Who is going to win Best Actress? It's a three-horse race.

Winning Best Actress would
not be... 'Impossible' *groan*

I've passionately supported Jessica Chastain to win Best Actress. The Golden Globes will not tell us anything, since Jennifer Lawrence is in the comedy category, and Chastain is in the drama category. Lawrence has an easy win, and I initially thought Chastain had another easy race, but as the Navy SEALS say- 'No Easy Day'. I never realized how much of a boost Watts was getting by SAG and Golden Globes, and she is quite popular in the industry. Do not be surprised if Watts surprises with a Globes win, so SAG might truly be the best way to determine the winner.

Consider that last year's SAG winner Viola Davis lost in Streep sympathy vote, and Watts just might win in a 'sorry we forgot to nominate you for Fair Game and whatever else' surprise. Lawrence is just still too young to win, by voters standards. Chastain is uber-popular and hopefully wins. I honestly don't know who will win. It's a three-horse race, and anyone can win.

Speaking of horse races, here is a video of a horse that began last and strode up to first. ARRRRRR!

James Berardinelli's (ReelViews) Top 10.

Honorable mentions:
The Avengers
End of Watch
Ruby Sparks
Moonrise Kingdom

10 (tie): The Dark Knight Rises
             Les Miserables
9: Argo
8: Skyfall
7: Silver Linings Playbook
6: Django Unchained
5: Amour
4: A Separation (A 2011 holdover)
3: Lincoln
2: Zero Dark Thirty
1: Looper

You can read his thoughts on each film here.

Best Original Screenplay predictions (12/31/12)

Last time I did screenplay predictions, both Zero Dark Thirty and Django were sights unseen. Let's get to it.

1. Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
The second political thriller of the year has been widely praised and slightly controversial, but less so than another contender. The film has passionate supporters, but the only thing hurting Boal is that he won so recently.

2. Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Tarantino is the epitome of the 21st century pop culture, and his latest is one of his best. It is funny, witty, entertaining, and a wonderful homage to Spaghetti Westerns. A cloud of controversy looms above this one, though.

3/4. Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom/Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Both directors are named Anderson, both are contenders, and both have wildly different screenplays that are both within passionate support. Both will be nominated, both won't win, but still.

5. Michael Haneke, Amour
The film is going to miss WGA, and it missed SAG. It's still in the conversation, and last year's A Separation got nominated in the Original slot. There's a free-for-all space, and this one's gonna get it.

Les Miserables (2012)- The pillars of a body are ignored (2 Stars)

Les Miserables has been in the Oscar conversation ever since the idea of a movie adaptation has ever been though of. Once Tom Hooper signed on, the buzz got as fierce as a bumblebee. But after viewing the film, I was puzzled. Why does this even exist as a movie?

Django Unchained (2012)- That's entertainment! (3.5/4 Stars)

In one of the best movies of all time, Raging Bull, the old Jake LaMotta recalls his boxing life. He says, about his standup gig, "That's entertainment." The scene flashes back as he repeats "That's entertainment.", and you (the audience) see the young Jake in a boxing match.

What does this have to do with Tarantino's Django Unchained? Halfway through the movie, we (the audience, again) meet Calvin Candie, a despicable plantation owner who finds brutal and always fatal 'mandango fighting' as 'entertaining'. A similar mindset to the young Jake LaMotta. "THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!"

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)- A crazy great time at the movies (3.5/4 Stars)

David O'Russell might be the most versatile director I've heard of. In 2004, he made I Heart Huckabees, a comedy of sorts. 2010 brought The Fighter a boxing-and-drug drama. 2012 has graced us with Silver Linings Playbook, a humorous film that handles its subject matter (mental illness) very well.

Amour (2012)- The most intense movie of the year (Yes Argo, more intense than you). [SPOILERS]

Amour, by Michael Haneke, is a poignant film that mainly takes place in one apartment. Is that a problem? No, since Jean-Louis Tritignant, Emanuelle Riva, and a pigeon make it all work.

Trailer for 'To the Wonder'

This is everything I wanted it to be... and then some.

Best Supporting Actress predictions (12/17/12)

Last time I did this, Hitchcock was a sight unseen, and Scarlett Johansson occupied one of the slots. Currently there are three locks, one almost lock, and a free-for-all.

1. Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
She's been nominated before (almost won!), and she's quite popular in a popular film. This is a sure thing for a win.

2. Sally Field, Lincoln
Sally Field's performance has been captivating critics groups and has redefined Mary Lincoln as a nut. It's great work.

3. Amy Adams, The Master
Because I am doing this on my phone, I am frankly to lazy to check how many times Amy has been nominated. I believe this could be her 5th/6th nomination. The performance has been well-embraced by critics, and got a Globe nomination, but no SAG can hurt.

