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As of Thursday, fans of Kino Lorber’s eclectic catalog can now watch its movies and shorts for free on Hulu. Kino Lorber has made available 35 of its 700-plus titles during limited windows on Hulu or its subscription service Hulu Plus, with plans to expand the number of films in the coming months. Among the films included in this launch are restored editions of “The Blue Angel,” Buster Keaton's “The General” and Fritz Lang's “The Complete Metropolis,” as well as “Le Quattro Volte,” “Momma's Man” and the French thriller “Army of Crime.” The documentaries “Fela Kuti: Music is the Weapon,” “Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould,” “Two in the Wave” and “Videocracy” are also included in this first batch, along with 18 of Keaton’s short films. "Our presence on Hulu will allow us to present our selection of classic and art...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will kick off Part Two of its 30th annual “Contemporary Documentaries” screening series with the 2010 Oscar®-nominated feature “Exit through the Gift Shop” and “Catfish” on Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission to all screenings in the series is free.

“Exit through the Gift Shop” follows a videographer named Thierry Guetta, who attempts to document the work of some of the world’s best-known guerrilla street artists. When the artist known only as Banksy questions Guetta’s intentions, however, and seizes control of the film, the roles of filmmaker and subject are reversed. Directed by Banksy and produced by Jaimie D’Cruz, “Exit through the Gift Shop” earned an Academy Award® nomination for Documentary Feature.

In late 2007, filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost began to film the life of Ariel’s brother, Nev. They had no idea that their project,...

This Week in DVD & Blu-ray is a column that compiles all the latest info regarding new DVD and Blu-ray releases, sales, and exclusive deals from stores including Target, Best Buy and Fry’s. 127 Hours It would be easier to dismiss the showiness of the overwhelmingly manic, pulsating style of 127 Hours if it weren't so perfectly characteristic of its protagonist. With his earnest zest for life and self-proclaimed superhero status, Aron Ralston refuses to let anything keep him in one place for too long—save for, you know, a big rock. Viewers already know exactly how the movie is going to end the moment his arm gets lodged against that boulder, but the tale remains thrilling all the same. Boyle's cinematically charged approach ensures that not a sensation or hallucinatory memory goes by without the viewer experiencing it in as intimately vivid of detail as the medium will allow, appropriately putting...

Filed under: Features, Columns, Cinematical, Blu-ray DVDs

Our Top 10 Picks for This Week:

1. 'Bambi.' My first movie with my mother; Walt Disney terrified me. DVD upgrade. Buy.

2. 'Out of Sight.' George Clooney romances Jennifer Lopez. Slick and sensual. DVD upgrade. Buy.

3. 'The Cable Guy.' Demented Jim Carrey terrorizes Matthew Broderick. DVD upgrade. Rent.

4. '127 Hours.' Oscar host cuts off arm in drama based on real life. New to home video. Rent.

5. 'Love & Other Drugs.' Other Oscar host takes off clothes in romance based on real life. New to home video. Rent.

6. 'Daughters of Darkness.' From 1971, when vampires were dark and erotic, not sparkly and chaste. DVD upgrade. Rent.

7. 'Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (Director's Cut).' Piano prodigy. Rent.

8. 'Burlesque.' Cher sings! Christina dances! We have better things to do! New to home video. Skip.

9. 'Faster.' Duane Johnson beats up people.

Filed under: Features, Columns, Cinematical, Blu-ray DVDs

Our Top 10 Picks for This Week:

1. 'Bambi.' My first movie with my mother; Walt Disney terrified me. DVD upgrade. Buy.

2. 'Out of Sight.' George Clooney romances Jennifer Lopez. Slick and sensual. DVD upgrade. Buy.

3. 'The Cable Guy.' Demented Jim Carrey terrorizes Matthew Broderick. DVD upgrade. Rent.

4. '127 Hours.' Oscar host cuts off arm in drama based on real life. New to home video. Rent.

5. 'Love & Other Drugs.' Other Oscar host takes off clothes in romance based on real life. New to home video. Rent.

6. 'Daughters of Darkness.' From 1971, when vampires were dark and erotic, not sparkly and chaste. DVD upgrade. Rent.

7. 'Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (Director's Cut).' Piano prodigy. Rent.

8. 'Burlesque.' Cher sings! Christina dances! We have better things to do! New to home video. Skip.

9. 'Faster.' Duane Johnson beats up people.

DVD Links: DVD News | Release Dates | New Dvds | Reviews | RSS Feed

127 Hours This week's obvious best option is Danny Boyle's 127 Hours, a film I saw twice in theaters and also discussed with Boyle last year (click here for that interview). I can't wait to watch this again in high definition and the better the sound system and larger the TV you have in your home the greater this one will play. Bambi (Diamond Edition) I just gave this one a positive review even though this isn't a Disney classic that's very high on my list (click here for that). And on top of the review, I also have a $10 off coupon for you if you are already planning on buying it. Faster I was not a fan of this film (you can read my review here), but I imagine anyone that has not yet seen it and is interested...

