Oscar buzz kicked into high gear today with the announcement of this year’s Academy Award nominees—go Argo!—all part of the excitement of what’s casually become known as award season.
From the Golden Globes (Jan. 13) to the Grammys (Feb. 10) to the Oscars (Feb. 24), there’s lots of interesting trivia, gossip, and backstories to keep up with until the statuettes are handed out. Here are the must-have Windows Phone apps to stay on top of it all. Look for more great options in the Store’s Award Shows collection.
What film are you rooting for?
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IMDb
Here’s the granddaddy of movie, television and celebrity facts. The Internet Movie Database—aka IMDb—offers more than just trivia, though. It also has trailers, info on DVD and Blu-ray releases, and local movie schedules. It’s a must-have, one-stop reference point for just about everything you’ll need for the award season and beyond. Free
Fandango
Here’s another great app for catching Oscar nominees, winner of three Webby Awards itself. Fandango makes browsing films and buying tickets from your phone easy, with a wealth of info, trailers, and photos to help in decision-making. This updated version lets you pin ticket confirmation to your Start screen and receive notification a half-hour before movie time. Free
MTV News
Pop culture is king in this photo-rich, easy-to-navigate app. Customize it so your favorite celebrities get top billing, and watch exclusive videos updated throughout the day. Also, follow MTV blogs for News, Shows, Music, Movies and Gaming. Free
E! Red Carpet
When it’s down to the big night and the stars are out, they all have to pass the E! Red Carpet. This app gives VIP access to all of Hollywood’s top events, with up-to-the-minute reporting on the Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys and SAG Awards, along with movie premieres and film festivals year-round. Free
MSN Movies
Missed a few Oscar winners? MSN Movies makes it easy to catch up. Get started with trailers, cast info and reviews; complete local theater schedules let you click through and buy tickets from your phone (pin your favorite theater to your Start screen, too). Enjoy all these features even when start your movie search with Bing. Free
Celebrity News Free
This app covers celebrities through the entertainment world, from music to film and television to models and socialites. Packed with news and photos, it also links easily from featured headlines to more detailed stories on other sites. Free