The dish: N.Y. film critics honor 'Boyhood,' 'Birdman,' 'A Most Violent Year'

And award season begins: "Boyhood" was honored Monday by the New York Film Critics Circle as best picture, with awards also going to its director, Richard Linklater, and supporting actress Patricia Arquette. Later that night, the Gotham Independent Film Award for best picture went to "Birdman," and on Tuesday the National Board of Review bestowed its highest honor on "A Most Violent Year."

Warner Bros.' superhero tentpole "Suicide Squad" has lined up Will Smith, Jared Leto, Tom Hardy and Margot Robbie ("The Wolf of Wall Street"). … The next James Bond movie will be titled "Spectre." Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci and Dave Bautista ("Guardians of the Galaxy") are joining the cast. … Kerry Washington and Kate Hudson are in talks to join the thriller "Unforgettable," directed by Amma Asante ("Belle"). … Nazanin Boniadi of "Homeland" has been cast as Esther in the remake of "Ben-Hur." The film also includes Morgan Freeman and Jack Huston ("Boardwalk Empire") in the title role. …

"House of Cards" Season 3 will premiere Feb. 27. … Kathy Griffin replaces Joan Rivers as host of "Fashion Police." … Back-to-back episodes of the "Parks and Recreation" final season will air Tuesdays beginning Jan. 13. The hourlong series finale is Feb. 24. … Here's your war on Christmas: ABC angered purists by trimming about three minutes from the Dec. 1 airing of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to accommodate commercials. It will air in its entirety on Dec. 15, however, as part of an hourlong "Peanuts" special.

They're pretty familiar with the subject matter: Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger are collaborating on an HBO series about the 1970s rock 'n' roll scene in New York City, with Olivia Wilde, Bobby Cannavale and Ray Romano lined up to star. The series has no title or premiere date yet. … Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Al Jourgensen of Ministry and Joey Santiago of the Pixies will star in the indie film "The Bridge," about a small-town music prodigy.

CYNTHIA DICKISON