Tech Support: International lineup of Best Original Song contenders presents a great opportunity

Posted by · 7:55 am · December 20th, 2012

With the recent reveal of the Academy’s list of Best Original Song qualifiers — all 75 of them — the music branch has a wide swath of popular artists to choose from. Of course, the branch tends to focus on the work itself, not necessarily the talent involved, but it’s worth mentioning that Fiona Apple, Florence + the Machine, Karen O, Christina Aguilera, Adele, Keith Urban, Mumford and Sons, The Bootleggers & Emmylou Harris, Arcade Fire, Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, Paul Williams, Jordin Sparks and Norah Jones are all in the mix. That’s quite the role call.

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'Cloud Atlas' fails to make the finalists for Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Posted by · 1:14 pm · December 15th, 2012

The Academy has announced its shortlist of seven Best Makeup and Hairstyling contenders. The films will proceed to the “bake-off” stage, where reels of the work put into the makeup and hairstyling effects will be screened for the branch and three nominees will be chosen, revealed alongside the rest of the Oscar nominations on January 10.

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Tell us what you thought of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'

Posted by · 5:28 pm · December 14th, 2012

Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth opens today.

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Tech Support: 'Lincoln,' 'Life of Pi' and 'Anna Karenina' lead the race for Best Original Score

Posted by · 11:58 am · December 13th, 2012

As always, international flavor abounds.

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Roundup: Why 2012 has been a good year for movie heroines

Posted by · 5:23 am · December 11th, 2012

Also: Inside the LAFCA vote, and examining BAFTA’s rule changes

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Roundup: Soderbergh's plea for 'bananas' McConaughey, and other campaign oddities

Posted by · 3:57 am · December 7th, 2012

Also: Critics split on ‘Les Mis,’ and stage elite pick their film directors of 2012

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Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman talk forging a new path for 'The Hobbit' at New York premiere

Posted by · 9:34 pm · December 6th, 2012

Warner Bros. spared no expense tonight ringing in the arrival of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” with a New York premiere and an ornate after-party at Guastavino’s on the east side. Stars Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen, director Ben Affleck, actor Patrick Stewart and many more filled the room to capacity.

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Roundup: Bond rules Britannia

Posted by · 5:01 am · December 6th, 2012

Also: The Grammys’ movie music picks, and ‘Lincoln”s date with the Senate

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Off the Carpet: The critics close ranks

Posted by · 5:03 am · December 3rd, 2012

Earlier today we launched this season’s edition of The Circuit, which will track the ups and downs of the precursor circuit from the critics awards to the guild announcements all the way through the Oscars and more. Things will kick off later this afternoon as the New York Film Critics Circle sits down to hold its annual vote and then its off to the races.

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Roundup: Making the case for Nicole Kidman

Posted by · 4:28 am · December 3rd, 2012

Also: ‘War Witch’ wins at Camerimage, and Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Liberty Valance’

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'Impossible' snubbed as Oscar's VFX race is cut to 10 films

Posted by · 11:41 am · November 29th, 2012

‘Life of Pi,’ ‘Cloud Atlas’ and a trio of superhero movies all make the cut.

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Roundup: Honors on both sides of the pond for Ang Lee

Posted by · 4:30 am · November 28th, 2012

Also: The unveiling of ‘The Hobbit,’ and Spielberg’s missing Bond movie

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Tech Support: 'Avengers,' 'Les Mis' and 'Skyfall' stir it up with others in Best Sound Mixing

Posted by · 8:31 am · November 22nd, 2012

One of the most competitive crafts categories this year is an embarrassment of riches.

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Roundup: Hopkins says 'f— off' to Oscar schmoozing

Posted by · 5:00 am · November 20th, 2012

Also: THR’s Actress Roundtable, and ‘The Hobbit’ faces a PETA problem

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Off the Carpet: Four score, er, more to go

Posted by · 7:40 am · November 19th, 2012

Four big entries remain — “Django Unchained,” “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Les Misérables” and “Zero Dark Thirty” — each of them having been watched like a hawk as they race toward completion.

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 96 — Thanksgiving on the way, 'Anna Karenina' and 'Silver Linings' open

Posted by · 8:00 am · November 16th, 2012

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and films looking to capitalize, revisit this weekend’s openers — “Anna Karenina” and “Silver Linings Playbook” — and dig in on Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

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Tech Support: 'Cloud Atlas' and 'The Hobbit' lead the race for Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Posted by · 6:47 am · November 15th, 2012

The category gets a name change as a varied field takes shape.

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Tech Support: 'Argo,' 'Les Mis' and 'Zero Dark Thirty' feature in the race for Best Film Editing

Posted by · 7:49 am · November 8th, 2012

Other contenders include ‘Life of Pi,’ ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Flight’

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