Thompson on Hollywood

News Update: Crude Goes to Court, Stewart Goes On the Road, Tarantino Heads Venice

In an alarming development, Joe Berlinger may become an unwilling participant in the very lawsuit he chronicled in his latest documentary, Crude. A United States district court judge has ruled that Berlinger must turn over 600 hours of footage to Chevron, owner of Texaco, the oil giant that Amazon rainforest dwellers accuse of polluting their environment with billions of gallons of toxic waste. Only about 1 percent of the footage was used in Berlinger's film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009, and was released in theaters last fall. Berlinger's lawyer plans to appeal, and says the decision "threatens grave harm to documentary filmmakers and investigative journalists." Casting news: Kristen Stewart has joined the cast of Walter Salles' On The Road, now set to begin shooting in August. She'll play Marylou, wife of Dean Moriarty, who'll be played by Garret Hedlund. Michael Imperioli will star in Richard Lede's horror-thriller Foreclosure, set in Queens.

By Amy Dawes
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May 7, 2010 1:37 AM
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Iron Man 2 Set To Break Records, Jump-Start Summer

It’s incorrect to label Iron Man 2 a fan boy film – even though it’s based on the Marvel comic book superhero. Many expect Iron Man 2 to earn the highest weekend ever at the domestic B.O, outstripping Warner Bros.’ first frame for The Dark Knight which made $158.4 million in late July 2008. When fan boy films begin churning out huge opening numbers, they become four-quadrant films. Not only is Iron Man 2 currently tracking through the roof in every sector (unaided awareness, total awareness, first choice, definite interest) for Iron Man 2 but no other studio is counter-programming a title against the Marvel sequel – evidence that this is an everyman tent pole.

By Anthony D'Alessandro
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May 6, 2010 12:40 PM
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Daily Read: Storms Hit Cannes, Zoolander 2, Studio Revenues Rise, Machete Goes Arizona

Freak waves up to 18 feet high have damaged the Croissette just a week before the 63rd annual Cannes Film Festival is due to begin. While cars were tossed about and more than a dozen beachfront cafes have been temporarily shuttered, local officials told the BBC the damage will be "put right" and claim the waterfront will be in "impeccable" condition when the world film community arrives for the fest, which runs May 12-23.

By Amy Dawes
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May 6, 2010 12:28 PM
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SFIFF53 Day Eight: Walter Salles Redux, Linha de Passe, Chez Panisse

Meredith Brody's Bay Area blitz continues with a problematically packed film schedule and a master class with Walter Salles. Awards, food, and Borges quotations follow:

By Meredith Brody
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May 6, 2010 12:26 PM
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SFIFF Awards, Filmmaking Grants Announced

The 53rd SFIFF winners have been announced, along with the San Francisco Film Society's Filmmaker Grants.

By Sophia Savage
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May 6, 2010 8:31 AM
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Spielberg and Abrams Team on Super 8 At Paramount

The puzzling part of Steven Spielberg producing director J.J. Abrams' Super 8 is that Spielberg is still not happy with Paramount. But he's willing to produce this movie with Abrams' Bad Robot, even though it will go through that studio deal. The two men dreamed up the homage to their Super 8 filmmaking youth together, so that is how it goes. Abrams' Super 8 trailer will run in front of Iron Man 2, starting tonight; MTV and Vulture have more details, while The Playlist describes the trailer:

By Anne Thompson
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May 6, 2010 8:00 AM
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Palevsky, Los Angeles Arts Philanthropist, Dies

Computer executive and arts philanthropist Max Palevsky died peacefully of heart failure at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday morning at 5 am, according to his family. His memorial service is planned for this Friday, May 7 at 2 pm at the Max Palevsky Aero Theater (which he rescued from destruction) at 1328 Montana Ave in Santa Monica.

By Anne Thompson
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May 5, 2010 9:20 AM
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SFIFF 53 Day Six: Transcending Lynch, Shirley Adams, Gainsbourg, Vengeance

Meredith Brody is amused by Transcending Lynch, notices the lack of 'cheerful' films at the festival and gives Gainsbourg a second chance:

By Meredith Brody
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May 5, 2010 2:14 AM
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News Update: Studios Step Up Security, Iron Man Hits Web, Tony Noms, Vaughn Helms X-Men: First Class

L.A. County sheriffs have stepped up security around movie studios in response to the foiled bombing attempt in New York's Times Square. The LAT reports that the bomb's proximity to Viacom headquarters has led to speculation that the company was targeted because of a recent South Park episode on Comedy Central involving the prophet Muhammad. Viacom owns Comedy Central as well as the MTV network. At MTV and Lionsgate offices in Santa Monica, guards have been checking vehicle trunks since the incident, among other precautions.