Your Weekly Source for Blu-Ray and DVD Release News

Another big week for Blu-Ray, this time loaded with fresh new films. Danny Boyle’s Oscar-contender 127 Hours debuts and is certain to have viewers cringing, but also feeling incredibly uplifted. Disney’s beloved animated classic Bambi steps out from the woods and into your home viewing library; and Steven Soderbergh’s adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s Out Of Sight is now visible. Cher and Christina put on the glitz and get risque in the hit musical Burlesque, and if you’re a big fan, go to Best Buy for their exclusive version including Burlesque corsets. Blue Underground is giving Harry Kumel’s stylish 70′s vampire flick Daughters Of Darkness a Blu-Ray day pass, while the Pirate Of The Caribbean unite to bring force in numbers to your home-viewing experience.

Blu-Ray for Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 James Franco in Danny Boyle’s...

A look at what's new on DVD today:

"127 Hours" (2010)

Directed by Danny Boyle

Released by Fox Home Entertainment

With a fast-forward button at the ready on home devices, it's high time more people see James Franco's Spirit Award-winning performance as real-life adventurer Aron Ralston, who gets his arm trapped under a boulder in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon and struggles to survive and free himself in Danny Boyle's life-affirming followup to "Slumdog Millionaire." (Matt Singer's interview with James Franco and Danny Boyle is here.)

"420 High Desert Way" (2011)

Directed by Tom Breedlove

Released by Maverick Entertainment Group

Dealing with a different drug than the one suggested by the title, this procedural drama follows a young undercover cop who must refine his extreme sports skills as he infiltrates a drug cartel and must bust them before they learn his true identity.

"Bambi" (1942)

Directed by James Algar and Samuel Armstrong

Released by Walt Disney Home Entertainment...

"True Grit" shot down "Black Swan," "Inception," "Shutter Island," and "The Social Network" to win Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing at the 47th annual Cas Awards given by the Cinema Audio Society.

Here's the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees. Check out Awards Avenue for your complete winners/nominees of all the award-giving bodies leading up to the Oscars!

47Th Annual Cinema Audio Society Awards

Motion Pictures:

Black Swan

Production Mixer Ken Ishii, Cas

Re-recording Mixers Dominick Tavella, Cas Craig Henighan

Inception

Production Mixer Ed Novick

Re-recording Mixers Lora Hirschberg Gary A. Rizzo

Shutter Island

Production Mixer Petur Hliddal

Re-recording Mixers Tom Fleishman, Cas

The Social Network

Production Mixer Mark Weingarten, Cas

Re-recording Mixers Ren Klyce David Parker Michael Semanick, Cas

*** True Grit

Production Mixer Peter F. Kurland, Cas

Re-recording Mixers Skip Lievsay, Cas Craig Berkey, Cas Greg Orloff, Cas

Television Movies and Mini-Series:

The Pacific Part 2

Production Mixer...

The almighty success of Tom Hooper's film could have boosted the ballet psychodrama's takings via extensive exposure of its trailer

The marvel

Exactly two years ago, Slumdog Millionaire pulled off the rare feat of going up on both its second and third weekends, setting it on a journey that would take in the best picture Bafta and Oscar wins and a cumulative gross of £31.66m. The King's Speech didn't quite manage to repeat that trick, rising 32% on its second weekend but edging back 4% on its third.

On every other comparison, however, The King's Speech emerges the winner. Slumdog Millionaire never managed a weekend above £3m: its best frame was £2.86m. The King's Speech, on the other hand, has never experienced a weekend below £3m: its worst frame was £3.30m. After 17 days, Slumdog Millionaire had grossed £10.24m. After the same period, The King's Speech stands at £18.31m – 79% ahead of the earlier film.

Black Swan (15)

(Darren Aronofsky, 2010, Us) Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel. 108 mins

Another tale of driven professionalism to go with Aronofsky's The Wrestler, but this goes further and gets away with more, whipping a tale of theatrical ambition into a delirious, hallucinogenic melodrama. Portman is superb as the brittle ballerina facing up to her nightmares when she lands her dream role, and between the punishing routines, her monstrous mother (Barbara Hershey) and the fever of performance, we're swept away.

Neds (18)

(Peter Mullan, 2010, UK/Fra/Ita) Conor McCarron, Martin Bell, Linda Cuthbert. 134 mins

Mullan turns his memories of 1970s Glasgow into a muscular yet compassionate youth drama. McCarron is outstanding as a bright boy whose promise is warped by brutal conditions in and out of school.