4. Helen Hunt, The Sessions
This is the third lock. Amy is a near lock, but she has a higher chance (but not too high) of winning. The Sessions, I think, will be a difficult film for the Academy because of SEX.

5. Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Fox Searchlight could potentially have two supporting actress contenders. I think Dame Maggie will boot out Nicole Kidman's Paperboy because Fox can easily distribute Marigold quicker than Paperboy's little distributor can. Also, SAG gave Marigold a Best Cast nomination.

Check back for some more Oscar predictions

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)- A short story, longly told

The Hobbit was one of this year's most anticipated films, and it might be considered one of the most disappointing. Do I agree with the disappointment? Slightly. Is it still worth a watch? Definitely. 

First and foremost, the film is a visual wonder. The CGI is slightly excessive, but places like Rivendell have never looked so vibrant. Gollum's scenes look scarily realistic, and the 3D is bold and effective. See it for the sake of visual entertainment.

Best Picture Predictions!

1. Lincoln
This film is on fire. Actors love it, critics love it, and the Golden Globes loved it. It's been healthily nominated, now its time for this baby to win!

2. Zero Dark Thirty
The critics love this more than Lincoln. Women voters love it. Young voters love it. 98 on Metacritic. This film is ruthless, and if it wins more prizes, we might see this overtake Lincoln.

3. Argo
Hollywood insiders and people in the biz like it a lot. It is losing steam due to Zero Dark Thirty, though.

4. Les Miserables
It has a top notch cast that would make the SAG fall in love... which they did, with this bad boy. Mixed reviews are hurting the potential #1 votes, though. Think Nine from 2009.

5. Silver Linings Playbook
Top notch acting, well written, well directed. This is the film that will probably by 'also ran', because everything about it has been upsurped. Best Actor is going to Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Actress is probably going to Jessica Chastain...

6. Django Unchained
Tarantino is back, and with a vengeance. This is entertaining, and did very well at the Golden Globes.

7. Life of Pi
Visuals. The film is still losing momentum because it really hasn't won anything besides Las Vegas.

8. The Master
This is on the cusp of being nominated, and I think it will. This is a film that can easily get #1 votes.

Gone is Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild. Check back for more for predictions.

Golden Globe nominees!

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. ARGO Warner Bros. Pictures, GK Films, Smokehouse Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures

b. DJANGO UNCHAINED The Weinstein Company, Columbia Pictures; The Weinstein Company/Sony Pictures Releasing

c. LIFE OF PI Fox 2000 Pictures; Twentieth Century Fox

d. LINCOLN DreamWorks Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox; Touchstone Pictures

e. ZERO DARK THIRTY Columbia Pictures and Annapurna Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. JESSICA CHASTAIN ZERO DARK THIRTY

b. MARION COTILLARD RUST AND BONE

c. HELEN MIRREN HITCHCOCK

d. NAOMI WATTS THE IMPOSSIBLE

e. RACHEL WEISZ THE DEEP BLUE SEA

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS LINCOLN

b. RICHARD GERE ARBITRAGE

c. JOHN HAWKES THE SESSIONS

d. JOAQUIN PHOENIX THE MASTER

e. DENZEL WASHINGTON FLIGHT

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – Blueprint Pictures/Participant Media; Fox Searchlight Pictures

b. LES MISERABLES – Universal Pictures, A Working Title Films/Cameron Mackintosh Productions; Universal Pictures

c. MOONRISE KINGDOM – Indian Paintbrush; Focus Features

d. SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN – CBS Films; CBS Films

e. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – The Weinstein Company; The Weinstein Company

5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. EMILY BLUNT SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

b. JUDI DENCH THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

c. JENNIFER LAWRENCE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

d. MAGGIE SMITH QUARTET

e. MERYL STREEP HOPE SPRINGS

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. JACK BLACK BERNIE

b. BRADLEY COOPER SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

c. HUGH JACKMAN LES MISERABLES

d. EWAN MCGREGOR SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

e. BILL MURRAY HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

Critics Choice and SAG Nominees!

Critics Choice:

BEST PICTURE
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
The Master
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Daniel Day-Lewis – “Lincoln”
John Hawkes – “The Sessions”
Hugh Jackman – “Les Misérables”
Joaquin Phoenix – “The Master”
Denzel Washington – “Flight”

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain – “Zero Dark Thirty”
Marion Cotillard – “Rust and Bone”
Jennifer Lawrence – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Emmanuelle Riva – “Amour”
Quvenzhané Wallis – “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Naomi Watts – “The Impossible”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin – “Argo”
Javier Bardem – “Skyfall”
Robert De Niro – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Philip Seymour Hoffman – “The Master”
Tommy Lee Jones – “Lincoln”
Matthew McConaughey – “Magic Mike”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams – “The Master”
Judi Dench – “Skyfall”
Ann Dowd – “Compliance”
Sally Field – “Lincoln”
Anne Hathaway – “Les Misérables”
Helen Hunt – “The Sessions”

