Skip to content

2008 OSCAR PREDICTION ARCHIVE
2009 Foreign Language Film Submission List (65 countries)
2009 OSCAR PREDICTION ARCHIVE
2010 Foreign Language Film Submission List (65 countries)
2011 Foreign Language Film Submission List
ABOUT IN CONTENTION
April Fools!
CONTACT
GALLERY: “Appaloosa”
GERARD KENNEDY PREDICTS…
GUY LODGE PREDICTS…
INTERVIEWS
KRISTOPHER TAPLEY PREDICTS…
LINKS
OSCAR PREDICTION ARCHIVES
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — August 3, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — August 3, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — August 31, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — August 31, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — August 4, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — August 4, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 2, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 2, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 22, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 22, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 29, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 29, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 8, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — December 8, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — February 20, 2009 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — February 20, 2009 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — February 23, 2009 (YEAR IN ADVANCE)
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — February 23, 2009 (YEAR IN ADVANCE)
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — February 9, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — February 9, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — January 12, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — January 12, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — January 19, 2009 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — January 19, 2009 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — January 26, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — January 26, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — July 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — July 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — June 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — June 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — June 29, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — June 29, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — May 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — May 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — May 25, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — May 25, 2009
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — November 17, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — November 17, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — November 25, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — November 25, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — November 3, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — November 3, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — October 13, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — October 13, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — October 20, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — October 20, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — October 6, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — October 6, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — September 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — September 1, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — September 15, 2008
OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS — September 15, 2008
POLLS ARCHIVE
REVIEWS
THE CIRCUIT (2009-2010)
THE CIRCUIT (2010-2011)
THE CONTENDERS
THE CONTENDERS (2011)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Actor
THE CONTENDERS: Best Actress
THE CONTENDERS: Best Animated Feature Film
THE CONTENDERS: Best Art Direction
THE CONTENDERS: Best Cinematography
THE CONTENDERS: Best Costume Design
THE CONTENDERS: Best Directing
THE CONTENDERS: Best Documentary (Feature)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Documentary (Short Subject)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Film Editing
THE CONTENDERS: Best Foreign Language Film
THE CONTENDERS: Best Makeup
THE CONTENDERS: Best Music (Original Score)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Music (Original Song)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Picture
THE CONTENDERS: Best Short Film (Animated)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Short Film (Live Action)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Sound Editing
THE CONTENDERS: Best Sound Mixing
THE CONTENDERS: Best Supporting Actor
THE CONTENDERS: Best Supporting Actress
THE CONTENDERS: Best Visual Effects
THE CONTENDERS: Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
THE CONTENDERS: Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
Wardrobe sketches from ‘The Reader’

Tag: Winter’s Bone

FIRST-HALF FYC: Best Supporting Actor

Only two weeks into my new feature and I’m already a day late — apologies. My laptop (now cured, at least until its next mood swing) will graciously accept the blame.

If you missed last week’s introductory instalment, the game is a simple one. In the run-up to nomination day, I’m picking five outstanding contenders in each major category in films from the first half of the 2010 release schedule: a period repeatedly neglected by voters in favor of newer, shinier delights. We started with Best Supporting Actress — during which I learned that a lot of you really don’t like Taylor Swift, but you still all saw “Valentine’s Day” — and this week we fill in the male half of the equation.

Keen as I am on all five performances I dredged up from the January-to-June wilderness, I was somewhat disappointed to note a very similar template forming to last week’s list: one French breakthrough talent, one blockbuster high point, even one star from a particular film. All accidental, I assure you… but to think I complain about “slot” mentality in the Oscar-analysis game.

(more…)

December 8, 2010
OFF THE CARPET: Time to flex

All of the cards (save for the elusive James L. Brooks title “How Do You Know,” which few seem to be expecting much from at this stage — a commodity in Oscar season, actually) are on the table.

The critics are beginning to speak up with their faves (likely to be “The Social Network” after “The Social Network” after “The Social Network”) and the working (and voting) industry is just now getting its first look at many of the films that have been stirring conversation throughout the festival season via DVDs and Academy screenings. They’ll make their voices heard with guild nominations throughout January. But now is not the time to show weakness.

