Sony Pictures Classics has made many wise investments at the Sundance Film Festival over the years. Its 2022 acquisition, “Living,” just nabbed Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Bill Nighy, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Other recent Sundance titles propelled to the Oscars by the studio include “The Father” (2020), “Call Me By Your Name” (2017), “Whiplash” (2014) and “An Education” (2009). Amy Adams’ very first career bid came for “Junebug,” which the distributor picked up from Park City in 2005. That film’s writer, Angus MacLachlan, is the director of “A Little Prayer,” one of Sony Pictures Classics’ 2023 festival purchases (the other being Audience Award winner “The Persian Version”).
Starring David Strathairn as Bill Brass, the movie is about a soft-spoken North Carolina family man who, per official synopsis, “tests the limits of patriarchal interference” after discovering that his son, David (Will Pullen), has been having an extramarital affair. In breach of Southern hospitality, which prescribes minding one’s own affairs,...
Starring David Strathairn as Bill Brass, the movie is about a soft-spoken North Carolina family man who, per official synopsis, “tests the limits of patriarchal interference” after discovering that his son, David (Will Pullen), has been having an extramarital affair. In breach of Southern hospitality, which prescribes minding one’s own affairs,...
- 2/13/2023
- by Ronald Meyer
- Gold Derby
The big movie theater comeback we all expected may have been slightly delayed by a year (we see you 2023), but the past 12 months saw “some” great cinema find its way to the masses. And while the selections at Telluride, Sundance, and TIFF were disappointing overall, Cannes thankfully delivered the goods. In fact, of our top 10 films of 2022, three debuted on la Croisette.
Read More: The Playlist’s 25 Best Films of 2022
Unlike television, where Peak TV has made whittling down to 10 selections extremely difficult, we were truly only passionate about just five of our film selections.
Continue reading Gregory Ellwood’s Top 10 Films & TV Programs Of 2022 at The Playlist.
Read More: The Playlist’s 25 Best Films of 2022
Unlike television, where Peak TV has made whittling down to 10 selections extremely difficult, we were truly only passionate about just five of our film selections.
Continue reading Gregory Ellwood’s Top 10 Films & TV Programs Of 2022 at The Playlist.
- 12/15/2022
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
“Darkest Hour” premiered at Telluride yesterday, and the first round of reviews of Joe Wright’s Winston Churchill biopic are highly enthusiastic — especially when it comes to Gary Oldman’s lead performance. IndieWire’s Anne Thompson calls him “the one to beat for Best Actor,” while David Ehrlich says the film is “as rousing and ferocious as Winston Churchill was himself.” Here’s what others have to say.
Read More:‘Darkest Hour’ Review: Gary Oldman Makes Joe Wright’s Biopic as Rousing and Ferocious as Winston Churchill Was Himself
Variety’s Peter Debruge singles out Wright for praise:
“Wright is both a virtuoso filmmaker and a natural showman, interpreting the screenplay as no other director could have possibly imagined it. Since his very first feature, 2005’s ‘Pride & Prejudice,’ he has been reinventing the rules of how period pieces ought to be shot, and ‘Darkest Hour’ is no different.”
Todd McCarthy...
Read More:‘Darkest Hour’ Review: Gary Oldman Makes Joe Wright’s Biopic as Rousing and Ferocious as Winston Churchill Was Himself
Variety’s Peter Debruge singles out Wright for praise:
“Wright is both a virtuoso filmmaker and a natural showman, interpreting the screenplay as no other director could have possibly imagined it. Since his very first feature, 2005’s ‘Pride & Prejudice,’ he has been reinventing the rules of how period pieces ought to be shot, and ‘Darkest Hour’ is no different.”
Todd McCarthy...
- 9/3/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
I would have to agree with our awards guru Gregory Ellwood that “The Leftovers” is going to down as a “legendary show,” but it’s something made more remarkable because of the high wire act Damon Lindelof and the team of writers walk, particularly in the final season. The last eight episodes are astonishing, taking bold risks and creative leaps by playing with the format, and leaning into the weirder impulses of the narrative.
Continue reading Damon Lindelof Breaks Down The Connection Between ‘The Leftovers’ & ‘Perfect Strangers’ at The Playlist.
Continue reading Damon Lindelof Breaks Down The Connection Between ‘The Leftovers’ & ‘Perfect Strangers’ at The Playlist.
- 6/13/2017
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
“Ennemis Intérieurs” should be the easy winner here, but The Academy has gone “cutesy” with this category recently which could find “Timecode” or “La Feme et Le Tgv” taking the Oscar instead. [Feb. 14]
1. “Ennemis Interieurs (Enemies Within)”
2. “Timecode”
3. “La Femme et Le Tgv”
4. “Sing” (Mindenki)
5. “Silent Nights”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Live Action Short Oscar Predictions at The Playlist.
1. “Ennemis Interieurs (Enemies Within)”
2. “Timecode”
3. “La Femme et Le Tgv”
4. “Sing” (Mindenki)
5. “Silent Nights”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Live Action Short Oscar Predictions at The Playlist.
- 2/15/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Lots of strong nominees, but it’s a race between “Piper,” “Borrowed Time” and “Pearl.” The photocell animation of “Piper” and its charming universal story should find it in the winners circle. As of [Feb. 14]
1. “Piper”
2. “Borrowed Time”
3. “Pearl”
4. “Pear Cider and Cigarettes”
5. “Blind Vashya”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Animated Short Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
1. “Piper”
2. “Borrowed Time”
3. “Pearl”
4. “Pear Cider and Cigarettes”
5. “Blind Vashya”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Animated Short Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
- 2/15/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
If “La La Land” is nominated in this category, the Academy really loves “La La Land.” This should be “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” or “The Jungle Book“‘s to take home. [Updated Jan. 6.]
Sound Editing
Top Five
“Arrival”
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“The Jungle Book”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Almost There
“The Bfg”
“Doctor Strange”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them”
“La La Land”
“Jason Bourne”
“Passengers”
“Sully”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“13 Hours”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Sound Editing Oscars Contenders at The Playlist.
