Thompson on Hollywood

Eight Short Docs Selected for Oscar Shortlist; Many Previous Nominees

Awards

Eight documentary short films have been selected for the 2013 Oscars shortlist, of which three to five will earn nominations. Full list below.

By Beth Hanna
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October 11, 2012 1:26 PM
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How David Chase Got All That Music For 'Not Fade Away'

News

Thanks to his ex-manager Brad Grey, who runs Paramount now, Chase got to make this delicious and personal slice of authentic 60s life with one recognizable star, Tony Soprano himself, James Gandolfini. He's excellent and moving as the hard-nosed old-school Italian father of a counter-cultural high school/college kid (John Magaro, pictured) who starts a band, first as drummer and then as lead singer/songwriter.

By Anne Thompson
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October 10, 2012 4:28 PM
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Bertolucci is Busting Out All Over; AFI Guest Artistic Director, European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award

News

The European Film Academy will honor Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual awards show on December 1, held in Malta. Beginning his illustrious, controversial film career in 1961 as assistant director on Pasolini's "Accatone," and going on to helm erotic- and political-provocateur works...

By Beth Hanna
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October 9, 2012 1:43 PM
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Front Runners of 71 Vying for Foreign Oscar, Arcane Rules

News

Many of the films listed below have played film festivals and gained stateside distribution, but the voting rules for the Academy's foreign films require that Academy members, who come from all branches of the Academy, see a certain number of films--only in theaters. No screeners allowed.

By Anne Thompson
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October 8, 2012 3:55 PM
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Oscar Talk: The Best Actress Race, Chances for 'Beasts of the Southern Wild,' 'Marigold Hotel,' 'Sessions' & 'Hitchcock'

Awards

On this week's Oscar Talk, Kris Tapley and I discuss the best actress race, among others, and the chances for Fox Searchlight's "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," "The Sessions" and "Hitchcock."

By Anne Thompson
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October 5, 2012 1:30 PM
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Mel Brooks, 'Long-Reigning King of Comedy,' To Receive AFI Life Achievement Award

Awards

AFI will honor Mel Brooks with the 41st Life Achivement Award, their highest honor. On June 6, 2013, Brooks will be presented with the award at a gala tribute in Los Angeles, which will later be aired on TNT. AFI's Sir Howard Stringer says, "Mel Brooks is America’s long-reigning king of comedy...

By Sophia Savage
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October 5, 2012 12:24 PM
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BAFTA LA Britannias to Honor Day-Lewis with Stanley Kubrick Award

Awards

The BAFTA LA 2012 Britannia Awards (November 11) will honor "Lincoln" star Daniel Day-Lewis with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for excellence in film. The pre-selected awards, which this year also honor Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Will Wright, provide a BAFTA Oscar push for certain artists.

By Beth Hanna
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October 4, 2012 1:11 PM
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Immersed in Movies: Will Animated Black-and-White 3-D 'Frankenweenie' Win Burton His First Oscar?

Interviews

"Frankenweenie" is not only Tim Burton's best film since "Big Fish" (another rite of passage story), but also a lock for a best animated feature nomination. In fact, the Oscar arguably appears to be Burton's to lose, though it's shaping up to be quite a race with two other tantalizing retro movies yet to come: Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph" (November 2) and DreamWorks' "Rise of the Guardians" (November 21).

By Bill Desowitz
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October 4, 2012 12:41 PM
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Oscar Watch: Spielberg's 'Lincoln' Faces Marketing Challenges; Fiery New Trailer Targets Political Wonks During Presidential Debate

Awards

An intense and patriotic new trailer for Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" (November 9) premiered during the presidential debate. Political news wonks may seem an odd target audience for a Hollywood movie, but it makes sense for a period drama that is essentially about governing. "Lincoln" spends most of its time following the fierce battle waged by Abraham Lincoln to make his wartime Emancipation Proclamation into law.

By Anne Thompson
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October 4, 2012 12:12 PM
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Three Indie Summer Hits Vie for Oscars: 'Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,' 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' and 'Moonrise Kingdom'

Awards

Several indie movies are looking to make a late-year comeback on the road to the Oscars, most notably three summer hits. Fox Searchlight is pushing Brit import "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" ($46 million domestic) as well as Sundance sweetheart "Beasts of the Southern Wild" ($11 million) and Focus Features is touting Wes Anderson's Cannes entry "Moonrise Kingdom" ($45 million). (See how the Gurus 'O Gold place the films here.)