The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz blog weighs in on the awards prospects of "Synecdoche, New York," noting that "our early, eager, enthusiastic response in Cannes to Charlie Kaufman 's dementedly brilliant and heartbreaking directorial debut is apparently shared by those arbiters of arthouse cool, Sony Pictures Classics." In his rave review, Steven Zeitchik says, "The film's epic and surreal look at one man's life, his artistic achievements and personal struggles, offered some of the most moving scenes we've seen on a film-festival screen in a long time." To read Steven's full analysis -- CLICK HERE

Reporting from Comic Con, Anne Thompson profiles Emmy nominee Michael C. Hall ("Dexter") for her Variety blog. The introspective actor reflecting on his serial killer character says, "He confides in the audience in a way that he doesn't confide with anyone else on the show. And if you watch the show, you find yourself implicated in these events." To read Anne's full report -- CLICK HERE

Jeff Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere gives an enthusiastic thumbs up to "Tropic Thunder," due out Aug. 13. He praises the satire on Hollywood written, directed and featuring Ben Stiller as a falling star who hopes to reclaim fame with a role in a Vietnam war movie. Wells reserves special praise for Robert Downey Jr. as a Method actor who dies his skin to play an African-American soldier. Says Jeff, "It also feels to me like an Oscar-level thing for Downey. I know — who gives a hoot about Oscar nominations when a film is this funny? But Downey is amazing in this. This plus 'Iron Man' -- what a year for the guy. The best supporting actor race is already down to Downey vs. Ledger." To read his full review -- CLICK HERE

Over at Awards Daily, Sasha Stone points the way to an exclusive chat that WoW had with Emma Thompson. The website, formally known as The Women on the Web, sat down with the two-time Oscar winner to discuss her latest role in the big-screen adaptation of "Brideshead Revisited," as well as her upcoming work as a writer on the screenplay for a new version of 1964 Oscar winner "My Fair Lady." Leading off the discussion is Thompson's answer to a question about her Oscar prospects for "Brideshead" -– "I think it’s always best not to expect a nomination just in case the inevitable happens: You don’t get nominated and you have bought a frock." To read the full interview -- CLICK HERE

Mike Ausiello keeps breaking scoops in his new gig at Entertainment Weekly. Today, he is reporting that Harvey Keitel is set to join the cast of the American TV remake of Brit hit "Life on Mars" as a tough-talking police detective. The only cast member remaining from the reworked pilot is time-traveling cop Jason O'Mara who, after being hit by a car in 2008, wakes up in 1973. Keitel and the already announced addition of Emmy winner Michael Imperioli are his less-than-politically-correct colleagues. Philip Glenister played the part in the original to much acclaim and recently reprised it in the sort of sequel "Ashes to Ashes" set in the early 1980s. To read Mike's full report -- CLICK HERE

(Sony Pictures Classics/ Showtime/ Miramax)