Thompson on Hollywood

Confirmed: Sean Penn Goes to Cannes, for Haiti Benefit

Festivals

Cannes Fest Director Thierry Fremaux was right when he suggested that Sean Penn would show in Cannes 2012. Sure enough, he's coming, not with his fall film "Gangster Squad," but as part of a first-of-its kind Carnival in Cannes benefit gala dinner on May 18 at the Festival Agora to raise money for three Haiti organizations:

By Anne Thompson
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May 3, 2012 11:03 AM
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BFI Takes on Alfred Hitchcock in Snappy, Vivid Trailer

Video

The British Film Institute just issued a graphic-heavy trailer as a way to promote their upcoming celebration of master auteur Alfred Hitchcock from June to October. The short is an unexpected twist on Saul Bass-influenced credits -- clever and pert. In semi-related news, check out our update of Gervasi's upcoming "Hitchcock" feature.

By Maggie Lange
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May 2, 2012 5:32 PM
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Watch the Trailers for the U.S. Finalists for 2012 Student Academy Awards

Awards

The Academy selected 35 students from 20 colleges and universities in the U.S. as the finalists for the 39th Annual Student Academy Awards. The awardees are in the running to receive Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal awards as well as accompanying cash grants of $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000 respectively. The four categories include Alternative, Animation, Documentary, and Narrative. Full list of finalists is here and trailers for the nineteen available films are below.

By Maggie Lange
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May 2, 2012 4:57 PM
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Tribeca Enterprises Partners with Maker Studios for YouTube Channel The Picture Show

Festivals

On the same day that Amazon Studios announced a new television initiative, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff's Tribeca Enterprises (which mounts the Tribeca Film Festival and runs distributor Tribeca Films) and popular online distributor Maker Studios are partnering to create a new YouTube channel, The Picture Show.

By Anne Thompson
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May 2, 2012 4:38 PM
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San Francisco International Film Festival 55: 'Abramovic,' 'Neighboring Sounds,' and Kenneth Branagh

Festivals

Kind of a light Festival day: viewed a DVD that I loved, saw a new movie onscreen that was a first feature and reminded me why we go to film festivals, went to a cocktail party that didn’t feel like one, and attended Kenneth Branagh’s tribute for the Founder’s Directing Award. First up, the DVD: “Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present.”

By Meredith Brody
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May 2, 2012 4:19 PM
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Magnolia Pictures Buys US Rights to "Steve Jobs: The Last Interview"

News

Not wasting any time as Walter Isaacs' bestselling Steve Jobs biography continues to fly off shelves, Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to documentary "Steve Jobs" The Lost Interview."

By Anne Thompson
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May 2, 2012 2:47 PM
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Johnny Carson Honored as 'King of Late Night' in American Masters PBS Documentary

Video

In the mood to look backwards to the early days of late night TV? To mark the the 50th anniversary of Johnny Carson taking over the 'Tonight Show' from Jack Paar, as well as the 20th anniversary of Carson's retirement from television, this coming Monday, PBS will honor Johnny Carson as the "King of Late Night" in an American Masters documentary.

By Maggie Lange
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May 2, 2012 2:13 PM
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Trailer Watch: Sony Targets Adults with 'Hope Springs' and Streep, Carell, and Jones

Video

One of the movies that popped at the theater owners' convention CinemaCon was Sony August release "Hope Springs," starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as a middle-aged couple married for 30 years who are utterly bored with each other. They are running on fumes. So Streep drags reluctant Jones to relationship guru Steve Carell, who tries to reignite their sex life and their lives.

By Anne Thompson
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May 2, 2012 2:10 PM
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Jon Avnet, Rodrigo Garcia Launch Web Series and Shorts to Explore 'Female Characters'

Video

Producer-director Jon Avnet ("Fried Green Tomatoes," "Up Close and Personal") and filmmaker Rodrigo Garcia ("Albert Nobbs," "In Treatment") have launched a YouTube digital channel, WIGS, to showcase original series and scripted dramatic shorts. And they've lined up a strong acting roster:

By Maggie Lange
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May 2, 2012 1:44 PM
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'Best Exotic Marigold Hotel': From Pleasant Surprise to Box Office Phenomenon UPDATED

Box Office

The year’s first British movie hit in the UK has shifted from being a pleasant surprise to a box office phenomenon. The question is whether its adult appeal will translate when Fox Searchlight opens the film stateside on May 4.