The thoroughbreds of the season remain “The King’s Speech” and the aforementioned “The Social Network.” I’m confidant “True Grit” will soon join their ranks, while “The Kids Are All Right” could be fairly considered in that group as well. And “Toy Story 3” is riding sentiment like a champ (with even more campaign strategy to come).

“The Town” is the only other film that I know has registered in a big way with Academy types (and it’s laid back campaign approach feels like the right call). “The Fighter” screened for AMPAS this weekend and is receiving media attention at just the right time. I think it will soon prove itself to be a formidable contender in the race, if it hasn’t already.

(more…)

December 6, 2010
WEEKLY WRAP: Precursors begin, ‘Grit’ unveiled and Oscar hosts tapped

• The biggest news of this busy week may well have been the announcement of James Franco and Anne Hathaway as this year’s Oscarcast hosts.

• Unless you count “The Social Network” dominating the National Board of Review as bigger news, that is.

• Or, for that matter, our first look at the Coen brothers’ “True Grit.”

• Speaking of which, Kris reported on the current eligibility status of Carter Burwell’s score (still up in the air).

(more…)

December 3, 2010
12/3 OSCARWEB ROUND-UP: ‘Black Swan’ costumes, Tarantino roasted, ‘Harry Potter’ tries for Oscar one more time

• David Poland writes up the history of Oscar coverage. [Movie City News]

• Costume designs from Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan.” [Daily Telegraph]

• Paula Schwartz reports from the Friars Club Roast of Quentin Tarantino. [The Carpetbagger]

(more…)

December 3, 2010
‘Winter’s Bone’ leads Indie Spirits with 7 nods

Well, quelle surprise. I’ve been saying for months now that Debra Granik’s solemn Ozark thriller is — even more so than the sunnier, starrier “The Kids Are All Right” — this year’s annointed indie cause in the Oscar race, and this only cements that belief. The film’s impressive showing this morning, coming on the heels of last night’s Gotham Awards triumph, has me more confident than ever that the tiny pic is set to repeat the trajectory “Precious” made last year from Sundance champ to Best Picture nominee.

A number of its companions in the Best Feature race could join in there too, as the Spirits largely favored big-name fare in the top categories: “The Kids Are All Right” took second place in the nomination count, with five, while “Black Swan” and “Rabbit Hole” (which clearly just missed the cut in the feature race) are just behind with four apiece.

(more…)

November 30, 2010
‘Winter’s Bone’ wins big at Gothams

If you were able to catch the live stream of the 20th anniversary Gotham Awards tonight (nominees here), then you saw the usual slap-dash, boozed up shenanigans.

Debra Granik’s “Winter’s Bone” was carrying the big stick coming in with three nominations and it walked away with two awards, including Best Feature. Most surprising was the film’s hot young thing actress Jennifer Lawrence being upset in the Breakthrough Actor category by “Daddy Longlegs” star Ronald Bronstein. Did signing on to “X-Men: First Class” put a bad taste in voters’ mouths? Hmm…

Speaking of which, Natalie Portman went there in her cheeky intro for Darren Aronofsky’s tribute, mentioning his upcoming “The Wolverine” and “Machine Man.” His tribute reel, with just five films to pull from, looked killer. Talk about the beginnings of a brilliant career.

(more…)

November 29, 2010
Sight & Sound names ‘Social Network’ best of 2010

It’s been five years since an American film topped the annual poll of venerable British film mag Sight & Sound, and even longer since a major studio picture took the honor. So congratulations are in order to “The Social Network,” which received the most votes across the selection of 85 international critics invited to submit their top five films of 2010, following in the footsteps of “Brokeback Mountain,” “Hidden,” “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” “Hunger” and “A Prophet.” (The last-named film appears again in this year’s list, thanks to the votes of critics who came to it later.)

That David Fincher’s film should have won out in a poll traditionally dominated by world arthouse cinema suggests it could well be the most-favored title in next month’s avalanche of US critics’ awards, positioning it as the discerning voter’s alternative to more milquetoast bait in the Oscar race. “The King’s Speech,” of course, doesn’t even come near the magazine’s Top 12 (usually a Top 10, extended due to ties); indeed, of all films even remotely in the Oscar conversation, only “Another Year” and “Winter’s Bone” (surfacing in some interesting places, that one) feature.