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Elle Fanning – “Ginger & Rosa”
Kara Hayward – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Tom Holland – “The Impossible”
Logan Lerman – “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Suraj Sharma – “Life of Pi”
Quvenzhané Wallis – “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Argo
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Lincoln
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Affleck – “Argo”
Kathryn Bigelow – “Zero Dark Thirty”
Tom Hooper – “Les Misérables”
Ang Lee – “Life of Pi”
David O. Russell – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Steven Spielberg – “Lincoln”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Quentin Tarantino – “Django Unchained”
John Gatins – “Flight”
Rian Johnson – “Looper”
Paul Thomas Anderson – “The Master”
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Mark Boal – “Zero Dark Thirty”

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Chris Terrio – “Argo”
David Magee – “Life of Pi”
Tony Kushner – “Lincoln”
Stephen Chbosky – “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
David O. Russell – “Silver Linings Playbook”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Les Misérables” – Danny Cohen
“Life of Pi” – Claudio Miranda
“Lincoln” – Janusz Kaminski
“The Master” – Mihai Malaimare Jr.
“Skyfall” – Roger Deakins

BEST ART DIRECTION
“Anna Karenina” – Sarah Greenwood/Production Designer; Katie Spencer/Set Decorator
“The Hobbit” – Dan Hennah/Production Designer; Ra Vincent & Simon Bright/Set Decorators
“Les Misérables” – Eve Stewart/Production Designer; Anna Lynch-Robinson/Set Decorator
“Life of Pi” – David Gropman/Production Designer; Anna Pinnock/Set Decorator
“Lincoln” – Rick Carter/Production Designer; Jim Erickson/Set Decorator

BEST EDITING
“Argo” – William Goldenberg
“Les Misérables” – Melanie Ann Oliver and Chris Dickens
“Life of Pi” – Tim Squyres
“Lincoln” – Michael Kahn
“Zero Dark Thirty” – William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
“Anna Karenina” – Jacqueline Durran
“Cloud Atlas” – Kym Barrett and Pierre-Yves Gayraud
“The Hobbit” – Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor
“Les Misérables” – Paco Delgado
“Lincoln” – Joanna Johnston

BEST MAKEUP
Cloud Atlas
The Hobbit
Les Misérables
Lincoln

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Avengers
Cloud Atlas
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit
Life of Pi

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Brave
Frankenweenie
Madagascar 3
ParaNorman
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

BEST ACTION MOVIE
The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
Looper
Skyfall

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Christian Bale – “The Dark Knight Rises”
Daniel Craig – “Skyfall”
Robert Downey Jr. – “The Avengers”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Looper”
Jake Gyllenhaal – “End of Watch”

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Emily Blunt – “Looper”
Gina Carano – “Haywire”
Judi Dench – “Skyfall”
Anne Hathaway – “The Dark Knight Rises”
Jennifer Lawrence – “The Hunger Games”

BEST COMEDY
Bernie
Silver Linings Playbook
Ted
This Is 40
21 Jump Street

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jack Black – “Bernie”
Bradley Cooper – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Paul Rudd – “This Is 40”
Channing Tatum – “21 Jump Street”
Mark Wahlberg – “Ted”

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Mila Kunis – “Ted”
Jennifer Lawrence – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Shirley MacLaine – “Bernie”
Leslie Mann – “This Is 40”
Rebel Wilson – “Pitch Perfect”

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE
The Cabin in the Woods
Looper
Prometheus

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Amour
The Intouchables
A Royal Affair
Rust and Bone

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Bully
The Central Park Five
The Imposter
The Queen of Versailles
Searching for Sugar Man
West of Memphis

BEST SONG
“For You” – performed by Keith Urban/written by Monty Powell & Keith Urban – Act of Valor
“Learn Me Right” – performed by Birdy with Mumford & Sons/written by Mumford & Sons – Brave
“Skyfall” – performed by Adele/written by Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth – Skyfall
“Still Alive” – performed by Paul Williams/written by Paul Williams – Paul Williams Still Alive
“Suddenly” – performed by Hugh Jackman/written by Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer – Les Misérables

BEST SCORE
“Argo” – Alexandre Desplat
“Life of Pi” – Mychael Danna
“Lincoln” – John Williams
“The Master” – Jonny Greenwood
“Moonrise Kingdom” – Alexandre Desplat

