry Hambling
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Sam Fell and Chris Butler on the social commentary and hybrid tech of 'ParaNorman'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:12 pm · February 11th, 2013
The idea of what would become “ParaNorman” first came to Chris Butler 16 years ago. It was just the superficial spark of “how cool would it be to make a stop-motion zombie movie for kids?” But the more he mulled over the genre and why it had always been so compelling to him, the more he realized there was a thematic draw there.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews
LAIKA and Focus Features announce start of production on 'The Boxtrolls'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:09 am · February 7th, 2013
Focus Features is very much in he LAIKA business now, and after the success of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman,” the two are teaming up again on “The Boxtrolls.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar Guide 2013: Best Animated Feature Film
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:37 am · February 5th, 2013
‘Brave,’ ‘Frankenweenie,’ ‘ParaNorman,’ ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’ and ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ slug it out.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Wreck-It Ralph' wins big at 40th Annie Awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:57 pm · February 2nd, 2013
This year’s Annie Awards did a nice job of spreading out the wealth. “Brave,” “ParaNorman” and “Rise of the Guardians” all won multiple prizes. Indeed, the one film that seemed snubbed throughout was Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie.” But it was “Wreck-It Ralph” that ended up with the most prizes, including the award for Best Animated Feature.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Argo' wins with Denver film critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:04 am · January 8th, 2013
Back and forth between “Argo” and “Zero Dark Thirty” as the former has claimed another Best Picture prize, this time from the Denver Film Critics Society. Ben Affleck also took Best Director, while the acting categories followed the template: Daniel Day-Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Anne Hathaway.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Hobbit,' 'Avengers' and 'Life of Pi' lead Visual Effects Society nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:52 am · January 7th, 2013
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” picked up seven nominations from the Visual Effects Society. “The Avengers” and “Life of Pi” weren’t far behind with six each.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Online Film Critics Society goes with 'Argo,' PTA
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:14 am · January 7th, 2013
The Online Film Critics have jumped on the increasingly-strong “Argo” bandwagon and handed the film its Best Picture prize for 2012. Paul Thomas Anderson nabbed Best Director after his film, “The Master,” led the way with nominations. Philip Seymour Hoffman was also recognized for his work in the film. Daniel Day-Lewis and Jessica Chastain won top acting honors and Anne Hathaway picked up yet another prize for her performance in “Les Misérables.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Moonrise Kingdom' wins big with Central Ohio film critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:55 pm · January 3rd, 2013
Finally someone would like to shake things up a little bit again. The Central Ohio Film Critics Association has chosen Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” as the year’s best film, and not only that, but given it five awards, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Score and Best Ensemble. Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor for “Lincoln” while Jennifer Lawrence took Best Actress for “Silver Linings Playbook.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Skyfall' joins indies 'Beasts' and 'Moonrise' on list of PGA nominees
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:37 pm · January 2nd, 2013
The nominees for this year’s PGA Awards have been announced.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Oscar Talk: Ep. 100 — Looking back, from 'Hurt Locker' to 'Zero Dark Thirty'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:00 am · December 21st, 2012
In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne celebrate their 100th episode by looking back at the show that started them all. They also discuss the ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ controversy and dig in on Best Animated Feature Film.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Utah critics award 'Zero Dark Thirty,' Wes Anderson
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:33 am · December 21st, 2012
The Utah Film Critics Association has announced its 2012 winners, and, big surprise, “Zero Dark Thirty” took top honors. But the group went in a couple of different directions elsewhere, tapping Dwight Henry for Best Supporting Actor, Wes Anderson for Best Director and “Indie Game: The Movie” for best doc.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Lincoln' finally wins a critics award for Best Picture, from Dallas-Ft. Worth
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:26 am · December 18th, 2012
After sitting idly by and watching films like “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Argo” reap most of the critics’ Best Picture awards, Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” finally has one of its own, from the Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association. The film won Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress in addition to Best Picture, but fell to Kathryn Bigelow in the Best Director category.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Zero Dark Thirty,' 'The Master' win big with Chicago film critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:27 am · December 17th, 2012
Another swift turnaround from nominations, as the Chicaco Film Critics Association has joined the chorus of “Zero Dark Thirty” supporters. The film won five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. “The Master,” meanwhile, won four, for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Score.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'The Master,' Bigelow, Phoenix, Riva win San Francisco Film Critics Circle awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:16 pm · December 16th, 2012
The San Francisco Film Critics Circle has joined the game, and the bandwagon for Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master,” handing the film Best Picture and Best Actor honors. Kathryn Bigelow won Best Director for “Zero Dark Thirty” while Emmanuelle Riva won Best Actress for “Amour.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Zero Dark Thirty' wins Best Picture and Best Director from the Boston Society of Film Critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:06 pm · December 9th, 2012
The Boston Society of Film Critics has joined the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review in crowning “Zero Dark Thirty” the year’s best film. Kathryn Bigelow won Best Director while Daniel Day-Lewis (“Lincoln”) and Emmanuelle Riva (“Amour”) won top acting honors.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Archives