“Zero Dark Thirty” and the critics

The critics’ awards are coming fast and furious now with some dissention, but a lot of love for Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty.” In the past week, the film was among the AFI’s top 10 pics of the year and was voted by the NY Film Critics Circle, the National Board of Review, the Boston Society of Film Critics and others as best in show.

Variety, however, cautions that “ZDT” filmmakers “probably shouldn’t write their Oscar acceptance speeches just yet.” The trade explains: “Two years ago, ‘The Social Network’ won those awards and was called unbeatable, until ‘The King’s Speech’ stepped in.”

Deadline’s Pete Hammond says: “Although Sony should be feeling very good about the way things are going right now, this studio which had high hopes based on that torrent of critics awards for ‘Social Network’ was obviously none too happy as that season played out the way it did — especially since it looked so good in December and most of January. My guess is with that in mind they are going to grab this early momentum for ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and run with it.”

HitFix notes that although “ZDT” has won the lion’s share of best film prizes and other frontrunners “Les Miserables,” “Lincoln” and “Argo” have had to make due with just acting, directing or screenwriting honors, everything will change starting tomorrow. That’s when SAG nominations are unveiled, followed by the HFPA which will reveal its Golden Globe hopefuls.

The “Les Mis” factor

The New York Film Critics Online was another group that gave its top honor to “ZDT” and Gold Derby notes that the relatively new group’s picks have only matched up with Oscar’s twice since 2003. The report also suggests that although the NYFCO was the only group so far to give her a supporting actress nod for “Les Misérables,” the Oscar “is still (Anne) Hathaway’s to lose at this point.” (Hammond weighs in on the supporting actress and supporting actor races this week.

Vulture here looks at who’s up and who’s down this week noting that “ZDT” has come on strong while “Les Misérables” failed to place with either the NYFCC or NBR. “Populist success at the box office will put gas back into the film’s tank,” Vulture comments, although the film doesn’t open until Christmas Day.

HF offers some “True or False” clarifications on the major contenders, declaring that negative reviews for “Les Misérables” are not going to hurt its chances at a best picture win and that “Django” is not a lock for a best picture nomination. There are more, here. 

The Left Coast

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association opted for Michael Haneke’s “Amour” as best picture and gave a lot of love to Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master.” “Beasts of the Southern Wild” was also a factor with supporting actor Dwight Henry squeaking by “Django’s” Christoph Waltz by one vote. Variety’s Justin Chang, who was present for the voting, notes that “ZDT” was never far from the action, demonstrating “clear support in numerous races: Bigelow was runner-up to Anderson for director, Jessica Chastain drew the most actress votes after (Jennifer) Lawrence and (Emmanuelle) Riva, and Jason Clarke was an unexpectedly strong contender for supporting actor.”

“The Master” leads the San Diego film critics’ nominations with 9 followed by “Argo” with 8. “ZDT” has 4. The winners will drop later today.

The AFI top ten list contained films that have become the usual suspects of this season including “Argo,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Les Miserables,” “Lincoln” and “Life of Pi.” Rounding it out were “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Django Unchained” and “Moonrise Kingdom.”

Bradley Cooper, who won the NBR acting prize, will be honored at the Palm Springs Film Festival while “The Master’s” Amy Adams will be feted by the Santa Barbara Fest. Adams was just voted best supporting actress by LAFCA.

Extras

In a not entirely surprising occurrence, the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association nominees were led this weekend by Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” But it was another politically-charged pic that won best film, “ZDT.”

“Searching For Sugar Man” was voted top doc at the IDA Awards.

The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominees are due to be unveiled later today.

Here’s Gold Derby’s latest Oscar odds chart.

And here are Thompson on Hollywood’s latest predictions.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118063415/

http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/zero-dark-thirty-awards-heat/

http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/oscars-supporting-actress-race/

http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/oscars-supporting-actor-race/

http://www.hitfix.com/awards-campaign/contender-countdown-true-and-false-before-golden-globes-and-sag-awards-nods

http://weblogs.variety.com/thevote/2012/12/lafc.html

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/the-master-leads-san-diego-film-critics-nominations

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/les-miserables-lincoln-lead-washington-dc-area-film-critics-nominations

http://www.vulture.com/2012/12/oscar-futures-zero-dark-thirty-surges.html

http://www.goldderby.com/news/3711/new-york-film-critics-online-winners-zero-dark-thirty-lincoln-les-miserables-oscars-film-entertainment-news-13579086.html

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/oscar_predicts_chart