Thompson on Hollywood

Oscar Duel: Yes, They're Fun, But Do Golden Globes Influence Oscar?

In this ongoing blog duel, Moviefone's resident Oscarologist Jack Mathews and I discuss the impact of the Golden Globes on the Oscar race. On Golden Globes nominations morning, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Robert Downey, Jr., Julia Roberts and Tobey Maguire were dancing on the ceiling. And Harvey Weinstein thought he had three sure-fire Oscar contenders with Nine, Inglourious Basterds and A Single Man.

By Anne Thompson
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December 21, 2009 9:45 AM
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Letter to the Studios: How Not to Market Adult Dramas

Here's the first of a series of pieces (which do not necessarily reflect my POV) by guest bloggers on various aspects of the entertainment industry. Now based in Nampa, Idaho, Mike Kaplan is a veteran filmmaker (Never Apologize) and marketer who has managed campaigns for Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey) and Robert Altman (Short Cuts) among others. More recently, please note, Kaplan helped to introduce Clive Owen to American audiences with the sleeper hit Croupier and You'll Sleep When I'm Dead. Here's his argument for how the studios are killing adult dramas--through misguided marketing. Kaplan came up in a film industry that made producing and marketing films for grown-ups its first priority. That is no longer the case.

By Mike Kaplan
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August 5, 2009 9:34 AM
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Duplicity: What Happened?

While a recession-fueled box office boom is lifting most boats, one notable exception is Tony Gilroy's Duplicity, which boasted the earmarks of a commercial Hollywood vehicle--big budget, exotic locations, thriller genre, two sexy movie stars--but may have been too costly for what was really a smart-house play. (It earned strong reviews, but only $27 million so far.) Part of the problem: Universal paid Julia Roberts $20 million.

By Anne Thompson
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April 2, 2009 5:56 AM
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Duplicity: Gilroy Reunites Roberts and Owen

Two or three things you should know about Tony Gilroy's new film Duplicity, which opens March 20:

By Anne Thompson
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March 16, 2009 9:44 AM
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Duplicity: Gilroy Directs Roberts and Owen

While Duplicity isn't as good as Michael Clayton, you can tell that it comes from the mind of Tony Gilroy. According to his recent profile in The New Yorker, he's a man who likes to surprise. Gilroy reminds me of Steven Soderbergh: he's trying to outsmart audience expectations so much that he sometimes outsmarts himself. (It makes sense that he wrote the Bourne series.) Clayton was warmed up by the charisma of George Clooney, as well as the whip-cracking brilliance of British actor Tom Wilkinson, who goes up against the great Paul Giamatti in Duplicity. The plot of this gorgeous and sexy character-based heist thriller twists and turns--revealing new information via two time-frames-- at a globe-trotting clip. This film is colder, brainier, and more schematic than Clayton, and less than romantic, which may disappoint women starved for mature relationship movies. Here's Variety's review.

By Anne Thompson
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March 16, 2009 8:54 AM
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Holiday Round-Up

The year-end results are in, from ten best lists to holiday openings (here's Pam McClintock's b.o. wrap). So what does it all mean?

By Anne Thompson
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January 2, 2008 7:36 AM
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Julia Roberts Awarded at American Cinematheque Ball; Charlie Wilson's War Trailer

At Friday night's 22nd annual American Cinematheque Ball at the Beverly Hilton (which AMC will air December 5), honoree Julia Roberts sat with director Mike Nichols, husband Danny Moder, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Leslee Dart, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Kevin Huvane of CAA. "It's hard to think when my dress is this snug," said Roberts after accepting the award from Pelican Brief co-star Denzel Washington. "More than anything, I am just the most proud wife and mother of the three most amazing children and that is all I could ever ask for. And the widening of my life and my hips is the true gift of my husband Danny, who I'd just be so lonely without."

By Anne Thompson
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October 12, 2007 6:49 AM
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Oscar Watch: Early Line on Oscar Actresses

As more and more of this year's would-be Oscar contenders have been screened, Oscar pundits are starting to declare their favorites. MCN's Gurus 'o Gold makes the following Best Actress picks: