Thompson on Hollywood

SnagFilms News Update: Semel Joins Board, New Financing Round Closed, 'Kinyarwanda' Acquired

News

Burgeoning digital distributor SnagFilms has been making changes of late. Most recent news is that the digital indie distributor has closed a new, seven-figure financing round, has added ex-Yahoo and Warner Bros. chief Terry Semel to its board and is plunging full steam ahead into distribution of narrative as well as documentary features.

By Anne Thompson
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January 31, 2012 4:58 PM
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Endgame Steps in to Finance Soderbergh's 'Bitter Pill,' Starring Rooney Mara

News

Rooney Mara to the rescue! Steven Soderbergh now has the girl formerly known as "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (formerly known as the girl from "The Social Network") set to star in "Side Effects."

By Sophia Savage
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January 31, 2012 4:32 PM
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Martin Scorsese Accepts Santa Barbara's American Riviera Award, Grilled by Maltin

Festivals

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival bestowed its American Riviera Award on Martin Scorsese on Monday at the end of a marathon evening.

By Myron North
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January 31, 2012 4:25 PM
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Kickstart and Titmouse Announce Production Partnership for Animated TV & Film

News

Live action and animation production company Kickstart and animation studio Titmouse are pooling their resources in order to expand their artist talent pools and production capabilities as they produce animated TV and film fare.

By Sophia Savage
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January 31, 2012 2:59 PM
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Woody Allen's DGA Speech: Says Awards Fall Somewhere Between Nobel Prize & Republican Primary

Awards

Woody Allen wasn't present at the DGA awards, where "The Artist" director Michel Hazanavicius was the big winner, but that didn't stop him from stealing the show with a suitably neurotic speech via video. It went like this:

By Sophia Savage
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January 31, 2012 2:36 PM
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In The Works: Farmiga and Eckhart to Play Dennis Wilson & Christine McVie in 'The Drummer'

News

Aaron Eckhart and Vera Farmiga will star in "The Drummer," about Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson and Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVie.

By Sophia Savage
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January 31, 2012 1:44 PM
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In The Works: Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper Set for Susanne Bier's 'Serena' Adaptation

News

Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, co-stars in the upcoming David O. Russell film, "The Silver Linings Playbook" (November 12), will reteam for "Serena." Based on Ron Rash's 2008 novel, the film is set in 1929 North Carolina and follows George and Serena Pemberton, ambitious newlyweds with their hearts set on a timber empire...

By Sophia Savage
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January 31, 2012 1:39 PM
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HBO Renews Milch and Mann's 'Luck' for Second Season

Television

After airing just one pilot episode of "Luck," from "Deadwood" creator David Milch and yet another filmmaker transitioning to quality cable, Michael Mann, HBO has already renewed the racetrack series for a second season.

By Anne Thompson
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January 31, 2012 12:50 PM
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Chastain, Lawrence, Mara & Wasikowska Star in Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue

News

Vanity Fair's February Hollywood issue spreads eleven often unrecognizable actresses -- Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins, and Brit Marling -- across its cover, shot in glammed-up old-Hollywood-style by Mario Testino.

By Sophia Savage
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January 31, 2012 12:18 PM
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Video: Bingham Ray (1954-2012)

Features

As the independent community mourns the loss of art film champion Bingham Ray, here are some video clips of some of his appearances. Also, check out this New York Magazine profile of Ray and his cohorts at the height of October Film's success. See also the tribute from his poker buddies, read by a choked-up John Cooper on Sundance closing night, as well as our obit and coverage of the impromptu Sundance Memorial. for Ray. Here are his NYT and LAT obits.