Red band trailer for NC-17 rated "Shame" heats up the web: "Prepare to be scandalized, gentle viewers. The red band trailer for the Michael Fassbender film 'Shame' -- which has been slapped with a rare NC-17 rating -- has hit the Internet like 3.5 metric tons of lava-hot carnality to help give us all a boost from the post-Thanksgiving doldrums ... Dive into the action in the video below, but WARNING -- the clip is jam-packed with really sexy sex and totally naked nudity, so if you're at work ... close your office door. 'Shame' hits theaters for a limited release on Dec. 2." THE WRAP

"Young Adult" also offers a red-band sneak-peak, loaded with F-bombs: "Few things are better than a beautiful women saying the F-word. And few women are more beautiful than Charlize Theron. Thus, by the transitive property, the just-released red-band trailer for 'Young Adult' is in early contention for best non sequitur preview of the year. The fun starts when someone spills punch (or is it Sangria?) on Theron. Obscenity follows. This scene is made all the more poignant by the fact that the target of Theron’s rage is Elizabeth Reaser, the amnesia girl with the broken face from 'Grey’s Anatomy.'" EW.COM

Seth Rogen reflects on his Independent Spirit nomination for producing "50/50": "'I kind of feel like I should apologize to everyone we're nominated with,' says Seth Rogen, nommed for a Spirit Award on Nov. 29 as producer of the cancer comedy '50/50,' which also nabbed a supporting nom for Anjelica Huston and best first screenplay nom for Will Reiser ... 'I feel like I'm trespassing in the indie world and they seem to have accepted it,' he says. 'I hope people don't get mad at me for bringing my studio past into their world.'" HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

The 2011 Britannia Awards are presented tonight: "They’re different than your typical American kudosfest, largely because it’s the Brits — the Los Angeles wing of BAFTA, specifically — who’re handing them out. And they’re — gasp! — untelevised. Plus, the awards — which are more lifetime achievement in style — are predetermined. This year, Warren Beatty, John Lasseter, David Yates, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ben Stiller are being honored, and presenters include Robin Williams, Anne Hathaway, Helen Mirren, and Jason Isaacs." EW.COM

"The Book of Mormon" is poised to turn a profit: "While there is suspicion that the year-old 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' will have to run for decades to recoup its $75 million budget despite its glowing press, the same cannot be said of the Tony-winning 'The Book Of Mormon.' The musical by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone this week recouped its capitalization and will now begin pouring cash into the pockets of investors. This is hardly a surprise: the musical continues to be Broadway’s hot ticket, and it has broken the house record 22 times at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre since opening March 24." DEADLINE

"Glee" pursues Grammy-winner Ricky Martin: "'Glee' is in negotiations to get Ricky Martin to guest-star as a Spanish teacher, TV Line reports. Martin would have two big numbers in the episode, and his appearance would serve the dual purposes of building buzz for his run as Che in 'Evita' on Broadway and marking the apparent end of Ryan Murphy's grand no-big-guest-stars experiment. How many Spanish teachers does this show need? Mr. Schue is a Spanish teacher, and when he's sick, Holly Holiday (Gwyneth Paltrow) takes over. ¡Basta, Señor Murphy! Throw a math teacher a bone once in a while." VULTURE

"The Descendants" was widely expected to win several awards from the New York Film Critics Circle. Our Experts heavily favored the film to win the top prize while star George Clooney, supporting player Shailene Woodley and the script were also forecast to be strong contenders. Instead, all were snubbed by the Gotham critics group.

"The Descendants" writer/director Alexander Payne has a strong track record with the NYFCC.  First, he picked up the Best Screenplay prize in 1999 for "Election." In 2004, his "Sideways" swept Best Picture, Actor (Paul Giamatti), Supporting Actress (Virginia Madsen), and he won a second time for Best Screenplay.

While this year's voters were passionate about some contenders -- like Meryl Streep who won Best Actress on the first ballot with a whopping 38 points -- the New York Post's Lou Lumenick reveals "The Descendants" never managed to amass more than 17 points.

Jessica Chastain won Supporting Actress for her roles in "The Tree of Life," "The Help," and "Take Shelter" while Woodley did not even figure in the top three. Likewise, Clooney, who won Best Actor two years ago for both "Up in the Air" and "Fantastic Mr. Fox," lost to Brad Pitt for "Moneyball" and "The Tree of Life." Best Screenplay went to Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian for "Moneyball." And "The Artist" won Best Picture and Director for Michel Hazanavicius. 