Morning Glory (12A)

(Roger Michell, 2010, Us) Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton. 107 mins

McAdams delights and Ford grouches in a breakfast TV comedy that is...

The Green Hornet (12A)

(Michel Gondry, 2011, Us) Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Tom Wilkinson. 119 mins

It's not going to give the Dark Knight a run for his money, but this unfancied vigilante movie is at least unpretentious, fun and well-lit – more like the light knight. Rogen's questionable charm and uneven writing skills just about power the shambolic "spoilt slacker turns crusader for justice" yarn (Waltz is another show-stealing baddie); Gondry provides some great action scenes (relying on Jay Chou's Kato rather than Rogen), a few of his trademark flourishes, and a very nice car …

Blue Valentine (15)

(Derek Cianfrance, 2010, Us) Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel. 112 mins

After so many gimmicky romcoms over the years, it's refreshing to see a straightforward look at relationships. It switches between the happy beginnings and miserable ending of a damaged, hard-up couple, and leaves us to work out what went wrong in between.

"Black Swan," "Inception," "Shutter Island," "The Social Network," and "True Grit" are competing under the Motion Pictures Category for the 47th Annual Cas (Cinema Audio Society) Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for 2010.

Winners will be announced at their Awards gala on February 19th.

Here's the complete list of nominees (Check our Awards Avenue for complete winners/nominees for all award-giving bodies):

Motion Pictures:

Black Swan

Production Mixer Ken Ishii, Cas

Re-recording Mixers Dominick Tavella, Cas Craig Henighan

Inception

Production Mixer Ed Novick

Re-recording Mixers Lora Hirschberg Gary A. Rizzo

Shutter Island

Production Mixer Petur Hliddal

Re-recording Mixers Tom Fleishman, Cas

The Social Network

Production Mixer Mark Weingarten, Cas

Re-recording Mixers Ren Klyce David Parker Michael Semanick, Cas

True Grit

Production Mixer Peter F. Kurland, Cas

Re-recording Mixers Skip Lievsay, Cas Craig Berkey, Cas Greg Orloff, Cas

Television Movies and Mini-Series:

The Pacific Part 2

Production Mixer Andrew Ramage

Re-recording Mixers Michael Minkler,...

Best Picture

Frontrunners

“The Social Network” (Columbia, 10/1, PG-13, trailer)

“The King’s Speech” (The Weinstein Company, 11/26, R, trailer)

“The Fighter” (Paramount, 12/10, R, trailer)

“Inception” (Warner Brothers, 7/16, PG-13, trailer)

“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight, 12/1, R, trailer)

“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features, 7/9, R, trailer)

“True Grit” (Paramount, 12/25, PG-13, trailer)

“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight, 11/5, R, trailer)

“Toy Story 3” (Disney, 6/18, G, trailer)

“Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company, 12/29, R, trailer)

Major Threats

“Winter’s Bone” (Roadside Attractions, 6/11, R, trailer)

“The Town” (Warner Brothers, 9/17, R, trailer)

“The Ghost Writer” (Summit, 2/19, PG-13, trailer)

“Shutter Island” (Paramount, 2/19, R, trailer)

“Somewhere” (Focus Features, 12/22, R, trailer)

“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics, 12/31, PG-13, trailer)

“Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate, 12/17, Tbd, trailer)

Possibilities

“Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Paramount Vantage, 9/24, PG, trailer)

“Inside Job” (Sony Pictures Classics, 10/8, PG-13, trailer)

“Secretariat” (Disney, 10/8, PG, trailer)

“Get Low” (Sony Pictures Classics, 7/30, PG-13, trailer)

“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions, 12/29, R, trailer)

“Alice in Wonderland” (Disney, 3/5, PG, trailer)

Best Director

Frontrunners

David Fincher...

Best Picture

Frontrunners

“The Social Network” (Columbia, 10/1, PG-13, trailer)

“The King’s Speech” (The Weinstein Company, 11/26, R, trailer)

“The Fighter” (Paramount, 12/10, R, trailer)

“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight, 12/1, R, trailer)

“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features, 7/9, R, trailer)

“True Grit” (Paramount, 12/25, PG-13, trailer)

“Inception” (Warner Brothers, 7/16, PG-13, trailer)

“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight, 11/5, R, trailer)

“Toy Story 3” (Disney, 6/18, G, trailer)

“Winter’s Bone” (Roadside Attractions, 6/11, R, trailer)

Major Threats

“Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company, 12/31, R, trailer)

“The Town” (Warner Brothers, 9/17, R, trailer)

“Shutter Island” (Paramount, 2/19, R, trailer)

“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics, 12/31, PG-13, trailer)

“Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate, 12/17, Tbd, trailer)

“Secretariat” (Disney, 10/8, PG, trailer)

“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions, 12/29, R, trailer)

“Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Paramount Vantage, 9/24, PG, trailer)

Possibilities

“The Ghost Writer” (Summit, 2/19, PG-13, trailer)

“Inside Job” (Sony Pictures Classics, 10/8, PG-13, trailer)

“Get Low” (Sony Pictures Classics, 7/30, PG-13, trailer)

“Alice in Wonderland” (Disney, 3/5, PG, trailer)

“Made in Dagenham” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/19, R, trailer)

“Love and Other Drugs...

