Thompson on Hollywood

Oscar Talk: Who Will Win Animated Shorts, Best Actor, Best Picture

Awards

The end of the Oscar race is in sight and if Kris Tapley and I sound a bit frayed, we are. We dig into the animated shorts and a few of the live action ones as well. I finally caught up with "Bullhead," which will not, I think, beat "A Separation." Kris wonders if "Monsieur Lazhar" will. We debate the still contentious best actor race, again.

By Anne Thompson
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February 10, 2012 12:40 PM
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Guardian's First Film Award Goes to Ireland's 'The Guard'; Director McDonagh 'Pretty Surprised and Very Pleased'

News

John Michael McDonagh's "The Guard," starring Brendan Gleeson, has won the Guardian's First Film Award (in its fourth year). Guardian awards judge and film critic Peter Bradshaw says, "This was an exceptionally good year for debut work and our shortlist was packed with excellent work...

By Sophia Savage
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February 10, 2012 8:57 AM
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Oscar Nominees 'Out of Character' at the Academy's Portrait Exhibition

Awards

The Academy will exhibit portraits of all 20 of this year's acting nominees in "Out of Character," shot by photographer Douglas Kirkland. You can view the portraits in the Academy's Grand Lobby Gallery in Beverly Hills from February 11 - March 18. You can also check out the portraits and behind the scenes shots here. By their clothes it's clear that most of these portraits were taken during the Oscar Nominees Luncheon ,where the actors and actresses chatted up the press.

By Sophia Savage
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February 9, 2012 2:36 PM
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Oscar Watch: Director Patrick Doyon Talks Animated Short "Sunday"

Features

What it feels like to be going to the Oscars: "It's surreal. I didn't expect it to happen when I was making the film—I just wanted it to be the best it could be. The Oscar nomination is like the cherry on the sundae."

By Jacob Combs
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February 9, 2012 10:56 AM
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Oscar Watch: Directors Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis Talk Animated Short "Wild Life"

Awards

Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis's Oscar-nominated animated short "Wild Life" is anything but conventional. Set in 1909, it follows a young Brit who travels to the great adventurous unknown that is Canada, eager to make a life for himself as a rancher. Once he arrives, however, he finds his rarefied upbringing hasn't prepared him for his new life.

By Jacob Combs
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February 8, 2012 2:06 PM
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'Rango' Dominates Visual Effects Society Awards

Awards

"Rango" dominated the winners of the 10th Visual Effects Society (VES) awards in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games with four awards, including outstanding visual effects in an animated motion picture.

By Anne Thompson
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February 8, 2012 11:12 AM
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Gore Verbinski and Ned Beatty Talk Oscar Animation Front-Runner 'Rango'

Awards

Gore Verbinski's "Rango," that wonderfully bizarre, hyper-referential and occasionally psychedelic Western about a lonely lizard's alter ego, screened for Academy and guild members Monday evening at the ICM Building in Century City.

By Beth Hanna
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February 8, 2012 11:03 AM
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EXCLUSIVE Video Interview: Brad Pitt and Oakland A's Billy Beane Talk 'Moneyball'

Awards

Oscar Q & As are going on all over town; Monday night Brad Pitt and Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, the man he plays in "Moneyball," joined moderator Elvis Mitchell at LACMA for an Oscar nominees panel with Jonah Hill, editor Christopher Tellefsen and sound mixer Deb Adair. Then Pitt and Beane sat down for an exclusive talk.

By Anne Thompson
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February 7, 2012 6:32 PM
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Watch: Featurette for Supporting Actor Nominee Max Von Sydow in 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'

Awards

Check out this featurette on Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Max Von Sydow's performance in "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." Here's what he said of his nomination at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon.

By Sophia Savage
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February 7, 2012 4:29 PM
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Clooney and Payne Talk at Oscar Nominee Lunch, Measuring Applause

Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is an institution, like many others, trying to stay true to its mission while it transitions for the future. At one table at Monday's Oscar Nominees Luncheon sat Bill Lee, president of ABC, which is demanding high ratings from the Award Show of Shows on February 26, to be hosted by Billy Crystal.