Sound Editing
Top Five
“Arrival”
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“The Jungle Book”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Almost There
“The Bfg”
“Doctor Strange”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them”
“La La Land”
“Jason Bourne”
“Passengers”
“Sully”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“13 Hours”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Sound Editing Oscars Contenders at The Playlist.
- 1/7/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Musicals almost always do well in this category so don’t be surprised if “La La Land” wins this one. [Updated Jan. 6]
Top Five
“Arrival”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“La La Land”
“The Jungle Book”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Almost There
“Allied”
“The Bfg”
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Doctor Strange”
“Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them”
“Jason Bourne”
“Passengers”
“13 Hours”
“Sing Street”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“Sully”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Sound Mixing Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
Top Five
“Arrival”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“La La Land”
“The Jungle Book”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Almost There
“Allied”
“The Bfg”
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Doctor Strange”
“Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them”
“Jason Bourne”
“Passengers”
“13 Hours”
“Sing Street”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“Sully”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Sound Mixing Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
- 1/6/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
There’s a friendly family fight over Oliver Assayas’ “Personal Shopper” at The Playlist. Jessica Kiang kind of hated it, Gregory Ellwood kinda loved it (it made his top 10 of 2016), and I would say I’m somewhere in the middle but leaning positive, warts and all. Yes, Assayas’ film has its problems and can be borderline ridiculous at times, but that ridiculousness can be fun. It’s also on our Best Films Of 2017 We’ve Already Seen list and yes, there was some squabbling over that, too.
Continue reading New Images & International Poster For ‘Personal Shopper’ Starring Kristen Stewart at The Playlist.
Continue reading New Images & International Poster For ‘Personal Shopper’ Starring Kristen Stewart at The Playlist.
- 1/6/2017
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
2016 had its fair share of heartbreak, but the passing of Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds within 24 hours of each other was shattering. The mother/daughter Hollywood pair had a close bond that endured no shortage of ups and downs, and that deep friendship is captured in the upcoming documentary “Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher And Debbie Reynolds.”
Directed by Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens, the portrait of the pair spent the year on the festival circuit, screening to strong notices at Cannes, Telluride, Nyff, and AFI, with our own Gregory Ellwood calling the film both “touching and hilarious.” Here’s the synopsis from Nyff:
Carrie Fisher and her mom Debbie Reynolds are now the best of friends (they live steps away from each other in their Beverly Hills compound) and the very definition of Hollywood royalty.
Continue reading Celebrate The Bond Between Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds In New...
Directed by Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens, the portrait of the pair spent the year on the festival circuit, screening to strong notices at Cannes, Telluride, Nyff, and AFI, with our own Gregory Ellwood calling the film both “touching and hilarious.” Here’s the synopsis from Nyff:
Carrie Fisher and her mom Debbie Reynolds are now the best of friends (they live steps away from each other in their Beverly Hills compound) and the very definition of Hollywood royalty.
Continue reading Celebrate The Bond Between Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds In New...
- 1/4/2017
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
The only locks here are “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and “La La Land.” The rest is a question of momentum and message for all the contenders involved. [Dec. 29]
Top Five
“Allied”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
“La La Land”
“Jackie”
“Silence”
Almost There
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“Hail, Caesar!”
“The Handmaiden”
“Live by Night”
“Passengers”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
“Rules Don’t Apply”
“Silence”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Production Design Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
Top Five
“Allied”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
“La La Land”
“Jackie”
“Silence”
Almost There
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“Hail, Caesar!”
“The Handmaiden”
“Live by Night”
“Passengers”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
“Rules Don’t Apply”
“Silence”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Production Design Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
- 12/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
“Deadpool” and “A Man Called Ove” are probably in. Don’t forget Streep’s longtime makeup and hairstylist J. Roy Helland won this category for “The Iron Lady.” Something tells us he’s in again for “Florence Foster Jenkins,” but “Star Trek Beyond” or “Hail, Caesar!” could also make the cut. [Dec. 29]
Top Three
“Deadpool”
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“A Man Called Ove”
Almost There
“The Dressmaker”
“Hail, Caesar!”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“Suicide Squad”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
Top Three
“Deadpool”
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“A Man Called Ove”
Almost There
“The Dressmaker”
“Hail, Caesar!”
“Star Trek Beyond”
“Suicide Squad”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
- 12/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
No matter what happens on Oscar nominations Tuesday, there are going to be a number of great docs that are snubbed. It’s that simple. Will “Weiner,” “Tower” and “Fire at Sea” be a few of those films? It looks like it…at the moment. [Dec. 29]
Top Five
“Cameraperson,” Big Mouth Productions
“The Eagle Huntress,” Stacey Reiss Productions, Kissiki Films and 19340 Productions
“I Am Not Your Negro,” Velvet Film
“O.J.: Made in America,” Laylow Films and Espn Films
“13th,” Forward Movement
Almost There
“Command and Control,” American Experience Films/PBS
“Fire at Sea,” Stemal Entertainment
“Gleason,” Dear Rivers Productions, Exhibit A and Img Films
“Hooligan Sparrow,” Little Horse Crossing the River
“The Ivory Game,” Terra Mater Film Studios and Vulcan Productions
“Life, Animated,” Motto Pictures and A&E IndieFilms
“Tower,” Go-Valley
“Weiner,” Edgeline Films
“The Witness,” The Witnesses Film
“Zero Days,” Jigsaw Productions
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture...
Top Five
“Cameraperson,” Big Mouth Productions
“The Eagle Huntress,” Stacey Reiss Productions, Kissiki Films and 19340 Productions
“I Am Not Your Negro,” Velvet Film
“O.J.: Made in America,” Laylow Films and Espn Films
“13th,” Forward Movement
Almost There
“Command and Control,” American Experience Films/PBS
“Fire at Sea,” Stemal Entertainment
“Gleason,” Dear Rivers Productions, Exhibit A and Img Films
“Hooligan Sparrow,” Little Horse Crossing the River
“The Ivory Game,” Terra Mater Film Studios and Vulcan Productions
“Life, Animated,” Motto Pictures and A&E IndieFilms
“Tower,” Go-Valley
“Weiner,” Edgeline Films
“The Witness,” The Witnesses Film
“Zero Days,” Jigsaw Productions
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture...
