2014 Critics' Choice Award Winners

Wow. It's been a busy day with the Oscar nominations earlier today and the 19th Critics' Choice Awards at night, but we've got you covered.

The Oscar favorites in 12 Years a Slave, Gravity, American Hustle, and the actors of Dallas Buyers Club continue to gain momentum going forward. Leo also scoops up a Best Actor in a Comedy which further muddies the Best Actor in a Leading Role category for the Academy Awards. 

Here's the full list of winners via IndieWire (winners in Bold):

Knee-Jerk 2014 Oscar Predictions

Probably 12 Years a Slave. Probably.

As I'm writing a more in-depth look at each of the six major categories, I thought it'd be a fun idea to give incredibly premature predictions for each nominated group. These predictions will inevitably change as the March 2 ceremony gets closer, but I couldn't resist throwing my hat into the prediction ring. I'll give a quick explanation of my picks, but again, I'll have a more "official" final prediction closer to the actual Academy Award show.

BEST PICTURE

Who Should Win: 12 Years a Slave
Who Will Win: 12 Years a Slave

Such a powerful film. No doubt it faces stiff competition from American Hustle and Gravity, but 12 Years is a safe pick for now.

BEST DIRECTOR

Who Should Win: David O. Russell
Who Will Win: Steve McQueen

I'd be very surprised if the Best Picture and Best Director weren't tied together this year, unlike last year with that Argo fiasco (still mad about the Affleck snub). If the decision is split, Russell would be most likely to win, but I'm really hoping that Spike Jonze gets a write-in win, 'cause that's totally a thing (it's not).

2014 Oscar Nominations

woo.

Ho hum. No real big surprises here.

American Hustle and Gravity lead the talented group with 10 nominations, followed closely by 12 Years a Slave's 9 Oscar nods. Philomena is the biggest surprise nomination with its Best Picture nod. This year the category boasts 9 amazing films, yet none of them are the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis.

It seems the Golden Globes had a bit of an impact here, with Dallas Buyers Club grabbing nominations for Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, and a Best Picture spot. Since the Oscars are not separated into Drama and Comedy categories as the Globes are, Globe winners in the Best Actor (McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio) and Best Actress (Cate Blanchett and Amy Adams) enter an incredibly talented pool of actors and actresses. Yes, Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson were both snubbed for Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks respectively, as was Robert Redford (All is Lost), but it's nice to see Sally Hawkins for Blue Jasmine make the cut, as I am still upset she was snubbed in '08 for Happy-Go-Lucky.

I totally didn't just mention ScarJo
to post a pic of her. 

Side note: Meryl Streep gets a nomination (shocker). It is her 18th of her career.
Second side note: Scarlett Johansson does not receive a nomination for playing Siri Samantha, a voice-only role, despite the clamoring for her to be included. Personally, I would have loved for her to have been nominated, as it would have been a big step for non-physical/voice-only roles to be included in the Oscars.

The Directors Guild of America also closely mirrors the Best Director nominations with the exception of Alexander Payne (Nebraska) being nominated in place of DGA nominated Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips). I doubt anyone is seriously angered over Greengrass or Spike Jonze (Her) being snubbed as the masses were when Ben Affleck was left off the ballot last year.

Honestly, all the technical award categories might as well celebrate their nominations and be proud of that, as Gravity will inevitably sweep those.

Voting goes from February 14 to February 25 with the final announcements coming at the 86th Academy Awards Ceremony held March 2 at 7 pm aired on ABC. Ellen DeGeneres hosts what will be a "hero" theme to the festivities (Chris Hemsworth aka Thor announced the nominees), as the Oscars continue to hopelessly pander to younger audiences. 

THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES:

Jeff Robinov Follows Bruce Rosenblum Out the Door

There needs to be a "Hey Girl" meme with
Jeff Robinov. Get on it Internet.

It's been a rough year for Warner Bros. After some pretty risky film investments and a changing of the guard, WB Movie President, Jeff Robinov, is leaving the studio. Robinov's departure follows closely on that of his former colleague, Bruce Rosenblum, the then-President of Warner's Television Group. In the spring, we covered Warner Bros.' pretty rough start and murky future, and it looks like the studio is definitely reeling a bit.

Even though Man of Steel (a personal triumph for Robinov) stormed the box office to a tune of over $200 million, and it already has a multiple movie contract with the studio, Robinov's resignation definitely raises eyebrows about the attitude inside the organization. Many expected either Robinov or Rosenblum to take over for outgoing chairman, Barry Meyer, but instead CEO Jeff Bewkes chose Kevin Tsujihara. While Robinov was initially supportive of Bewkes decision, there are many reports that the relationship between Robinov and Bewkes and Robinov and Tsujihara have soured considerably.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Dumps Mary Jane and Other Spidey News

My Photoshop Skills.

Well, it looks like the ever-growing cast of Marc Webb's webslinging sequel may have just shrunk a bit. Unfortunately for her, Shailene Woodley's filming schedule just freed itself up considerably. The startlet's role of Mary Jane Watson is chopped after a few days of shooting. Webb stated, "I made a creative decision to streamline the story and focus on Peter and Gwen and their relationship." Any speculation of a potential love triangle between Spidey, Gwen, and MJ can be laid to rest for at least one more Spider-Man film. [Also, Spoilers:Gwen Stacey's death. Whoops, Spoilers.] While Webb was quick to heap praise on Woodley's talents, it remains in doubt that The Descendents actress will return.

Let the speculation for the recast begin!

New Wolverine Trailer

Monday Morning Link Round-Up

Let's check out the big movie news stories that happened in the last week! These links will be from a whole host of sources. All of these blogs are excellent, and if you don't already, you should follow them! Plus, this link round-up makes my Monday's way lighter...

I will probably end up doing this every week, regardless of how many blog posts I get to. I'm hoping to regularly post movie news, even though I'm also juggling (real life) work and college. I realize that I probably only have a max of 6 faithful viewers, but I like to use this blog as a creative outlet. Sure the writing style is pretty lax, but I just like to have fun with it!

If you're interested in Guest Writing for Yet Another Movie Blog, click here! It would be awesome to get new perspectives on movies and even a review or two each week (seriously! I do NOT have time to watch movies... let alone write a review! Plus, I'm awful at reviewing movies).

Don't forget to Like us on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, and we're with the Google employees on Google+, too! Feel free to shoot YAMB an email at yetanothermovieblog@gmail.com.

Treat this kind of like an Open Thread that we used to do, and sound off on what you'd movies you're interested in!

All right, link time!