Thompson on Hollywood

Immersed in Movies: Assessing the Cinematography Oscar Race

Awards

While the tech momentum for Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" is clearly spilling over into the cinematography race, making Claudio Miranda the frontrunner for his ethereal golden hour hue, the other four nominees are a study in stylistic brilliance as well, conveying a vibe of what's old is new again...

By Bill Desowitz
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February 6, 2013 3:56 PM
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SXSW 2013 Announces Shorts and Midnight Program, Including 'Lords of Salem,' 'V/H/S/2,' 'Cheap Thrills,' 'Haunter' and "Kiss of the Damned'

Festivals

SXSW announces the lineup for its Midnight and Shorts sections, including Rob Zombie's "Lords of Salem," "V/H/S/2," E. L. Katz's "Cheap Thrills," Vincenzo Natali's "Haunter" and Xan Cassavetes' "Kiss of the Damned." The festival runs March 8-16 in Austin, Texas. The rest of the announced lineup is here. The Midnight section celebrates genre film: dark, sexy, funny and weird. SXSW's Jarod Neece states:

By Sophia Savage
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February 6, 2013 2:58 PM
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Oscar Watch 'How to Survive a Plague': From a Tale of Disease, a Primer for Empowerment

Features

David France didn't set out to make a film about the AIDS crisis. He didn't even set out to be a filmmaker. Speaking to me from Los Angeles on the afternoon before the Directors Guild of America Awards—for which he was nominated for his first documentary, "How to Survive a Plague"—France told me that the project (also nominated for the documentary feature Oscar) grew out of his feeling that a crucial chapter of the history of AIDS in America had been lost. That story, he knew from personal experience, was one of activism and empowerment, one that had changed the United States forever. France wanted to bring it back.

By Jacob Combs
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February 6, 2013 2:53 PM
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Eva Mendes Joins Ryan Gosling's 'How to Catch a Monster' with Christina Hendricks and Ben Mendelsohn

News

Ryan Gosling's directorial debut, "How to Catch a Monster," has Ben Mendelsohn ("Animal Kingdom") on board to star with Christina Hendricks. The film, which Gosling and Hendricks describe as a fantasy noir...

By Sophia Savage
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February 6, 2013 2:46 PM
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Magnolia Picks Up 'Best Man Down,' Starring Justin Long and Jess Weixler

News

Magnolia Pictures has nabbed North American rights to Ted Koland's comedy "Best Man Down" (aka "Lumpy"), starring Justin Long ("Movie 43," "Live Free of Die Hard") and Jess Weixler ("Teeth")...

By Beth Hanna
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February 6, 2013 2:31 PM
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BBC to Release Documentary 'One Life' from Creators of 'Earth' -- Daniel Craig Narrates

News

BBC Worldwide announces a limited engagement run of documentary "One Life," narrated by Daniel Craig. From the creators of "Earth: the Movie," the fifth highest-grossing documentary to date, the film follows the spectrum of the human journey from birth until the "delivery of the next generation."

By Beth Hanna
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February 6, 2013 1:47 PM
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Colin Firth Joins Nicole Kidman's Amnesia Thriller 'Before I Go to Sleep'

News

Colin Firth is joining Nicole Kidman to star in Rowan Joffe's "Before I Go to Sleep," a thriller set up at Scott Free and Millennium Films. The film is based on Brit novelist S.J. Watson's book of the same name. Joffe adapted the screenplay, which centers on a woman (Kidman) with amnesia...

By Sophia Savage
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February 6, 2013 1:41 PM
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Magnet Releasing Acquires 'Europa Report' with 'District 9' Star Sharlto Copley

News

Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has picked up US rights to sci-fi film "Europa Report," starring Sharlto Copley. Watch the teaser trailer below.

By Beth Hanna
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February 6, 2013 1:17 PM
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'Animal Kingdom' Director David Michôd Goes Into Production on 'The Rover' with Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson

News

Australian director David Michôd, who helmed 2010's brilliant white-knuckle crime film "Animal Kingdom," has gone into production on his next film, "The Rover." It stars Guy Pearce (also in "Animal Kingdom") and Robert Pattinson.

By Beth Hanna
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February 6, 2013 1:07 PM
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Disney Confirms 'Star Wars' Spin-Offs for Individual Characters -- Yoda's Up First

News

Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed during an interview on CNBC that the Mouse House will release "Star Wars" spin-offs based on individual characters. The studio, which acquired Lucasfilm with long-time Steven Spielberg producer Kathleen Kennedy attached as CEO, is wasting no time pushing forward an ambitious agenda to milk the "Star Wars" franchise for all its worth.