Tech Support: Guessing the nominees throughout the Academy's craft categories

Posted by · 7:49 am · January 19th, 2012

In five days, the nominations for the 84th annual Academy Awards will be announced. It seems extraordinary that another season has nearly passed. And with a silent film and a somewhat fantastical (not-so-) children’s film poised to dominate the major categories, one realizes how quickly trends can change in Hollywood. But now it’s time to make our final picks across the crafts categories.

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Round-up: The missing makeup nominee from 'The Iron Lady'

Posted by · 6:47 am · January 19th, 2012

Also: Designing ‘Potter’ and exhausting Uggie

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'Hanna,' 'Pirates' among Cinema Audio Society surprises, 'Transformers' snubbed

Posted by · 4:30 am · January 19th, 2012

And now, as they say, for something completely different. The guild nominations these last few weeks have been rank and file, the usual mish-mash of the same titles reflecting a bit of group think and perfunctory nominations. That ends today, though, as the Cinema Audio Society’s crop of nominees included some eyebrow-raising titles.

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Paramount unveils newly restored 'Wings' at the Academy

Posted by · 10:32 pm · January 17th, 2012

AMPAS president Tom Sherak, Paramount CEO Brad Grey and the family of William A. Wellman toast the studio’s 100th anniversary.

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Round-up: The underperforming Sundance class of 2011

Posted by · 7:24 am · January 17th, 2012

Also: Luhrmann on ‘Gatsby’ in 3D, and Elton vs. Madonna

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Off the Carpet: As the music stops, fringe hopefuls cross their fingers

Posted by · 10:33 am · January 16th, 2012

As of Friday, phase one of this year’s Oscar season has drawn to a close. Ballots were due by 5pm and it’s pencils down, the music has stopped, whatever metaphor you want to apply. And the period of December 27 – January 13 was crucial for films looking to grab a last-minute foothold and those hoping to maintain dominance alike.

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ACE noms check off 'Artist,' 'Descendants,' ignore 'The Help'

Posted by · 9:43 am · January 16th, 2012

The ACE Eddie Award nominations for film editing are more revealing in terms of omissions than inclusions. It’s good news for “The Artist,” “The Descendants” and even “War Horse,” but “The Help” suffers a setback here.

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 77 — Critics' Choice Awards, DGA nominees, documentary rule changes

Posted by · 9:56 am · January 13th, 2012

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, the week’s DGA nominations and rule changes affecting the Academy’s documentary branch.

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A night at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Posted by · 8:20 am · January 13th, 2012

The sights and sounds of the first major televised awards show of the season.

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'The Artist' wins 4 Critics' Choice Awards, including Best Picture and Director

Posted by · 1:51 am · January 13th, 2012

There were few surprises in last night’s BFCA Critics’ Choice Awards, as ‘The Artist’ took home the top two prizes — but there was disappointment for nomination co-leader ‘Hugo,’ which won only a single technical prize.

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Round-up: It's your moment to shine, 'Blackthorn'

Posted by · 6:50 am · January 11th, 2012

Also: Defending ‘War Horse’ and judging 2011’s movie posters

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'War Horse,' Scorsese win with North Texas critics

Posted by · 3:33 pm · January 9th, 2012

The North Texas Film Critics Association (yep) has gotten together to announce this year’s list of winners. And it was “War Horse” that came out of top, with Martin Scorsese winning directing honors. No were to be found “The Artist.”

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DPs indulge in some mutual appreciation

Posted by · 3:00 pm · January 9th, 2012

The American Society of Cinematographers announce their nominees tomorrow. Emmanuel Lubezki has swept the precursors for “The Tree of Life,” but it’s no sure thing that the Academy will follow suit — though a recent Variety feature makes it clear a lot of his peers are in his corner.

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Off the Carpet: Wrench in the works

Posted by · 10:32 am · January 9th, 2012

As the 2011-2012 film awards season forges ahead, general assumptions and standby wisdom are beginning to fly out the window. What was beginning to seem somewhat settled is anything but. The bed looked like it was made, now the covers are thrown to the far reaches of the room. That’s a good thing.

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Round-up: Oscar's doc rule change favors theatrical visibility

Posted by · 7:50 am · January 9th, 2012

Also: ‘The Iron Lady”s composer switch and the craftsmen of ‘War Horse’

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 76 — Guild announcements, previewing the DGA and the success of 'Bridesmaids'

Posted by · 7:58 am · January 6th, 2012

In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the PGA and WGA announcements, preview the DGA nominations and chew on the success of “Bridesmaids” so far this year.

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'Marilyn' and 'Tinker, Tailor' top embarrassing BAFTA longlists

Posted by · 5:28 am · January 6th, 2012

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and “My Week With Marilyn” lead the BAFTA longlists with 16 mentions apiece, setting both films up for multiple nominations on January 17. But the list of omissions is egregious.

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Predicting the 2011 DGA nominees

Posted by · 11:43 am · January 5th, 2012

On Monday, the most important precursor announcement of them all drops: the Directors Guild of America offers up its list of nominees for excellence in directing.

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