(more…)

November 28, 2010
11/3 OSCARWEB ROUND-UP: ‘Hereafter’ works for AMPAS, Plame and Wilson talk ‘Game,’ Coppola on the Chateau

• Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson on “Toy Story 3” reviews, Oscar campaign, and sequel chances. [Vulture]

• Steve Pond reports a positive reaction to Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter” at a recent Academy screening. [The Odds]

• Gregory Ellwood sits down with Valerie Plame and Joseph Wilson, subjects of Doug Liman’s “Fair Game.” [HitFix]

(more…)

November 3, 2010
‘King’s Speech’ leads BIFA nods, ‘Another Year’ snubbed

Mike Leigh has long bemoaned the fact that he gets more respect from American awards bodies than those in his homeland. He received further proof of that this morning, as his broadly acclaimed new feature, “Another Year,” was snubbed in the top category at the British Independent Film Awards in favor of, among others, Matthew Vaughan’s dismal po-mo superhero movie “Kick-Ass.”

The BIFAs are, of course, to the BAFTAs what the Indie Spirits are to the Oscars. They can always be relied upon to make some interesting calls, but while some of this year’s surprises are laudable, others are just perverse.

Leigh receives some compensation in the shape of a Best Director nod, plus a trio of acting bids (which interestingly place Ruth Sheen in lead and the much-fancied Lesley Manville in support). But Leigh’s omission from the Best Screenplay category — when the pleasant but join-the-dots writing of “Made in Dagenham” makes the cut — is, if anything, even more of a jawdropper than the Best Film miss. The BIFAs were similarly cool on “Happy-Go-Lucky” two years ago, somewhat anticipating the film’s BAFTA whiteout — here’s hoping we’re not setting ourselves up for a repeat.

(More thoughts, and the full list of nominations, after the jump.)

(more…)

November 1, 2010
OSCAR TALK: Ep. 38 — ‘Love & Other Drugs,’ lead and supporting actor races, the circuit revs up, favorite horror films

Welcome to Oscar Talk.

In case you’re new to the site and/or the podcast, Oscar Talk is a weekly kudocast, your one-stop awards chat shop between yours truly and Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood. The podcast is weekly, every Friday throughout the season, charting the ups and downs of contenders along the way. Plenty of things change en route to Oscar’s stage and we’re here to address it all as it unfolds.

You can feel the season rumbling to life with Halloween just around the corner. It’s been a lively enough week as contenders began to hit the circuit and more films were unveiled for eager press. Let’s see what’s on the docket today…

(more…)

October 29, 2010
10/28 OSCARWEB ROUND-UP: Youngest Best Actresses, seeking Oscar journos, Cameron readies ‘Avatar’ sequels

• AMPAS and mtvU launch the third annual “Oscars Correspondent Contest” for college journalists. [Oscars.org]

• Across the pond, Stuart Heritage counts down the ways “Rabbit Hole” could be an Oscar bet for Nicole Kidman. [The Guardian]

• The Durst family predictably threatens to sue over “All Good Things.” [Deadline]

(more…)

October 28, 2010
Cut straight to the predix

I spent some time this morning weeding and updating my current nomination predictions, and had planned to introduce them with today’s Long Shot column. As it turns out, LFF wrap-up business, a pair of catch-up screenings (one of them with a Supporting Actress contender who you may have heard sets the screen ablaze) and a backlog of interview transcription meant the column simply didn’t get written. Tomorrow, with apologies.

In lieu of a column, however, I can at least serve up the predictions — I know how much you folks like to pick at them. Although, by this post-festival stage in the season, certain contenders are beginning to turn concrete, there’s still plenty of room to play with question marks. So once again, don’t take this omission or that against-the-grain inclusion too seriously: when it comes down to it, we’re all just trying things on until the precursors kick in.

Among the notions I’m flirting with in this update is that “Winter’s Bone” could be this year’s critical indie cause in the race, that the Bening-Moore question may be a moot one to voters watching their screeners for the first time and that they may just take a shine to “The Way Back.” Check out my updated predictions here. (Remember they can always be accessed at the bottom of the right-hand sidebar.)

