Tag Archives: film

Oscar nominations announced

"Hugo" was nominated for 11 Oscars, including best director for Martin Scorsese and best picture.

Oscar nominations were announced today and, as usual, there were few surprises. That said, I didn’t expect to see Demián Bichir make his way into the best actor race for “A Better Life.” Certainly, people like his performance, but his chances seemed slim going into today’s nominations. So, you never know what’s going to happen. I was also pleased to see the strong support for Terrence Malick and “The Tree of Life.” This is a great film that got too little attention from Critics’ organizations.

Following is a complete list of nominees …

Best Picture

“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
“The Help”
“Hugo”
“Midnight in Paris”
“Moneyball”
“The Tree of Life”
“War Horse”

Actor in a Leading Role

Demián Bichir in “A Better Life”
George Clooney in “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”
Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
Brad Pitt in “Moneyball”

Actor in a Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh in “My Week with Marilyn”
Jonah Hill in “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte in “Warrior”
Christopher Plummer in “Beginners”
Max von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

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Video Verdict: ’50/50,’ ‘Real Steel,’ ‘Paranormal Activity 3’

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (left) and Seth Rogen star in the dramedy “50/50.”

This week’s major home video releases include a third addition to the “Paranormal Activity” franchise, a family film about boxing robots and a terrific dramedy featuring Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

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Video Verdict: ‘Ides of March,’ ‘Abduction’

Ryan Gosling plays an idealistic campaign strategist in the political drama “The Ides of March.”

This week’s home video releases include a thriller designed to turn Taylor Lautner into an action star and a powerful political drama from actor-director George Clooney.

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Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2012 winners

WINNERS OF THE 17TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

BEST PICTURE     

“The Artist”

 

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney – “The Descendants”

 

BEST ACTRESS

Viola Davis – “The Help”

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christopher Plummer – “Beginners”

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Octavia Spencer – “The Help”

 

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS

Thomas Horn – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

 

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE

“The Help”

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Video Verdict: ‘Moneyball,’ ‘Killer Elite,’ ‘What’s Your Number?’

Brad Pitt, left, and Jonah Hill star in the sports drama “Moneyball.”

This week’s major home video releases include an all-out action film, a by-the-book romantic comedy and an excellent sports drama.

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Video Verdict: ‘Contagion,’ ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,’ ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’

Matt Damon, right, and Anna Jacoby-Heron try to survive a deadly viral outbreak in “Contagion.”

This week’s home video releases range from a lightweight tribute to working mothers to a terrifying thriller about a fictionalized pandemic.

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Video Verdict: ‘Final Destination 5’

Nicholas D’Agosto plays a character doing his best to cheat death in “Final Destination 5.”

It’s a slow week for home video, as studios decided to release only a handful of major titles between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

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Video Verdict: ‘Midnight in Paris,’ ‘Warrior,’ ‘Straw Dogs,’ ‘Dolphin Tale,’ ‘Colombiana’

Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams take a European vacation in writer-director Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris."

It’s an excellent week for home video, as two new releases are likely contenders in this year’s Oscar race.

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‘The Artist’ tops Las Vegas Film Critics Society’s Sierra Awards

Jean Dujardin, left, and Berenice Bejo in a scene from "The Artist." The movie won Best Picture in the Las Vegas Film Critics Society's annual Sierra Awards.

It’s a big day for movie awards. Not only did the Broadcast Film Critics Association announce the nominees for its annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards today, the Las Vegas Film Critics Society announced the winners of its Sierra Awards. I vote in both groups, so I always like to publicize the winners.

“The Artist” was the big Sierra Awards winner, nabbing five honors, including Best Picture. The male star of the film, Jean Dujardin, picked up Best Actor, and the movie also nabbed Best Score, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.

“Hugo” also performed well, winning awards for Best Family Film and Best Film Editing and helping its young star, Asa Butterfield, take the Youth In Film honor.

Following is a complete list of winners, plus the Las Vegas Film Critics Society list of the top 10 films of 2011.

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‘Hugo,’ ‘The Artist’ lead Critics’ Choice nominees

Martin Scorsese, front, and Ben Kingsley work on the film "Hugo," which received 11 nominations for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Longtime readers know that I’m a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association thanks to my affiliation with Alice Radio (96.5 FM in Reno, NV) and Idaho Country (KQFC-FM in Boise, ID). Today our organization released its nominee list for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, which will be telecast live at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 on VH1. Often, Critics’ Choice award winners go on to nab Oscars, so the nominee list gives you a nice look at the movies that are likely to be players in the coming months.

Martin Scorsese’s charming family film “Hugo” and the beautiful silent-movie “The Artist” led all contenders this year with 11 nominations each. Also toward the top of the pack were “The Help” and “Drive,” each scoring eight nominations.

Following is a complete list of nominees. Winners will be revealed live during the Jan. 12 VH1 broadcast.

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