SAG:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
BRADLEY COOPER / Pat – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Abraham Lincoln – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)
JOHN HAWKES / Mark – “THE SESSIONS” (Fox Searchlight)
HUGH JACKMAN / Jean Valjean – “LES MISÉRABLES” (Universal Pictures)
DENZEL WASHINGTON / Whip Whitaker – “FLIGHT” (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Maya – “ZERO DARK THIRTY” (Columbia Pictures)
MARION COTILLARD / Stephanie – “RUST AND BONE” (Sony Pictures Classics)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE / Tiffany – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
HELEN MIRREN / Alma Reville – “HITCHCOCK” (Fox Searchlight)
NAOMI WATTS / Maria – “THE IMPOSSIBLE” (Summit Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
ALAN ARKIN / Lester Siegel – “ARGO” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Silva – “SKYFALL” (Columbia Pictures)
ROBERT DE NIRO / Pat, Sr. – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN / Lancaster Dodd – “THE MASTER” (The Weinstein Company)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Thaddeus Stevens – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
SALLY FIELD / Mary Todd Lincoln – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)
ANNE HATHAWAY / Fantine – “LES MISÉRABLES” (Universal Pictures)
HELEN HUNT / Cheryl – “THE SESSIONS” (Fox Searchlight)
NICOLE KIDMAN / Charlotte Bless – “THE PAPERBOY” (Millennium Entertainment)
MAGGIE SMITH / Muriel Donnelly – “THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL” (Fox Searchlight)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
ARGO (Warner Bros. Pictures)

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (Fox Searchlight)
LES MISÉRABLES (Universal Pictures)

LINCOLN (Touchstone Pictures)

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (The Weinstein Company)

San Diego Film Critics Society nominees!

BEST FILM
ARGO
DJANGO UNCHAINED
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
THE MASTER
ZERO DARK THIRTY

BEST DIRECTOR
Ang Lee, LIFE OF PI
Ben Affleck, ARGO
David O. Russell, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Kathryn Bigelow, ZERO DARK THIRTY
Paul Thomas Anderson, THE MASTER

BEST ACTRESS
Helen Hunt, THE SESSIONS
Jennifer Lawrence, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Jessica Chastain, ZERO DARK THIRTY
Michelle Williams, TAKE THIS WALTZ
Naomi Watts, THE IMPOSSIBLE

BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Daniel Day-Lewis, LINCOLN
Hugh Jackman, LES MISERABLES
Joaquin Phoenix, THE MASTER
John Hawkes, THE SESSIONS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, THE MASTER
Anne Hathaway, LES MISERABLES
Emma Watson, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
Rebel Wilson, PITCH PERFECT
Samantha Barks, LES MISERABLES

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin, ARGO
Christoph Waltz, DJANGO UNCHAINED
Christopher Walken, SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS
Matthew McConaughey, KILLER JOE
Philip Seymour Hoffman, THE MASTER

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Quentin Tarantino, DJANGO UNCHAINED
Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, MOONRISE KINGDOM
Sarah Polley, TAKE THIS WALTZ
Joss Whedon, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Paul Thomas Anderson, THE MASTER

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Chris Terrio, ARGO
David Magee, LIFE OF PI
Tony Kushner, LINCOLN
David O. Russell, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Stephen Chbosky, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
AMOUR
HEADHUNTERS
HOLY MOTORS
THE INTOUCHABLES
THE KID WITH A BIKE

BEST DOCUMENTARY
BULLY
JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI
QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
SAMSARA
THE INVISIBLE WAR

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ben Richardson, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Robert Richardson, DJANGO UNCHAINED
Danny Cohen, LES MISERABLES
Claudio Miranda, LIFE OF PI
Mihai Malaimare Jr., THE MASTER

BEST ANIMATED FILM
BRAVE
FRANKIEWEENIE
PARANORMAN
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
WRECK-IT RALPH

BEST EDITING
William Goldenberg, ARGO
Brian A. Kates and John Paul Horstmann, KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Tim Squyres, LIFE OF PI
Leslie Jones and Peter McNulty, THE MASTER
William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor, ZERO DARK THIRTY

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Sarah Greenwood, ANNA KARENINA
Sharon Seymour, ARGO
Hugh Bateup and Uli Hanisch, CLOUD ATLAS
Eve Stewart, LES MISERABLES
Adam Stockhausen, MOONRISE KINGDOM

BEST SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, ARGO
Benh Zeitlin and Dan Romer, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Mychael Danna, LIFE OF PI
Alexandre Desplat, MOONRISE KINGDOM
Jonny Greenwood, THE MASTER

BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
ARGO
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LES MISERABLES
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

AFI Top 10!

The Master was snubbed... but The Dark Knight Rises! Wow!

ARGO
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LES MISÉRABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
MOONRISE KINGDOM
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
ZERO DARK THIRTY

AFI predictions!

The AFI is announcing today, and they can seriously help and hurt movies. Remember Bridesmaids almost became a Best Picture nominee? Thank the AFI.

