'Amour,' 'The Master' Lead London Film Critics Noms; Toronto Critics Fete 'The Master': Biz Break

Michael Haneke's Amour and Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master lead London critics' nominations. Also in Tuesday's news round-up, Toronto critics name their picks for 2012; Richard Gere is among more honorees at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival; Bully is set for Producers Guild honors; and Ricky Gervais is eyeing the Muppets sequel.

Amour, The Master Lead London Critics' Circle Noms
Michael Haneke's Amour and Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master each received seven nominations from the London Film Critics' Circle. Both were nominated for best film, director and screenwriter. The U.K.'s own Skyfall received five nominations including two for Judi Dench, Deadline reports.

Toronto Film Critics Name The Master Best Picture
Paul Thomas Anderson's cult-drama was honored Best Film by the Toronto Film Critics Association, while runners-up included Michael Haneke's Amour and Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty. Anderson also received Best Director and Best Screenplay, while Philip Seymour Hoffman was named Best Supporting Actor by the group, THR reports.

Richard Gere, Tom Hooper and Mychael Danna to Receive Palm Springs Honors
Gere will receive the festivals Chairman's Award for his role in Arbitrage, while Les Misérables director Tom Hooper will be feted with the PSIFF's "Sony Bono Visionary" award and Life of Pi composer Mychael Danna will receive the Frederick Loewe award for film composing, Variety reports.

Bully Wins Stanley Kramer Award
The Producers Guild of America gave the doc directed by Lee Hirsch its 2013 Stanley Kramer Award, which honors a a production or producer "whose achievement or contribution illuminates and raises public awareness of important issues." The film which vividly captures the crisis of school bullying is short-listed for Oscar consideration, Deadline reports.

Ricky Gervais Eyes Muppets Sequel
The comedian is in talks to star in The Muppets sequel as the Disney movie's human lead character. The follow-up to the 2011 pic is described as a "European-centric adventure," THR reports.