Thompson on Hollywood

'The Hunger Games' Home Run; How the Filmmakers Did It

Features

It's one thing to know that a book could launch a movie franchise-- and another to deliver it. Compare and contrast the respective fates of two would-be franchises: "John Carter" and "The Hunger Games." One was produced by a major studio under inexperienced new management, who put their trust in a rookie live-action director.

By Anne Thompson
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March 22, 2012 8:43 PM
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Must-See: LACMA Rare Film Series 'Adventures in Wonderland: Alice and Other Lost Girls in Fantastic Worlds'

Features

To coincide with its excellent ongoing women Surrealists exhibit, LACMA will present a truly wondrous series of "Alice in Wonderland" film adaptations and iterations, running April 6 - 14. The films in the program range from classic to obscure, from kid-friendly to trippy. All are rarely screened, and many are gloriously restored 35mm prints.

By Beth Hanna
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March 22, 2012 8:52 AM
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Rising Star Tom Hiddleston Talks Davies' 'Deep Blue Sea,' Spielberg's 'War Horse,' Marvel's 'Thor' and 'Avengers'

Features

Five years ago rising star Tom Hiddleston could not have imagined that he would have a year like 2011. At the time, as the theater actor was shooting the "Wallender" crime series with Kenneth Branagh in Sweden, he went to see Marvel's "Iron Man" and asked himself if he could ever star in a film like that.

By Anne Thompson
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March 21, 2012 8:10 PM
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New Yorker Films Back in Action with Norwegian Coming-of-Age Sex Comedy 'Turn Me On, Dammit'

Features

Venerable New Yorker Films is back in the indie distribution game. Their first 2012 entry is Jannicke Systad Jacobsen's sexually frank 76-minute coming-of-age comedy, "Turn Me On, Dammit!," laced with wry Norwegian humor reminiscent of the Czech New Wave (March 30). The film won the Best Screenplay Award when it premiered at Tribeca.

By Anne Thompson
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March 21, 2012 7:01 PM
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Whit Stillman Q & A: 'Damsels in Distress,' 13-Year Hiatus, Upcoming Ska Rocksteady Project

Features

Director Whit Stillman and actress Analeigh Tipton were on hand Sunday evening for a Q&A following Cinefamily's sneak preview screening of "Damsels in Distress."

By Beth Hanna
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March 20, 2012 2:45 PM
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Immersed in Movies: DreamWorks Teases 'Rise of the Guardians,' 'Madagascar 3'

Features

Well, if the surprising box office success of "The Lorax" ($132.1 million in two weeks) signaled the beginning of the Oscar race for animated feature, then DreamWorks struck back with a sneak peek on Wednesday of its likely contender, "Rise of the Guardians."

By Bill Desowitz
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March 17, 2012 8:30 AM
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Cecile de France Talks Not Giving a Performance for the Dardennes' 'Kid with a Bike'

Features

Belgian-born actress Cecile de France has carved a successful career in France with roles in films like “Pot Luck,” “Haute Tension” and “Mesrine” to go along with rare Hollywood appearances in “Around The World In 80 Days” and Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter.” She gets her most engaging role in years in the Dardennes' “The Kid With A Bike."

By Matt Mueller
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March 17, 2012 7:30 AM
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Now and Then: All About Almodóvar

Reviews

The problem with Pedro Almodóvar's "The Skin I Live In" is one of expectation. What we have come to want from him are hues of tomato, fire engine, blood. What he gives us are shades of cream, eggshell, off-white.

By Matt Brennan
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March 12, 2012 11:30 AM
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Weekend Preview: 'John Carter' Arrives, 'Friends With Kids,' 'Silent House,' 'Salmon Fishing,' 'Sushi' & More

Box Office

It's a weekend to have fun at the box office. If you don't take any of it too seriously, you'll enjoy the star-packed rom-com "Friends With Kids" (with many familiar "Bridesmaids" faces) or the fascinating disaster that is "John Carter." If you loved "Dogtooth," check out its sister film from Greece, "Attenberg." The charm of Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor combine in "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" while Elizabeth Olsen flexes her horror film skills in "Silent House." Top it all off with the mouthwatering doc "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Details, reviews and trailers below:

By Sophia Savage
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March 9, 2012 4:43 PM
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Video: Jennifer Westfeldt & Jon Hamm Talk 'Friends with Kids'

Features

Actress-writer-director Jennifer Westfeldt's romantic comedy "Friends with Kids" opens March 9 via Roadside Attractions, which acquired the film out of the Toronto Film Festival.