“The Artist”: Silent, black-and-white and totally irresistible
When French director Michel Hazanavicius' new film "The Artist" premiered last spring at Cannes, Harvey Weinstein snatched up the United States rights and a handful of prognosticators pronounced it an...
View ArticleThe Oscars play it safe, nostalgic
As usual, it all went almost exactly as expected. This year's Academy Award nominations went to a plethora of already much-accoladed movies and performances, with a rich dose of nostalgia and...
View ArticleThe Oscar favorite no one really likes
I can't be the only person who had a mixed, double reaction to George Clooney's big emotional scene near the end of Alexander Payne's "The Descendants," which seems destined to end up as the also-ran...
View ArticlePick of the week: Another French film inspired by silent comedy
Here's a question I've been asked several times during this Oscar season: Where in the H-E-double-hockey-sticks did "The Artist" come from? Whether people love it, like it or can barely tolerate it,...
View ArticleOscars 2012: The movies’ most painful night
Maybe the joke about George Clooney kissing Billy Crystal in a fake scene from "The Descendants" would have been funnier if Crystal didn't actually look like an old lady. That moment was awkward --...
View ArticleAfter “The Artist,” what’s next for French film?
Are French films the new black in Hollywood? In the wake of the thoroughly implausible pile of Oscars won by "The Artist," is there another oddity of Gallic cinema out there ready to capture America's...
View ArticleWhy the Oscar race still matters
This week brings us the unofficial opening of Oscar season, with the indie-oriented Gotham Awards announcing their list of early-bird nominees on Thursday morning. (I have a pretty good idea what’s on...
View Article"The Artist": Silent, black-and-white and totally irresistible
A star you've never heard of in a fake 1920s movie -- can this really be Oscar bait? See it and find out
View ArticleThe Oscars play it safe, nostalgic
Hollywood applauds itself -- but ignores great turns in edgy films like "Melancholia," "Take Shelter" and "Shame"
View ArticlePick of the week: Another French film inspired by silent comedy
Pick of the week: Effervescent, delirious and delightful, "The Fairy" blends slapstick, romance and modern dance
View ArticleOscars 2012: The movies' most painful night
From Billy Crystal's cringe-worthy act to the obvious winners, the Academy Awards felt old, tired and out-of-touch
View ArticleAfter "The Artist," what's next for French film?
Following France\'s big Oscar triumph, a more commercial new wave aims at American theaters
View ArticleWhy the Oscar race still matters
It's "12 Years" vs. "Gravity," as the Oscar season kicks off early amid punditry, lamentation and philosophy
View ArticleThe Oscar favorite no one really likes
\"The Descendants\" is Oscar-bait, from George Clooney to its tropical locale. And it\'ll lose to a French silent film
View ArticleThe 16 Best Picture winners that never, ever should have gotten an Oscar
The idea of a "best" film is bad. That these films were honored as such is even worse.
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