Thompson on Hollywood

Cannes Review Roundup: Epic, Explosively Sexy Lesbian Romance 'Blue Is the Warmest Color' Is a New Fest Favorite

Reviews

The latter half of Cannes has brought another fest favorite to the fore. With a bold three-hour running time, French director Abdellatif Kechiche's "Blue Is the Warmest Color," starring Lea Seydoux and relative newcomer Adele Exarchopoulous, is receiving raves for its daring, intimate portrayal of a teen lesbian romance. And one more thing: the film contains "the most explosively graphic lesbian sex scenes in recent memory." Review roundup below.

By Beth Hanna
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May 24, 2013 1:46 PM
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Cannes Review and Roundup: James Gray's 'The Immigrant' Is Unengaging But Cotillard, Photography Shine

Reviews

A pair of films addressing very different aspects of the American experience, and set 92 years apart, have screened in Competition over the last couple of days: Alexander Payne’s "Nebraska" and James Gray’s "The Immigrant." Sad to say, I had expectations for both but didn’t engage with either, although admittedly my perceptions may be tainted by the cumulative effects of a nine-day onslaught of early morning screenings and inevitable late nights.

By Matt Mueller
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May 24, 2013 1:14 PM
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Cannes Deal UPDATE: Sony Pictures Classics Gobbles Up 'The Lunch Box,' Critics Week Audience Winner

Festivals

Sony Pictures Classics has picked up all North American distribution rights to Ritesh Batra's "The Lunchbox," starring Irrfhan Khan ("The Life of Pi"). The film centers on a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system, and the budding relationship between a young housewife and an older stranger that this mix-up brings. The film won the Viewers Choice Award, the Rail d'Or, at Cannes Critics Week.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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May 24, 2013 12:58 PM
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Cannes: Winners Announced for Critics Week, Cinefondation and Europa Cinemas Label Prize

Festivals

A number of awards are being announced out of Cannes. "Salvo," a Mafia romance co-directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, has nabbed the Critics Week Grand Prize; UK director Clio Barnard's "The Selfish Giant," an update of the Oscar Wilde short story focusing on the friendship between two boys, has taken the Europa Cinemas Label prize as Best European Film in the Directors Fortnight section; and the Cinefondation and Short Films Jury, headed by Jane Campion, has awarded the 2013 Cinefondation prizes. Full list below.

By Beth Hanna
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May 24, 2013 11:52 AM
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Trailers from Hell: Josh Olson on 'Invasion of the Bee Girls'

Video

Femme Fatales Week! concludes at Trailers from Hell with screenwriter Josh Olson introducing "Invasion of the Bee Girls," which centers on a bevy of sultry sirens turned mutated insect women.

By Trailers From Hell
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May 24, 2013 11:29 AM
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San Francisco Silent Film Festival's July Program of Classics Stars Brooks, Garbo, Fairbanks and Films by Pabst, McCay, Ozu and More

Festivals

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival ticks all of my boxes when it comes to enjoyable filmgoing experiences: it's brilliantly programmed, takes place in a dazzling and comfortable setting, unspools over a compact and encompassable time span, and has a respectful and joyous audience that enriches the experience. And (bonus) it's located in a neighborhood full of enticing and affordable eateries.

By Meredith Brody
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May 23, 2013 11:17 PM
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Rock Center: Brian Williams Grills The Emanuel Brothers (VIDEO)

Video

Brian Williams digs into the three remarkable Emanuel brothers who grew up outside of Chicago. WME chief Ari Emanuel was the model for Ari Gold on "Entourage." Rahm was chief of staff for President Barack Obama, and now is facing the heat as Chicago Mayor for closing down some 40 schools. Zeke the doctor wrote a memoir "Brothers Emanuel"about the family.

By Anne Thompson
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May 23, 2013 4:58 PM
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Cannes Interview: Chandor Directed Silent Redford in 'All Is Lost,' Press Conference

Festivals

Following the Cannes debut of "All Is Lost," many have been left wondering why J.C. Chandor’s man-vs-sea saga wasn’t selected for Competition. The film’s compelling and increasingly harrowing narrative, about a man on a solo ocean voyage who ends up in dire straits after his sailboat collides with a cargo container, played tremendously well with critics and the black-tie crowd attending its red-carpet gala, who gave it a nine-minute standing ovation. Redford, who is the only actor in the film and hardly says a word, delivers a performance of astonishing and emblematic potency. As for Chandor, he’s two-for-two now, with "All Is Lost" joining his impressive debut "Margin Call." We sat down with Chandor on the Majestic Beach to discuss "All Is Lost," working with Redford and the fear of dying.

By Matt Mueller
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May 23, 2013 4:25 PM
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Paramount, Pitt Reach Out to Fans and Celebs to Build Buzz for 'World War Z' (VIDEO)

News

This week, Paramount took Brad Pitt on the road to New York's Museum of Modern Art Wednesday night for an early sneak peak at Marc Forster's long-delayed "World War Z," in order to build some early buzz with celebrity guests, from Katie Couric and Bruce Willis to Jimmy Fallon and Gayle King. Pony-tailed Pitt--who has had much on his plate with Angelina Jolie's surprise announcement last week) also schlepped to Hoboken, New Jersey to introduce the film before surprised moviegoers.

By Anne Thompson
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May 23, 2013 3:47 PM
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Weekend Preview: 'Before Midnight' a Must-See, 'Fast & Furious 6' Nabs Good Reviews, 'Hangover' a Headache

Reviews

Memorial Day Weekend is bringing well-reviewed films both big and loud, and small and thoughtful (if also a bit loud: see a certain knock-down argument in "Before Midnight"). That film, Linklater's brilliant third installment in his romance trilogy starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, is receiving the best reviews of the bunch and rightly so. It's an observant, sharply realistic and gut-splittingly funny portrait of the demands on long-term romance.