Best Picture

Frontrunners

“The Social Network” (Columbia, 10/1, PG-13, trailer)

“The King’s Speech” (The Weinstein Company, 11/26, R, trailer)

“The Fighter” (Paramount, 12/10, R, trailer)

“True Grit” (Paramount, 12/25, PG-13, trailer)

“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features, 7/9, R, trailer)

“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight, 11/5, R, trailer)

“Inception” (Warner Brothers, 7/16, PG-13, trailer)

“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight, 12/1, R, trailer)

“Toy Story 3” (Disney, 6/18, G, trailer)

“Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company, 12/31, R, trailer)

Major Threats

“The Town” (Warner Brothers, 9/17, R, trailer)

“Shutter Island” (Paramount, 2/19, R, trailer)

“Winter’s Bone” (Roadside Attractions, 6/11, R, trailer)

“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics, 12/31, PG-13, trailer)

“Secretariat” (Disney, 10/8, PG, trailer)

“Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate, 12/17, Tbd, trailer)

“The Ghost Writer” (Summit, 2/19, PG-13, trailer)

Possibilities

“Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Paramount Vantage, 9/24, PG, trailer)

“Inside Job” (Sony Pictures Classics, 10/8, PG-13, trailer)

“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions, 12/29, R, trailer)

“Get Low” (Sony Pictures Classics, 7/30, PG-13, trailer)

“The Way Back” (Newmarket, 12/29, PG-13, trailer)

“Made in Dagenham” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/19, R, trailer)

Outside Shots

“Somewhere” (Focus Features,...

Best Picture

Frontrunners

“The Social Network” (Columbia, 10/1, PG-13, trailer)

“The King’s Speech” (The Weinstein Company, 11/26, R, trailer)

“The Fighter” (Paramount, 12/10, R, trailer)

“True Grit” (Paramount, 12/25, PG-13, trailer)

“Inception” (Warner Brothers, 7/16, PG-13, trailer)

“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight, 11/5, R, trailer)

“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features, 7/9, R, trailer)

“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight, 12/1, R, trailer)

“Toy Story 3” (Disney, 6/18, G, trailer)

“Winter’s Bone” (Roadside Attractions, 6/11, R, trailer)

Major Threats

“Shutter Island” (Paramount, 2/19, R, trailer)

“Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company, 12/31, Nc-17, trailer)

“The Town” (Warner Brothers, 9/17, R, trailer)

“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics, 12/31, PG-13, trailer)

“Secretariat” (Disney, 10/8, PG, trailer)

“Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Paramount Vantage, 9/24, PG, trailer)

“Inside Job” (Sony Pictures Classics, 10/8, PG-13, trailer)

Possibilities

“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions, 12/29, R, trailer)

“Get Low” (Sony Pictures Classics, 7/30, PG-13, trailer)

“Somewhere” (Focus Features, 12/22, R, trailer)

“The Way Back” (Newmarket, 12/29, PG-13, trailer)

“The Ghost Writer” (Summit, 2/19, PG-13, trailer)

“Made in Dagenham” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/19, R, trailer)

“How Do You Know” (Columbia,...

Best Picture

Frontrunners

“The Social Network” (Columbia, 10/1, PG-13, trailer)

“The King’s Speech” (The Weinstein Company, 11/26, R, trailer)

“True Grit” (Paramount, 12/25, PG-13, trailer)

“The Fighter” (Paramount, 12/10, R, trailer)

“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight, 11/5, R, trailer)

“Inception” (Warner Brothers, 7/16, PG-13, trailer)

“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight, 12/1, R, trailer)

“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features, 7/9, R, trailer)

“Toy Story 3” (Disney, 6/18, G, trailer)

“Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company, 12/31, Nc-17, trailer)

Major Threats

“Winter’s Bone” (Roadside Attractions, 6/11, R, trailer)

“The Town” (Warner Brothers, 9/17, R, trailer)

“Shutter Island” (Paramount, 2/19, R, trailer)

“Get Low” (Sony Pictures Classics, 7/30, PG-13, trailer)

“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics, 12/31, PG-13, trailer)

“Secretariat” (Disney, 10/8, PG, trailer)

“The Way Back” (Newmarket, 12/29, PG-13, trailer)

Possibilities

“Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate, 12/17, Tbd, trailer)

“Somewhere” (Focus Features, 12/22, R, trailer)

“Made in Dagenham” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/19, R, trailer)

“Love and Other Drugs” (20th Century Fox, 11/24, R, trailer)

“Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Paramount Vantage, 9/24, PG, trailer)

“Inside Job” (Sony Pictures Classics,...

