Thompson on Hollywood

WATCH: Rare Audition Tapes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman Air on 'Today'

News

Three anonymous casting directors have put 54 early Hollywood audition tapes on the auction block. On Friday, "The Today Show" aired an amusing reel of these endearingly awkward auditions. Clips include early readings from Leonardo DiCaprio vying for a role in the 1990 TV series "The Outsiders," Brad Pitt auditioning for Ron Howard's 1991 "Backdraft" and Nicole Kidman in a particularly dramatic bid for a part in 1991's "Shattered."

By Ryan Lattanzio
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April 1, 2013 7:00 PM
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Trailers from Hell: Chris Wilkinson on James L. Brooks' 'As Good as It Gets'

Video

Valentine's Heartbreakers! week concludes at Trailers from Hell with screenwriter Chris Wilkinson introducing James L. Brooks' "As Good as It Gets," starring Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson, who both won Oscars for their lead performances; Greg Kinnear was nominated for his Best Supporting turn.

By Trailers From Hell
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February 15, 2013 11:19 AM
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Actresses Cotillard, Watts, Hathaway, Weisz, Field, Hunt & Adams Talk Fear, Fame, Nudity & Gender at THR Roundtable

Interviews

This year's THR Actress Roundtable features a smattering of lead and supporting actress contenders: Marion Cotillard ("Rust and Bone"), Naomi Watts ("The Impossible"), Helen Hunt ("The Sessions"), Anne Hathaway ("Les Miserables"), Sally Field ("Lincoln"), Rachel Weisz ("The Deep Blue Sea") and Amy Adams ("The Master"). The women discussed career challenges, the roles they've had to turn down, fight for, and the ones they're hungry to play, and gender imbalance in the industry. Check out some highlights below as well as our interviews with Cotillard, Watts and Weisz.

By Sophia Savage
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November 20, 2012 2:40 PM
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Palm Springs Fest to Honor Helen Hunt with Spotlight Award

Awards

The Palm Springs International Film Festival, gearing up for its 24th edition, will honor Helen Hunt with their Spotlight Award at its awards gala on January 5. The festival runs January 3-14 and always puts the spotlight on awards contenders.

By Sophia Savage
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November 15, 2012 6:35 PM
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Which Stars Need a Comeback?

Awards

Everybody loves a comeback. Ben Affleck redeemed himself from "Jersey Girl" and Gigli" with "The Town" and "Argo," while President Obama gave Democrats hope by deciding to show up for his second debate against Mitt Romney after a frustratingly muted first round. So with the fall movie season upon us, HitFix names ten likely comebacks of the fall season, among them Robert De Niro, Jamie Foxx, Barbra Streisand, Helen Hunt and Robert Zemeckis. We also name a few of our own stars needing a comeback below.

By Sophia Savage
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October 18, 2012 4:25 PM
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John Hawkes Finds Pain and Growth in 'The Sessions'; Helen Hunt Also Strong Oscar Contender (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)

Interviews

Fox Searchlight is no slouch at backing Oscar contenders (see "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Descendants," "The Wrestler"). Back in January at Sundance they scooped up "The Sessions," a small film from Australian writer-director Ben Lewin, who had not directed a feature film in 18 years. Why? Because it had the ring of authenticity.

By Anne Thompson
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October 18, 2012 4:17 PM
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Fox Searchlight Moves Up Oscar Contender 'The Sessions' to October 19

News

Fox Searchlight has moved up the limited release date of Ben Lewin's Sundance hit-turned-Oscar contender "The Sessions" to October 19, a week earlier than originally announced. The film recently screened at TIFF.

By Beth Hanna
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September 14, 2012 4:10 PM
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TIFF Preview: Fox Searchlight Pushes Oscar Contender 'The Sessions,' Releases Poster

News

Fox Searchlight, which snapped up Ben Lewin's "The Sessions" (formerly "The Surrogate") at Sundance for $6 million, holds high Oscar hopes for film, which stars John Hawkes as journalist and poet Mark O'Brien, who is afflicted with polio but wants to have sex. (Think "My Left Foot.") Searchlight is pushing the film into the Oscar race at Toronto, as it did Oscar-winner "Slumdog Millionaire."

By Anne Thompson
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August 22, 2012 2:31 PM
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Sundance Review Round-Up: Fox Searchlight Plans Oscar Run for 'The Surrogate'

Festivals

Fox Searchlight immediately snapped up "The Surrogate" for $6 million, the biggest acquisition at Sundance so far this year, outmaneuvering at least three other potential buyers for the picture.