Thompson on Hollywood

Oscar Duel: Renner vs. Bridges, Bullock vs. Streep

At this stage of the Oscar race, Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) has taken the momentum away former front-runner George Clooney (Up in the Air) for Best Actor, but some in Hollywood sense growing support for newcomer Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). Meanwhile, rookie Oscar nominee Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side) and 16-time nominee, two-time winner Meryl Streep are in a tight race for Best Actress. In this dueling blog, Moviefone Oscarologist Jack Mathews and I consider the odds of a Renner upset and another Streep defeat. Best Actor first.

By Anne Thompson
|
February 23, 2010 3:01 AM
|
6 Comments

More:

Oscar Talk 22: Dueling Oscar Producers, Weinstein's Inglourious Basterds Push, Bullock Talks

Kris Tapley and I dig into the meat of the matter this week as the Oscar season goes into overdrive. Are voters trying to rig the top ten? What has a better shot of winning, The Hurt Locker, Avatar or Inglourious Basterds, which Harvey Weinstein has been relentlessly flogging? Are Oscar producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic (who aren't getting along) going to be able to put together a strong show with ten best picture nominees and no Oscar-nominated songs?

By Anne Thompson
|
February 19, 2010 10:04 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Sandra Bullock Talks Blind Side, Oscars, Career Choices

After the Oscar nominees' lunch at the Beverly Hilton, I went down by the pool to interview The Blind Side best actress nominee Sandra Bullock with my flip cam. She didn't know at the start of her career, she said, that "being funny was going to be my greatest joy." She learned as she went along that comedy parts for men were better written than the ones for women, so she'd transcribe Jerry Lewis and Carol Burnett skits and perform them in front of her own home video camera. If you want women to come to box office, she warns, you have to make the movies good. "We're not going to the movie on the first weekend if they're crap," she says. "That's the difference between men and women."

By Anne Thompson
|
February 16, 2010 5:21 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Oscar Talk Episode 21: On the Campaign Trail

This week Kris Tapley and I cover Oscar activity at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and in town, and keep debating the best actress, actor, picture and director race. Does Up in the Air or Inglourious Basterds have a fighting chance?

By Anne Thompson
|
February 12, 2010 10:29 AM
|
1 Comment

More:

Oscar Phase Two: Bullock vs. Streep, Renner vs. Bridges, Cameron vs. Bigelow

Nothing is certain until it's over. And that's especially true for the Oscar race.

By Anne Thompson
|
February 9, 2010 11:16 AM
|
3 Comments

Santa Barbara Film Fest: Opener, Bullock, Cameron, Panels

I'm in Santa Barbara for its 25th film fest: 196 films, 18 world premieres, 28 U.S. premieres and a program from 45 countries. The festival runs through Sunday, Feb. 14. Per usual, I'm ensconced in a twee bungalow at the Simpson House--sweet muffins on arrival, Laura Ashley decor, fringed pillows and lamp shades, white venetian blinds, stone fireplace, hot tub, soft bed, classical music.

By Anne Thompson
|
February 5, 2010 2:40 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Oscar Watch: Final Nominations Predictions

Today, I picked up my credential to attend the Oscar nominations announcement bright and early Tuesday morning. I'll bring my laptop and file from there. I like getting the information packet that has all the stats and info about all the nominees. I have posted my final predictions, front runners and one long shot in all the categories except the shorts, which I have not seen.

By Anne Thompson
|
February 2, 2010 2:01 AM
|
4 Comments

More:

Oscar Talk Episode 19: Heading Toward Noms, Bullock vs. Streep, Avatar vs. Hurt Locker

Kris Tapley and I took a week off while I decamped to the Sundance Film Festival. As we head toward the DGA Awards Saturday and Oscar nominations Tuesday morning, we forecast sure things and possible surprises, debate strengths and weaknesses of Golden Globes winner Avatar, SAG ensemble-winner Inglourious Basterds and PGA winner The Hurt Locker, and wonder if glam awards-newbie and SAG-winner Sandra Bullock (with momentum behind her) could actually beat admired-but-familiar Oscar-veteran Meryl Streep.

By Anne Thompson
|
January 29, 2010 9:02 AM
|
9 Comments

More:

Oscar Talk Episode 18: More Guild Votes, Sandra Bullock, Michael Bay and Golden Globes

In this week’s Oscar Talk Kris Tapley and I debate the impact of the latest guild votes and describe the week’s crowded party circuit, from Michael Bay’s Transformers 2 sound demo to cocktails with Sandra Bullock, star of The Blind Side. The weekend brings another round: BAFTA tea, and the Golden Globes Awards and pre-and-after parties.