Pedro Almodovar at the 2002 Academy Awards.

Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

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Last year, the Academy crossed the pond  to celebrate the career of Vanessa Redgrave with an intimate tribute evening in London; this year, it's two-time Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar's turn, with the British capital again hosting on December 13. Not to be confused with an honorary award, it's a more casual and cosy form of back-patting -- and this one is set to include appearances from such colleagues and admirers as Stephen Frears, Alberto Iglesias and Jean-Paul Gaultier, as well as a Q&A with Almodóvar himself. The AMPAS press release cites "the breadth of his artistic explorations, his passionate engagement with the human heart, and a worldview often articulated by powerful female leads." The news underlines that Almodóvar is plainly the Academy's Euro auteur of choice, having already accomplished the all-too-rare feat of winning both a general-field Oscar (Original Screenplay for "Talk to Her") and the foreign-language award (for "All About My Mother"). [AMPAS]

Rob Epstein, head of the Academy's documentary branch, is happy with the new voting system that led to Monday's Oscar shortlist. (Unlike many of my colleagues, I think he should be: it's a strong list.) [Variety]

Here's a list I love: the best ever lone Oscar nominations for films that received no other nods -- from "Mulholland Drive" for Best Director to "Hoop Dreams" for Best Film Editing. [The Film Experience] 

Rebecca Keegan gathers a group of top animation director, including Rich Moore ("Wreck-It Ralph") and Mark Andrews ("Brave") to discuss where the medium is right now, and where it's going. [LA Times]

Time Magazine names "Cloud Atlas" the worst film of 2012. (Coincidentally, my London Critics' Circle colleagues and I held a similar vote yesterday, settling on the crushingly inept Britcom "The Knot." It's worse, trust me.) [Time]

Eddie Murphy and Katherine Heigl are Hollywood's least valuable actors. That may or may not be true, but Forbes has the numbers to back it up. [Vulture]

Tim Appelo talks to the director of Brazil's foreign-language Oscar submission "The Clown" -- which I'm hearing could be a sneaky one to watch in the race. [The Race]

"Cosmopolis" lands on another Top 10 list, though given that it's a list of Canada's best films of the year as voted for by industry professionals, that's less surprising. Also featured: Oscar hopeful "War Witch." [The Playlist]

With Angelina Jolie threatening retirement in a few years, Stuart Heritage urges her to go out with a bang -- or at least a good movie. [The Guardian]

She's won three Oscars, but how much do we really know about Peter Jackson's partner in crime, Fran Walsh? Brooks Barnes nabs a rare interview. [New York Times]

Guy Lodge
Critic

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Guy Lodge is a South African-born critic and sometime screenwriter. In addition to his work at In Contention, he is a freelance contributor to Variety, Time Out, Empire and The Guardian. He lives well beyond his means in London.