Top Ten (alphabetical):
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Lincoln
The Master
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty

Yes, I expect Life of Pi to be snubbed. Check back later today for list of winners.

New York Online Film Critics, and Boston announce winners!

BOSTON SOCIETY OF FILM CRITICS
Best film: Zero Dark Thirty

Best director: Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty

Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Best actress: Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

Best supporting actor: Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Best supporting actress: Sally Field, Lincoln

Best ensemble cast: Seven Psychopaths

Best animated film: Frankenweenie

Best documentary: How to Survive a Plague
Best foreign-language film: Amour

Best screenplay: Tony Kushner, Lincoln

Best cinematography: Mihai Malaimare, Jr., The Master

Best editing: William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor, Zero Dark Thirty
Best use of music in a film: Moonrise Kingdom

Best new filmmaker: David France, How to Survive a Plague

NEW YORK FILM CRITICS ONLINE
Best picture: Zero Dark Thirty

Best director: Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty

Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

Best actress: Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

Best supporting actor: Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

Best supporting actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

Best ensemble cast: Argo
Best animated film: Chico and Rita

Best foreign language film: Amour

Best documentary: The Central Park Five
Best screenplay: Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
Best cinematography: Claudio Miranda, Life of Pi
Best use of music: Django Unchained
Best debut director: Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Breakthrough performance: Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Amour wins Best Film, The Master takes 4 prizes, including Best Actor... all at LAFCA!

This is the first critics group that did not give the top prize to Zero Dark Thirty, and I'm extremely happy with The Master winning 4 prizes. Also, Skyfall won an award, and The Dark Knight Rises got a mention. Awesome.

(Oddly, Lincoln and Life of Pi) both got shut out.

Best Picture
"Amour"
(Runner-up: "The Master")

Best Actor
Joaquin Phoenix, "The Master"
(Runner-up: Denis Lavant, "Holy Motors")

Best Actress
Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook" and Emmanuelle Riva, "Amour" (tie)

Best Supporting Actor
Dwight Henry, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
(Runner-up: Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained")

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "The Master"
(Runner-up: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables" and "The Dark Knight Rises")

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, "The Master"
(Runner-up: Kathryn Bigelow, "Zero Dark Thirty")

Best Screenplay
Chris Terrio, "Argo"
(Runner-up: David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook")

Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins, "Skyfall"
(Runner-up: Mihai Malaimare Jr., "The Master")

Masterpieces Classics: The Man who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

John Ford crafted iconic westerns like The Searchers, Stagecoach, and in a way, The Grapes of Wrath. However, John Ford's best western doesn't have a ride into the sunset, a big shootout, or much of anything dealing with travel, be it coach or car. His best western is slow-moving, political, and perfect. It is known by the name The Man who Shot Liberty Valance.

In 1962, The Man who Shot Liberty Valance was the bottom half of a double bill. The film stars Jim Stewart, John Wayne, and Vera Miles, which is a top-notch cast for a bottom half. Was the film too boring, perhaps? Less than 10 shots are fired in the whole movie, and John Wayne was a supporting actor, not a lead. Perhaps the film defied 'the myth of the Old West'.

1956 brought The Searchers, a movie synonymous with the Old West. It was technicolor, VistaVision, and glorious. The Man who Shot Liberty Valance was black and white, and spent most of its time in a town named Shinbone. Shinbone is dominated by the cynical Liberty Valance, the sheriff is constantly drunk, and most everyone is illiterate. A bone is typically strong, but Shinbone isn't.

This film isn't your typical western. It begins with a flashback, with presidential nominee Ransom Stodard visiting Shinbone for the funeral of a mysterious marksman Tom Doaphin, played by the iconic John Wayne. Ransom is accompanied  by his wife Hallie. Journalists from Shinbone ask why Ransom is going to this funeral. He starts his story and the past swims onto the screen.

Washington Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) nominees!

Skyfall nominations!

Best Film:

Argo

Les Misérables

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

Best Director:

Ben Affleck (Argo)

Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master)

Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty)

Tom Hooper (Les Misérables)

Steven Spielberg (Lincoln)

Best Actor:

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

John Hawkes (The Sessions)

Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables)

Joaquin Phoenix (The Master)

Denzel Washington (Flight)

Best Actress:

Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty)

Marion Cotillard (Rust and Bone)

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)

Helen Mirren (Hitchcock)

Emmanuelle Riva (Amour)

LAFCA predictions!

Today the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) is announcing, and this could be a make or break for many movies. If Zero Dark Thirty wins, it would become the frontrunner. If The Master wins, it would basically be a Best Picture nominee lock. If Lincoln wins, not much would happen. If Amour wins, it would make itself a Best Picture nominee. If Les Mis wins, god save us.