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While NYFCC is only the first of many groups that will announce their winners in the next two months, that early frontrunner status for "The Descendants" has been replaced by building buzz for "Moneyball," "The Tree of Life," and especially "The Artist" which also led with the most Indie Spirit nominations Tuesday.

Gold Derby editors Tom O'Neil and Daniel Montgomery dish results of the New York Film Critics Circle winners, Indie Spirit nominations and Gotham Awards.

"The Tree of Life" tops Sight & Sound's critics' poll of the year's best: "It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life' would top the list: divisive it may be, but the film remains unrivalled as the critical talking point of 2011. It won the poll by a comfortable margin: editor Nick James reveals that it had half as many votes again as the similarly predictable runner-up, Asghar Farhadi's 'A Separation.' Check out the full list ..." IN CONTENTION

Why the Oscars might not move up its awards date in 2013 after all: "The Academy’s broadcast partner ABC has a say in these plans and I have been told by a very informed Acad source that the January 27, 2013 date has been ruled out and the earliest they could go is February 3. Problem is that happens to be the date of the Super Bowl so obviously that Sunday is out. So is the next Sunday after that for an undisclosed reason meaning the earliest the show could go is February 17 and frankly my sources say they will have to think about the value of moving it just one week earlier than it is already. " DEADLINE

The TV Academy announces new Hall of Fame Inductees: "Producers Mary-Ellis Bunim & Jonathan Murray, network executive Michael Eisner, game show host Don Francisco, actor Sherman Hemsley, lighting designer Bill Klages, producer Chuck Lorre and the beloved comedy duo of Vivian Vance & William Frawley will be honored in the 21st  Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 1st, 2012. Mary-Ellis Bunim, Vivian Vance and William Frawley will be inducted posthumously." EMMYS.TV

Will "Drive" be snubbed across the board? "For some moviegoers, Nicolas Winding Refn’s 'Drive' was the movie of 2011 (ditto that soundtrack). Nevertheless, over at Nerve, Jett Wells echoes the sad realization of many a 'Drive'-loving Oscar-watcher: Academy Award nominations are about as unlikely for the stylish crime pic as a clean getaway is for Ryan Gosling’s boyish, near-mute anti-hero ... As for a supporting nod for Albert Brooks? Sure, it’s possible. And his Bernie Rose is a terrifically terrifying surprise turn, but it’s still a long shot." MOVIELINE

"The Adventures of Tintin" has already earned more than $200 million worldwide: "Given 'Tintin’s' huge popularity outside America, it’s no surprise that the film has been tearing up the box office — nor is it a surprise the powers that be would want to capitalize on that popularity to build buzz as 'Tintin' draws closer to U.S. shores. I’m hardly the first to say it, but it’ll be interesting to see whether Spielberg’s name alone will make up for any lack of awareness of the boy reporter and his dog Snowy for Stateside moviegoers. Personally, I tend to equate 'Tintin' to football, another worldwide phenomenon that has traditionally eluded Americans." DEADLINE

Madonna enlists Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. for upcoming album: "Rumors have been swirling about the possible triple threat for several weeks, but no one was certain until Saturday. The powerhouse lady rappers are said to be recording rhymes for Madonna’s 'Give Me All Your Love,' which leaked online to mixed reception earlier this month. Madonna is currently wrapping production on the so-far-untitled album — due next spring — and promoting her film 'W.E.,' which premieres two days before she is expected to perform at Super Bowl XLVI." EW.COM

Only 2 of the 11 pundits predicting the winners of the New York Film Critics Circle Awards correctly foresaw the victory of "The Artist" as Best Picture: Ed Douglas (Comingsoon) and Christopher Rosen (Moviefone). Seven had predicted a big win by "The Descendants."

MAKE YOUR OSCAR PREDICTIONS

Can Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady") win the Oscar for Best Actress over Michelle Williams ("My Week with Marilyn") and Viola Davis ("The Help")? What will win Best Picture? Make your early predictions now -- and make changes later. CLICK HERE!

