'The Artist' wins Best Picture, Best Director from NYFCC

Posted by · 9:14 am · November 29th, 2011

The New York Film Critics Circle has completed voting on this year’s list of film superlatives, and given the profiles of films like “Moneyball” and “The Tree of Life” a boost in the process. But it was “The Artist” that walked away with the goods.

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Michael Shannon praises Woody Harrelson's performance in 'Rampart'

Posted by · 4:35 pm · November 23rd, 2011

As part of Variety’s annual series of actors-on-actors, “Take Shelter” star has penned a great appreciation for Woody Harrelson in “Rampart.”

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Off the Carpet: Deep breath before the critics have their say

Posted by · 12:09 pm · November 21st, 2011

It’s getting to be crunch time for many studios looking to bring their product back around for awards voting bodies. Generally most critics groups and the like have just about everything, save for the really late-breaking films, by Thanksgiving. But the NYFCC changed that course a bit this year.

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Off the Carpet: The ultimate Rorschach season

Posted by · 11:38 am · November 7th, 2011

This year’s slate of Oscar-contending films is particularly wide-ranging with something for everyone. The question becomes, what is the season about for you?

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Oscarweb Round-up: Campaigning Clint for Razzie

Posted by · 4:03 am · November 4th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Dan Kois stumps for Clint Eastwood — for a Razzie that is, Fox announces Andy Serkis for a “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” sequel and an Oscar campaign for his performance-capture work and James Mangold looks back on “Copland.”

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'Descendants,' 'Martha Marcy' lead the way for Gotham Award nominees

Posted by · 9:44 am · October 20th, 2011

The nominations for the 21st annual Gotham Awards are in, and Fox Searchlight led the way with eight nominations for its films “The Tree of Life,” “The Descendants,” “Martha Marcy May Marlene” and “Another Earth.”

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Redgrave and the ladies of 'The Help' lead the conversation on Best Supporting Actress

Posted by · 9:51 am · October 17th, 2011

Rounding out four weeks of performance analysis this week, we turn to Best Adapted Screenplay. Contenders include Vanessa Redgrave, Octavia Spencer, the ubiquitous Jessica Chastain and Shailene Woodley, among others.

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Cinejabber: Sometimes Batman just really wants to catch the Joker

Posted by · 7:21 am · October 1st, 2011

Open thread. The floor is yours.

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Tell us what you thought of 'Take Shelter'

Posted by · 9:37 am · September 30th, 2011

The Sundance stand-out finally hits theaters today

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 63 — Digging into the supporting categories

Posted by · 7:57 am · September 30th, 2011

In today’s podcast we urge you to see “50/50” and “Take Shelter” this weekend, we start chewing on the supporting categories and we discuss the box office of a few of the year’s early season contenders.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Rosebud 70 years later

Posted by · 6:51 am · September 30th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Kenneth Turan writes up the gorgeous new “Citizen Kane” anniversary DVD/Blu-ray, Hitfix’s own Drew McWeeny chats with “50/50” writer Will Reiser and we get a little more out of this weekend’s test screening of “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.”

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Interview: Michael Shannon on 'Take Shelter,' director Jeff Nichols and 'it' girl Jessica Chastain

Posted by · 1:54 pm · September 27th, 2011

We sit down with “Take Shelter” star Michael Shannon, who delivers one of the year’s powerhouse performances in the film. He discusses his developing creative bond with director Jeff Nichols and how impressed he was with co-star Jessica Chastain.

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Michael Shannon on going from the small scale 'Take Shelter' to the blockbuster 'Man of Steel'

Posted by · 1:42 pm · September 26th, 2011

Michael Shannon is in a different world when he’s on the set of a big effects movie like “Man of Steel.” In advance of my interview with him tomorrow, I’m putting up his fish-out-of-water thoughts on the process that goes into filming something this computer-driven.

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Plummer, Gordon-Levitt, Chastain and Jones tapped for Hollywood Fest honors

Posted by · 11:13 am · September 26th, 2011

The Hollywood Film Awards has announced four new honorees for this year’s gala. Christopher Plummer will win a supporting actor prize for “Beginners,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jessica Chastain will receive breakthrough actor awards, while Felicity Jones’s work in “Like Crazy” earns her the New Hollywood Award.

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Off the Carpet: Clooney and Pitt lead Best Actor talk, but the real action is elsewhere

Posted by · 8:09 am · September 26th, 2011

This year’s Best Actor race is an odd bird indeed. There are so many wonderful performances out there, but so few seem to fit into the (unfortunate) Oscar paradigm. Hopefully that will mean studios will recognize some opportunity and/or Academy members will venture outside of their comfort zones.

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