Best Picture:
The Master (alt. Zero Dark Thirty)

Best Director:
P.T. Anderson, The Master (alt. Michael Haneke, Amour)

Best Actor:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln (alt. Joaquin Phoenix, The Master)

Best Actress:
Emanuelle Riva, Amour (alt. Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty)

Best Supporting Actor
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master (alt. Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln)

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, The Master and Trouble with the Curve (alt. Sally Field, Lincoln)

Best Screenplay
Tony Kushner, Lincoln (alt. Michael Haneke, Amour)

Best Foreign Film
Amour (alt. Rust and Bone)

Best Animated Film
Frankenweenie (alt. Wreck-It Ralph)

Best Score
Johnny Greenwood, The Master (alt. Alexandre Desplat, Zero Dark Thirty)

CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS!

Looper (2012): A drama with sci-fi aspects, and one of the best films of the year.

Rian Johnson's Looper is vivaciously original, undeniably futuristic,  and surprisingly human. Joesph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, and young child actor Pierce Gagnon fire on all cylinders, and make what could've been this year's Source Code into an undeniably important template for sci-fi films in the years to come.

The story starts off with Gordon-Levitt narrating what 2044 will present to us. It will have Loopers, time travelers from 2074 as hired assassins to kill mafia targets of the 30 years ahead. To retire a looper, the future self is sent to 2044 and killed by their past self. This happens to Gordon-Levitt's Joe, and his older self (Bruce Willis) flees.

Old Joe explains of a mob boss called the Rainmaker, who's evil in 2074 has inspired Old Joe to warn young Joe when his loop is closing. Old Joe has a list of three young children who could potentially be the Rainmaker. It just so happens that reluctant young Joe meets the Rainmaker, and Old Joe is out potentially killing two innocent children.

National Board of Review announces the Top 10 films of the year.

Zero Dark Thirty has won, defying expectations.
(I mean, I thought it was Argo/Les Mis!)

Best Film:  ZERO DARK THIRTY

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, ZERO DARK THIRTY

Best Actor: Bradley Cooper, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Best Actress: Jessica Chastain, ZERO DARK THIRTY

Best Supporting Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, DJANGO UNCHAINED

Best Supporting Actress: Ann Dowd, COMPLIANCE

Best Original Screenplay: Rian Johnson, LOOPER

Best Adapted Screenplay: David O. Russell, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

MORE AFTER THE JUMP:

NYFCC: what does it all mean?

The Oscar tables have been turned, and we know a few things:

1. Don't underestimate Zero Dark Thirty. It  might be a graphic war film, but it might be a great one.
2. Les Mis was a whole lot weaker than we thought. If National Board of Review and Golden Globes don't help, I don't know what will.
3. Lincoln is going to win Adapted screenplay and Best Actor. No bones about it.
4. Life of Pi is slipping. I don't think it got any mentions from NYFCC, except a 2nd or 3rd place for cinematography.
5. Don't count out The Master. It accumulated a good amount of #1 votes at the votings for NYFCC, and is probably going to be a BP nominee.

So what does New York mean? Nothing really. But it's a start. After LAFCA on Friday, things will get intense. I can't wait.

NYFCC winners! Zero Dark Thirty takes the big prize!

I'm afraid a bombed my predictions. BOMBED. The Master took home nothing, but Zero Dark Thirty won at least. Full winners below.

(Also, The Master will win LAFCA. Just a prediction.)

Best Picture: Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln,
Best Actress: Rachel Weisz, The Deep Blue Sea (WOW! Big (pleasant) surprise!)
Best S. Actor: Matthew McCougney, Magic Mike and Bernie (NYFCC loves multiple roles in a single year)
Best S. Actress: Sally Field, Lincoln (They liked her, they really really liked her)
Best Screenplay: Tony Kushner, Lincoln
Best Cinematography: Zero Dark Thirty
Best Animated Film: Frankenweenie 
Best Foreign Film: Amour

New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) predictions!

NYFCC is announcing tomorrow, which is nothing less than exciting. I remember last year when I was so happy that Chassy and Pitt won acting prizes for The Tree of Life, and I thought that the film had a real shot at winning the top prize. Alas, it lost to The Artist. This year, I'm going all out for The Master. Members of NYFCC include AO Scott and Lisa Schwarzbaum, who both have given the film equivalents of 100%.


And since the film is my bet for Best Picture, it will probably win Best Director. Predictions below.

