Roundup: Unpicking the NYFCC vote

Also: 'Lore' and 'Sapphires' rule Down Under, and Sundance premieres revealed

By Guy LodgeTuesday, Dec 4, 2012 10:31 AM

"Argo" was the NYFCC's runner-up for Best Picture.

Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Are you a fan of In Contention?

Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.

The surprise-sprinkled New York Film Critics' Circle vote may have been the biggest news of a stacked precursor day yesterday, but as usual, stories of the voting conflicts behind the scenes are even more interesting than the results themselves. The most detailed report I've read comes from esteemed NYFCC member J. Hoberman, and it's a fascinating read for awards geeks. While the winners list might suggest Best Picture was a close-run thing between "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Lincoln," the latter actually didn't even figure in the final three: "Argo" came in second and "The Master" took the bronze position, though neither film received any kind of consolation prize. Moreover, Steven Spielberg didn't receive a single Best Director vote. Moral of the story: this remains anyone's race, and hurrah for that. [Art Info]

Nominations for the ACCTA Awards -- the Oscars of Australian film -- bring good news for "Lore," the country's foreign-language Oscar submission, and the Weinsteins' upcoming release "The Sapphires." [Stale Popcorn]

Speaking of Aussies, Jacki Weaver -- an underdog nominee two years ago, vying for a second for "Silver Linings Playbook" -- talks about playing two very different kinds of mother hen. [Gold Derby]

Sundance has announced their 2013 Premiere selections, and will close things out with the Ashton Kitcher-starring Steve Jobs biopic "jObs." [HitFix]

Ang Lee will receive the Harold Lloyd Award, the highest filmmaker honor given out by the International 3D Society, for "Life of Pi." [The Race]

Looking over the range and reach of Kym Barett and Pierre-Yves Gayraud's costume designs for "Cloud Atlas." [Frocktalk]

Multi-Oscar-winning makeup master Rick Baker has received a well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [Below the Line]

Randee Dawn considers the actors in this year's Oscar race who have been waiting a long time for their first nomination, including Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor. [Variety]

Pete Hammond examines the growing presence of independent films in the Best Animated Feature Oscar race. [Deadline]

Finally, The Guardian is revealing their Top 10 of 2012 one day at a time -- and their #9 pick is one that cracked my own top five last year. [The Guardian]

Oscar-statues-outside-the-82nd-academy-awards-at-the-kodak-theater-in-hollywood-ca._article_story_main_primary

Everything: Academy Awards

Latest news, photos, reviews, interviews, videos and more.

Go There

Guy Lodge
Critic

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.

RichardZ

OMG the list one can make on actors not yet nominated despite a long, great career! Ashton KUTCHER better not be nominated before Richard Gere or Ewan McGregor.
December 4, 2012 at 11:54AM EST Reply to Comment
Me.

Where can I find the full list of runner-ups?

December 4, 2012 at 12:54PM EST Reply to Comment
- Paul8148 for director Argo and The Masters were runner ups too
  
  For actor it looks like Phoniex and the Guy from Holy Motors
  
  For Actress Rachel won after a Jessica vs. Jennifer battle (Very though critics had both on their ballots, only on or the other)
  
  For Support Actor Christor Watlz and Tommy Lee were the runners up.
  
  Supporting Actress was of Course Anna coming in a close second (getting cited for both movies)
  December 4, 2012 at 3:38PM EST
- Guy Lodge It's actually faster to type "Denis Lavant" than "The Guy From Holy Motors." ;)
  December 5, 2012 at 12:29AM EST
Brock Landers

Yeah, I'm not sure why people have been counting Argo out. Of course Lincoln was going to get some buzz when it opened and, to its credit, it's doing quite well, but I just never felt that there was any real love for that movie (other than Sasha Stone, of course). Argo is the one I'm always hearing people bring up, even since Lincoln has been released. Of course, Les Mis, Zero Dark and Django haven't played for a wide audience yet, but I think Argo will be right there in the top 2 or 3 until the end. It could even still win.
December 4, 2012 at 1:09PM EST Reply to Comment
/3rt

Alps is number two for me. One being The Master. Of the best movies of 2012. I have yet to see Holy Motors; The Paperboy; Cloud Atlas; and Rust and Bone. Lincoln on paper and all involved just bores me as a prospect. Looking forward to Django.
December 4, 2012 at 1:41PM EST Reply to Comment
Paul Outlaw

Hoberman: "The closest and most surprising race saw Rachel Weisz ('The Deep Blue Sea') edge Jennifer Lawrence ('The Hunger Games' and 'The Silver Lining Playbook') and Emmanuelle Riva ('Amour'). Last year’s winner Jessica Chastain ('Zero Dark Thirty') was a factor throughout, tying for the lead on several ballots. (This race was by far the most polarized; only three of the 16 ballots cast for Lawrence or Chastain cited both actresses.)"

Intriguing.
December 4, 2012 at 1:58PM EST Reply to Comment
Cicero

@Paul Outlaw: "intriguing"...yeah, it's crapola, too. Apparently, word on the street is, that Jennifer Lawrence was in the lead three times until the fourth ballot. Chastain didn't have as much support so, her core supporters pooled their votes and opted to vote for Weisz on the fourth ballot. Chastain was not even in the top three of the final ballot. The NYFCC is so full of shit they float.
December 4, 2012 at 6:28PM EST Reply to Comment
- Paul Outlaw I say, thank God for Jessica Chastain and the NYFCC. If Lawrence had beaten out Riva, Chastain, Weisz and any of the others, I would be pissed.
  December 4, 2012 at 7:28PM EST