This definitely shows the studio has confidence in the film. I've also heard there have been a couple of test screens and they are supposedly through the roof amazing.

Go Cloud Atlas!

I hope Sony mounts a big campaign for Bardem in Skyfall. He deserves to get a nom for his first scene alone!

With its terrific reviews and likely huge box-office, itseems unlikely that the Academy will completely shut out the film again. Sound and Cinematography nods should happen at least.

The Hobbit's entry for Best Song:

http://www1.rollingstone.com/hearitnow/ ... lfinn.html

Yes, literally that scene alone since he does nothing else worth notice for the remaining 90 minutes

yeah i noticed that too. other than bardem's eccentric turn in his first few minutes on screen, this movie is utterly forgettable.

Very good song, and heard the entire score, Howard Shore hit it out of the park again but thats no suprise.

Oscahhh update:

Lincoln: 90% RT, 7.9/10 avg, 116 fresh/13 rotten, 86 Metacritic
Silver Linings Playbook: 90% RT, 8.1/10 avg, 60 fresh/7 rotten, 84 Metacritic
Anna Karenina: 63% RT, 6.4/10 avg, 53 fresh/31 rotten, 63 Metacritic
Life of Pi: 94% RT, 8.2/10 rating, 17 fresh/1 rotten, 88 Metacritic

So glad Silver Linings was able to maintain its momentum in terms of reviews

what about 'hyde park on hudson'?

The reception out of Toronto was pretty limp. I doubt it goes anywhere, Oscar-wise. Bill Murray would probably have a shot at a nod if the field wasn't so crowded.

The Impossibles is off to a good start at Metacritics, 3 100s with raves from THR and Variety. Don't think it'll mount to anything, but interesting to see.

Les Mis screenings begin. Early reaction here:

http://www.xavierpop.com/2012/11/23/fir ... very-good/

And Nathaniel (TheFilmExperience) posted this on Facebook:

Right now I see the Oscars going like this:

Best Picture - Lincoln
Best Director - Steven Spielberg
Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Actress - Jennifer Lawrence
Best Supporting Actor - Tommy Lee Jones
Best Supporting Actress - Anne Hathaway
Best Original Screenplay - Moonrise Kingdom
Best Adapted Screenplay - Lincoln

I also see nine BP nominees happening:

Beasts of the Southern Wild
Moonrise Kingdom
Lincoln
Life of Pi
Les Miserables
The Master
Argo
Silver Linings Playbook
The Impossible

Yeah, I'm starting to think Django will miss out. However, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see The Master take the boot.

I say:

Les Misérables
Steven Spielberg
Daniel Day-Lewis
Jessica Chastain
Tommy Lee Jones
Anne Hathaway
Django Unchained
Lincoln

1. Les Misérables
2. Lincoln
3. Argo
4. Life of Pi
5. Silver Linings Playbook
6. Zero Dark Thirty
7. Django Unchained
8. Beasts of the Southern Wild

9. Flight
10. The Master

11. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
12. Moonrise Kingdom
13. The Impossible
14. Amour
15. Promised Land

Here comes Zero Dark Thirty. Two raves from Time and Todd McCarthy.

I think the top 5 contenders at this point are Lincoln, Les Mis, Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, and Silver Linings Playbook.

Has everyone ruled out Moonrise Kingdom?

Winner or nominee? Former, yes, never been in serious contention. Latter - I still think it is getting nominated for BP and possibly winning Original Screenplay.

See, our predictions are not that dissimilar, but do you think that Lincoln can take home Actor, Director, Supporting Actor and Screenplay and yet lose Picture?

I know Chicago and The Pianist were in a similar position, except that The Pianist didn't have a Supporting Actor win. But The Pianist came almost out of nowhere and Lincoln will be a $150+ million behemoth.

I believe Lincoln is a film where they will admire the individual parts and players, but Les Misérables, with its (presumed) incredible emotional sweep, will be the film to which they award the top prize. Crash only won two Oscars in addition to Best Picture: editing and screenplay. Les Misérables will win Best Supporting Actress and at least three or four or even five more technical awards.

Yes, but Crash also didn't have any other movie that won many major awards against it. As I said The Pianist/Chicago is the best comparison here, only that Lincoln is a HUUGE success and will end up outgrossing Les Miserables (I'm pretty sure, it will at least).

Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan is another comparison here, I suppose. But Ryan didn't win any acting awards, but did lose Screenplay to SiL.

I think SLP won't go home empty-handed, and since adapted screenplay is too crowded, Jennifer Lawrence remains its best bet. Chastain is receiving very good words for ZDT, but not necessarily DDL or Hathaway type of raves.

I'm also quite excited for Golden Globes this year. Unlike many times before, we actually have good competitions on both categories this time, with Lincoln/ZDT/Argo/Pi on one end and Les Mes/SLP on the other.