David Cronenberg on the set of "Cosmopolis."

Credit: Entertainment One

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In the ranks of major filmmakers never to have received so much as an Oscar nomination, David Cronenberg sits pretty high on the list. Though it has its critical champions, his 2012 effort "Cosmopolis" certainly isn't going to change that -- though in a Movieline interview marking the film's DVD release, the veteran Canadian auteur says it doesn't concern him one bit: "It's not sour grapes... The people who are releasing the movie get excited, they want you to do more, and you understand it because the awards can maybe get more people to see the film. This, on its face, is a good thing. However, it is all bullshit, it is all annoying and it is all very problematical. But it gives people stuff to write about, gives structure, we understand. But I won't be watching any of the awards shows." [Movieline]

Dean Napolitano looks at the "disappointing" absence of any Asian films in the Academy's shortlist for Best Foreign Language Film -- and notes that none Asian film has been nominated since "Departures" in 2009. (In the latter case, however, he really means East Asian.) [Wall Street Journal]

Tom O'Neil considers the Best Picture contest, which he deems "the most fickle Oscar race [he's] seen in years" -- and it's barely got going yet. [Gold Derby]

“I wanted to live another life and many lives at once.” A lovely interview with "Amour" star Emmanuelle Riva. All digits crossed for a Best Actress nod next week. [New York Times]

From Ezra Miller in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" to Diane Kruger's Sapphically-inclined Marie Antoinette in "Farewell, My Queen," Nathaniel rounds up 2012's best LGBT characters in cinema. [Towleroad]

Also, thanks to Nathaniel for pointing out this neat range of "Django Unchained" dolls. Why didn't I know about these before Christmas? [The Film Experience]

After reporting a few days ago on various Oscar voters unhappy with the e-voting process, Scott Feinberg gets the thoughts of a range of members, including Morgan Spurlock and Oren Moverman, on the situation. [THR]

Ewan McGregor was among the arts-related honorees (including veteran UK film critic Philip French) in the Queen's New Year's honors list. [Variety]

Ian Sandwell examines the European productions, from "Skyfall" to "The Intouchables," that lit up the box office at home and abroad. [Screen Daily]

A nifty annual feature at Awards Daily: a simulated Oscar ballot featuring all the year's eligible films. Vote and see how much the AD collective differs from the Academy's choices next week. [Awards Daily]

And finally, Jay-Z is lending his talents to the score for Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby." Say what you will, but I couldn't be more psyched to finally see this. [The Guardian] 

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.