- 12/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
There are only three real locks for this category: “Doctor Strange,” “The Jungle Book” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” The rest are up in the air and will likely be determined by the bake off on Jan. 8th. [Dec. 29]
Top Five
“Arrival”
“Doctor Strange”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
“The Jungle Book”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Almost There
“The Bfg”
“Captain America: Civil War”
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Passengers”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Visual Effects Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
Top Five
“Arrival”
“Doctor Strange”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
“The Jungle Book”
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Almost There
“The Bfg”
“Captain America: Civil War”
“Deepwater Horizon”
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Passengers”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Continue reading 2017 Best Visual Effects Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.
- 12/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
The snubbing of “Neruda” and “Elle” from the shortlist will go down as one of the Foreign Language committee’s biggest failures, but frontrunner “Toni Erdmann” thankfully still made the cut. These are the current predictions based on the nine films officially on the shortlist. [Dec. 29]
Top Five
Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors
Denmark, “Land of Mine,” Martin Zandvliet, director
Germany, “Toni Erdmann,” Maren Ade, director
Iran, “The Salesman,” Asghar Farhadi, director
Sweden, “A Man Called Ove,” Hannes Holm, director
Almost There
Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director
Norway, “The King’s Choice,” Erik Poppe, director
Russia, “Paradise,” Andrei Konchalovsky, director
Switzerland, “My Life as a Zucchini,” Claude Barras, director
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film...
Top Five
Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors
Denmark, “Land of Mine,” Martin Zandvliet, director
Germany, “Toni Erdmann,” Maren Ade, director
Iran, “The Salesman,” Asghar Farhadi, director
Sweden, “A Man Called Ove,” Hannes Holm, director
Almost There
Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director
Norway, “The King’s Choice,” Erik Poppe, director
Russia, “Paradise,” Andrei Konchalovsky, director
Switzerland, “My Life as a Zucchini,” Claude Barras, director
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film...
- 12/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
We are joined this week by Variety’s Chief Film Critic Peter Debruge and just in time to talk top 10s. There was a lot of crossover with both of our lists, but even when we agreed it got…interesting. But, don’t worry. We’re still friends. It’s just a passionate debate between two friends who probably know way to much about what they are talking about.
But, it’s fun.
Read More: Gregory Ellwood’s Top 10 Movies Of 2016
Couple of quick corrections since this was recorded last week.
Continue reading 4 Quadrant Podcast Ep 7: Top 10 Movies Of 2016 With Peter Debruge at The Playlist.
But, it’s fun.
Read More: Gregory Ellwood’s Top 10 Movies Of 2016
Couple of quick corrections since this was recorded last week.
Continue reading 4 Quadrant Podcast Ep 7: Top 10 Movies Of 2016 With Peter Debruge at The Playlist.
- 12/20/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
2016 needs to end for so many reasons. Frankly, I’m not convinced 2017 will actually be better, but at least there is always the hope great new movies will distract us from the authoritarian government that is quickly swooping into power. Keep hope alive, right?
As we enter the annual the “best of” season many have commented on “what a great year for movies” 2016 was. This writer thinks that hot take may exaggerating the overall mediocrity of the past 12 months.
Continue reading Gregory Ellwood’s Top 10 Movies of 2016: ‘Moonlight,’ ‘Personal Shopper,’ ‘Rogue One’ at The Playlist.
As we enter the annual the “best of” season many have commented on “what a great year for movies” 2016 was. This writer thinks that hot take may exaggerating the overall mediocrity of the past 12 months.
Continue reading Gregory Ellwood’s Top 10 Movies of 2016: ‘Moonlight,’ ‘Personal Shopper,’ ‘Rogue One’ at The Playlist.
- 12/19/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
As Gregory Ellwood made clear yesterday, the Best Picture Oscar is looking like a lock for “La La Land.” The starry-eyed musical led by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is a cinematic treat that almost everyone has adored, and it’s pulled off with panache by “Whiplash” director Damien Chazelle. The superlatives for “La La Land” are only going to continue as the film opens in theaters this month and the awards season rolls on, with those both inside and outside the industry sitting up to take notice.
Continue reading William Friedkin Says ‘La La Land’ Director Damien Chazelle Is “The Future Of American Cinema” at The Playlist.
Continue reading William Friedkin Says ‘La La Land’ Director Damien Chazelle Is “The Future Of American Cinema” at The Playlist.
- 12/8/2016
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
“The Bfg” may be Steven Spielberg‘s biggest bomb in decades, but it’s also one of John Williams‘ final scores. Considering the living legend has been nominated for practically every score he’s composed this century he’s probably making the cut once again this season. Just something to keep in mind. [Nov 29]
Top Five
Nicholas Britell, “Moonlight”
Hauschka, Dustin O’Halloran, “Lion”
Justin Hurwitz, “La La Land”
Mica Levi, “Jackie”
John Williams, “The Bfg”
Almost There
John Debney, “The Jungle Book”
Michael Giacchino, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Johann Johannsson, “Arrival”
Kim Allen Kluge, Kathryn Kluge, “Silence”
James Newton Howard, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Mark Mancina, “Moana”
Alan Silvestri, “Allied”
Longshots
Lesley Barber, “Manchester by the Sea”
Michael Giacchino, “Zootopia”
Rupert Gregson-Williams, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Dario Marianelli, “Kubo and the Strings”
Thomas Newman, “Finding Dory”
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Patriots Day”
Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams, Hans Zimmer,...
Top Five
Nicholas Britell, “Moonlight”
Hauschka, Dustin O’Halloran, “Lion”
Justin Hurwitz, “La La Land”
Mica Levi, “Jackie”
John Williams, “The Bfg”
Almost There
John Debney, “The Jungle Book”
Michael Giacchino, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Johann Johannsson, “Arrival”
Kim Allen Kluge, Kathryn Kluge, “Silence”
James Newton Howard, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Mark Mancina, “Moana”
Alan Silvestri, “Allied”
Longshots
Lesley Barber, “Manchester by the Sea”
Michael Giacchino, “Zootopia”
Rupert Gregson-Williams, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Dario Marianelli, “Kubo and the Strings”
Thomas Newman, “Finding Dory”
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Patriots Day”
Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams, Hans Zimmer,...