PREDICTION SCORE IN 6 CATEGORIES
Ed Douglas (Comingsoon) – 3
Michael Musto (Village Voice) - 3
Tom O'Neil (Gold Derby) - 3
Chuck Walton (Fandango) - 3

Guy Lodge (In Contention, Hitfix) - 2
Christopher Rosen (Moviefone) - 2
Sasha Stone (Awards Daily) - 2

Dave Karger (Entertainment Weekly) - 1
Susan Wloszczyna (USA Today) - 1

Kevin Lewin (WENN) - 0
Anne Thompson (Thompson on Hollywood, IndieWire) - 0

PREDICT OSCAR NOMINEES: What will win Best Picture?

Log your predictions in all top Oscar races. CLICK HERE!

"The Artist" won both Best Picture and Best Director (Michel Hazanavicius) at the 77th annual awards bestowed by the New York Film Critics Circle. These wins follow this morning's announcement of the Indie Spirit nominees where "The Artist" tied "Take Shelter" for most bids with five apiece.

Meryl Streep won her fourth Best Actress prize from the Gotham critics for her portayal of British PM Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Brad Pitt was cited as Best Actor for his work in both "Moneyball" and "The Tree of Life." Both those films won other awards for scripters Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin ("Moneyball") and lenser Emmanuel Lubezki ("The Tree of Life").

Jessica Chastain claimed Supporting Actress for three films: "The Help," "Take Shelter" and "The Tree of Life." She will contend at the Indie Spirits for "Take Shelter," the only one of those three that was eligible there. Albert Brooks won Supporting Actor for "Drive" and is also in the running at the Indie Spirts.

Last year, the New York Film Critics Circle didn't announce their winners until Dec. 13, the day after their West coast counterparts had already weighed in. Both groups went with "The Social Network" for Best Picture and its helmer, David Fincher, as Best Director. They also agreed on Colin Firth ("The King's Speech") as Best Actor. Firth prevailed at the Oscars as did his film and its director Tom Hooper. 

Last year, the Gotham group went with "The Kids Are All Right" players Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor respectively while Melissa Leo ("The Fighter") won Best Supporting Actress. Only Leo triumphed at the Oscars. 

Their love for "Kids" extended to the Screenplay award which was shared by director Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg. They edged out, among others, L.A. champ Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network") and runner-up David Seidler ("The King's Speech"), who both went on to win Oscars. 

In 2009, both groups chose "The Hurt Locker" as the Best Picture and its helmer Kathryn Bigelow as Best Director. And both went with eventual Oscar champs Mo'Nique ("Precious") and Christoph Waltz ("Inglorious Basterds") for the supporting awards. Both of the NYFCC winners of the top acting awards -- George Clooney ("Up in the Air") and Meryl Streep ("Julie & Julia") -- vied for Oscars.

New York and L.A. critics don't always select the same film, though. In 2008, the Gothamites chose "Milk" while the west was won over by "Wall-E."  In 2007, NYFCC opted for "No Country for Old Men" and LAFCA  pumped up "There Will Be Blood." And in 2006, the top film for New Yorkers was "United 93" while the L.A. critics penned a love note to "Letters from Iwo Jima."

"Milk" did not win best picture with the NYFCC till ballot four with 29 points. "Rachel Getting Married" had 25 points while both "Happy-Go-Lucky" and eventual Oscar champ "Slumdog Millionaire" had 20 points. As Gotham critic circle member Mike D'Angelo of Esquire wrote on his Twitter stream that day: "My sense is that 'Milk' wound up as the I-can-live-with-that compromise choice for voters blocking 'Slumdog' and voters blocking 'Rachel.'"

The NYFCC has a history of such compromised decisions. In 1994, "Quiz Show" did not reap any votes during the first voting round but still won the top award after the two camps gave up their fights for "Forrest Gump" and "Pulp Fiction. And "My Left Foot" won Best Picture in 1989 after the critics couldn’t decide between "Do the Right Thing" and "Enemies, A Love Story." At least "My Left Foot" scored a few scattered points on the first ballot.

"The Artist" and "Take Shelter" lead with five nominations each for the 27th annual edition of the Independent Spirit Awards. They are both contending for Best Picture as are "50/50," "Beginners," "Drive" and "The Descendants." Among the films snubbed for the top prize were "Martha Marcy May Marlene," "Midnight in Paris" and "My Week with Marilyn." 

Conspicuously absent from the Best Actor race is "The Descendants" star George Clooney. One of his main Oscar rivals, Jean Dujardin, was nominated for "The Artist" as were Demian Bechir ("A Better Life), Ryan Gosling ("Drive"), Woody Harrelson ("Rampart") and Michael Shannon ("Take Shelter").

