Thompson on Hollywood

Richard Gere Talks Indie Filmmaking, 'Arbitrage' and VOD (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)

Interviews

At 63, Richard Gere is still a bankable global film star. But that means his presence in a project helps to get it made--not that he'll make serious dough. Those days are over, as they have been for most movie actors for some time.

By Anne Thompson
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September 18, 2012 6:21 PM
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Oscar Watch: Canada Picks 'War Witch' as Foreign Film Entry

Awards

Canada has selected Kim Nguyen's "War Witch" (aka "Rebelle") as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar. Telefilm Canada chairs the pan-Canadian Oscar selection committee that chose the film.

By Sophia Savage
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September 18, 2012 4:41 PM
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Toronto Wrap: Winners, Oscar Contenders and Also-Rans

Festivals

I started out Toronto 2012 with my first Jason Reitman screenplay read-through--his first in Toronto--Alan Ball's Oscar-winning "American Beauty." I'd missed his series of live reads at LACMA, from "The Breakfast Club" to "The Apartment." In a way "American Beauty" was apt preparation for the festival's crowning glory, David O. Russell's ultimate audience award winner, "Silver Linings Playbook." They are in the same vein--a flinty-edged picture of who we are now, laced with dark comedy and self-recognition, with romance and hope still a possibility. That's why "American Beauty" won best picture.

By Anne Thompson
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September 18, 2012 4:29 PM
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In the Works: Del Toro's 'Nutshell Studies' at HBO, 'Arbitrage' Director Jarecki's Next, and Gong Li as the 'Last Empress'

News

HBO has optioned the rights to Corinne May Botz' 2004 book "The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death" for Sara Gran to adapt and exec produce with Guillermo del Toro, who will direct.

By Sophia Savage
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September 18, 2012 4:22 PM
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Career Watch: Joaquin Phoenix - He's Still Here

Features

By Sophia Savage
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September 18, 2012 3:24 PM
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Twentieth Century Fox Launches DIGITAL HD, Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus' Available Now

News

In a sign of the changing times, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has launched DIGITAL HD, which allows people to download or stream movies on HDTVs, tablets and smartphones. Over 600 titles from the Fox library, including "Prometheus" (three weeks before the Blu-ray and DVD release), are now available in high-definition from Amazon, CinemaNow, Google Play, iTunes, PlayStation, VUDU, Xbox Live and YouTube.

By Sophia Savage
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September 18, 2012 2:51 PM
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Burton, Cast & Crew Talk 'Frankenweenie' in New Featurette

Video

Watch a new featurette on Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" below. The director, producer, voice actors and more talk about the film's main characters, Victor and his dog Sparkie. We saw the awesome Art of Frankenweenie exhibition at Comic-Con; you can check out pictures and video here. The stop-motion, black and white 3-D film arrives October 5.

By Sophia Savage
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September 18, 2012 2:49 PM
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Universal Moving 'Les Miserables' to December 25 Could Have Oscar Impact

News

Universal Pictures would have loved to put "Les Miserables," Tom Hooper's follow-up to the Oscar-winning "The King's Speech," onto the fall festival circuit to build support and buzz. But the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh epic period film adaptation of the global hit musical wasn't anywhere near ready.

By Anne Thompson
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September 18, 2012 1:44 PM
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Now and Then: In 'Chico & Rita' and 'Nobody Walks,' The Sound of Heartache

Reviews

Early in "Chico & Rita," under the shimmer of the Tropicana's spotlight, Rita rummages through the lower octaves of attraction. Smitten, Chico gapes from the bar, dragging on a cigarette. Humid with sound, the scene has the texture of live action, its every wrinkle and wink. A movie song hasn't conveyed desire quite like this in nearly forty years.

By Matt Brennan
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September 18, 2012 1:12 PM
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The French Choose Weinstein's 'The Intouchables' for Foreign Oscar Race

Awards

In a change of direction, a markedly younger seven-member film commission including Cannes director Thierry Fremaux has chosen heart-tugging crowdpleaser "The Intouchables" as their official Oscar submission, their first comedy.