- 11/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
This appears as though it will be a much more competitive Costume Design category than we’ve seen in recent years. There are at least 13 films that could easily be nominated and not a single “lock” among them. [Nov. 29]
Top Five
Colleen Atwood, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Consolata Boyle, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Madeline Fontaine, “Jackie”
Sandy Powell, “Silence”
Mary Zophres, “La La Land”
Almost There
Sharen Davis, “Fences”
Johanna Johnston, “Allied”
Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, “Hidden Figures”
Seong-hie Ryu, “The Handmaiden”
Jacqueline West, “Live by Night”
Albert Wolsey, “Rules Don’t Apply”
Mary Zophres, “Hail, Caesar!”
Longshots
Colleen Atwood, “Alice Through The Looking Glass”
Colleen Atwood, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”
Erin Benach, “Loving”
Alexandra Byrne, “Doctor Strange”
Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh, “Love & Friendship”
David Crossman, Glyn Dillon, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best...
Top Five
Colleen Atwood, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Consolata Boyle, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Madeline Fontaine, “Jackie”
Sandy Powell, “Silence”
Mary Zophres, “La La Land”
Almost There
Sharen Davis, “Fences”
Johanna Johnston, “Allied”
Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, “Hidden Figures”
Seong-hie Ryu, “The Handmaiden”
Jacqueline West, “Live by Night”
Albert Wolsey, “Rules Don’t Apply”
Mary Zophres, “Hail, Caesar!”
Longshots
Colleen Atwood, “Alice Through The Looking Glass”
Colleen Atwood, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”
Erin Benach, “Loving”
Alexandra Byrne, “Doctor Strange”
Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh, “Love & Friendship”
David Crossman, Glyn Dillon, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best...
- 11/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Will the new guard or the old guard rule? The Cinematography branch has often favored established DPs over newcomers, but this year might change that a bit. [Updated Nov. 20]
Top Five
Stephan Fontaine, “Jackie”
James Laxton, “Moonlight”
Rodrigo Prieto, “Silence”
Linus Sandgren, “La La Land”
Bradford Young, “Arrival”
Almost There
Caleb Deschanel, “Rules Don’t Apply”
Greig Fraser, “Lion”
Seamus McGarvey, “Nocturnal Animals”
Robert Richardson, “Live By Night”
Philippe Rousselot, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Vittorio Stoaro, “Cafe Society”
Longshots
Robert Elswit, “Gold”
Roger Deakins, “Hail, Caesar!”
Simon Duggan, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Greig Fraser, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Janusz Kaminski, “The Bfg”
Giles Nuttgens, “Hell or High Water”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing – Coming Soon
Cinematography
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film – Coming Soon
Documentary Feature – Coming Soon
Original Score...
Top Five
Stephan Fontaine, “Jackie”
James Laxton, “Moonlight”
Rodrigo Prieto, “Silence”
Linus Sandgren, “La La Land”
Bradford Young, “Arrival”
Almost There
Caleb Deschanel, “Rules Don’t Apply”
Greig Fraser, “Lion”
Seamus McGarvey, “Nocturnal Animals”
Robert Richardson, “Live By Night”
Philippe Rousselot, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Vittorio Stoaro, “Cafe Society”
Longshots
Robert Elswit, “Gold”
Roger Deakins, “Hail, Caesar!”
Simon Duggan, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Greig Fraser, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Janusz Kaminski, “The Bfg”
Giles Nuttgens, “Hell or High Water”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing – Coming Soon
Cinematography
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film – Coming Soon
Documentary Feature – Coming Soon
Original Score...
- 11/22/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
This is one of the most competitive Animated Feature Film faces in some time. So competitive that at this time we don’t even have “Finding Dory” making the top five. [Updated Nov. 20]
Top Five
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Moana”
“The Red Turtle”
“Sing”
“Zootopia”
Almost There
“Finding Dory”
“The Little Prince”
“Long Way North”
“Sausage Party”
“The Secret Life of Pets”
Longshots
“The Angry Birds Movie”
“April and the Extraordinary World”
“Bilal”
“Ice Age: Collision Course”
“Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy Xv”
“Kung Fu Panda 3”
“Miss Hokusai”
“Monkey King: Hero Is Back”
“Mune”
“Mustafa & the Magician”
“My Life as a Zucchini”
“Phantom Boy”
“Snowtime!”
“Storks”
“Trolls”
“25 April”
“Your Name”
Other categories:
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing – Coming Soon
Cinematography – Coming Soon
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film – Coming Soon
Documentary Feature – Coming Soon...
Top Five
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Moana”
“The Red Turtle”
“Sing”
“Zootopia”
Almost There
“Finding Dory”
“The Little Prince”
“Long Way North”
“Sausage Party”
“The Secret Life of Pets”
Longshots
“The Angry Birds Movie”
“April and the Extraordinary World”
“Bilal”
“Ice Age: Collision Course”
“Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy Xv”
“Kung Fu Panda 3”
“Miss Hokusai”
“Monkey King: Hero Is Back”
“Mune”
“Mustafa & the Magician”
“My Life as a Zucchini”
“Phantom Boy”
“Snowtime!”
“Storks”
“Trolls”
“25 April”
“Your Name”
Other categories:
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing – Coming Soon
Cinematography – Coming Soon
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film – Coming Soon
Documentary Feature – Coming Soon...
- 11/22/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Usually the more competitive of the two screenplay categories the Adapted Screenplay race is seemingly wide open. The biggest disappointment, however, is the lack of female writers who could make the cut after Phyllis Nagy (“Carol”) and Emma Donohuge (“Room”) earned nominations last season. [Updated as of Sept. 28]
These predictions will be updated when events dictate throughout the 2017 Oscar season. Contenders are listed alphabetically in each category.