Chicago – Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reveals their short list for the Oscar for Best Documentary and every year there’s a notable snub or two that makes one question the process. Last year, “Anvil: The Story of Anvil,” one of the most-beloved films of the year, didn’t make the cut. This year, “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” failed to make the cut, continuing a pattern in which films not deemed “serious enough” by Academy members can’t get past the first round.

The Tillman Story

Photo credit: The Weinstein Company

Luckily, a number of the best documentaries of 2010 were serious enough to pass Academy muster including several films about the economy, a few about the war in Iraq, and a pair of controversial docs about the failures of our current educational system. It should be an interesting battle for the final five in this category.

Best Picture

Frontrunners

“The Social Network” (Columbia, 10/1, PG-13, trailer)

“The King’s Speech” (The Weinstein Company, 11/26, R, trailer)

“Inception” (Warner Brothers, 7/16, PG-13, trailer)

“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight, 11/5, R, trailer)

“The Fighter” (Paramount, 12/10, Tbd, trailer)

“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight, 12/1, R, trailer)

“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features, 7/9, R, trailer)

“Toy Story 3” (Disney, 6/18, G, trailer)

“True Grit” (Paramount, 12/25, Tbd, trailer)

“Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company, 12/31, Nc-17, trailer)

Major Threats

“The Town” (Warner Brothers, 9/17, R, trailer)

“Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Paramount Vantage, 9/24, PG, trailer)

“Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate, 12/17, Tbd, trailer)

“Winter’s Bone” (Roadside Attractions, 6/11, R, trailer)

“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics, 12/31, PG-13, trailer)

“Get Low” (Sony Pictures Classics, 7/30, PG-13, trailer)

“The Way Back” (Newmarket, 12/29, PG-13, trailer)

Possibilities

“Shutter Island” (Paramount, 2/19, R, trailer)

“Somewhere” (Focus Features, 12/22, R, trailer)

“Made in Dagenham” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/19, R, trailer)

“How Do You Know” (Columbia, 12/17, R, trailer)

“Love and Other Drugs” (20th Century Fox, 11/24, R, trailer)

“Hereafter” (Warner Brothers,...

The shortlist for the documentaries in consideration for this year's Academy Awards is out, and it's kind of like your reading list for AP English Lit-no risks. I understand why Catfish, sort of the Blair Witch-esque dark horse of this year's documentary selection, was snubbed-rumor has it that it was part narrative. But the fantastic Joan Rivers biopic Piece of Work absolutely deserved to be on this list.

Below, the 15 titles in consideration.

Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer

Enemies of the People

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Gasland

Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould

Inside Job

The Lottery

Precious Life

read more...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced fifteen films in the Documentary Feature category which will advance in the voting process for The 83rd Academy Awards.

The list includes: Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, Enemies of the People, Exit Through the Gift Shop, GasLand, Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould, Inside Job, The Lottery, Precious Life, Quest for Honor, Restrepo, This Way of Life, The Tillman Story, Waiting for Superman, Waste Land, William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe

Selected from one-hundred and one submissions, the Documentary Branch Screening Committee viewed all the eligible documentaries for the preliminary round of voting and will now select the five nominees from among the 15 titles on the shortlist. Those five will be announced live on Tuesday January 25th.

The biggest surprise is the several high profile omissions from this list - "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work,...

It's inevitable that the Academy's documentary branch has to snub fine films every year. There are usually more than 5 terrific docs a year after all. But even when they narrow it to 15 for the finals, they're always dumping extraordinary movies.  We knew that the buzzy Catfish wouldn't be there but it's a pity that the funny/interesting/popular Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work couldn't place even in a field of 15. I just watched it again in fact and it still holds the interest even after the jokes aren't new. And don't get me started on the phenomenal Last Train Home, the best thing I saw at Sundance this year give or take I am Love and The Kids Are All Right.

Possibly Nominees?Anyway here's the list of 15 finalists that will have to fight it out for the 5-wide Best Documentary Feature Oscar nominations.

Client 9: The Rise and...