Glenn Close was denied a Best Actress bid for her passion project "Albert Nobbs." The nominees are two of her potential Oscar rivals -- Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene") and Michelle Williams ("My Week with Marilyn") -- as well as Lauren Ambrose ("Think of Me"), Rachael Harris ("Natural Selection") and Adepero Oduye ("Pariah").

MAKE YOUR OSCAR PREDICTIONS

Can Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady") win the Oscar for Best Actress over Michelle Williams ("My Week with Marilyn") and Viola Davis ("The Help")? What will win Best Picture? Make your early predictions now -- and make changes later. CLICK HERE!

Close's co-star Janet McTeer was recognized in the supporting race as were New York Film Critics Circle winner Jessica Chastain ("Take Shelter"), Anjelica Huston ("50/50"), Harmony Santana ("Gun Hill Road") and Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants").

Among the supporting actor nominees are two strong Oscar contenders -- NYFCC winner Albert Brooks ("Drive") and Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") -- as well as outside hopefuls John Hawkes ("Martha Marcy May Marlene") and Corey Stoll ("Midnight in Paris"). 

This was a good day for Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist") who won Best Director from the Gotham critics and reaped two bids here as well. In the directing category he contends against Mike Mills ("Beginners"), Jeff Nichols ("Take Shelter"), Alexander Payne ("The Descendants") and Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive"). And in the writing race, he is up against Mills and Payne (with collaborators Nat Faxon and Jim Rash) as well as Joseph Cedar ("Footnote") and Tom McCarthy ("Win Win").

PREDICT OSCAR NOMINEES: Will "The Artist" win Best Picture?

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American feature film nominees, culled from entries with budgets of under $20 million, were determined by a committee chaired by producer Gail Mutrux which included: film critic/journalist Robert Abele; writer Dustin Lance Black; producers Stuart Cornfeld, Barry Mendel; actors Dale Dickey, André Royo, Souléymane Sy Savané; cinematographers Paula Huidobro, Stephen Goldblatt; writer/directors Courtney Hunt, Robert D. Siegel; writer/director/producer Malcolm D. Lee; director Floria Sigismondi; casting director Margery Simkin; and writer Dan Waters.

The prizes will be handed out on Feb. 26, one day before the Oscars. Following the ill-advised one-day shift to Friday and relocation to downtown L.A. in 2009, the Spirit Awards returned to their traditional Saturday afternoon slot at Santa Monica beach last year. A 2 p.m. start means that only a taped version of the show will air on IFC.

Last year, "Black Swan" won all four of its bids including Best Picture while rival nominee "Winter's Bone" took two of its seven races. They -- along with "127 Hours" and "The Kids Are All Right" --  contended in the top race at the Oscars. However, the eventual Oscar champ "The King's Speech" was eligible only in the category of Best Foreign Film which it won.

Natalie Portman edged out her four Oscar rivals to win for "Black Swan." James Franco ("127 Hours"), the lone Oscar candidate among the Best Actor nominees, prevailed. "Winter's Bone" supporting players John Hawkes and Dale Dickey won those awards. Hawke was in the running at the Oscars as was fellow Spirits nominee Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are All Right") but both lost to Christian Bale ("The Fighter"). 

Darren Aronofsky, the only Oscar nominee in this race, won Best Director for "Black Swan." The Screenplay award went to "Kids Are All Right" director Lisa Choldenko and her co-writer Stuart Blumberg. The pair vied at the Oscars in the Original Screenplay race while fellow Spirit nominees Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini ("Winter's Bone") were up for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Other winners at the free-wheeling ceremony included "Exit Through the Gift Shop" which was named Best Documentary over, among others, fellow Oscar nominee "Restrepo." And Oscar nominee Matthew Libatique won here for lensing "Black Swan."

Nominees for the 27th annual Independent Spirt Awards were announced Tuesday by Kate Beckinsale and Anthony Mackie. Winners will be announced on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 25 during a luncheon held on the beach at Santa Monica. 

