Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett share their joy at Oscars luncheon

Posted by · 3:11 pm · February 10th, 2014

The annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon is a chance to get all of the year’s Academy Award nominees in a room for food and spirits, yes, but it’s also a huge press opportunity, where contenders can subtly communicate their final pitches in hopes that a stray Academy member will read it or hear about it on TV.

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Alfonso Cuarón wins DGA prize for 'Gravity,' is Oscar next?

Posted by · 9:57 pm · January 25th, 2014

Surely coming as a surprise to precious few, “Gravity” director Alfonso Cuarón has just won the Directors Guild of America (DGA) prize for theatrical motion pictures. He beat out fellow Oscar nominees Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”), Martin Scorsese (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) and David O. Russell (“American Hustle”), as well as “Captain Phillips” helmer Paul Greengrass to land his first such honor from the guild.

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Roundup: BAFTA voter slams his fellow 'sheep'

Posted by · 4:43 am · January 10th, 2014

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, a BAFTA voter anonymously admonishes the group (himself included) for voting for frontrunners they haven’t seen. Also: Steve McQueen’s new TV project, and “American Hustle’s” J.Law problem.

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Harry Belafonte pays tribute to Steve McQueen's 'genius' at NYFCC Awards

Posted by · 9:30 am · January 7th, 2014

Harry Belanfonte delivered a heartfelt address to Steve McQueen as he presented the “12 Years a Slave” director with the Best Director prize at last night’s New York Film Critics’ Circle Awards.

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Roundup: Armond White jeers Steve McQueen at NYFCC Awards

Posted by · 2:24 am · January 7th, 2014

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, controversial critic Armond White once more makes a nuisance of himself at the New York Film Critics’ Circle Awards. Meanwhile, Liza Minnelli makes an Oscar promiuse to Matthew McConaughey.

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Hanks, McConaughey and more take stock of a great year for movies at Palm Springs awards gala

Posted by · 11:54 pm · January 4th, 2014

The 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala was held Saturday night and a wide array of stars came out to fete and be feted. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Jane Fonda, Matthew McConaughey, Gary Oldman, U2’s Bono, Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep were just a few on hand as the Oscar season dived headlong into the new year.

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Roundup: Sony Classics back in the foreign Oscar race with 'The Notebook'

Posted by · 5:05 am · January 3rd, 2014

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Sony Pictures Classics have re-entered the Best Foreign Language Film race — one they’ve won four years running — by picking up Hungary’s “The Notebook.” Meanwhile, why was 2013 a lean year for female filmmakers?

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Black Film Critics Circle awards '12 Years a Slave,' Brie Larson

Posted by · 1:43 pm · December 19th, 2013

The Black Film Critics Circle has named “12 Years a Slave” the best film of the year. Steve McQueen’s drama won five prizes, but the group eschewed the usual bandwagon in the Best Actress field by finding room to recognize “Short Term 12” star Brie Larson.

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'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.

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'12 Years a Slave' tops with Florida film critics

Posted by · 10:06 am · December 18th, 2013

The Florida Film Critics Circle wasn’t looking to flip the script today as members of the group handed Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” the prize for Best Picture of 2013. The film’s star, Lupita Nyong’o, picked up two honors, for Best Supporting Actress and the year’s Breakout Award.

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'12 Years a Slave' dominates Chicago film critics awards

Posted by · 6:36 pm · December 16th, 2013

Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” kept up its regional precursor dominance tonight winning the Best Picture prize from the Chicago Film Critics Association. The group’s acting winners filled out accordingly with nary a surprise to be found.

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'12 Years a Slave' wins seven from St. Louis film critics

Posted by · 8:58 am · December 16th, 2013

You didn’t think “12 Years a Slave” was done winning awards today, did you? Another group, the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, has singled it out as the year’s best after the film dominated the group’s list of nominations last week. Steve McQueen’s drama picked up seven awards in total.

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Indiana film critics board the '12 Years' bandwagon

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

The Indiana Film Journalists Association has hopped onto the runaway “12 Years a Slave” train, ticking the film off for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Musical Score awards today. But they provided a little more intrigue in other acting categories, giving prizes to Adèle Exarchopoulos and Barkhad Abdi, and a runner-up tip of the cap to “American Hustle” star Jeremy Renner (his first mention of the season).

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'American Hustle' wins big with New York Film Critics Circle

Posted by · 10:51 am · December 3rd, 2013

David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” was crowned the best film of 2013 today by the New York Film Critics Circle, capping off a nearly five-hour vote and marking the first critics awards announcement of the year. The film also received wins for Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Best Screenplay.

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Roundup: NYT's short film project, starring Oprah, Cate Blanchett and more

Posted by · 2:40 am · November 26th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper are among the stars participating in the New York Times’ short film series directed by Janusz Kaminski. Meanwhile, are animals really being harmed on movie sets?

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Roundup: Cinematographers come down on 3D

Posted by · 2:44 am · November 20th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, five cinematographers from some of the season’s top contenders chat candidly about a range of topics — including 3D, to which they’re mostly opposed. Meanwhile, Steve McQueen defends “12 Years a Slave” from critics who think it’s too pretty.

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Fox Searchlight celebrates the holidays with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and '12 Years a Slave' stars

Posted by · 12:00 am · November 16th, 2013

Fox Searchlight celebrated the holiday season with stars from “12 Years A Slave” and “Enough Said” including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and more.

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Roundup: Hans Zimmer on the Oscars and a life in movies

Posted by · 5:53 am · November 6th, 2013

In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, composer Hans Zimmer reflects on his storied, diverse career as he chases his second Oscar for “12 Years a Slave.” Meanwhile, Emma Thompson is the subject of a BAFTA tribute — and why are studios so reluctant to campaign two leads in a movie?

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