Films about quirky British artist Banksy and disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer have been named among the 15 documentaries shortlisted for Oscar consideration. "Banksy's "Exit Through the Gift Shop" and "Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer" will compete with "Gasland", "The Lottery", "Enemies of The People" and "Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould", among others, for an Academy Awards nomination in January 2011.

The Best Documentary Feature Oscar will be presented at the 83rd Academy Awards on February 27, 2011.

As for Oscars favorites for movie of the year are "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network". The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 25, 2011.

The shortlist for the Documentary Feature category of the 2011 Academy Awards has been announced and has been met with equal amounts of pleasant surprise and puzzled scratching of heads. The joyous bemusement in reaction to the inclusion of Banksy's Exit Through the Gift Shop, which many of us were convinced would be this year’s Anvil, and the shock that Laura Poitas' The Oath was notably absent. It’s particularly refreshing to see the inclusion of Exit given the general view that the Academy only saw the more "worthy"-subject based documentaries as genuine contenders, and that more populist fare never stood a chance. As documentaries don't compete within other filmmaking categories such as editing and cinematography (of which Armadillo would certainly deserve to be listed) the Documentary Feature category has always felt that it has to be an award based on overall filmmaking achievement, rather than subject, impact or agenda.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected fifteen documentaries out of a total of one hundred and one that will advance to the next round of voting that will become nominees in the Documentary Feature category of the 83rd Academy Awards. "Waiting for Superman" seems like the favorite to win, considering the impact the film has had on parents and the Us government. But "Inside Job" and "The Tillman Story" will also likely move on to the next round. The committee viewed all eligible documentaries and will now select five nominees out of the fifteen, which are listed below. * Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer * Enemies of the People * Exit through the Gift Shop * Gasland * Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould * Inside Job * The Lottery * Precious Life * Quest for Honor * Restrepo * This Way of Life * The Tillman Story * Waiting for Superman * Waste Land...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed today the 15 films that have made their shortlist for the Best Feature Documentary category in the 83rd Academy Awards.

They include:

Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC)

Enemies of the People, Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films)

Exit through the Gift Shop, Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures)

Gasland, Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC)

Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould, Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors (White Pine Pictures)

Inside Job, Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures)

The Lottery, Madeleine Sackler, director (Great Curve Films)

Precious Life, Shlomi Eldar, director (Origami Productions)

Quest for Honor, Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, director (Smothers Bruni Productions)

Restrepo, Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, directors (Outpost Films)

This Way of Life, Thomas Burstyn, director (Cloud South Films)

The Tillman Story, Amir Bar-Lev, director… Read...

HollywoodNews.com: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 83rd Academy Awards®. One hundred-one pictures had originally qualified in the category.

The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:

“Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer,” Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC)

“Enemies of the People,” Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films)

“Exit through the Gift Shop,” Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures)

“Gasland,” Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC)

“Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould,” Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors (White Pine Pictures)

“Inside Job,” Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures)

“The Lottery,” Madeleine Sackler, director (Great Curve Films)

“Precious Life,” Shlomi Eldar, director (Origami Productions)

“Quest for Honor,” Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, director (Smothers Bruni Productions)

“Restrepo,” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger,...

Do you want answers? Do you believe you’re entitled to them? Do you want the truth? Can you, in fact, handle the truth? The 15 documentaries competing for Oscar have been selected.

Check out the list below [via Oscars.org]:

Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC) Enemies of the People Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films) Exit through the Gift Shop Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures) Gasland Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC) Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors

(White Pine Pictures) Inside Job Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures) The Lottery Madeleine Sackler, director (Great Curve Films) Precious Life Shlomi Eldar, director (Origami Productions) “Megamind” Quest for Honor Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, director (Smothers Bruni Productions) Restrepo Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, directors (Outpost Films) This Way of Life Thomas Burstyn, director (Cloud South Films...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released their shortlist of 15 documentaries that have advanced in the voting for Best Documentary nominations. The list includes Charles Ferguson’s Inside Job, Davis Guggenheim’s Waiting for Superman, and, one of my favorite films of the year, Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop. Unfortunately, the documentary Catfish was shutout. While some have speculated that it’s because of controversy regarding the documentary’s authenticity, that same controversy of “realism” also surrounds Exit Through the Gift Shop. However, as long as Gift Shop continues to have a shot at the top prize, I’m happy (although Inside Job and Waiting for Superman are also quality films).

Hit the jump for the press release and a list of the final 15 contenders. The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on January 25, 2011.

Here’s the press release:

Beverly Hills, CA (November...

Films about quirky British artist Banksy and disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer have been named among the 15 documentaries shortlisted for Oscar consideration.

Banksy's Exit through the Gift Shop and Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer will compete with Gasland, The Lottery, Enemies of The People and Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould, among others, for an Academy Awards nomination in January.

The Best Documentary Feature Oscar will be presented at the 83rd Academy Awards on 27 February.