BEST FEATURE 
"50/50"
"Beginners"
"Drive"
"Take Shelter"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"

BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist")
Mike Mills ("Beginners")
Jeff Nichols ("Take Shelter")
Alexander Payne ("The Descendants")
Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive")

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Lauren Ambrose ("Think of Me")
Rachael Harris ("Natural Selection")
Adepero Oduye ("Pariah")
Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene")
Michelle Williams ("My Week with Marilyn")

BEST MALE LEAD
Demián Bichir ("A Better Life")
Jean Dujardin ("The Artist")
Ryan Gosling ("Drive")
Woody Harrelson ("Rampart")
Michael Shannon ("Take Shelter")

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Jessica Chastain ("Take Shelter")
Anjelica Huston ("50/50")
Janet McTeer ("Albert Nobbs")
Harmony Santana ("Gun Hill Road")
Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants")

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Albert Brooks ("Drive")
John Hawkes ("Martha Marcy May Marlene")
Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")
John C. Reilly ("Cedar Rapids")
Corey Stoll ("Midnight in Paris")

BEST SCREENPLAY
Joseph Cedar ("Footnote")
Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist")
Tom McCarthy ("Win Win")
Mike Mills ("Beginners")
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash ("The Descendants")

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Joel Hodge ("Bellflower")
Benjamin Kasulke ("The Off Hours)
Darius Khondji ("Midnight in Paris)
Guillaume Schiffman ("The Artist)
Jeffrey Waldron ("The Dynamiter)

BEST FIRST FEATURE 
"Another Earth"
"In the Family" 
"Margin Call" 
"Martha Marcy May Marlene"
"Natural Selection"

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Mike Cahill ("Brit Marling Another Earth")
J.C. Chandor ("Margin Call")
Patrick deWitt ("Terri")
Phil Johnston ("Cedar Rapids")
Will Reiser ("50/50")

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (best feature under $500,000)
"Bellflower"
"Circumstance"
"Hello Lonesome" 
"Pariah"
"The Dynamiter Writer"

BEST DOCUMENTARY 
"An African Election"
"Bill Cunningham New York" 
"The Interrupters"
"The Redemption of General Butt Naked"
"We Were Here" 

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
"A Separation"
"Melancholia"
"Shame"
"The Kid With a Bike"
"Tyrannosaur"

For the first time in the 21-year history of the Gotham Independent Film Awards, there was a tie for Best Picture with "Beginners" and "The Tree of Life" sharing the prize. "Beginners" also won Best Ensemble. 

"The Descendants" contended unsuccesfully in both those races. And one of its stars, Shailene Woodley, lost Breakthrough Actor to Felicity Jones ("Like Crazy"). Dee Rees won Breakthrough Director for "Pariah." 

"Martha Marcy May Marlene" also lost its three bids -- Ensemble, Breakthough Actor (Elizabeth Olsen) and Breakthrough Director (Sean Durkin). 

PREDICT OSCAR NOMINEES: What will win Best Picture?

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Last year, "Winter's Bone" won Best Picture over, among others, "Black Swan" and "The Kids Are All Right." All three of those films went on to contend in the top race at the Oscars. In 2009, "The Hurt Locker" won with these kudos administered by the Independent Feature Project before going on to prevail at the Academy Awards. 

BEST FEATURE
X - "Beginners
"The Descendants"
"Meek's Cutoff"
"Take Shelter"
X - "The Tree of Life"

Eligibility for this award is restricted to American films with a distributor that were made with "a economy of means." Compare that to the rival Indie Spirits which consider only those films made for $20 million or less, which rules out "The Tree of Life" ($32 million budget) and "Midnight in Paris" ($30 million) which was snubbed by the Gothams.

BEST ENSEMBLE
X - "Beginners"
"The Descendants"
"Martha Marcy May Marlene" 
"Margin Call"
"Take Shelter"

BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
X- Felicity Jones ("Like Crazy")
Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene")
Harmony Santana ("Gun Hill Road") 
Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants")
Jacob Wysocki ("Terri").

BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR
Mike Cahill ("Another Earth")
Sean Durkin ("Martha Marcy May Marlene")
Vera Farmiga ("Higher Ground")
Evan Glodell("Bellflower")
X - Dee Rees ("Pariah")

BEST DOCUMENTARY
X - "Better This World"
"Bill Cunningham New York"
"Hell and Back Again"
"The Interrupters"
"The Woodmans" 

BEST FILM NOT PLAYING AT A THEATER NEAR YOU
"Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same"
"Green"
"The Redemption of General Butt Naked"
X - "Scenes of a Crime"
"Without"