Best Picture- The Master (Alt. Zero Dark Thirty)
Best Director- PT Anderson, The Master (Alt. Steve Spielberg, Lincoln)
Best Actor- Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln (Alt. Joaquin Phoenix, The Master)
Best Actress- Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty (Alt. J. Law, Silver Linings Playbook)
Best Supporting Actor- Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master (Alt. Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln)
Best Supporting Actress- Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables (Alt. Amy Adams, The Master)
Best Screenplay- The Master (Alt. Lincoln)
Best Cinematography- The Master (Alt. Life of Pi)
Best Foreign Film- Amour (Alt. The Intouchables)
Best First Film- Beasts of the Southern Wild (Alt. The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

Judging from my predictions, the big ones out of the gate tomorrow will be The Master, Zero Dark Thirty, and Lincoln, a race that I am perfectly content with.

Check back tomorrow for complete list of winners!

Sight & Sound's Best of 2012

Last year was The Tree of Life, this year it is...

1. The Master
2. Tabu
3. Amour
4. Holy Motors
5. Beasts of the Southern Wild
5. Berberian Sound Studio
7. Moonrise Kingdom
8. Beyond the Hills
8. Cosmopolis
8. Once upon a Time in Anatolia
8. This is Not a Film

Independent Spirit Award nominations!

I automatically assume The Master wasn't eligible because of its high budget. Check out the nominees!

BEST FEATURE

• Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Bernie
• Keep the Lights On
• Moonrise Kingdom
• Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR

• Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
• Julia Loktev, The Loneliest Planet
• David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
• Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On
• Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild

BEST SCREENPLAY

• Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom
• Zoe Kazan, Ruby Sparks
• Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths
• David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
• Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On

Life of Pi (2012)- When visuals go ahead of writing.

I am going to sound like a cheap rehash of many reviews of this film. First off, I will explain the film. Then I will praise the visuals, but shun the writing, which was done by David Magee.

Best Actress predictions (11/24/12)

I wouldn't be doing these if there wasn't something big, like a change in the race. Yet, there is.

1. Jessica Chastain for 'Zero Dark Thirty'
Oscars have a tough relationship with relevancy. 'The Hurt Locker' was relevant to the time, and it won. 'The Social Network' was REALLY relevant, yet it lost. I think the Academy will side with relevancy this time, and give the prize to Chassy, because it is so challenging. Also, some Oscars voters assumedly watch 'Homeland', with Carrie Mathison having striking parallels to Jessica's character.

2. Jennifer Lawrence for 'Silver Linings Playbook'
As this film's chances are failing, so is the film's heavyweight. Jennifer Lawrence is too young of a best actress contender to win, judging from the fact that the Academy is 70% white old male. Emphasis on the OLD.

3. Quevenzhane Wallis for 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'
A select few love this independent film, and they will easily vote for the 6-year old Wallis. I don't intend to sound like a internet dweeb, but younger hipsters eat this film up, and Wallis with it. Also, Wallis has been doing some nice publicity for the film, but no SAG really hurts.

4. Emanuelle Riva for 'Amour'
Since this foreign film is predicted to win, and even be a Best Picture nominee, Emanuelle Riva is going to ride along with it. Since the Academy is 70% old white males, they will easily vote for Riva's performance that will hit close to home. Also, since there will most likely be room for one french performance, it will be Riva's, not Cotillard's difficult portrayal of an amputee.

5. Naomi Watts for 'The Impossible'
'The Impossible' is a film with growing momentum, with big sponsorship by Angelina Jolie. With this added boost, Watts will probably be nominated, kicking out Cotillard in the nominee spot.

Lincoln (2012)- Spielberg cares more about Lincoln instead of the audience.

Lincoln, the latest from Steven Spielberg, is the retelling of the last year of Abraham Lincoln's life, and his struggle to pass the 13th amendment.

Argo loses its lead to 'Les Mis', Anne Hathaway WILL win Best Supporting Actress.

'Les Mis' had its first screening today in the Big Apple, and to say it was overwhelming is an understatement.

Tweets across the interwebs report 'standing ovations', and a rather spectacular 'I Dreamed a Dream', sung by a skinny Catwoman. The acting in the film is allegedly described as 'superb', and Anne Hathaway as the runaway leader. Since Jessica Chastain is going lead for 'Zero Dark Thirty', Catwoman is going to have very little competition. And since the acting is great, the actors branch will give this the BP nom, and maybe even the win.

Since this film is a musical, and very epic, the Acadeny is clamoring for both, since both have been missing from the BP lineup for awhile. The win for the film could also change the way studios treat their releases due to the tides of independent films like 'Slumdog', 'Hurt Locker', 'King's Speech'...

Tom Hooper will also do well with the directors branch, since he was a previous winner in 2010. The art direction and the costume design will also be victors. It's been awhile since a film has swept the Oscars, and this will be it.

On the bright side for me, 'The Master', will probably win 2 Oscars, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Hoffman). Maybe it could win Best Actor.

What will be this year's 'Extremely Loud'?

I was initially excited for Joe Wright's Anna Karenina, but unexciting clips and mediocre reviews made me lose interest.

