Features
As we enter the fall festival season with an Oscar prediction sheet still covered in question marks, there is at least one category where almost all the viable contenders have already been seen. I speak, of course, of Best Documentary Feature, a race already crowded with possibilities from earlier fests and the summer release calendar, […]
Deadline for Oscar docs looming
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:21 pm · August 26th, 2010
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DGA doc nominees include ‘Cove,’ ‘Anvil,’ ‘Agnes’
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:03 pm · January 12th, 2010
Much like last week’s announcement in their top category, most of the usual suspects are present in the Guild’s documentary lineup. I’m particularly pleased to see French New Wave veteran Agnès Varda continue to rack up a healthy precursor tally; at this rate, she’s on course for her first Oscar nomination. (She’d be breaking an […]
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Oh yeah, the IDA Awards…
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:05 am · December 7th, 2009
We neglected to mention the International Documentary Association Awards happened on Friday night, but happen they did. Often an independent-minded group of on the precursor circuit, the IDA underlined the point this year by crowning a prominently Oscar-snubbed title as the year’s best. The many fans of rock doc “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” will […]
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Thoughts on the Oscar doc list
Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:23 pm · November 19th, 2009
Perhaps inevitably, the bulk of online chatter about the Best Documentary Feature shortlist unveiled yesterday focused less on the films that made it, and more on those that didn’t. It’s par for the course for the Academy’s documentary branch to ignore a major title or two, but even by their severe standards, the list of […]
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AMPAS announces doc feature short list, ‘Anvil,’ ‘Capitalism’ snubbed
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 3:51 pm · November 18th, 2009
You can check out the full press release here. The list of 15 competing titles as follows: • “The Beaches of Agnes,” Agnès Varda, director (Cine-Tamaris) • “Burma VJ,” Anders Østergaard, director (Magic Hour Films) • “The Cove,” Louie Psihoyos, director (Oceanic Preservation Society) • “Every Little Step,” James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, […]
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‘Cove’ misses out on IDA Awards nod
Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:47 pm · November 13th, 2009
A couple of things struck me as noteworthy on the list of nominees revealed yesterday by the International Documentary Association, which Kris mentioned briefly in this morning’s round-up. The five films nominated by the IDA for Best Documentary Feature include “Afghan Star,” “Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” “Diary of a Times Square Thief,” “Food, Inc.” […]
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11/13 Oscarweb Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:05 am · November 13th, 2009
• Jeffrey Wells grills New York waitresses on their knowledge of the mere existence of “The Hurt Locker.” [Hollywood Elsewhere] • Oscar hopefuls “Anivl! The Story of Anvil” and “Food, Inc.” among IDA Award nominees. [Hollywood Reporter] • Tim Gray gets quotes making a case against The 10. [Variety]
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WEEKLY WRAP: ‘Education’ lands, animation expands
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:09 am · October 10th, 2009
• After a quiet week for awards news, this week’s Off the Carpet column contemplated the depth of the Best Actress race. • A topic that Kris and Anne also debated in this week’s episode of Oscar Talk. • Speaking of Best Actress, “An Education,” with its nomination-bound performance by Carey Mulligan, finally hit theaters […]
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‘Anvil’ first Oscar screener
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:38 am · October 9th, 2009
I finally got around to “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” this week and seem to have found myself in an instant minority. Where so many see a moving tale of friendship, brotherhood and dedication, I saw a somewhat derivative and at times even inauthentic portrait that didn’t elicit the proper interest in the subjects. Sue […]
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Economy pushes indie filmmakers to DIY marketing, distribution
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:01 am · August 13th, 2009
There has been some discussion in the comments sections here lately about the state of independent cinema. Many feel, perhaps rightly, that with the closures of indie wings like Picturehouse, Warner Independent and Paramount Vantage that there is little asylum for independent films and filmmakers in Hollywood. However, while it is easy to see things […]
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5/27 Web Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:59 am · May 27th, 2009
• Todd Leopold talks to the guys behind “Anvil!: The Story of Anvil.” [CNN] • The complete list of tired movie cliches. [Empire] • Mark Harris profiles Woody Allen and Larry David. [New York Magazine] • Ethan Coen takes to the stage with “Offices,” a cycle of three short plays in the Big Apple. [The […]
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Rock me gently
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:39 pm · April 19th, 2009
Along with a lot of viewers, it seems, Jeff Wells has fallen hard for the sweetly sad rock documentary “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” — and demands that the Academy take notice: How can Sacha Gervasi’s Anvil! The Story of Anvil not wind up being nominated for Best Feature Documentary Oscar? It’s got heart, it’s […]
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LONDON: “W,” “Genova,” “Il Divo” and more
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:06 pm · October 23rd, 2008
We’ve reached the midway point of the London Film Festival, and today’s big event is the European premiere of “W.” As I eavesdropped on assorted critics’ reactions coming out of the press screening this morning, the dominant feeling appeared to be one of pleasant surprise; I have a feeling the film may find a rather […]
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LAFF closes: Sundance hits score again
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:11 am · July 1st, 2008
I must admit, the Los Angeles Film Festival hasn’t always been on my radar in the past, but its stature seems to be growing from year to year. This year’s edition wrapped up on Sunday, with the jury prizes going to Sean Baker’s “Prince of Broadway” in the narrative feature category, and to Darius Marder’s “Loot” […]
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