Top Five
Jay Cocks, “Silence”
Luke Davies, “Lion”
August Wilson, “Fences”
James Schamus, “Indignation”
Whit Stillman, “Love & Friendship”
Almost There
Ben Affleck, “Live By Night”
Simon Beaufoy, Jean-Christophe Castelli, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
David Birke, “Elle”
Patrick Ness, “A Monster Calls”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Todd Kormarnicki, “Sully”
Theodore Melfi, Allison Schroeder, “Hidden Figures”
Longshots
Seo-Kyung Chung, Chan-wook Park, “The Handmaiden”
Asghar Farhadi, “The Salesman”
David Hare, “Denial”
David Kajganich, “A Bigger Splash”
Andrew Knight, Robert Schenkkan, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Justin Marks, “The Jungle Book”
Gregory Ellwood...
These predictions will be updated when events dictate throughout the 2017 Oscar season. Contenders are listed alphabetically in each category.
Top Five
Jay Cocks, “Silence”
Luke Davies, “Lion”
August Wilson, “Fences”
James Schamus, “Indignation”
Whit Stillman, “Love & Friendship”
Almost There
Ben Affleck, “Live By Night”
Simon Beaufoy, Jean-Christophe Castelli, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
David Birke, “Elle”
Patrick Ness, “A Monster Calls”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Todd Kormarnicki, “Sully”
Theodore Melfi, Allison Schroeder, “Hidden Figures”
Longshots
Seo-Kyung Chung, Chan-wook Park, “The Handmaiden”
Asghar Farhadi, “The Salesman”
David Hare, “Denial”
David Kajganich, “A Bigger Splash”
Andrew Knight, Robert Schenkkan, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Justin Marks, “The Jungle Book”
Gregory Ellwood...
- 9/28/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
There is a strong possibility the Best Supporting Actress category will have more African American women nominees than any category has ever had in the history of the Academy Awards. That being said, Michelle Williams is still the early frontrunner for “Manchester by the “Sea.” [Updated as of Sept. 28]
These predictions will be updated when events dictate throughout the 2017 Oscar season. Contenders are listed alphabetically in each category.
Top Five
Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”
Nicole Kidman, “Lion”
Lupita Nyong’o, “Queen of Katwe”
Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”
Rachel Weisz, “The Lobster”
Almost There
Felicity Jones, “A Monster Calls”
Aja Naomi King, “The Birth of a Nation”
Janelle Monae, “Hidden Figures”
Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”
Kristen Stewart, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
Longshots
Laura Dern, “The Founder”
Greta Gerwig, “20th Century Women”
Sienna Miller, “Live by Night”
Helen Mirren, “Eye in the Sky”
Michelle Monaghan, “Patriot’s Day”
Rachel Weisz, “The Light Between Oceans...
These predictions will be updated when events dictate throughout the 2017 Oscar season. Contenders are listed alphabetically in each category.
Top Five
Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”
Nicole Kidman, “Lion”
Lupita Nyong’o, “Queen of Katwe”
Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”
Rachel Weisz, “The Lobster”
Almost There
Felicity Jones, “A Monster Calls”
Aja Naomi King, “The Birth of a Nation”
Janelle Monae, “Hidden Figures”
Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”
Kristen Stewart, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
Longshots
Laura Dern, “The Founder”
Greta Gerwig, “20th Century Women”
Sienna Miller, “Live by Night”
Helen Mirren, “Eye in the Sky”
Michelle Monaghan, “Patriot’s Day”
Rachel Weisz, “The Light Between Oceans...
- 9/28/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
In theory this is Damien Chazelle’s to lose, but Barry Jenkins and Martin Scorsese will make the race interesting. [Updated as of Sept. 28]
These predictions will be updated when events dictate throughout the 2017 Oscar season. Contenders are listed alphabetically in each category.
Top Five
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Garth Davis, “Lion”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Martin Scorsese, “Silence”
Almost There
Ben Affleck, “Live By Night”
Clint Eastwood, “Sully”
Pablo Larrain, “Jackie”
Ang Lee, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
Stephen Frears, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Denzel Washington, “Fences”
Longshots
Jon Favreau, “The Jungle Book”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Theodore Melfi, “Hidden Figures”
David Mackenzie, “Hell or High Water”
Jeff Nichols, “Loving”
Nate Parker, “The Birth of a Nation”
Morten Tyldum, “Passengers”
Robert Zemekis, “Allied”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing...
These predictions will be updated when events dictate throughout the 2017 Oscar season. Contenders are listed alphabetically in each category.
Top Five
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Garth Davis, “Lion”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Martin Scorsese, “Silence”
Almost There
Ben Affleck, “Live By Night”
Clint Eastwood, “Sully”
Pablo Larrain, “Jackie”
Ang Lee, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
Stephen Frears, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Denzel Washington, “Fences”
Longshots
Jon Favreau, “The Jungle Book”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Theodore Melfi, “Hidden Figures”
David Mackenzie, “Hell or High Water”
Jeff Nichols, “Loving”
Nate Parker, “The Birth of a Nation”
Morten Tyldum, “Passengers”
Robert Zemekis, “Allied”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing...
- 9/28/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
It’s official. After months of consulting for the new Playlist site behind the scenes, awards pundit Gregory Ellwood is joining the team and is bringing his Awards Campaign blog with him (you can read his announcement piece here). Greg’s been instrumental in our transition into a new independent site, so bringing him on board as […]
The post Gregory Ellwood’s Awards Campaign Blog Is Coming To The Playlist appeared first on The Playlist.
The post Gregory Ellwood’s Awards Campaign Blog Is Coming To The Playlist appeared first on The Playlist.
- 8/19/2016
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture: Video Game of the Day: Help Leonardo DiCaprio get his Oscar in a new online game called "Leo's Red Carpet Rampage." Play it here or just watch a video of the gameplay here (via Gregory Ellwood) Trailer Parody of the Day: Speaking of giving Leo the Oscar, here's a new trailer for The Revenant made by College Humor stressing why the Academy really needs to give Leo the Oscar: Actress in the Spotlight: The brilliant talent of Jennifer Jason Leigh, who is finally nominated for an Oscar this year, is showcased in this supercut (via Cinematic Montage Creators): Cosplay of the Day: The following image is not a cartoon. It's a woman with...
Read More...
Read More...