Another year, another outrageous oversight from the documentary branch of the Academy. Today AMPAS announced the 15 films that will contend for next year’s five Best Documentary Feature slots, and although there are several worthy films included (Waiting for Superman, Inside Job, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and The Tillman Story among them), missing from the list was the acclaimed exposé Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, one of the sweetest and most fascinating films, unscripted or otherwise, of the year. Also Mia: The Facebook-fueled Catfish, the transgender family tale Prodigal Sons, and the political eye-opener 8: The Mormon Proposition.

The Weinstein Company / Paramount

You know what we love? A good, old-fashioned documentary. Sometimes, that’s really the stuff.

And this year there’s been an exceptionally strong batch of documentary features, which explains why more than 100 of them were submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for this year’s Oscars. Now, though, the suits at the Academy have trimmed the field to just 15 finalists… and the controversial “Catfish” and crowd-pleasing “Babies” are nowhere to be seen.

“Catfish,” of course, purported to be a doc about a guy who falls for a Facebook friend only to find out that his new internet love is (spoiler!) a lying liar who lies. Some people felt it was probably about as real in documentary terms as “Paranormal Activity 2,” however, which may explain why it didn’t make the cut.

“Babies,” the much-buzzed about feature showing how infants in wildly...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced the shortlist of fifteen films now vying for the five “Best Documentary” nominations. The organization will unveil the final five at the announcement ceremony on January 25, 2011, just over a month before the Oscar telecast on February 27. A record-breaking 101 films qualified for the award before the line-up was narrowed to these fifteen:

Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC)

Enemies of the People, Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films)

Exit through the Gift Shop, Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures)

Gasland, Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC)

Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould, Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors (White Pine Pictures)

Inside Job, Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures)

The Lottery, Madeleine Sackler, director (Great Curve Films)

Precious Life, Shlomi Eldar, director (Origami Productions)

Quest for Honor, Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, director (Smothers Bruni Productions)

Restrepo,...

Not entirely sure why much lauded docs films that stuck out this year in Janus Metz's Armadilllo, Lixin Fan's Last Train Home, Michelangelo Frammartino's le quattro volte and Jeff Malmberg's Marwencol failed to make the grade (I'm not entirely sure how this works with the cut-off dates), but there are plenty on the list of 15 that have earned the right to be deemed among the best docs of the year. Shockingly, they included Exit through the Gift Shop and not surprisingly, this along with seven other docus if my count is good, first began their public life at the January launch-pad known as the Sundance Film Festival. The preliminary round of voting will determine five noms (announced live on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 5:30 a.m. Pt) and the only one I can honestly say is a shoe-in for a top 5 nom spot is Charles Ferguson's Inside Job.

And it's a good-looking, diverse and hip slate -- at least until the final five nominees are announced, and inevitably three to four of them are the least watched, least known from this selection, making the race opaque to almost everyone. Interesting that two controversial pro-charter school docs, the better known "Waiting for 'Superman'" and the smaller "The Lottery" both made the cut, while the acclaimed "Last Train Home" did not. "The Oath," thought a possible frontrunner by some, also failed to make the snip. But nice to see the excellent "Enemies of the People" on there.

"Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer"

Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC)

"Enemies of the People"

Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films)

"Exit through the Gift Shop"

Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures)

"Gasland"

Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC)

"Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould"

Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the documentary feature category will advance in the voting process for the 83rd Academy Awards. One hundred-one pictures had originally qualified in the category.

You can see the list of 15 films — which, to my surprise and/or disappointment, does not include “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work,” “The Oath,” “A Film Unfinished,” “12th & Delaware,” or “Catfish,” among others — below…

“Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer“ “Enemies of the People” “Exit Through the Gift Shop” “Gasland” “Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould” “Inside Job” “The Lottery” “Precious Life” “Quest for Honor” “Restrepo” “This Way of Life” “The Tillman Story” “Waiting for ‘Superman’” “Waste Land” “William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe”

Photo: Josh Fox in “Gasland.” Credit: HBO Documentary Films.

After viewing 101 contenders for Best Feature Documentary for the 83rd Academy Awards, the Documentary Branch has revealed the final 15 contenders shortlist for nomination consideration.

This list is in alphabetical order: Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC) Enemies of the People Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films) Exit through the Gift Shop Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures) Gasland Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC) Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors (White Pine Pictures) Inside Job Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures) The Lottery Madeleine Sackler, director (Great Curve Films) Precious Life Shlomi Eldar, director (Origami Productions) Quest for Honor Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, director (Smothers Bruni Productions) Restrepo Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, directors (Outpost Films) This Way of Life Thomas Burstyn, director (Cloud South Films) The Tillman Story Amir Bar-Lev, director (Passion...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 83rd Academy Awards. One hundred-one pictures had originally qualified in the category. The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company: - Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer Alex Gibney, director (Es Productions LLC) - Enemies of the People Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films) - Exit through the Gift Shop Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures) - Gasland Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC) - Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors (White Pine Pictures) - Inside Job Charles Ferguson,...

