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Thompson on Hollywood

WATCH: Featurette on Soderbergh's Cannes-Bound 'Behind the Candelabra,' Starring Douglas and Damon

To prep you for Steven Soderbergh's upcoming biopic, "Behind the Candelabra," HBO just released a fantastic 12-minute short movie about the making of the feature. More than getting into the nitty-gritty of the production, these clips cover much of Liberace's biography, psychology, exuberance, and charisma.
  • By Maggie Lange
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  • May 4, 2013 4:27 PM
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Immersed in Movies UPDATE: 'Elysium' Trailer Lands, Plus Previewing Blomkamp's Dystopian Sci-Fi Film

At a Comic-Con-style presentation this morning at The Grove, we finally caught a glimpse of Neill Blomkamp's "Elysium," the ambitious sci-fi follow-up to his acclaimed indie hit, "District 9," which opens August 9. The trailer (watch below) and additional 10 minutes of socially-conscious, high-octane action didn't disappoint.
  • By Bill Desowitz
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  • April 10, 2013 12:39 PM
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  • 1 Comment

Trailer Watch: Glitz, Ivory Tickling and Bath Time for Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Soderbergh's 'Behind the Candelabra'

A new teaser trailer has landed for Steven Soderbergh's "Behind the Candelabra," with Michael Douglas channeling famous pianist Liberace in all his glittered, feathered and tanned glory. As Matt Damon's Scott Thorson breathlessly gasps in the trailer, "Wow!"
  • By Beth Hanna
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  • April 1, 2013 12:40 PM
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  • 1 Comment

The Hollywood Education of Ben Affleck, from 'Chasing Amy,' 'Armageddon' and 'Shakespeare' to his Second Act and 'Argo' [VIDEO]

Before accepting the Santa Barbara Modern Master Award from childhood pal Matt Damon, "Argo" helmer and star Ben Affleck, 40, with graceful help from master interviewer Leonard Maltin, showed his mettle as charming raconteur and ace impressionist. These skills have served "Argo" well in its surging race for Oscars.
  • By Anne Thompson
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  • February 13, 2013 2:34 PM
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  • 3 Comments

Watch: Matt Damon Goes on Toilet Strike for World Water Day

Matt Damon starts a toilet strike to raise awareness for his Water.org campaign prior to World Water Day (March 22) and it goes very badly.
  • By Sophia Savage
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  • February 13, 2013 11:14 AM
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Berlin: Damon on Affleck’s ‘Rough Spot,’ 'Promised Land'’s Bomb, and Berlin’s Airport Debacle

At a press conference following the screening of his and Gus Van Sant’s "Promised Land" at the Berlinale today, Matt Damon was asked what the chances of Ben Affleck’s "Argo"winning the Academy Award, and if he was tired of talking about his friend and business partner. “His life is so interesting, I never get tired of talking about him,” said Damon with a smile. “He’s been on a roller coaster for the last fifteen years.”
  • By Tom Christie
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  • February 8, 2013 7:23 PM
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  • 2 Comments

Weekend Recap: 'Only God Forgives' Teaser, Naomi Watts as Princess Di, Twenty-Somethings on 'Girls,' and HBO/Hulu Changes

Film Comment posted the "50 Best Undistributed Films of 2012," beginning with "Our Children" (Joachim Lafosse, Belgium/Luxembourg/France/Switzerland), followed by "Memories Look at Me" (Song Fang, China) and "First Cousin Once Removed" (Alan Berliner, U.S.). Read their full list here.
  • By Maggie Lange
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  • January 7, 2013 3:08 PM
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  • 0 Comments

Bizarro, A-List Movies Lead HBO Lineup: TCA Winter Press Tour 2013

Two provocative new star-driven movies – both about real-life musical geniuses whose lives took a dark turn – dominated HBO’s presentation Friday at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena. In one, Al Pacino plays reclusive record producer Phil Spector, convicted in 2009 of the gunshot murder of B-movie actress and House of Blues hostess Lana Clarkson. David Mamet directed from his own screenplay, and Helen Mirren plays Spector’s defense lawyer. The other, directed by Steven Soderbergh, features Michael Douglas as the late impresario Liberace, and Matt Damon as his much-younger chauffer and lover, Scott Thorson.
  • By Amy Dawes
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  • January 5, 2013 4:03 PM
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Review Roundup: Damon & Van Sant Fracking Drama 'Promised Land' Lacks Subtlety

"Promised Land" is Matt Damon's third teaming with director Gus Van Sant, who jumped into directing the film at the last minute after Damon decided he couldn't direct the film that he wrote with John Krasinski. We know that Van Sant is a capable director--nothing is wrong with his handling of this material. The fault lies in the script, which is well-intentioned with a strong anti-fracking message.
  • By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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  • December 5, 2012 3:40 PM
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  • 1 Comment

Matt Damon Boarding Clooney's 'Monuments Men,' Plus What's Next (It's Not 'Bourne')

George Clooney's adaptation of "Monuments Men" may add Matt Damon to it's already star-packed cast. The film is based on the true story as documented in Robert M. Edsel's book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History"...
  • By Sophia Savage
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  • December 5, 2012 12:37 PM
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  • 1 Comment

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