- 2/17/2016
- by Christopher Campbell
- Movies.com
Gregory Ellwood calls Look of Silence the “Oscar frontrunner,” but I’m not so sure about that. The Oscar doc branch is a strange and unpredictable bunch. The last Joshua Oppenheimer...
- 12/6/2015
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
Although many key premieres at the 40th edition of Tiff disappointed, the festival still gave many clear pointers as to how the awards season will play out
Like the Telluride film festival that preceded it by a few days, the Toronto film festival was expected to unspool many of this year’s potential Oscar players. Unfortunately for Tiff, which celebrated its 40th birthday this year, the slate was considered a bit of a letdown. As Hitfix’s Gregory Ellwood put it: “This was not the 40th edition of the ‘Festival of Festivals’ that Toronto was hoping for.”
Related: Academy awards 2016 race comes into focus at Telluride
Continue reading...
Like the Telluride film festival that preceded it by a few days, the Toronto film festival was expected to unspool many of this year’s potential Oscar players. Unfortunately for Tiff, which celebrated its 40th birthday this year, the slate was considered a bit of a letdown. As Hitfix’s Gregory Ellwood put it: “This was not the 40th edition of the ‘Festival of Festivals’ that Toronto was hoping for.”
Related: Academy awards 2016 race comes into focus at Telluride
Continue reading...
- 9/21/2015
- by Nigel M Smith
- The Guardian - Film News
Awards column In Contention is parting ways with its parent host Hitfix, Kris Tapley announced on the blog Friday. “This will be my, and In Contention’s, last month as part of the HitFix family,” he wrote. Tapley also shared he made the decision to join Hitfix in 2011 when approached by co-founder Gregory Ellwood. “When we came here, HitFix was an evolving brand,” he said. “It was a destination for broader audiences but, with various trade dabbling and acquisitions, it was also a great destination for industry readership. I liked that hybrid personality.” Also Read: 23 Best & Worst Oscars Moments of...
- 6/19/2015
- by Linda Ge
- The Wrap
So today I'm on "Jeopardy!", an American game show created by Merv Griffin to make nerds learn hand-eye coordination. This was awhile before video games and Devil Sticks, you understand. "Jeopardy!" is kind of like crossword puzzles in that the skills required are not applicable anywhere else. You learn "Jeopardy!" from watching "Jeopardy!". Maybe you brush up on your Shakespeare and your kings of England too. And maybe you practice your buzzer skills on a click pen or a springy toilet paper spool. But "Jeopardy!" is not like any other trivia experience since it's a speed-oriented reflex game, a spelling bee shoved inside a pinball machine. I think people underestimate this. If we don't have "Jeopardy!", we don't have the only TV game show that merges memory and quickdraw agility. Let's always remember what a singular phenomenon this is. Ok? Also: Root for me! You can help celebrate by revisiting...
- 5/8/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
Welcome to the March 27, 2015 edition of Outrage Watch, HitFix's (almost) daily rundown of all the things folks are peeved about in entertainment. Today's top story: "Get Hard" is getting slammed. The Will Ferrell-Kevin Hart prison preparedness comedy has been dogged by controversy since its SXSW premiere, when an audience member asked Hart, Ferrell and director Etan Cohen, "Were you nervous -- and/or how nervous were you -- presenting this in front of a live audience being completely, absolutely and unapologetically ... racist and hysterical at the same time?" during an audience Q&A. Not only that, but it's been deemed homophobic by a number of critics and journalists, and our own Drew McWeeny had this to say in his review: "I just couldn't bring myself to laugh at something that will reinforce hatred, that plays into this idea that gay sex is somehow inherently more disgusting than regular sex.
- 3/27/2015
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
Raunchy comedies. Scary movies. Songs with explicit lyrics. Space, the final frontier. When we're kids, we're frequently banned from checking out films, TV, music or other entertainment before we're "ready." Whatever that means. At HitFix, we discovered there's a range of what was banned in our households when we were children. Some folks like lucky-duck Gregory Ellwood had no bans at all. Some bans didn't hold. Some bans were so intense, they blanketed all corners of media. Below are some of our staffers sounding off on what wasn't allowed in their household. Share with us in the comments what stuff you couldn't watch or hear. Chris Eggertsen - "Married...With Children" "Married...With Children" was like the Devil in our house, and here's the kicker: I'm almost positive my mother never watched it before banning it. It was enough that a random Christian woman living halfway across the country whom...
- 3/25/2015
- by Katie Hasty, HitFix Staff
- Hitfix
Fox, the only network without a late-night presence to pimp in the telecast, has tapped one of its primetime regulars to host the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 20, 2015. The network announced on Thursday (March 12) that "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Andy Samberg will host the 2015 Emmy Awards. While the other networks have often used the Emmys telecast to position late-night favorites like Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien for primetime audiences, Fox has given the gig to Jane Lynch and Ryan Seacrest in recent years. Samberg seems excited, at least insofar as one can convey excitement in a press release. "Buckle your seat belts, Emmy viewers!," Samberg blurbs. "Like, in general you should buckle your seat belts in your car. In fact, even if you’re not an Emmy viewer, you should buckle your seat belt. It can be dangerous on the road. Also, if you’re not an Emmy viewer,...
- 3/12/2015
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
The 87th Academy Awards are finally over. Now that we've all had a chance to try and rid ourselves of our massive celebratory hangovers, let's tackle the most important question of the day: How did Kristopher Tapley and Gregory Ellwood do with their 2015 Oscar predictions? We're so glad you asked because we were curious, too! It turns out that Tapley is the co-King of the Oscar pundits. He predicted 20 out of the 24 categories, matching Kyle Buchanan of Vulture. Ellwood predicted 17 correctly, tying him with Mark Harris of Grantland, but behind Glenn Whipp of the La Times and Steve Pond at The Wrap (but also ahead of a lot of other famous bylines). Let's take a moment and see where we both scored and where we failed miserably, because we expect we'll never live it down. Animated Short Greg - Correct Kris - Correct Live Action Short Greg - Wrong Kris...