The long-awaited Short List of feature-length documentaries in consideration for Academy Award nomination was finally released, and here are the lucky 15:

Client 9:The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer (Dir.: Alex Gibney; Es Productions LLC) Enemies of the People (Dirs.: Rob Lemkin, Thet Sambath; Old Street Films) Exit through the Gift Shop (Dir.: Banksy; Paranoid Pictures) Gasland (Dir.: Josh Fox; Gasland Productions, LLC) Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (Dirs.: Michele Hozer, Peter Raymont; White Pine Pictures) Inside Job (Dir.: Charles Ferguson; Representational Pictures) The Lottery (Dir.: Madeleine Sackler; ...

Best documentary at the Oscars is, like best foreign language film, the type of category that seems invented to be grumbled over, with selections and winners rarely reflecting the films everyone else in the world finds most worthy of praise. So it's much less frustrating to look to organizations like the International Documentary Association for better indicators of the docs that are the cream of 2010's crop.

The nominees for the 2010 Ida Documentary Awards were announced today, and the contenders for the top prize include Banksy's "Exit Through The Gift Shop," a personal favorite; Laura Poitras' Al-Qaeda saga "The Oath"; Joonas Berghaell and Mika Hotakainen's look at Finnish sauna culture "Steam of Life"; Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor's trailing of Montana sheepherders "Sweetgrass"; and Lucy Walker's tale of making art of trash "Waste Land," opening in New York on Friday. The awards will take place in L.

Toronto – Some Oscar campaigns just take longer to launch than others.

Canadian filmmakers Peter Raymont and Michele Hozer debuted "Genius Within: The Inner Life Of Glenn Gould" at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, and are now taking a less-traveled road to Oscar consideration for their arthouse documentary: through Dan Talbot's Upper West Side Lincoln Plaza Cinemas.

It's the difference for a U.S. theatrical release of a Canadian movie between one built on hope or on deliberate strategy.

U.S. distributor Kino Lorber Raymont premiered the film about the late Canadian classic pianist Glenn Gould at the taste-making Lincoln Plaza on Sept. 9 after securing impressive reviews from the New York Times and The New Yorker.

Kino Lorber topper Richard Lorber said the positive NYC reviews and Lincoln Plaza release puts the picture on the radar screen of national theatre bookers as a crossover art film, with DVD and VOD...

Toronto -- Kino Lorber has booked the Canadian biopic "Genius Within: The Inner Life Of Glenn Gould" into New York City and Chicago for a Sept. 17 theatrical release.

The U.S. distributor will release the Peter Raymont and Michele Hozer-directed documentary about the legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould at Lincoln Plaza Cinema in Manhattan and the Music Box Theatre in Chicago before it opens on Sept. 24 at the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles.

Kino Lorber's platform release includes dates in October and November in St. Louis, Denver, Seattle, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

"Genius Within," produced by White Pines Pictures, bowed last year at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds have confirmed the names of the feature-length documentary projects that will receive funding support under the 'Theatrical Documentary Program' in 2009-2010. Participating filmmakers will receive funding support for the production or post-production stage of their project, as the goal of the Program is to broaden both the slate and audiences for Canadian feature-length documentaries produced for commercial screening in Canada, while jointly financing a number of French- and English-language projects likely to be successful in Canada and abroad. "Through this program, we are looking to attract new audiences in theatres for Canadian documentaries by providing support at crucial stages so projects can be commercially viable," said Michel Pradier, Director of Project Financing, Telefilm Canada. "The feature films selected this year testify once again to Canadian documentary filmmakers' spirit of innovation and creativity." Launched in 2005-2006 as a one-year pilot project, the public-private...

Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds have announced the names of the feature-length documentary projects that will receive funding support under the 'Theatrical Documentary Program' in 2009-2010.

Participating filmmakers will receive funding support for the production or post-production stage of their project, as the goal of the Program is to broaden both the slate and audiences for Canadian feature-length documentaries produced for commercial screening in Canada, while jointly financing a number of French- and English-language projects likely to be successful in Canada and abroad.

"Through this program, we are looking to attract new audiences in theatres for Canadian documentaries by providing support at crucial stages so projects can be commercially viable," said Michel Pradier, Director of Project Financing, Telefilm Canada.

"The feature films selected this year testify once again to Canadian documentary filmmakers' spirit of innovation and creativity."

Launched in 2005-2006 as a one-year pilot project, the public-private...