[Photo: Sony Pictures Classics]

October 27, 2010
10/27 OSCARWEB ROUND-UP: Sticking up for Swinton, AMPAS joins Twitter, 15 years of Fox Searchlight

• Jeffrey Wells does his part to re-inject Tilda Swinton’s performance in “I Am Love” back into the Oscar conversation. [Hollywood Elsewhere]

• The Academy is ready for its close-up — on Twitter! [Twitter]

• Celebrating 15 years of Fox Searchlight Pictures. [/Film]

(more…)

October 27, 2010
WEEKLY WRAP: ‘Bone’ boost, category debate, LFF coverage

(A day later than usual — apologies. Friday night got in the way.)

• The Gotham Awards served up the first nominations of the season, with indie darling “Winter’s Bone” sitting pretty.

• With “The Kids Are All Right” and “Another Year” prodding the discussion, this week’s Long Shot column ruminated on a perennial gripe of Oscar pundits: category fraud.

• News of a high-profile Scorsese-DiCaprio retrospective launching an Oscar campaign for the film re-opened the debate over the merits of “Shutter Island.”

(more…)

October 23, 2010
‘Winter’s Bone’ leads the way with Gotham Award nominees

The nominees for the 20th annual Gotham Independent Film Awards were announced this morning by Elvis Mitchell via live stream and we get a lot of what we’d expect. Debra Granik’s “Winter’s Bone” received three nominations, including Best Feature, while Lisa Cholodenko’s “The Kids Are All Right” received two. Those were the list-toppers.

Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” received one nomination, for Best Feature. The director is also getting an honorary award, however, as previously announced.

The biggest surprise for me is “Let Me In” nailing down a Best Feature nomination. I was happy to see Glenn Ficarra and John Requa nail down a Breakthrough Director nomination for the delightful “I Love You Phillip Morris,” and I also caught “The Company Men” last week (the same day as Ficarra and Requa’s film, actually). It’s a tight piece of work and it’s nice to see John Wells spotlighted in that category, too.

Check out the full list of nominees after the jump.

(more…)

October 18, 2010
10/14 OSCARWEB ROUND-UP: Eisenberg could bump Damon, Pike’s break-out year, assessing Best Actor

• Nathaniel Rogers gets delightfully painstaking with Oscar trivia, notes that, should Jesse Eisenberg be nominated for Best Actor, he’ll boot Matt Damon from the list of top 10 youngest nominees in the category. [The Film Experience]

• Speaking of which, Damon has the directing bug and continues to bone up on the ins and outs via collaborations with Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese and the Coens. [The Big Picture]

• Roy Greenslade sings the praises of “Made in Dagenham.” [The Guardian]

(more…)

October 14, 2010
10/12 OSCARWEB ROUND-UP: Obama with the ‘Superman’ kids, handicapping the docs, ‘Debt’ delayed

• President Obama met with children featured in the film “Waiting for Superman” yesterday. [Associated Press]

• Handicapping this year’s documentary feature Oscar race. [Vulture]

• Dave Karger explains his Gurus choices, calls “Love & Other Drugs” (one of his predicted Best Picture nominees) one of the sexiest films he’s seen in years. [Oscar Watch]

(more…)

October 12, 2010
OSCAR TALK: Ep. 34 — Screeners arrive, ‘Social Network’ and ‘Let Me In’ open, ‘Secretariat’ thoughts, remembering Sally Menke

Welcome to Oscar Talk.

In case you’re new to the site and/or the podcast, Oscar Talk is a weekly kudocast, a one-stop awards chat shop between yours truly and Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood. The podcast is weekly, every Friday throughout the season, charting the ups and downs of contenders along the way. Plenty of things change en route to Oscar’s stage and we’re here to address it all as it unfolds.

Two incredibly well-reviewed films are hitting theaters today and Academy voters already have screeners sitting on their doorsteps, not to mention a somber week for the Hollywood community, so there’s plenty to dive into. Let’s see what’s on the docket…

(more…)

October 1, 2010

←Previous Page

1 2 3 4 5

In Contention

No one needs film awards coverage this deep…

Blog
About
FAQs
Authors

Events
Shop
Patterns
Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress