A scene from "Hannah and Her Sisters."

Credit: Orion Pictures

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Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! Everybody who gets to participate in it, at least: the rest of us are getting on with our working days and eating less-than-festive dinners. My experience of Turkey Day comes mostly through the movies, so I'm interested to hear if you have any go-to Thanksgiving movies that make the holiday complete. "The Ice Storm" comes first to mind for me, though it's hardly celebratory. Tim Grierson makes a solid case for "Hannah and Her Sisters," which is one of my favorite movies, period. Woody Allen's film, he writes, "recognizes that life is never perfect but that sometimes we can cobble together enough happiness to keep going... there are reasons to be thankful all around us, if only we’ll stop and appreciate them." What films give you that feeling? [IFC]

While we're talking Thanksgiving viewing, Katey Rich looks at this week's holiday releases, and breaks down who should be seeing what. [Cinema Blend]

From "Moonrise Kingdom" to "The Master," Todd McCarhy round up the film music that stood out for him in 2012. [Hollywood Reporter]

Oscar-nominated editor Tim Squyres talks about his working relationship with Ang Lee, and negotiating the unconventional narrative of "Life of Pi." [Below the Line]

Meanwhile, Sasha Stone meets Ang Lee, whom she calls one of the five most influential directors of the last 20 years. I'm a fan, but I'm not sure of that. [Awards Daily]

Still on "Life of Pi," Oli Lyttelton surveys the Best Visual Effects race and wonders if Ang Lee's film has it wrapped up. [The Playlist]

R. Kurt Osenlund sizes up the Oscar prospects of "Silver Linings Playbook." [Slant]

Kate Winslet receives a CBE from the Queen for services to drama. Nice job on the fascinator. [The Guardian]

I love the Gray Lady's 'Anatomy a Scene' series: in this one, Sacha Gervasi talks us through a key scene in "Hitchcock." [New York Times]

Tambay Obenson looks at the possibilities for African-Americans in this year's Best Actress race, whittling it down to just two names: Quvenzhane Wallis and Emayatzy Corinealdi. [Shadow & Act] 

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.