But, there are two highly positive and influential reviews that could shake up the whole race. Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post and AO Scott of the New York Times both gave it 5/5. I would assume Scott will campaign for it come December at the New York Film Critics Circle, and maybe even for the Golden Globes.

Anna Karenina will probably do well with the BAFTA, a la Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Does this mean Karenina will be a Best Picture nominee? No, but don't count it out.

Extremely Loud was mostly ignored last year, except at the Critics Choice Awards. So maybe even this year, it's the critics that count, not the Guilds.

Best Picture Predictions (11/11/12)

BEST PICTURE:

1. Argo

Yes, Argo. This film was my favorite of the year as of three weeks ago, but I am going to give that spot to The Dark Knight Rises or Skyfall. However, this film is an ultimate crowdpleaser, and the Academy will embrace it because its a true story. Also, it has some of the sharpest writing of 2012.

2. Silver Linings Playbook

This film was #1 on my last predictions, but now it is fallen. The film will be difficult to embrace due to the fact that it deals with mental illness, and the cast is predominantly young. The young voters will vote for it, but its chances are still ever-slipping.

3. Lincoln

This film just came out, and it is being very well loved by many. The film also has one of the best performances of the year, with Daniel Day-Lewis. The older voters will love it, and it is also based off a true story

4. Les Miserables

It's Tom Hooper making his return to film, and it's big. This movie is guaranteed to be divisive, since it is more like an opera than a musical. This is probably a case where the film is 'too big to fail'.

5. Life of Pi

Remember the last time the Academy embraced a PG, 3D movie? Yeah, it was called Hugo, and it was last year. The CGI in the film is gorgeous, and probably irresistible to the voters. I'm pretty sure that the novel was also read by many in the Academy.

6. The Master

The Master. I'm still dying to see it. Those who voted for The Tree of Life last year will vote for this one, and it also features stunning acting by Joaquin Phoenix. This one is also a bonafide winner for Best Original Screenplay. This one probably benefits from the new Academy voting system, just like Tree did last year.

7. Zero Dark Thirty

Sony has a lot of faith in this one, and everyone knows it. The trailer reviews is infinite praise, and the film is also Kathryn Bigelow's return to work. This film also benefits from the 'true story' aspect, and those who voted for The Hurt Locker will follow through with this one.

8. Beasts of the Southern Wild

This one is going to make it in, barely. Critics who have seen it and said that it was 'best of the year' changed their mind after The Master. There's still an audience for this one, but no SAG can really hurt.

Skyfall (2012): M and James share a Bond-ing moment, and there's alwaysa 'Silva' lining.

Sam Mendes, Academy award winner for 'American Beauty' brings us his latest, the masterfully crafted 'Skyfall', which pulsates with a modern color palette and rambunctiously controlled energy.

Best Screenplay (Original and Adapted) predictions.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
1. The Master
Yes, my obession with PT Anderson's latest will thrive. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association will give it the prize, which will boost it's chances. The film is very divisive, but those who love it, LOVE it.

2. Django Unchained
The main thing hindering Tarantino is the fact that he already won for Pulp Fiction. Dually noted, one of the main things helping him is the fact that he's the guy that wrote Pulp Fiction. Also, the film won a Hollywood Film Award prize, if that is saying anything.

3. Zero Dark Thirty
Chassy is praising the script, saying its the best script she has ever read. I don't think she read Sunset Boulevard.... Anyways, this film will appeal to the same Hurt Locker fans, and Sony/Annapurna have been intentionally adjusting the release date. They know they have something special on their hands.

4. Amour
It's a foreign film, and a great one. The last great foreign film was A Separation, which managed to nab a nomination. This will appeal to the same crowd, and more.. or Amour?

5. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson last got a nomination 11 years ago with his masterful Royal Tenenbaums. He's well overdo for a nom, and will get it.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
1. Argo
Ben Affleck's Argo is the frontrunner in many categories right now, and Weinstein might have overstayed his welcome. Also, Terrio's script is razor sharp and undeniably memorable.

2. Silver Linings Playbook
Next month this film could be the frontrunner, but right now it is where it is at... Critics are loving it, and so are audiences, but will this film's topic bid well with the Academy?

3. Lincoln
Two names: Spielberg and Tony Kushner. You can figure out its popularity by itself.

4. Life of Pi
Give praise to David Magee for adapting a very difficult script out of the impossibly difficult Life of Pi. This will be treated like 127 Hours.

5. Beasts of the Southern Wild
This film feels so unabashedly original, it will get a screenplay nomination just because it exists. I have problems with the script, but a victory for this film could redefine independent film forever. No joke.

The cycle must continue, I will repeat my predictions, and add reviews for coming films like Flight, Skyfall, Lincoln, and Life of Pi.