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“Let me get this straight. The one’s about a precocious computer geek who’s also a bit of an asshole.” “Yeah.” “And the other’s about King George VI.” “Yeah.” “And King George VI has a disability.” “Well, he has a stutter. I mean, it’s not crippling or anything — ” “But it’s an obstacle that needs […]
THE LONG SHOT: It was always you
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:52 pm · February 3rd, 2011
Filed in: The Long Shot
‘Tree of Life’ alone in Apparition stable
Posted by Guy Lodge · 1:53 pm · June 30th, 2010
Things looked so upbeat for fledgling distribution outfit Apparition when they started out last year. Masterminded by former Picturehouse head Bob Berney, the company was christened with the acquisition of one of 2009’s best films, Jane Campion’s “Bright Star.” A classy roster of titles followed, including “The Young Victoria,” “Fair Game,” “The Runaways” and, most […]
Filed in: Daily
And you thought awards season was over…
Posted by Guy Lodge · 8:11 am · April 20th, 2010
Well, you were right. But for the true completists among you — we do promise awards coverage “this deep,” after all — here’s a suitably obscure nugget to wrap up the 2009 parade. The Ivor Novello Awards supposedly honor the finest in British music composition, and while they receive a reasonable amount of press in […]
Filed in: Daily
Nut up or shut up: final predictions
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:36 am · March 6th, 2010
As I look over my final predictions for tomorrow night’s Oscar ceremony, I notice that I’ve made only one change — in the Best Live Action Short category — since taking my initial stab the day of the nominations. And I haven’t made a single change since I started the Oscar Guide series. Am I […]
Filed in: Daily
2/22 Oscarweb Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:01 am · February 22nd, 2010
• Scott Feinberg talks at length with Harvey Weinstein, who had a busy week of Pied Pipering the Oscar bloggers last week. [And the Winner Is…] • Presumed costume design frotnrunner Sandy Powell sure is making the rounds. She sits down with Paul Gaita to discuss the threads of “The Young Victoria.” [The Envelope] • […]
Filed in: Daily
‘The Hurt Locker’ sweeps BAFTA Awards
Posted by Guy Lodge · 11:34 am · February 21st, 2010
The writing, in case you hadn’t already read it, is on the wall. In the biggest BAFTA haul for a non-British production since “American Beauty” a decade ago, Kathryn Bigelow’s Iraq drama took six awards at the Royal Opera House, including Best Film, Director and Original Screenplay. Next up: Oscars. And plenty of ’em, I’m […]
Filed in: Daily
OSCAR GUIDE: Best Makeup
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:50 am · February 19th, 2010
The Academy’s makeup category is one of two fields that calls for a whittling down of the contenders via a “bake-off.” Reels of the work from the seven finalists are screened, so an impressive assemblage is all you need. The work on the whole isn’t really being considered, so this can yield surprises in the […]
Filed in: Daily
February winner predictions
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:18 am · February 3rd, 2010
These appeared at Movie City News’s Gurus o’ Gold page this morning, so you probably already saw them. Here they are in any case, since, you know, I guess it’s about that time: Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker” Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker” Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart” Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, […]
Filed in: Daily
2/3 Oscarweb Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:39 am · February 3rd, 2010
• Is it really an honor just to be nominated? [CNN] • Nathaniel Rogers notes that, despite the 10, we still ended up with a typical Oscar mixture of “a mix of message movies, epics, dramas and war films.” [The Film Experience] • Of Apparition’s dueling period pieces, Anne Thompson wonders what went wrong for […]
Filed in: Daily
January winner predictions
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:59 am · January 27th, 2010
It’s time for me to go to the well one more time before next week’s big announcement. That’s right, six days and the mystery of the 10 will finally be answered. But first, some blind (since there are no nominations yet) guesses. Just trying to find the right balance here: Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker” […]
Filed in: Daily
Makeup bake-off leaves seven
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 4:40 pm · January 11th, 2010
Via AMPAS press release, the final group includes: “District 9” “Il Divo” “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” “The Road” “Star Trek” “The Young Victoria” Well, there was always one spot in flux for me here and most recently I was giving it to “Cirque du Freak” for […]
Filed in: Daily
1/4 Oscarweb Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:59 am · January 4th, 2010
• Jeffrey Wells passes along an aside concerning Walter Kirn’s original ending to “Up in the Air” and a lingering thread in Jason Reitman’s film. Frankly, I think it would have made it even better. [Hollywood Elsewhere] • Sasha Stone previews tomorrow’s Scripter nominations announcement. I’d say her predictions are spot-on. [Awards Daily] • Best […]
Filed in: Daily
Loose threads
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:53 pm · January 1st, 2010
On the technical side of things, is anyone as uninspired as I am by the apparent frontrunners for Best Costume Design? I bow to no one in my admiration for the genius of Sandy Powell, but the Easter egg-colored wardrobe of “The Young Victoria” is routine work by her high standards. That hasn’t stopped most […]
Filed in: Daily
December winner predictions
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:38 am · December 28th, 2009
I gave this an initial stab nearly two months ago. I thought I might as well re-visit things. (And hopefully there won’t be anyone getting their panties in a twist over something as harmless as this. You know who you are.) Best Picture: “Avatar” Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker” Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, […]
Filed in: Daily
FRIDAY FORECAST: Blue boon
Posted by Chad Hartigan · 3:46 pm · December 18th, 2009
*All historical figures cited are adjusted to today’s dollars. It’s “Avatar” day people! The day some of us have been waiting for! The movie has been hyped for years and if you listen to the critics, James Cameron has delivered. The man has a pretty impeccable box office history and is belatedly coming off the […]
Filed in: Box Office · Friday Forecast
THE LONG SHOT: The next best thing
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:11 pm · December 16th, 2009
As the season hits its stride, and precursors turn murky perceptions of pack leaders and stragglers into harder realities, I find myself wondering how I would fill out my ballot if I were an Academy member. That’s not the same as wondering what I would fill my ballot with – as Kris just did today. […]
Filed in: The Long Shot
12/10 Oscarweb Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:52 am · December 10th, 2009
• John Horn writes up the Hollywood journey of Scott Cooper’s “Crazy Heart.” [Los Angeles Times] • On the flashy opening credits sequence from “Up in the Air” with designer Gareth Smith. [MakingOf] • Anne Thompson re-visists her old haunt, writes up the possibilities for genre play in this year’s expanded Best Picture field. [Variety]
Filed in: Daily
THE LONG SHOT: Consider this
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:34 pm · November 18th, 2009
There’s nothing like an Oscar season to prove what a small number five (or even ten) is. We may only be in November, but already, months of conversation, covering a broad canvas of Oscar sure-shots and long-shots alike, have devolved into a ruthless mathematical elimination process, as previously five-wide categories fill up with safe bets. […]
Filed in: The Long Shot
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