- 2/23/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood, Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Dear Neil, It's a little over a week away from your debut as the host of Hollywood's biggest night so chances are this correspondence will simply arrive a little too late. The Academy Awards telecast is a monstrosity to put on and takes months to plan. In fact, the show's overall creative direction has usually been decided long before the Oscar nominations are even announced. And frankly, we're worried. The announcements from the Academy so far have made us wonder if your producers are intent on turning this into the biggest song and dance Academy Awards ever. So, better late than never to pass along some unsolicited advice, right? Honestly, we shouldn't be even pestering you about all this. We'd address this to show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, but we don't think they'll listen. The nation's TV critics have pretty much given them negative reviews for their past...
- 2/12/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
One week removed from the Oscar nominations, we’re still recovering from #OscarsSoWhite-gate, and the consensus seems to be that if only the Legos were white instead of yellow they would’ve been nominated after all.
But really the conversation has started to move toward Hollywood rather than the Oscars, and how as a whole institution we can’t seem to find enough strong roles for women or blacks or other racial groups. The Oscars have a long history of snubbing deserving black people (just ask Spike Lee), so as Larry Wilmore said on his first broadcast of The Nightly Show, this isn’t really anything new.
What we do have is a not too bad list of nominees in a race that even at this late stage in the game is up for grabs. It’s a bit early to make final predictions, but we’ll start to know...
But really the conversation has started to move toward Hollywood rather than the Oscars, and how as a whole institution we can’t seem to find enough strong roles for women or blacks or other racial groups. The Oscars have a long history of snubbing deserving black people (just ask Spike Lee), so as Larry Wilmore said on his first broadcast of The Nightly Show, this isn’t really anything new.
What we do have is a not too bad list of nominees in a race that even at this late stage in the game is up for grabs. It’s a bit early to make final predictions, but we’ll start to know...
- 1/23/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
We knew going into the announcement of the 87th Academy Awards nominations that there were a number of tight races. We knew Lead Actor could flip upside down and surprise. We knew Directing was a questionable field and that, as always, categories such as Sound Mixing and Sound Editing could throw everyone a major curve ball or two. No one was surprised, then, when all those "surprises" and "snubs" actually came to pass. That being said, how did In Contention's Oscar pundits do with their own predictions? Let's take a look… First off, Kris Tapley gets a gold star for even attempting to predict the Live Action Short, Animated Short and Documentary Short categories (how he did was another matter). Second, both Tapley and myself predicted nine Best Picture nominees. Because there were eight we are noting a "minus one" on our overall scores. Here's the rundown: Gregory Ellwood -...
- 1/16/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Do you feel like you're just now getting a handle on 2014, and the year is totally done? Did you sleep through the majority of the Christmas holiday time and are only just now cracking the internet? Did you already watch every movie on our Best and Worst lists and now just need recommendations on something weird to watch? HitFix has your New Year's Eve Nostalgia and New Year's Day Hangover taken care of. Check out our many Top 10s, Top 20s, Top 40s, Top 50s; our Omg moments, our regrets, our overrated and guilty pleasures; our indulgent year-end highs and lows. Here's the TV from 2014 you should have been watching... Daniel Fienberg's 1-10 Best TV Shows of 2014 Daniel Fienberg's 11-20 Best TV Shows Alan Sepinwall's 10 Best TV Shows of 2014 Alan Sepinwall's 10 More Great New Series from 2014 Alan Sepinwall's 10 More Great Returning Series from 2014 And here's the music you should have been listening to.
- 1/1/2015
- by Katie Hasty
- Hitfix
Richard Linklater's Boyhood tops the best-of-2014 lists at the Av Club and the Dissolve, both of which run to 20 films; critics at RogerEbert.com go for Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin. Today's lists also include those from Variety critics Justin Chang (#1: Boyhood), Peter Debruge (John Michael McDonagh's Calvary) and Scott Foundas (Jean-Luc Godard's Adieu au langage); the New Yorker's David Denby (Pawel Pawlikowski’s Ida); HitFix's Gregory Ellwood (Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel); plus best scenes, documentaries, performances and on and on. » - David Hudson...
- 12/18/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
Richard Linklater's Boyhood tops the best-of-2014 lists at the Av Club and the Dissolve, both of which run to 20 films; critics at RogerEbert.com go for Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin. Today's lists also include those from Variety critics Justin Chang (#1: Boyhood), Peter Debruge (John Michael McDonagh's Calvary) and Scott Foundas (Jean-Luc Godard's Adieu au langage); the New Yorker's David Denby (Pawel Pawlikowski’s Ida); HitFix's Gregory Ellwood (Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel); plus best scenes, documentaries, performances and on and on. » - David Hudson...
- 12/18/2014
- Keyframe
During her Gotham Awards tribute speech, Tilda Swinton name-checked one unexpected collaborator just before exiting stage: Chris Lyons, the man behind Fangs FX. A prosthetic effects company specializing in dental wonders, Swinton personally rang Lyons for four films that played in 2014: "Only Lovers Left Alive," "Zero Theorem," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and "Snowpiercer." For Swinton, the makeover is part of the job. If she can use special effects makeup to inch just a little closer to her vision of the character, she’ll leap at the chance. A new behind-the-scenes video gives those who bow at the Swinton altar a chance to see her undergo this metamorphosis, going from "Snowpiercer" makeup chair to on-set rehearsal with director Bong Joon-ho. In the video, the droll Swinton describes her "Minister Mason" work as "very naturalistic, very delicate, very subtle… it’s a nose job, let’s face it." Even in this snippet of footage,...
- 12/17/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
The SAG Awards nominations are only hours away, but we're focusing our predictions first on the awards show that seems to matter the most this week to Hollywood, the Golden Globes. Granted, that might seem strange since the Screen Actors Guild is filled with actual Oscar and Emmy Awards voters and clearly should provide insight into how those two big guns shake out every season. But the Globes have become the marketing vehicle that both studios and networks use to fuel their product for weeks on end. Of course, the SAGs mean much more to the Oscar race, but those 80 or so Hollywood Foreign Press Association members can infiltrate their little fingers into the television landscape, often bringing unsung shows a needed boost of publicity (and that might be the nicest thing HitFix's TV editors can say about them). That being said, let's look at what we know about the HFPA this year,...
- 12/10/2014
- by Gregory Ellwood, Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
In "Top Five," which is written and directed by Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson plays Chelsea Brown, a New York Times reporter. Her current assignment has her shadowing and interviewing actor Andre Allen (also Rock), as he promotes a new film. The experience for both Brown and Allen proves an enlightening one. Both have secrets revealed and have to reexamine some of their preconceived notions. Sitting down to talk to Dawson about the role, she is quite forthcoming about the difficulties inherent in taking part in an interview. Not just from the reporter's end, but the actor's as well. "There's an art to it," she tells us, referencing the constructing and asking of questions and keeping the interviewee's "feet to the fire." There is also, which may be implied but not stated, an art to answering such questions. One wrong sentence on either end and things can go off the rails completely.
- 12/5/2014
- by Josh Lasser
- Hitfix
One day after announcing the World and Us Drama and Documentary Competition entries for both, Sundance revealed the films in the Spotlight and Park City at Midnight programs, as well as the films and art installations that will be part of the New Frontiers program at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Drew McWeeny will be handling the Park City at Midnight announcement, just as he'll be handling our coverage of the Midnight slate from Sundance. The Spotlight program is set aside for films that may have played in festivals around the world or even domestically, but have support amidst the Sundance selectors. The high profile entries in the Spotlight program include Kornél Mundruczó's "White God," which won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes last summer. It's the story of a girl who has to give up her mixed-breed dog and the journey girl and dog take to be reunited.
- 12/4/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
It would not be wrong to suggest that "Top Five" is Chris Rock as you've never seen him before. Yes, Rock has directed, written, and starred in movies previously, but "Top Five" is exceptionally different from "I Think I Love my Wife" and "Head of State." The movie features Rock as a stand-up comedian turned comic actor, Andre Allen, who is trying to move away from comedy and towards dramatic fare. On the day his new movie, the tale of a slave revolt in Haiti, opens, he is shadowed by a reporter from the New York Times, Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), who is doing a piece on him. It proves a learning experience for both characters. "Top Five," is a look at celebrity, what it means to be a celebrity, and what actors can endure on a day-to-day basis. Rather than a woe-is-me tale of how awful it is to be rich and famous,...
- 12/3/2014
- by Josh Lasser
- Hitfix
Everybody has that one movie that they've watched so many times, "knowing it by heart" doesn't even begin to describe the relationship. It's the film that you drop everything to watch when it comes on TV, or that you bought and wore out the VHS copy, and then the DVD and the Blu-Ray... and you're still happy to watch it again on Netflix. Maybe it all started with what your family liked to watch (or what they hated) or what ended up in your stocking at holiday time, or what you fell in love with at the theater. Below, the HitFix editorial staff shares its most-watched movies of all time. What is yours? Tell us in the comments! Donna Dickens "Titanic" I was that fourteen year old girl. The one that saw “Titanic” in theaters multiple times (my personal tally was seven.) I bought the VHS two-pack. I recorded the...
- 11/27/2014
- by HitFix Staff
- Hitfix
As the end of the year approaches, the number of question marks in the Oscar ranks continues to sink lower. This past week, Selma, American Sniper, The Gambler and A Most Violent Year all dropped at AFI Fest, leaving only movies like Unbroken (still presumed to be a front-runner in a crowded field), Exodus: Gods and Kings (possibly not an awards movie at all), Big Eyes, and Into the Woods (who knows?) still unseen.
Did these newcomers make an impact worthy of making the charts? Let’s explore below.
1. Selma
It seemed like just a few weeks ago Selma might not even be completed in time for a serious awards push. This week Oprah convinced Director Ava DuVernay to screen the whole film rather than just a 30-minute preview, and the gamble paid off in spades.
Critics have been hailing Selma as an American cinematic triumph. Director Ava DuVernay’s...
Did these newcomers make an impact worthy of making the charts? Let’s explore below.
1. Selma
It seemed like just a few weeks ago Selma might not even be completed in time for a serious awards push. This week Oprah convinced Director Ava DuVernay to screen the whole film rather than just a 30-minute preview, and the gamble paid off in spades.
Critics have been hailing Selma as an American cinematic triumph. Director Ava DuVernay’s...
- 11/13/2014
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
With early, festival-driven campaigns already ramping up (see: Julianne Moore in “Still Alice”) and sleeper candidates generating buzz (major question marks like Amy Adams in “Big Eyes”), the 2015 Best Actress race is tightening up. Is there room for surprises? Jennifer Aniston hopes so. Words has arrived through the wire that Cinelou Films’ distribution fledgling Cinelou Releasing has picked up the actress’ dramedy vehicle “Cake” for release before the end of the year. The film played to mixed reviews at September’s Toronto Film Festival, but clearly Cinelou bigwigs Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon see awards potential. A press release indicates that the movie will have a one-week qualifying run in December before rolling out in January. Based on a blacklisted script by Patrick Tobin and directed by "Phoebe in Wonderland" and "Beastly" director Daniel Barnz, “Cake” follows Claire (Aniston), a divorcee suffering from chronic back pain, the lingering effects of...
- 10/27/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Excuse the absence in this column for the last few weeks. I’ve been covering the Chicago International Film Festival, catching up with a few of the Foreign Language Oscar contenders while there. Now however, many of these movies are finally making their ways into theaters, providing an extra wrinkle into the race as both critics and fans weigh in on their quality.
1. Birdman
Birdman has finally arrived, and it’s everything the critics and the public have imagined. The film had a solid opening on just four theaters in its opening weekend, earning half a million dollars, and Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis and more have all been making the talk show rounds to promote this weird, goofy film everyone loves.
Kris Tapley went right out and handed Keaton the Oscar for Best Actor, writing “The emotional spectrum of this character, Riggan Thompson — who all actors will identify with at the end of the day,...
1. Birdman
Birdman has finally arrived, and it’s everything the critics and the public have imagined. The film had a solid opening on just four theaters in its opening weekend, earning half a million dollars, and Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis and more have all been making the talk show rounds to promote this weird, goofy film everyone loves.
Kris Tapley went right out and handed Keaton the Oscar for Best Actor, writing “The emotional spectrum of this character, Riggan Thompson — who all actors will identify with at the end of the day,...
- 10/23/2014
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
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